Hop brook is a small, 2nd or probably 3rd order wooded stream about 2 miles from my house.

It has wild brookies in it, but I haven’t yet gotten around to fishing it. I do spend a fair bit of time watching it, especially in November. It flows into Quabbin Reservoir, which supports a healthy run of landlocked salmon in early to mid November.  Because Quabbin and most of its tribs are closed to fishing after Columbus day weekend, I’m limited to salmon viewing on Hop Brook. There’s a pool at its mouth that's great for that - at least in such a salmon-starved state as Massachusetts.  I try to visit it once a week each fall. I’ve heard tell of as many as 100 landlocks stacked up in this pool, but I suspect drink, hyperbole, or both were involved in the crafting of that tale. The most I’ve seen at any one time is about a dozen.  Some of the salmon spawn in this pool, after an upstream run of fully 40 yards.  Others presumably hold here before moving up to less crowded real estate.   I first saw them this year on November 12. Six or more very active salmon were chasing each other around. Five days later, I visited it again and saw as many or more in the pool. They were still quite active, but beginning to look a little beaten up. Several had white fungus on fins or apparent scrape marks. One appeared to be digging a redd – with frequent interruptions by the competition. Today (November 25) I visited it again - empty.  I imagine they either went upstream or drifted back down to the Quabbin.

Rumor has it the salmon are getting bigger in Quabbin, because of a successful recent smelt stocking program. The ones I saw this year did seem larger than those in years past – but I also notice, every year, that this year’s Christmas tree is the best ever.  (I haven’t actually seen this year’s tree, but I’m sure it will hold true to form).