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Tyler | Traphill Angling Society

@th.anglingsociety

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Nonprofit leader & Brook Trout Conservationist

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By far the most unique brook trout I have ever caught taken in NC Mountains by @th.anglingsociety

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a year ago

The two largest, wild NC brook trout I have caught to date.

These two trout were caught a week apart within 200 yards of each other in different tributaries. This watershed is in a county that sees little to no pressure aside from a few stocked streams.

The first time I explored this creek, I caught a few average sized brookies before a monster hit my fly and broke off. I had caught large native brookies prior, but the fish in this creek were different. The incredible insect life had allowed a number of brookies in this creek to grow to 13”, 14” and even a 15”. I saw it with my own eyes or I wouldn’t believe it!

My third visit to this stream, everything changed. The entire watershed is a forested area away from the road, except for a deep culvert pool that is visible to cars passing by. I had never seen other humans or anglers here prior and there’s nothing on the internet about this creek. On my third visit, there was a group of 7-8 hikers, fisherman and a wildlife officer all standing over the culvert looking down at what had to be the biggest brook trout in the state. My lifetime goal is a 15” NC brookie and this fish was every bit of it! Unfortunately, it sitting in a pool right off the road that was fully visible due to the drought was it’s downfall.

My last 8 visits to this creek have produced high numbers of fish but nothing over 7”. In fact, I have never seen a large brookie in this stream in my last year visiting. The wildlife officer I spoke to said the stream was cleaned out once locals saw the size of the brookies in the culvert pool.

I still believe that 15” wild brookie is out there, just further up or downstream. taken in Great State of Wilkes by @th.anglingsociety

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2 years ago

Another unique brook trout from the same creek that produced one with a genetic mutation when I first fished it in May. This small, isolated stream seem seems to have genetics that cause a rare discoloration in a number of the trout in it. taken in NC Mountains by @th.anglingsociety

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a year ago

A slow day of fishing that turned into a special outing when I hooked into this perfect specimen of a brook trout.

Started to see some fish pairing up for spawn- only a few more brook trout outings before I give them a break to target rainbows and browns for the rest of fall. taken in NC Mountains by @th.anglingsociety

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10 days ago

Great day on the water with friends in one of my favorite state parks. Always fun catching brook trout under 2,000 ft elevation. taken in NC Mountains by @th.anglingsociety

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12 days ago

Nice native brook trout out of a local stream. Spooked a few even larger that I plan to come back for when water is higher. taken in NC Mountains by @th.anglingsociety

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22 days ago

Great past week getting to do some fishing with my parents on a trip to one of our favorite parts of the state. Unfortunately the significant drought and some forest road closures led to more challenging fishing.

So the next day I hiked into one of the better trout streams in the state, holding a robust southern Appalachian brook trout population. Here, the flow wasn’t quite as jeopardized by the drought and the trout were aggressive, gearing up for spawn.

The abnormally hot summer and low water has me concerned about brook trout spawn this fall. taken in NC Mountains by @th.anglingsociety

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a month ago

The easternmost brook trout in North Carolina. Residing deep down a ravine, these trout are descendants of a population that was rescued from another creek after poor agriculture practices almost wiped them out.

An emergency relocation put them in this creek on public land, which was logged in the mid 1900’s, but the stream had recovered since then and was suitable brook trout habitat when the wildlife commission was looking for a stream to relocate the trout to.

Finding brook trout on the fringe of their range in places they probably shouldn’t be able to still exist today is incredibly exciting and a testament to how resilient they are. taken in NC Mountains by @th.anglingsociety

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a month ago

Gorgeous brook trout out of a creek with one of the most diverse habitats in the state taken in NC Mountains by @th.anglingsociety

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2 months ago

Last year, I came across a huge brook trout below a culvert pool at a forest service road crossing. The fish spooked before I could get a cast off and that was the end of that.

I returned to that section of stream recently and was thrilled when that same fish came out from an undercut bank to demolish my nymph just downstream of the pool he was in last year. taken in NC Mountains by @th.anglingsociety

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2 months ago

Project Highlight: Monitoring The Future of Brook Trout Streams

We're tracking stream temps across 13 streams in Wilkes and Alleghany counties, home to some of the lowest-elevation native Southern Appalachian brook trout populations left.

With 26 loggers deployed across streams ranging from thriving to extirpated, this data will guide future translocations, habitat enhancements, and where conservation dollars go furthest.

A collaborative effort with NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Traphill Angling Society, Native Fish Coalition, Blue Ridge TU, and Stone Mountain TU.

Want in? We're pulling data from all 26 loggers this December and could use volunteers. Reach out or visit the link in bio to donate.

👀 Did you see the brook trout swimming away from Tyler in the first slide? taken in Western North Carolina by @th.anglingsociety

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2 months ago

Overnight trip to one of my favorite areas in the NC mountains. Lots of southern strain brook trout, cooler temperatures and high flows. by @th.anglingsociety

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2 months ago