A true fish story: Bringing the brook trout back to a New Hampshire stream took time and collaboration to succeed

Handsome brook trout (Adobe Stock photo)

Bringing brook trout back to a New Hampshire stream took planning, patience and lots of collaboration by Michael and Kathy Nerrie, reports Caroline Tremblay for The Daily Yonder. 

The couple had always sought to improve and share their land known as Distant Hill Gardens and Nature Trail, but reviving the brook trout was a unique challenge. Michael noticed that trout visited the stream at times, but heavy rains interfered. Tremblay explains, "Observing the region’s increasingly extreme weather events, he contacted the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the national non-profit Trout Unlimited. . . . What he discovered was that his plan would only be effective if conducted along a larger section of brook."

Getting access to that larger section took years. Tremblay reports, "Logistical barriers stood in the way. For instance, one abutting parcel had been donated to the Boy Scouts of America, and questions about who in the organization could approve the project hindered progress. Another lot had been passed down by a grandfather and none of the owners lived locally. Nerrie eventually had to track them down on Facebook."

Pool formed by in-stream wood addition
(Photo by John Magee, NHF&G via The Daily Yonder)

Once the land permissions were granted, the "trout welcoming" stream structures were installed. Tremblay writes, "The actual execution entails the strategic placement of logs and debris to slow the stream in key places. 'The whole idea is to create lots of pools and eddies for fish and aquatic life, Michael said. . . . During restoration, Distant Hill held a workshop with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department for people interested in the project."

The trout tale is one of many emerging stories of "people having a positive impact on nature," Tremblay adds. "Whether focused on environmental impacts, land value, or sheer personal enjoyment, rural landowners like the Nerries are recognizing the myriad benefits of preserving their land’s unique natural qualities. And an increasing number have realized the greatest impact comes from collaboration."