Brook trout
Know your fish
Brook trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
Typical size:20–40 cm, 0.2–1 kg
- Worm-like (vermiculated) markings on the back; red spots with blue halos on the sides
- White leading edges on the lower fins
- Square tail
Looks like: Bull trout has no worm marks on the back and no blue halos; it must be released in most waters.
0255075100125150
cm
OK to keep
- Provincial rules; generally a daily quota, no minimum
Must release
- Check the local regs
Best months
May, June, July, August, September
Fishing licences across Canada
Rig to tie
- 1Fly line 6 wt floating or intermediate line
- 2Leader 9 ft tapered leader to 8 lb tippet
- 3Fly Clouser Minnow olive/white size 4–6, Rolled Muddler, or epoxy sand lance; barbless
- 4Spin alternative Ultralight rod, 6 lb mono straight through
- 5Lure 1/8 oz Gibbs Croc, size 1 Mepps, or 1/8 oz pink jig for coho
How to tie and fish it
Tie it:Loop-to-loop the leader to the fly line. Tie the fly with a non-slip loop knot.
Fish it:Walk the beach on the first half of the flood at dawn. Cast along the drop-off and strip fast with pauses. Fish move with the tide, so keep walking.