Brook Trout
Brook Trout are native to Labrador and thrive in its pristine streams, lakes and rivers.
McKenzie River Fly Fishing Lodge offers Labrador Brook Trout fishing trips that undeniably some of the best in the world, in some of the most remote areas to fish for Brook Trout on the continent.
Our Brook Trout are strong, wild, beautifully colored river fish that readily take a fly. Abundant in the river system they average 3 to 5 lbs but larger Brook Trout of 6 to 10 lbs have been released.
The camp record of 9 lbs 4 oz was caught and released in August 2007. Brook Trout are carnivorous, opportunistic, predators. The McKenzie river system is blessed with abundant bait fish populations of, White Suckers, Pearl Dace and Mottled Sculpins. Patterns imitating these species produce well all season. Ice out comes in the 2nd -3rd week of June, the water is high and cold, and there is an explosion of life.
The first hatches are Giant Stoneflies ( Pteronarcys Dorsata ) and Mayflies, followed by Golden Stones. There is also a huge spawning run of White Suckers. The Brook Trout feed heavily on the hatches, but also take streamers and egg patterns.
In July the waters levels are dropping and the brook Trout are concentrated in pools and pocket water, hatches of Mayflies and Caddis Flies bring excellent dry fly action. Elk Hair Caddis, Bombers , Caribou Bugs, Wulffs and Mouse Patterns all produce well. By August the hatches are finished, the Brook Trout are getting their pre-spawn colors and moving threw the river system up to the headwaters where they will spawn.
Large streamers, wooly Buggers, Bombers and Mice patterns are good as are Tan Elk Hair Caddis. This season usually produces the largest Brook Trout of the year but they become more difficult to catch as the spawning season approaches. The water can be low and very clear, sight fishing is possible and discretion is the name of the game.
From June to September wading the innumerable riffles, runs and pools in the the three rivers we fish will produce trophy Labrador brook Trout on every trip. Indeed a World class Brook Trout could be raised on any cast.
