There is no physical outward difference between the Northern and Southern
strains. However, there is a definite genetic difference as seen when
genetic markers are used. I had a client who was a professor at Western
Carolina University who ran a study typing the brook trout in various WNC
streams. He said very few streams had pure southern Appalachian brook trout.
Most had either Northern strain or hybrids. I can't remember the exact
method but you could see the difference when they stained the DNA.

The size is going to be small. A very large brook trout will be about 12" or
so. You won't see the 6 pounders that you might get in Labrador or Quebec.

-John
"Drew Cutter" wrote in message
...
Did some reading on the southern Appalachian brook trout. Any picture on
the difference between the northern and southern ? How big do the pure
southern Appalachian brook trout get ?

John Richardson wrote:
The GSMNP doesn't have any streams that don't allow fishing for brown
trout. The Southern Appalachian strain of the brook trout is another
story. It is the only indigenous trout to the Smokies and it is the one
that the fisheries staff of the GSMNP along with Trout Unlimited and
others have worked so hard to get re-established.

Not all streams are open to brook trout fishing. However, they have begun
to open some streams to brook trout fishing as they have found that
fishing pressure has little effect on fish mortality. Most people were
already doing C&R so keeping a few didn't hurt the populations.

As to mail-order shops for fly tying materials, I think Feather Craft and
Mike Hogue's eflytyer are two of the best.

John R. in WNC


"Drew Cutter" wrote in message
...
My last day for fall semester is Christmas Eve. Kinda weird ? I'm
Getting my master in information system (Healthcare I.T). Doing most of
my classwork online. Not much of a Christmas break either. That why I'm
taking the summer semester off. I believe it browns on the Tennessee
side of the smokies that you weren't allow to fish until they a good
size population back again . May and June are going to be my fun months.
No school , do some kayaking , etc .

Mr. Opus McDopus wrote:
"Drew Cutter" wrote in message
...
As soon as I'm done with Grad school . I will be coming down to N.C
allot. I have several Kayaking buddies that live near Asheville. I was
hoping to make it down to the smokies for brown trout this august .
Time , money ,gas and lower running river stop me this year. My
understanding this was the first year to fish for brown trout in the
smokies national park.
See, we already have something in common. I am just beginning an MPA
program, at Appalachian State University, albeit at 47 years of age :~^
(

I haven't fished any of the streams of the Smokies, but I believe that
you may be mistaken about the "browns." I believe that there was a
brook trout re-establishment program instituted in the Smokies some
time back, where they poisoned out the rainbow and brown trout in
waters that were once the habitat of abundant brook trout. You can
fish for browns, in just about any stream in NC, and it's brookies that
are the more elusive prey, IIRC?

I live in Lenoir, NC, just down the mountain from Blowing Rock and
Boone. NC. I, primarily, fish the waters of this area, with great
success I might add--sometimes :~^ )

Given that this is my first semester back, after a ten year break from
school, and the likelihood of upper back surgery, during the christmas
break; I would be more than happy to welcome you into my home, in the
Spring, if you care to fish this part of the state.

I may be old and fallin' apart, but I'm also single and pretty much do
as I damn well please--fishin' and huntin'...that sort of thing, ya
know.

Op