Welcome to the cult (sect?) David. I, too, started (re-started) with a cheapo $20.00 to $25.00 outfit. Had a blast. Little did I know how much that "$20.00" would become...

BTW -- very nice trout. It is not a brook trout, as you mentioned, but it's very nice. The spot pattern actually looks like a cutbow, or a cutthroat (the Snake River variety). Wish I could see more of the jawline.

Thanks for posting.