I always carry a mouse imitation in my fly box for that one time when everything aligns and you can catch a big trout on a mouse. Yes, a trout will eat a furry little creature. / Photo by Ken Baldwin ...

BILLINGS – In the fall when Nathan Diesel is stalking big brown trout with a fly rod, he’ll often pass up casting to 6-pounders that he’s spotted because he knows there are bigger fish to be caught.

Every time I fish a brook trout stream, I’m reminded why I have such a soft spot for them. I’m a sucker for dry fly eats, and a brook trout hits a dry fly like no other. The best thing about them?