Fall Trout Action

The Thornton Academy Anglers' Society got out for its last open water outing of 2018 last weekend. We utilized the recently updated state stocking report to select a local pond that had been stocked with a pile of trout about a week prior to our arrival. The Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and wildlife fish culturists are busy this time of year releasing fish all over the state in preparation for the upcoming ice fishing season. Several years back, in an effort to increase angler opportunity, the state began leaving many of these waters open to fishing throughout the late fall. Anglers are only allowed to use artificial lures and all trout and salmon must be released.

Marcus with a nice male brook trout

We hit the water early and got a bit of a slow start. It was windy out there and we were continually blown to the other end of the pond. Finally, I heard a hoot from across the way and saw Nolan land a nice trout. I breathed a sigh of relief as at least one person had caught a fish and we wouldn't be skunked. A few minutes later in the same cove, I noticed Marcus and Cody each had a trout on. By the time I got to them there were two big brookies in the net. At that point we had them dialed in and nearly every kid had caught a trout or two by the end of the morning.

Cody with a healthy female brook trout

Catching all of those trout with the club was so awesome but being able to share that experience with my students in Maine Fish & Wildlife class and relate it to the concepts we are currently learning is just perfect. During our latest unit, kids have been learning about sexual dimorphism and primary/secondary sexual characteristics. Male brook trout develop a vibrant color pattern, thick body, and hooked lower jaw (called a kype) during the fall spawning season. Females, while colorful, don't take it nearly to the same extremes. This is a classic example of sexual dimorphism through a secondary sexual characteristic. Being able to share our experience with my classes on Monday helped to drive home these concepts. I get real pumped up about making those connections and I hope the kids feel the same way.

A male brook trout in fall spawning colors, an example of a secondary sexual characteristic.