TRIPLE TREAT OUR TRIO OF TROUT

Triple Treat

Our Trio of Trout

by Judy Van Put

Our region has long been a destination for trout shermen. Since the early 1800s, trout shers were lured by the native brook trout, the only species of trout that inhabited our waters. But as over shing began to deplete the brook trout, rainbow trout from California and brown trout from Europe were imported and stocked to replenish the streams and satisfy angling pressure. While brook trout inhabited the colder, cleaner and purer headwaters and tributaries, it was discovered that browns and rainbows could withstand the warmer temperatures of our lower river sections and ll the void that brook trout could not. Today, all three species inhabit our local streams. The Brook Trout is New York State’s of cial State Fish. Early anglers enjoyed not only the beauty, but the sweet taste of these native sh found in the sparkling waters of our Catskill streams. Their Latin name Savelinus fontinalis translates to “living in cold springs” (fountains); and are an indicator of water purity as they require the coldest, cleanest and most highly oxygenated water in which to live. Most of our cooler headwater streams and tributaries still contain native wild brook trout. The smallest and most colorful of the trout family, brook trout are a dark olive-green with light colored ‘wormwood’ marks on their backs,

Photo by Paul Kean

Brook Trout photo by Ed Van Put

and bright red and blue spots on the sides. Their ns are particularly outstanding, black and ery orange/red with a bright white leading edge or border.

Brown Trout, Salmo trutta, were imported from Germany in 1883. Browns do well in the lower reaches of rivers and streams, are faster growing and longer lived than brook trout. They have an elongated brown or yellow-brown body with numerous spots -- the spots on the lower body are red surrounded with lighter colored halos. Many anglers enjoy shing for brown trout because they are relatively wary, grow larger, and are a challenge to catch on a y. Brown trout are “bullish” — just when you think you can land them in your net they take off and run again! The rst non-native species of trout to be stocked in Catskill waters were Rainbow Trout, brought to New York State from California in 1875, when rivers and streams of New York were rst being depleted of brook trout. The rainbows are able to withstand slightly higher temperatures than brown trout or brook trout. They grew quickly and thrived; however, it was soon learned that these colorful sh migrated out from where they were stocked, and eventually were replaced by stocking brown trout in the Beaverkill and Delaware watersheds. Named for the beautiful colors that shine on their skin, rainbows sport a silvery bluish salmon-shaped body covered with small black spots, clearly visible in their slightly forked tail, with a bright reddish-pink streak of color across their sides from gills to tail, and a pearl-white underside. Interestingly, despite the fact that rainbows have not been stocked by the state of New York in the Delaware watershed for more than fty years, rainbows are migrating into the waters of our region, and an increasing number of these colorful and feisty sh are being caught, providing exciting shing – often leaping out of the water when hooked and putting on a display of jumps and runs, like wild mustangs, often taking you into your backing. We are fortunate to have three species of trout to sh for, each offering something different. On your next shing trip to our local waters, try your hand at catching a trio of trout!

RainbowTrout Photo by Judy Van Put

Brown Trout, held by the late “‘Catskill Bill” Kelly.

Photo by Judy Van Put

Judy Van Put of Livingston Manor grew up shing with her Dad from the age of 5 and today enjoys y- shing for trout. She is a member of the NYS Outdoor Writers Association and received the Professional Communications Award from the NYS Council of Trout Unlimited. She has been writing shing columns for the past thirty years; her Streamside column can be found in the Sullivan County Democrat.

Photo by Dave Eggleton Relish what we have to offer all year long. Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter we have outdoor activities and planned events for everyone to enjoy.

Dette Flies TURNS 95

Established in 1928, Dette Flies is the oldest family-run y shop in the world. Check their website, Facebook and Instagram for special events & happenings throughout the year. Serving anglers for 95 years in the Catskills & beyond. Offering ne American ies, casting lessons, guided trips, tying materials & y tackle.

Bruce Pollock of Inside the Blue Line is teaching the basics. “Fly fi shing for trout requires understanding what they eat,” said Bruce. Above, he is showing new anglers the mayfl y nymphs thriving in the slime on a river rock. Photo by Peter Crosby

Union Street in Roscoe is hopping. Be sure to stop by!