Spring 2006

Adirondacks Offer Remote Brook Trout

By MIKE SEYMOUR
The brook trout, like the common loon, signifies the essence of the Adirondack wilderness. Any venture to a remote pond in search of brookies promises an awesome setting, a respite from the hectic pace of modern lifestyles, an enriching experience, an intimacy with the natural world, a magical solitude, and a personal renewal. Anyone who spends time in the Adirondack wilderness returns home a richer person. Whenever this individual recalls the experience, nature beckons; mind, body, and spirit come alive with an overwhelming urge to return to the wild.

Big Three
Five hundred Adirondack lakes and ponds have significant populations of brook trout, sometimes called speckled trout, and over 300 of these waters are found on public lands. When searching for a remote experience for brookies, individuals should consider the Big Three: St. Regis Canoe Area, Pharoah Lake Wilderness, and West Canada Lakes Wilderness.
Each area boasts of wild and stocked brook trout, numerous ponds and lakes, miles of marked hiking trails, and wild, remote settings. Visitors here, especially those who work their way into the heart of an area, may go days without encountering other humans. Because thick vegetation typically dominates the shorelines of wilderness waters, anglers who carry in inflatable rafts or lightweight canoes will have the best fishing opportunities.

St. Regis Canoe Area
Of the Big Three, the St. Regis Canoe Area is most accessible. The St. Regis is the only designated canoe area in New York State, and the area is managed as wilderness with a special focus on non-motorized water recreation and the protection of fishery resources. Located in southern Franklin County, the Canoe Area covers 18,000 acres and includes 58 bodies of water. This vast tract of wilderness offers a variety of trip possibilities ranging from a half-day to two weeks. Popular trips include the Seven Carries and the Nine Carries, but canoeists can opt for a trip with any number of carries. In addition to brook trout, waters in the Canoe Area also hold lake trout, splake, landlocked salmon, and rainbow trout. DEC offers a free brochure entitled ''The St. Regis Canoe Area and The Saranac Lakes Wild Forest.''

Pharoah Lake Wilderness
Accessible by foot only, Pharoah Lake Wilderness offers a more remote experience than St. Regis Canoe Area. Pharoah Lake region has a gentle topography by Adirondack standards, and hikers here will encounter outstanding scenery as well as twenty ponds of various size and fishing quality. A number of these ponds offer excellent brook trout fishing while some waters promise high populations of wild lake trout. Located in southeastern Essex County and extending into northern Warren County, Pharoah Lake Wilderness has a network of marked trails leading to its brook trout ponds. The eastern portion of the wilderness has the more intricate trail system while the western half, with its limited trails, offers a more remote experience. Popular hiking loops include Bear Pond (5 miles), Crane Pond via Blue Hill (6.2 miles), and Pharoah Lake (10 miles). DEC publishes a free brochure entitled ''Trails in the Schroon Lake Region.''

West Canada Lakes Wilderness
West Canada Lakes Wilderness offers the ultimate in Adirondack brook trout ventures. Not only is this the most remote area in the Adirondack Park, but also it has great fishing. Located in southern Hamilton County, West Canada Lakes Wilderness covers 160,000 acres and has over 50 ponds and lakes. A number of marked trails exist in the region, but many sections remain trackless. Waters in the large circle of lakes from Cedar to Spruce are good bets for brook trout action. Those seeking an extremely remote experience might consider trekking to the small circle of ponds two miles southwest of Spruce Lake. Anglers once accessed West Canada Lakes waters by float plane, but the modern fisher must have serious wilderness skills to venture into these truly remote waters. This area is so special that visitors want to keep it a secret. A brook trout excursion into West Canada Lake Wilderness has been called ''the trip of a lifetime,'' and those who have ventured here will whisper, ''It's awesome!''

Ten Tips for Wilderness Ventures
¥ Study maps and guides of an area before venturing forth
¥ Develop your wilderness skills by taking shorter trips first
¥ Engage in a fitness program such as walking several miles a day
¥ Check short and long-range weather forecasts before heading out
¥ Inform someone of your planned route and time of return
¥ Carry a map, compass, and basic survival gear
¥ Beware of giardia; carry your water or use a quality filtering system
¥ Travel as lightly as possible
¥ Travel with a companion
¥ If you get completely lost, stay put and someone will find you