Speck-tacular

Ontario's brook trout are as beautiful as the waters they thrive in.

The most brilliant hues of red, yellow, orange, blue—and even flecks of gold—are all assembled on the perfect green palette that is the brook trout

Their beauty is comparable only to others in their genus of char. Salvelinus fontinalis, or brook trout—also called speckled trout, brookies and square-tails—are a prized Ontario gem. Quite literally. The world record brook trout was, after all, caught in the famous (because of the record) waters of the Nipigon system in 1915 by Dr. JW Cook—a whopping 14 pounds 8 ounces of purely native brook trout.

small brook trout
A stocked central Ontario brook trout is about to be returned to the water. Photo: Alyssa Lloyd

Although there’ve been contenders for the title, none have officially been weighed on certified scales. In other words, those anglers were good sportsmen and women who returned the astonishingly large fish back to the water.

My first experience with brook trout was as modest as they come, but exhilarating nonetheless. I had just picked up fly fishing at the time and my feeble attempts were gratefully rewarded.

On a journey back from Eagle Lake in Ontario’s northwest, my friend Sam Thompson and I stopped along one of Lake Superior’s tributaries to see if we could shake a stick at some of the lower water levels.

It was Canada Day and, after chasing muskie on a 10-weight rod for a week, my 5-weight with a size 19 fly felt like a wisp-ful feather in my hand.

small brook trout
Modest size, extraordinary colours. A native gold-flecked brookie blends perfectly with its environment. Photo: Alyssa Lloyd

Sam is an avid fly angler who grew up fishing the streams and rivers of Washington state. When we walked down to the banks, I watched in awe as Sam cast his line, seemingly weightless, and waited for permission to come down to the water. He promptly told me to use a tattered Royal Wulff and start casting at eddies. Lo and behold, a few minutes in I had my very first brook trout on the line.

My wonderment for these fish only grew when I began targeting them through the ice. It might also be that fishing with the right people makes the species of fish you're after even more special just from the memories.

releasing brook trout through ice hole
This square tail is being released to swim another day in central Ontario's waters. Photo: Alyssa Lloyd

This was a drastically different circumstance from my first brook trout—it was -28 °C and we were on eight inches of ice in the middle of nowhere. We had the whole lake to ourselves and we used it wisely. Ashley was the most experienced in our group when it came to hard water trout. She had no trouble at all putting us on the sassy little spitfires straight away. Another beautiful fish with more beautiful souls.

young angler with brook trout
Lori Pitcher holds up a young brook trout from a stocked fishery in central Ontario. Photo: Alyssa Lloyd

Now that I’ve moved to the northwestern region of Ontario, I’ve made it my mission to target more brook trout, both native and stocked.

Hopefully, those fish will be shared with wonderful new friends, making me grow even fonder of the brilliant brookie.

About Alyssa Lloyd

Alyssa Lloyd is a photojournalist based out of Kenora working with Ontario's Sunset Country. The outdoors has been the center of her work and personal life for as long as she can remember. As an angler, Alyssa spends most of her time chasing multiple species on both conventional and fly gear. 

Recommended Articles

Top 5 Baits for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass

What baits do you use to target bass? Find out why these 5 are the best!

Piecing Together the Muskie Puzzle

How looking for loons can lead us to the big fish!

Top 5 Flies for Smallmouth Bass

The inside scoop on bass flies from the hosts of The New Fly Fisher.

Twitchbait Smallies

Your guide to open water smallmouth fishing in Atikokan.

Summer Brook Trout

Expert Advice for Fishing Ontario Lakes

Don’t Be Afraid Of Muskies

Muskies are fish of 10,000 casts and are found in large bodies of water in Northwestern Ontario.

3 Great Ontario Walleye Destinations

Karl of Extreme Angler recommends must do walleye lakes in Ontario.

Top 5 Tips To Fish Smallmouth Bass in Ontario

Ontario has some of the top smallmouth bass opportunities. in the world.

10 Facts About Lake of the Woods

10 facts amazing about this massive Northwest Ontario Lake!

Ontario Brook Trout

Fish these 10 sweet spots.

Top 5 Musky Destinations in Ontario

The Musky Hunter shows you where to land the best musky in Ontario waters.

20 Years With Fish TV!

Fish TV discusses their favourite Ontario catches

Ontario’s Monster Northern Pike Fishing Adventures

Ontario is home to first-class accommodations and incredible fishing experiences.

WOW Summer Whitefish

Whitefish hit harder in the open water season than in the winter

Balsam Lake Walleye

How to use snap jigging to catch Ontario walleye.

5 Places to Shore Fish

Fish’n Canada shows you where to go shore fishing in Ontario.

Big Boat Portaging

Fishing on Lady Evelyn Lake in Northeastern Ontario

The Lake With Giant Bass

Lake Lauzon has tons of bass to satisfy any dedicated bass angler.

5 Things to Consider When Buying a New Boat!

Great tips and things to keep in mind when you are looking to purchase a new boat.

St. Francis Titans

Fishing the Original Muskie Capital of the World