Quality Poll...

[Mark Patenaude]

Joe can probably put this thread into one of his fancy poll formats but I wanted to ask the board members the following about the quality of trout fishing in the Berkshires:

Have your overall catch numbers increased, decreased or stayed the same?

Have the sizes of your trout caught increased, decreased or stayed the same?

Have you caught more, less or the same number of trout over 14"?

What is the largest trout (in inches) caught? (be honest, no B.S. about 30" fish)...

Have you caught more, less or the same number of stocked fish?

Do you think that the overall quality of trout fishing in the Berkshires has increased, decreased or stayed the same?

Mark

[Uplander]

Have your overall catch numbers increased, decreased or stayed the same?
· Stayed the same in most of my fishing spots, decreased in a few. When I was a boy, several of the places I fish had no roads passing within miles. It was a hike of several miles to reach our fishing spots. And, in those spots, it would not be uncommon to bring to hand at least 100 trout (wild natives!) in an afternoon. People roll their eyes when I say this, but it's true (Eagle Scout's honor). In the past 20 years, new roads have been pushed throughout the Berkshires, allowing easier access to some of those spots. Easier access equals more fishermen equals decreased catch.

Have the sizes of your trout caught increased, decreased or stayed the same?
· Stayed the same.

Have you caught more, less or the same number of trout over 14"?
· Not too many wild brook trout reach 14” in the Berkshires. That’s pretty much all I fish for, so I can’t speak for the stockers….

What is the largest trout (in inches) caught? (be honest, no B.S. about 30" fish)...
· No clue. I honestly don’t keep track.

Have you caught more, less or the same number of stocked fish?
· Same. As close to none as I can get.

Do you think that the overall quality of trout fishing in the Berkshires has increased, decreased or stayed the same?
· Stayed the same. Largely because the Berkshires has lost, or remained static, when it comes to population/development over the past few decades. I see that changing recently however, and expect that Berkshire fisheries will be degraded accordingly.

[JoeOverlock]

Trout fishing in the Hoosic has been declining in North Adams over the last few years, last year being the worst. We had some real bad floods last spring plus with the worm dunkers killing all the breaders in the Treet Cleaner hole, they just can't rebound.

I think the Deerfield has been getting better over the last few years. Jim's been fishing it longer then I have though, so he'll have a better opinion then me on that.

The small Brooks I fish in North County I've noticed a rise in the Brook Trout population. Pools that I would normally only see 1-2 Brookies in I was seeing 3-5 in last year.

So because the Hoosic has fished so poor this year, I would have to say it was a bad year for Trout for me. I'm interested to hear from the other members on this.

Just for the record, biggest trout I've ever seen with my own two eyes come out of the Hoosic was 24" and my Brother-In-Law caught it on a Silver Nose Dace.

Biggest one I've ever caught out of there, around 22"

[FishinCane]

I spend a lot of time on the Deerfield and Hoosic South Branch (Adams). The fishing has definately declined on these waters since the 1980's when I started fly fishing. I used to catch loads of native browns and brookies on the Hoosic SB. The past few years have been hit or miss. The Deerfield in the mid to late 80's was blue ribbon quality. Don't get me wrong, it's still good, but the quality of stocked fish has definately diminished (due in part to inconsistant water flows and loss of stocked fish to other waters - Hoositonic)

jim

[ctroy36]

As far as I can tell, the quality depends a lot on weather patterns. Two years ago we had a wet spring and summer and for me at least, the wet summer provided some of the best fishing in years. Last year -- hot and dry -- not so good. My experience was the same on both the Hoosic and the Housatonic. Small mountain brooks that hold wild brookies are less prone to those changes, though there are fewer such brooks today than in years past.

As to size, the state now stocks larger, if fewer, fish than they did back during the 50s-60s. Back then stockers were mainly 6-8 inch brookies. Today they seem to be 10-12-inch rainbows. In the past I've caught browns in the 16-20-inch range, but today those don't seem to be around. I consider it great to find an occasional 12-14-inch brown.

Can't comment on the Deerfield as I quit fishing there because of the crazy release schedule -- or should I say, lack of a schedule.

[Tim]

30' fish are no bullshit Ive hooked some bigger than that one time I hooked a small brown pulled it across the river fast and Blammo A giant Brown swallowed it hole.
I cased again got another small brown this time that big brown did the same thing! I let my line slack a moment then set the hook Yeha had him on boy was he big jumped about 10 times then took of down stream took all my line well into the backing!
Than he was gone never saw anything like that before or since No bullshit!
Flyfishing Forever Tim ;D

[jlibs]

I catch the avg stocked 10-14" rainbows and some browns in the typical places. I also catch several small 5-10" brookies in back hidden streams. I've only caught one monster Brown here in the Berkshires, and it was ice fishing. I'm happy to catch fish!

[Tim]

I did not say Bullnuts I did not know you could edit posts
Tim FlyFishing in America ;D
Ant it Great!

[JoeOverlock]

The computer edits it automatically, Tim. ;D

[Uplander]

One of my first posts here I mentioned woodcock hunting, but the BB automatically changed “woodcock” to “woodthingy.” I think it was eventually determined that woodcock is not a sexual reference or an obscenity, so it was allowed….

Bullnuts, eh? Is that the same thing as Rocky Mountain Oysters?

[Tim]

Some one else sead Bullshit it was not edited Yes Uplander They are the same!
One time in Montana in Roundup! on Rt 20 I saw The 10th anuial Great north west Testicial
festival No Bullshit! Yes now I know ho you are Betty spoke of you often when I menchend Flyfishing or tying! Glad to get to talk to you even if olny on the net! How is your grandma Ive olny talked to her once sinces My mom died?
Flyfishing Forever Tim

[Tim]

Ps Joe I don't care about my spelling or my typing Like I mentioned before I am not hear for a spelling lesson! Sorry I am not a good speller I don't think i ever will be good at typing hit the wrong keys some times! Also sorry you are not A good Tyer! Ha Ha! ;D ;D

Tying Fever Tim

[Uplander]

Tim said:

Yes now I know ho you are Betty spoke of you often when I menchend Flyfishing or tying! Glad to get to talk to you even if olny on the net! How is your grandma Ive olny talked to her once sinces My mom died?
Flyfishing Forever Tim

She’s doing OK Tim, thanks for asking. As you might imagine, it has been difficult for her, losing her husband of 50+ years and your mother, her best friend, all in the span of less than a year.

[JoeOverlock]

Tim said:

Ps Joe I don't care about my spelling or my typing Like I mentioned before I am not hear for a spelling lesson! Sorry I am not a good speller I don't think i ever will be good at typing hit the wrong keys some times! Also sorry you are not A good Tyer! Ha Ha! ;D ;D

Tying Fever Tim

Hey Tim,

If you want me to take you out for a day on the Hoosic I'll guide you for only $300 for a full day.

[Tim]

Ha ha Thats the Day I need you to guide me! Like to Go to Yellowstone i will guide you For nothing! All you have to do is Drive! I know all the good spots. Could camp for just about nothing! How about it? or Labrador! never fished their but could guide you their to!
See ya on my hole! Tim Really