Brook trout are dapper, decked out with black and white bands on orange fins and wormlike markings (“vermiculations”) on olive-colored backs. “In warm weather, brookies will be up by the dam, where the water’s the coldest, because they’re more heat-sensitive,” Reed explained. “You can just tell when you hook one: They’re antisocial; they don’t want to get near you at all.”

Reed also praises the hard-fighting browns. “Don’t believe it when people say browns don’t jump,” he said, laughing. “I’ve hooked browns as big as 26 inches that jumped out of the river just like a largemouth bass!” It’s been 20 years since the amazing summer of 1988, when the river surrendered browns of 34 and 38 pounds, but Reed has observed similar-sized fish in recent years.

READING THE WATER
To read the water is to examine its flow and underlying structure, and to sniff out where trout lie. “Lots of guys just ‘chuck and chance,’ casting anywhere. But you can really increase your odds if you wear polarized glasses and look for the right structure,” Reed explained.

“For example, when there’s a plunge pool right after the end of a shoal, there’ll be a deep pocket with fish in it, and there’s usually a deep spot at the head of each shoal. When you see white bubbles on top of the water on the sides of the shoals, there’ll usually be fish under them, and fish will be crammed into any big, deep hole where you can’t see all the way to the bottom.”

Trout also lie in dark troughs that Reed calls “bear claws.” (He explained: “Because they look like something dragged its claws along the river bottom.”)

You can also fish effectively by avoiding difficult water. “Your biggest crapshoot is trying to find fish in bony water, from ankle-deep to 10 or 12 inches,” Reed advised. “They might come in to feed when insects are hatching, but it’s tough to catch fish in water that shallow until you’re very experienced. Usually, I just sit on the shore and watch for a while before I wade in to see what the trout are doing and where they are.”

SHIFT INTO GEAR
Like most veteran anglers, Reed has accumulated enough rods, reels and gadgets to outfit a small store, but his gear recommendations are simple. “If I had to pick one fly rod, it’d be a 5-weight,” he said. “That’s heavy enough to throw big streamers, but light enough to throw the little stuff, like scuds and midges.”

Reed acknowledged that low, clear water, bright days and persnickety trout can force anglers into spider-fine tippets of 7X or even 8X (under 2-pound-test), but, he added, “most of the time, you don’t have to go lighter than 5X.”

He recommends breathable waders, sturdy wading boots and a wading staff. “A tripod’s more secure than a bipod,” he said with the knowing laugh of a man who’s learned about slippery river rocks the hard way. Since a development on the North Fork introduced tons of silt in 2006, footing is more hazardous than ever.

Light or ultra-light spinning gear strung with 2- to 8-pound-test line is perfect for casting bait and lures from a boat, shore or while wading. You’ll spot more fish and protect your eyes from glare with polarized glasses and a wide-brimmed hat.