Bass vs. brookies. Which do you prefer? Why do anglers tend to gravitate toward one of the other?

When I was a youngster, my Dad broke me in on small, alder-choked streams that gave up small trout when the worm passed them by. I loved it. Later, as a teen I spent many June hours trolling for smallmouth bass along the shores of Phillips Lake in Dedham. I loved that, too. In those days, the smallies grew big and they were plentiful. I can still see those scrappy bronzebacks exploding into the air behind the old aluminum boat.

A few years later, as a young adult, I discovered fly fishing for small trout on remote ponds. Man, I was hooked and have been ever since. Today, I still go after smallies with a fly rod and popping bugs. Truth be known, though, fishing trout on small dry flies has me in its grip, and will until my journey’s done.

The Maine bass community has told me on more than one occasion that, as editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal, I have demonstrated prejudice. In their view, I have no use for bass. Not true. I just like fishing for brookies better.

Among outdoor writers that I know in my affiliation with the New England Outdoor Writers Association there is a good-natured rivalry ongoing over this bass vs. brookies split. “Bass? You waste your time on those course fish?” a member will say, looking askance at a hardcore bass man. “ I have no time for any fish without an adipose fin.”

“Ah, you fly fishers are all stuck on yourself. A bunch of elitist fishing snobs,” one will quip. “You have never tasted real fishing action until you have had a hookup with a six-pound largemouth.”

Does it have to be a choice between one or the other? Perhaps. There is in this state clearly a “bass movement” that may one day eclipse the interest in Maine’s legendary and premier sport fish, the eastern brook . A fishing survey done in 1999 found that bass ranked highest in three categories: 1) largest number of anglers 2) most angler day of use and 3) most frequently caught species.

Ironically, though trout are indigenous to Maine, having been here since the Ice Age. Both smallmouth and largemouth bass were what would be called today “an invasive species.” Both of these sport fish were introduced in Maine waters in the late 1860s as planned introductions. Today, according to state fisheries biologists, there are 471 Maine lakes and ponds that hold black bass. In 240 of these waters, smallmouth are the only species of bass. In 231 of these waters, smallmouth coexist with largemouth bass. In 141 of these waters, largemouths are the only species of bass.

There is a subtle but present danger inherent in the rising popularity and commercial success of the bass fishing industry in Maine. It shows up in the state’s bass management plan: Under management problems, biologists note “The unauthorized expansion of the range of either species of black bass remains a serious and growing threat to cold-water game species.”

What ever its ranking on the angler’s popularity scale, Maine’s wild brook trout fishery is a priceless natural treasure that is so recognized nationally. We must not sacrifice it on the altar of bass angling.

The author is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide, co-host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network (WVOM-FM 103.9, WQVM-FM 101.3) and former information officer for the Maine Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. His e-mail address is vpaulr@tds.net . He has two books “A Maine Deer Hunter’s Logbook” and his latest, “Backtrack.” Online information is available at www.maineoutdoorpublications.com.

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