Trout Stream Magic! We Were There!

Brookie. Square Tail. Brook Trout. Salvelinus fontinalis. Have you ever seen one? They are in our watershed in two unnamed tributaries running into Manchaug Pond. Have been for years.


(sorry this is not Manchaug's brook trout.)

Trout was the topic of a recent workshop (see my earlier post) sponsored by Massachusetts Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook facility and Trout Unlimited. Audubon's Donna Williams and 3 members of Trout Unlimited presented strategies to save our coldwater fisheries.


(a Manchaug watershed coldwater fishery!)

Here's a few ideas:
* Don't cut trees along trout streams as they keep it cool - trout need the water temperature under 68 degrees F.

* Rocks in the stream create riffles which add oxygen to the water.

* Vegetation along the shoreline and hanging in the water is also needed as it provides a home for trout food - insects, etc.



* Maintain a vegetative cover over the soil to prevent erosion.

* Avoiding applying or disposing of fertiizers, pesticides and other chemicals near the stream. They are toxic to the fish.

* Avoid practices that change the flow of the stream.


The workshop also provided a demonstration in fly tying was also given, with books on hand showing the insect they imitate, the art of fly fishing, etc.




Check out a local Audubon sanctuary - they have some pretty wild and informative programs going on and membership is half price!