It's opening day eve in SE Pa. and the forecast doesn't sound good. Rain overnight and drizzle through the day tomorrow, with temps in the low 40's. Beautiful weather for weeks and now it's going to be miserable for the opener. What a bummer for the anglers, given the beautiful weather that we've had all March.

It's still dark as I arise and the temp is 40 deg, but the great news is that it is not raining, at least not that I can see through the windows and out into the darkness. I grab all of the gear I packed the night before, eat a warm breakfast, brew up a thermos of tea, dress for cold, damp weather, and head for the creek. It is drizzling and the vehicle thermometer stays pegged at 40 deg. It's a "fine NAVY day." I'm off to do an 8AM-9AM angler count by walking 2.5 miles of the stream and then walking back through farm country, riparian woods, and brush.

To my surprise when I arrive, there are plenty of anglers itching to go. Everyone appears to be dressed for the weather, although gloves are lacking, and even last night's campers look happy. I know this weather well after 54 years of fishing; there are going to be some stiff hands in an hour or two among these anglers. One group is still finishing breakfast outside of a tent.

Eight o'clock arrives and fish are on. No fly rods to be seen. Barely moving I have already counted 25 anglers. The hike begins. I start downstream dodging the multiflora rose as best as I can and hang as close to the stream as possible. Trout lilly leaves are in abundance, but I can't spot a flower. I find one angler well off the beaten path, but after that I'm on my own. I find my way across a tributary without getting a boot full. Then I reach the next two, close together stocking points about a half mile downstream from my starting point.

I find a large contingent of anglers. A number have fish and some individuals are starting to look cold; in contrast, I am sweating. I try to make minimal eye contact so that I can keep moving and get the quickest count possible before people start leaving, but I keep an eye out for litter or potential litter. I see none. I occasionally say hi to anglers and ask how they're doing and excuse myself as I pass too close behind an angler in the tight quarters beneath a bridge. He's friendly, as are the rest, and lets me pass with a "no problem." Once downstream from the bridge by about 150 yds I'm around the bend and there are no anglers in sight. I check my watch and realize I really have to keep moving; I have a quarter mile to go to the next stocking point. The clock is ticking. Again I run into thick brush, which I wade through and around, always having to return to the stream to get a view up and down. Finally, I'm free of the brush and anglers appear.

The first angler is a father with a young boy. Good to see. I hope they catch something. Another angler and his son recognize me. They hail from Schuylkill Co. I find that they are catching chubs, but just then the father catches a trout. He smiles. Farther down there are three gentlemen standing in the creek so close together that I figure they're either long time friends or trying to keep each other warm. They seem content and are enjoying the moment. My angler count keeps rising. I'm impressed.

I break free from this stocking point and head down to the next one, which is more isolated. This stretch is beautiful......nice habitat, steep slopes, wild flowers beginning to appear, nice woodland. About 40 yds ahead of me I see a red fox jogging the moss covered rocks along the water's edge. This goes on for a few minutes. I am amazed to see this animal for so long; usually they're good for a fleeting glimpse. Eventually the fox sprints up the steep incline and disappears across a road, leaving me to my own climb up the slippery slope, but at that moment I think to myself; "thank you."

A few hundred yards later down the slope I go again, this time to the most isolated stocking point by an old railroad bridge. I try not to make a fool of myself, and thankfully avoid a slip on the damp logs, soft soil, slick rocks, and steep slope. I avoid the embarrassment and ribbing that a four point landing for all of the anglers to see would have produced. Among the spin fishermen are two father-daughter teams, fishing with bait. It is nice to see. One daughter, perhaps age 12, is receiving lessons....a good thing, I think. Another, perhaps 13, is at that moment left to her own devices. I wish I could step in to help her catch a trout. It probably would not take long with a little guidance. She has the spirit and clothes to be out here. I offer her encouragement and I urge another angler to keep trying as I depart, telling him that about 100 trout were stocked at that spot. Eight more anglers counted and I'm off again, headed downstream through more brush, woods, and soft bottom-land. There are ohere occasional anglers, including one standing in the middle of some beautiful habitat and scenery, speaking on a cell phone.

I near my end point a little later than I desire. It is the last stocking point in the section. It's a major stocking point yet I see just one final angler ahead. He's number 92. But what's this? It's a fly rod, the first of the day. Ninety-two anglers later and I find a lone fly fisherman fishing with pheasant-tail nymphs with a stocked portion of stream all to himself. He's from Bucks Co, about 45-50 miles from home, and says he has fished this same stretch on opening day for 14 years, always with the fly rod. I remark how lucky he is to have this spot to himself, but then he says the fish always move down from that stocking point about 50-75 yds to his present location. (I suspect that most angler fish directly at that stocking point and then move on). As we converse I also learn that the fly rod is a retirement gift. He teaches me a new variation on nymph fishing, fishing the nymph like a wet fly. He convinces me by catching a fish or having a hit about every 3-5 minutes. All are released. One more for the memory bank. I say so long and good luck, starting my 2.5 mile walk back. I think to myself that he's a nice guy.

I now have time to stop to speak with anglers along the way. Many have had success; some have not. Most look cold. One older gentleman and his friend of a similar age is on his way back to his friend's house. He says they've had a great day and "I love it," referring to opening days. Also, I'm seeing many of the same faces from my downstream trek and new faces as well, as anglers keep arriving. I'm impressed with their willingness fish despite the weather. I continue to look for littering, but see none. I find this encouraging. Ten wood ducks flush ahead of me, but do a U-turn and fly directly overhead. What a sight. It's been a good opener after all.

Thank you Mike..... very much.

Mike, I usually will not read long posts, but I read yours, since I was interested in the "Day In The Life" of a WCO on Opening Day of trout. Thanks for the job you do. As I say that, I laugh-- and don't be offended-- to think that you got to spend a workday "laboring" by walking up and down 3 miles of trout water, watching folks having fun, and occasionally clicking your counter.

The post is worth the read. Thanks for sharing your observations and your "insider" knowledge with PAFF.

It was heartening to know you saw no littering. I think slowly but surely, folks are getting the point about preserving our wild areas.

Nice report. Thanks.

Mike, I must say that I really enjoyed reading your post. With every word I read I was wanting more. Thanks so much for sharing that. As I sit here, not being able to look forward to time on the water for our first day up here in the north country, it's good to read about others' experiences. I was actually a bit disappointed when I came to the end.

Dave R.

Great post Mike. Thanks. I don't usually read long posts but like Old Lefty I was sorry there wasn't more when I came to the end.

Nice commentary on "opening day". GG

It was nice to read such a positive post on the Pa opener. I have very fond memories of fishing the opener on the family farm. Thank you for sharing and reminding me of so many good memories.

Mike,

Great post. You really painted great pictures with your words.

Dave

Very nice Mike. Hope to meet you on the water someday. Chris

Mike, thanks much for your report. As some have already stated, good reading and I also was wanting more. Also was happy to read that you didn't find any littering........WTG Mike!

I agree that was a good read....would fit well in the PA Angler.

So Mike was your day work related? Meaning, were you tasked to get the angler numbers or was this just some sort of personal determination to count anglers?

If it was in there...I missed it.

The recent round of angler counting on opening day (8 AM or 9:30 AM counts), which has been occurring for a few years, was part of the statewide cost-to-creel study, an effort to statistically determine what stream or stream-side (eg. parking availability, local municipality human population density, etc) characteristics MOST drive angler usage. Computer modeling and statistical analysis of the data are being conducted by a specialist at PSU.

Counts this year on both opening days are being conducted on certain stream categories for which the database was data shy. We now have hundreds of statewide stream section counts from recent opening days (roughly, the past 5 yrs.).These counts, using an established protocol, were largely conducted by AFM's and their staffs, WCO's in coordination with AFM's, and state park personnel.

Ultimately, the desire is to stock trout more efficiently (recent transportation study by PSU, for instance) and cost-effectively, stocking them in densities that are commensurate with angler usage. I view this as a possible extension of the present stream classification system that is used to determine trout stocking rates and frequencies for individual broad categories of streams, with the advantage of now having angler usage data to support potential modifications to weightings used in that system.

Nice report Mike.

In NJ I have been volunteering the last few years to do Opening Day angler surveys, and it is a fun way to spend Opening day. I like volunteering to give back to the fishing community. However, you can learn plenty spending some time with the local biologists so one can gain a whole lot of info too.

When I first approach anglers with a clipboard and a state badge I get a lot of nervous looks - but it goes away slowly. Also I can spread word of what has been working which helps people relax and I always point out that I don't do enforcement work (although I will call a CO if I see a problem). Last year the anglers near me at opening time didn't drop their lines in until 8:15 even though I commented at 8 AM that it was OK. I said it was OK about 5 times, but people were a little nervous with me there.

Highlight of last year was when a 6 year-old girl landed a 5 lbs brown breeder. It's good to see kids do well.

Another thing we do in NJ is a cormorant count. Cormorants have been thick the last few years and I swear they have learned to follow the stocking trouck.