. All these things are important and blend together to make a stream
special. But more important than all of the above is that fleeting
moment when were a part of all this, and can for a short time lay aside
our troubles and simply relax as we become one with nature. For this
reason alone, any trout stream could be deemed perfect.
As I mentioned earlier, our perfect stream must have trout and plenty of
them. Barren of trout, even the most beautiful stream would soon pale. A
fly fisher can stand only so much beauty without seeing or catching a
trout. Some say it doesnt really make any difference if they catch fish
or not. Could be, but catching fish puts the finishing touch on a
perfect stream on a perfect day. I have found though, that as I grow
older, I fish less and spend more time enjoying my surroundings while on
a stream.
There are many types of trout streams and their geology affects stream
hydrology and hydrology affects the species of trout that can survive
and do well. Dams also play an important part in stream hydrology and
what the stream offers in the way of trout and what species of trout are
best suited to it. Take the meadow streams of the west with their lush
green grass, beautiful wildflowers, rainbows and browns and easy wading.
Then there are small mountain streams, with their pocket water where
you rarely wade, but walk from pool to pool hiding behind vegetation
along the banks and stealthily flipping your fly under an overhang on a
pool or run, trying to outwit the wary brown or the tiny Brook Trout.
Perhaps the most beautiful of all trout is the Golden Trout found only
in the high mountain streams and lakes as we near 10,000 feet in elevation.
We all know of the fabulous Spring Creeks , fed by groundwater
emanating from springs flowing out of limestone outcroppings. Spring
creeks have a much softer gradient, (slope), than a stream that is fed
by seasonal rains or runoff from snow melt, such as the mountain or
freestone streams in the Rockies with their browns, rainbows and
cutthroat trout. These streams come rushing down the mountains in a
series of pools, runs and riffles as they make their way to the valleys
below, where they normally feed water storage reservoirs that ultimately
release water used to irrigate crops or for industry and by fly fishers,
but most important, drinking water.
The world renowned Chalk streams are restricted by geology to southern
and eastern England and are fed by water from Cretaceous chalk aquifers.
Their temperature is mostly constant throughout the year. Chalk streams
are rarely subject to floods or droughts. Runoff is minimal and Chalk
Streams are more stable than other types as a result. Chalk streams,
like Spring Creeks somewhat limit pool-riffle development because of
their gentle gradient. Water quality and clarity is generally good. This
promotes a healthy environment for the Brown Trout, insects and aquatic
plants.
Dams can have a tremendous effect on trout populations. Not all streams
and rivers have dams, but those that do have what is called Tail Water
or a Tail Race . Tail water is that which flows out of the gates of the
dam that holds back the stream or river. Dams were built for flood
control and hydroelectric power generation and storage reservoirs to
hold water for later use. Fishing hydroelectric tail waters is an
adventure and can be very dangerous if youre caught on the tail water
when the water release starts.
--
Jimmy D. Moore - Author,Outdoor Writer, TOWA,
Texas Fish & Game, VP Chapter Affairs GRTU, FFF
Owner/Webmaster - Worldwide Flyfishing Info.
http://www.BIGTROUTMAN.homestead.com/MainPage.html
www.sportingtales.com This is the website of Sporting Tales
magazine - No "how-to OR "where-to"! Just the "Why-to",
with outstanding campfire type stories about hunting and fishing.
