brook trout fly fishingThere’s a lot of activity in the spring. Understanding the environment and how the weather and the changing climate is affecting how the fish are responding to these changes will make you a better angler.

  • The first point to remember is that spring is a time that food is in excess.

Spring Fishing Patterns

This is a time of busy activity both in the water and above. Long winters characterize much of their habitat. A multitude of animals survive on very little in terms of food during the winter while others hibernate.

In spring, everything comes to life. Plant life springs up once the ground is thawed. Insects are everywhere and immediately start to mate. Birds and mammals also begin their mating season and begin to feed on the plenty around them.

The same fury of activity occurs beneath the water. Bait fish begin to mate and school in the shallows. This brings the predators like the Brook Trout.

  • However, unlike other predators, the Brook Trout and other Charr, don’t spawn until the fall.

Brook Trout have a fighting spirit

Brook trout put up a pretty good fight that’s on par with the best smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. And as with bass, the bigger the fish, the better the fight.

Even when you get a small Brook Trout on the line you’ll know you have something special and it will seem larger that it actually is.

Best Flies to use

Fly fishing is best suited for spring. Insects abound and are always falling into the river from overhanging trees and brush.

  • Both dry and wet flies work well
  • Bright colored flies work the best

Some good wet flies include: Black Gnat, 10-16; Cow Dung, 12-20; March Brown American, 10-14; Rio Grande King, 10-16; Silver Doctor, 12-16; and Fontinails Fin, 10-16.

Good dry flies include: Brown Bivisible, 10-20; Little Brook Trout Streamer, 10-16; Red Midge Larva, 12-20; Sawyer Nymph, 12-18; and Black Grizzly Bivisible, 12-22.


When fishing in remote areas, keep an eye out for bears and make sure you have some form of bear repellent or a hunting rifle to make sure you’re safe.

Avoid getting close to larger animals like the moose as the male has been know to charge humans when they get to close.