Brook Trout: A Species in Need

Brook Trout are the smallest of the three common species of trout in the southern Appalachian Mountains.  Brown trout and rainbow trout can therefore both be selective feeders while brook trout are pushed to become opportunistic feeders.  Pressure from human activities and other introduced species pose some very serious problems.  The roll brook trout play in aquatic ecosystems is much larger than simply a mechanism for a pleasurable hobby.  Brook trout are a significant warning mechanism for the health of the entire river system.  Due to their need for the most intact and pristine river systems their presence is an indicator of healthy invertebrate insect populations, dissolved oxygen levels, PH, and the overall physics of the stream including: healthy overhanging cover, depth, flows, maximum summer temperatures, etc.  The main goal of this website is to raise awareness for this important issue and petition for the addition of the brook trout to the threatened species list.  The petition itself will be a separate page that will outline the specific regulations that should be implemented.  After reading this petition, if you feel that it is not applicable or that it would have detrimental effects on sport fly fishing or streams in general feel free to comment on this page.  However, if you wish to sign the petition to help the cause please comment with your full name and date on the page of the petition itself.