Land of the Leftover Trout
 

Got out after work yesterday and wanted to explore a new spot near me. Hopped in the truck and took the drive over to a creek that I had passed a few times prior.

I was looking for some chubs or sunnies as I expected that's what I would find in this particular body of water, but was pretty surprised when I found good numbers of leftover stockies. I didn't see many other species of fish at all, definitely no sunfish, but I did see TONS of crayfish.

https://i.postimg.cc/52s7PtWX/20220607-182715.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/fyQB3tmr/20220607-184727.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/J4qPnhnp/20220607-185120.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/L5kvj9V6/20220607-185758.jpg

I ended landing 3 rainbow trout, and losing 5 more, all within an hour long trip. I had seen a trout stocking sign, but with the creek being as shallow as it was in most places and the fact that the stocking season is over, I was surprised to see them in such numbers. Made for a great evening bite though! Tight lines! :D

Re: Land of the Leftover Trout
 

Good find and the fish look real healthy ! Do you think that creek will stay cool enough for them to make it through summer ?

Re: Land of the Leftover Trout
 

It's hard to say. Seems like there's enough movement there to keep it properly oxygenated, and it has plenty of overhead cover from the sun, but when we get a true summer heatwave I could see it warming up quite a bit. Time will tell!

Re: Land of the Leftover Trout
 

how close were you to the headwaters?

Re: Land of the Leftover Trout
 

Not super close. It's not a very long creek but after a quick look on Google Maps I'd estimate I was probably somewhere in the ballpark of 3-5 miles away from the headwaters.

Re: Land of the Leftover Trout
 

They look like prime holdovers to keep for the grill. Stream flows looking like they were in your picture, I bet it warms above 70 and stays there. Only way to know for sure though is go back in Sept and see if there are still trout there.

(I know a few spots like this that I'll go take a few for table fare in the next couple weeks. :))

Re: Land of the Leftover Trout
 

Agreed, the flows were low. I'm don't eat pretty much any trout, but I'll definitely be back in the fall to see if any survived :D

Re: Land of the Leftover Trout
 

Nice scenery and fish !

Re: Land of the Leftover Trout
 

Thanks Andy! I thought of you when taking the scenery photos "any pics of the water??" LOL hope you're doing well. :)

Re: Land of the Leftover Trout
 

there wont be any left if you tell me what stream it was :D