“The key to fishing waterways with lumber is understanding how the wood orients the trout.”
Some wild and native trout streams are laden with naturally-gouged pools that hold a plethora of trout during all seasons of the year. Other creeks contain large boulders that create perfect pockets and eddies where larger trout command over the little guys. Still other streams don’t possess the natural rock formations, or topography in general to create the most ideal trout scenarios, and are often comprised of shallow riffles and rapids that simply lead to more of the same. They don’t provide wild trout the best hiding or feeding stations.
Predating on bugs and small fish life is more difficult in featureless waters thus leading to diminished growth and spawning success due to lack of hearty nutrition. Furthermore, they are prone to aerial assaults by hawks, herons and eagles which can stalk from the banks, trees and skies. So what non-manmade changes to a creek can really help a trout population and the anglers that cast to them? Enter timber.
Trees that fall into a small to medium-sized stream have a dramatic impact on the ecosystem and give anglers improved casting targets that provide habitat for trout. Large trees that cross an entire stream bed have the ability to introduce a scouring effect in their lee, therefore digging out large pools. Moreover, the lumber itself supplies cover for trout. Anglers should cast as close as possible on the up and down current side of the timber, as flies or lures will get whacked by fish hiding under the wood. Fish staging downstream will readily hustle against the current to grab a meal.
If a large tree has smaller limbs piled up therefore creating a junction with different gaps to drop a lure into, they should definitely not be ignored. Some of these openings are surprising deep and contain some hefty trout. Targeting them isn’t so easy though. Like many, I’ve had to walk across a downed tree in order to drop a lure into open water. This is fun and challenging fishing because the fish doesn’t have many places to run to and the angler has to make quick decisions, keep the drag tight and quickly land the fish. The reality is that I lose more fish than I catch when dapping a lure in the tighter pockets within branches. But it sure is fun trying.
On some streams, it seems the sizeable trout don’t leave their lairs very often and the same fish can be tried again on a different outing. A trout magnet is better than a spinner and terrestrial flies work well in clusters of lumber.
Earlier in the 2000s a series of nasty hurricanes sent remnant winds and rain into the Appalachian Chain and surrounding foothills. Trout streams came under unparalleled stress and many trout were said to have not survived. One residual result of these powerful systems was the amount of down trees clogging waterways. On the plus side, they instantly created new and enhanced habitat that usually helped the trout flourish. However, anglers have also found difficulty navigating each road block as they trekked their favorite waters or fisherman’s trail near the water. I can attest that going over and under fallen giants made grueling outing.
It doesn’t take tropical remnants to drop timber. Trees that have died, burned or rotted while still standing often fall when the ground gets soaked and the winds kick up. Hence changes to a stream’s personality continue to occur on a naturally rolling basis. On popular and highly-maintained waters, anglers will see where park service personal have taken chain saws to the timber in order to mitigate difficult hiking, and sometimes, fishing activities.
The key to fishing waterways with lumber is understanding how the wood orients the trout. Casts should be presented accordingly. Since daring anglers send their offering close to areas where hang-ups are almost inevitable, they should carry ample terminal tackle in reserve. Losing tackle is inevitable. The most important strategic aspect is to understand that fallen lumber presents opportunity even if it does require tactical effort. Fair weather fishermen often take a pass on the most difficult log jams that are just too daunting. Those are just the kind of features to look for when trying for native or wild trout that may not see artificial offerings very often.
