The world record Brook trout is 14.5 lbs. and was caught in the Nipigon River, Ontario in 1915 by Dr. JW Cook on a minnow. It’s no secret Canada is home to the biggest and baddest Brook Trout in the world. Bar none.
The river chosen for our 2017 Canadian Brook trout trip was massive by any Midwest standards. Using Native guides and 40 hp outboards was the only way this river could be run and fished. The size and speed of this river was intimidating with its massive boulders the size of full size pickup trucks and current speeds approaching 15 mph in some rapids. Fishing it was even more challenging. Think of this river as pool 2 on massive steroid overdose.
One of our challenges was finding where we were going to find these fish in such a huge river. First, we had to identify the rapids they were feeding in and then what part of the rapids they were in – basically the spot on the spot. Most of the bigger trout were located at the very bottom end of tail outs immediately above major rapids. This was where the current was the fastest producing the best feeding lanes for huge trout. Another prime location were selective slicks behind huge boulders.
Many Trout were caught on this trip but equally as many were lost – especially the bigger ones. It was very difficult to hold and fight these brutes in the massive current. Our biggest fish were up to 23″ pushing 5 lbs.
Our Trout were caught using spinning gear on 1/2 to 3/4 oz. spoons and no. 15 Panther Martin spinners. We tried fly fishing but the massive size of the river with its varying current speeds plus 30 mph winds made fly fishing extremely difficult.
Our goal was to catch a PB 24″ Brook trout on this trip which we fell about an inch short of – which is a massive Brook trout even by Canadian standards. Oh well, we will have to try again in 2018 I guess.
Looking forward to next year. Hopefully, to catch that elusive 24″ Canadian Brook trout.
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