- Okay, we got a fish, got a fish.
This could be our brook trout.
It's up to me now to do the netting.
Here we go.
(intense music)
West Virginia is renowned
for being an adventure seekers paradise
and if you love animals, they have no shortage
of wild and wonderful species.
Brave Wilderness usually puts focus
on the state's many reptiles and amphibians,
but recently we featured
what is arguably its most iconic fish,
West Virginia's very own golden rainbow trout.
This selectively bred color variation may be beautiful
but truth be told, it's not a native species.
In fact, the only native trout species
to claim residence in the Mountain State is the Brook trout.
Catching these elusive fish can be very difficult.
So, we have teamed up with a skilled fly fishing guide
from Smoke Hole Outfitters.
Josh tells me he's pretty confident
that with just in a few casts,
he's gonna have one of these fish.
I'm certainly looking forward
to getting up close for the cameras
what they consider a true jewel
of the West Virginia rivers.
All right, a couple more miles to go
and then, we're fishing.
We hiked several miles to an iconic hotspot for these fish,
known as Seneca Falls.
The deep, turbulent water
creates a high level of oxygenation
and dark rocky outcrops provide countless hiding spots
for these fish.
In short, this is the ideal habitat
for finding these native trout.
Man, he has got one heck of a cast.
Pretty cool to watch his art form, fly fishing.
If there's any chance of us landing a brook trout today,
it's gonna be him doing it.
I don't even know how to fly fish.
With a normal fishing pole,
there's no way I'd catch one of these fish.
Fly fishing is simply defined
as an angling method that uses a lightweight lure,
called an artificial fly, to catch fish.
It's origin is ancient
and the art form has been around for centuries
but reached a cultural popularity in the late 1800s.
Today, it is more popular than ever
and anglers travel the world
hoping to land their next prized fish.
(water babbles)
He got one.
Our first fish of the day is a rainbow trout
and while this species is non-native,
our particular catch is considered a wild born fish
based on its small size.
I consider this a good start to the day
because it means the fish are biting.
Whoa, look at that little guy.
That's so beautiful.
A large percentage of fly fishermen
believe in the catch and release method.
This iconic pastime is not necessarily about landing a meal.
It's more about being lost
in a contemplative moment with nature
and an exciting interaction with these stunning fish.
Brook trout are incredibly skittish,
which means the second they see something near the water,
they will dive down deeper
and hide beneath the crevices and underneath rocks
or right up against the sides of rock.
So, this truly is an art form.
When it comes to landing this native species
here in West Virginia,
a lot more difficult than it looks, trust me,
a lot more difficult.
(water rushes)
(intense music)
(Coyote laughs)
Almost.
Big brook trout, right in that back corner.
It just hit our fly a second ago.
Actually the fish was so big, it took the fly.
So, hopefully we're gonna get a second chance at it.
They're out there.
Just like any rod and reel fishing,
fly fishing is all about the patience.
Little bit of persistence
and eventually it will pay off.
Okay, we got a fish, got a fish.
Think it's a brookie?
This could be our brook trout.
Here we go.
It's up to me now to do the netting.
Yes, yes.
Got it.
Yes! We got it!
Brook trout, buddy!
(Coyote cheers)
- [Josh] That's a beauty.
- We have got a brook trout.
All right guys, we have done it.
We have caught a brook trout,
the only native trout species here in West Virginia
but here's something that you probably didn't know.
The brook trout isn't actually a trout, technically.
It is a part of the char family,
but without question, this is a true gem
of the West Virginia rivers.
Look at all those spots.
Pink, surrounded in blue.
That marbling is called vermiculation
and it provides them with perfect camouflage
beneath these cold water environments.
When it comes to size,
the males do get larger than the females.
They can grow up to nearly two feet in length
and it's tough to tell
whether this is a male or female at this size.
I would guess it's likely a female.
During breeding season, the males will actually get
this really distinct bright coloration on their bellies.
That's during the spawning season.
Take a look at those eyes, big bulbous eyes.
These fish have incredible eyesight
and I would consider this a diurnal predator,
which means that they're hunting under the light of day,
waiting for something to fall onto the surface of the water
and then they, like a muscular missile,
rocket to the surface, grasp onto their prey,
and they've got a meal.
When I look into the jaws of that fish,
there's some pretty sharp little teeth
for such a formidable predator,
and they will take down any small invertebrates
that they come across,
freshwater shrimp, crayfish,
or the larva of any insect species makes a great meal.
Now because of the fast flows of water
that these fish live within,
there's a high level of oxygen.
So, in a body of water that's completely still,
the fish have to keep moving
to pass that water over the gills,
but these fish can actually stay in one spot
and let the water flow through naturally.
They love cold water
and trust me, this water is very, very cold.
Well, there's no question about it,
today was certainly an epic day.
Big thanks to Smoke Hole Outfitters
for leading the expedition
into the back country of West Virginia,
where we were finally able to find and catch
its beautiful state fish, the one and only brook trout.
I'm Coyote Peterson.
Be brave. Stay wild.
We'll see you on the next adventure.
Our brilliantly speckled brook trout
may not have been the biggest fish,
but what it lacked in size,
it made up for with an elegant beauty.
If you would like to try your luck
at landing West Virginia's state fish,
all you need to do is purchase a basic fishing license.
However, finding the perfect spot to cast your fly
is a challenge unto its own.
I recommend contacting Smoke Hole Outfitters.
Their guides know the rivers better than anyone
and your experience is guaranteed
to be an adventure you will never forget.
Hey, coyote pack,
if you thought the brook trout was amazing,
make sure to go back
and watch my encounter with this glimmering beauty,
the golden rainbow trout.
And don't forget, subscribe and join memberships,
so you can lead alongside me and the crew
on our next wild adventure.
(gentle music)
(coyote howls)