Hi everyone,
Yesterday I fished a small, C & R flyfishing only stream and caught an eight inch wild brookie.
Its coloration was not the vibrant colors that one would expect and in fact, it almost looked faded. I am wondering if the lack of vibrant colors would indicate a problem in the fishery, different diet, or if the coloration we would expect from this species is perhaps seen during a spawning period. I often fish WVa where the fish coloration is very vibrant and there is no mistake in what one has caught.