Big Fishing Creek, Clinton Co., 12/27-28/2022

[TimMurphy]

Dear John,

I have to go back again. I did go last October but when I looked at the stream and saw exposed rocks in riffles where I used to catch rising trout, I got kind of sad. It was too low to bother to fish for me. To make it worse, I stopped after a couple of wasted hours at Spring Creek. Both streams were frog water that day.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[CLSports]

There have been instances in recent years that the hatcheries in the area have flooded and released many fish into the system including rainbows and brookies. There have also been instances where unknown people have dumped fish into the system. Last time I know of there was a load of rainbows dumped by buckets. I am not sure if they were the fish hatchery owners or PAFBC, but they unloaded excess fish on private land without asking.

 

[bigjohn358]

There have been instances in recent years that the hatcheries in the area have flooded and released many fish into the system including rainbows and brookies. There have also been instances where unknown people have dumped fish into the system. Last time I know of there was a load of rainbows dumped by buckets. I am not sure if they were the fish hatchery owners or PAFBC, but they unloaded excess fish on private land without asking.

I do not believe the hatchery floodings have effected Fishing Creek. Spring Creek however I know was effected by the flooding of the hatcheries. There is way too much private unsupervised stockings going on in this state that the PFBC needs to get a handle on. I guess they were trying to pass some new laws regarding this.

 

[lycoflyfisher]

I believe all the hatcheries on cedar run and the long run hatchery are all owned and operated by Cedar Springs.

A couple years ago maybe late 2020 or early 21 there was a significant release of brook trout from the hatchery on long run. Many of these fish were over 15in. They were taken out by the stringer full on opening day 2021 from a certain stretch.

The brown trout in much of the stocked section are still there and would do better if certain craft breweries and Mill Hall Borough would stop cutting trees down. Forage supply is not an issue in lower Fishing Creek. Comparing the issue of stocking over wild trout is a vastly different discussion on that section of Fishing Creek compared a smaller freestone stream that supports brook trout.

I'm not sure if it is rainbow fingerlings that hold over and get some age, adult stocked rainbow trout that hold over or a combination of them but there are good numbers of them year round in the stocked section. Certain conditions favor catching one species or the other.

 

[bigjohn358]

I believe all the hatcheries on cedar run and the long run hatchery are all owned and operated by Cedar Springs.

A couple years ago maybe late 2020 or early 21 there was a significant release of brook trout from the hatchery on long run. Many of these fish were over 15in. They were taken out by the stringer full on opening day 2021 from a certain stretch.

The brown trout in much of the stocked section are still there and would do better if certain craft breweries and Mill Hall Borough would stop cutting trees down. Forage supply is not an issue in lower Fishing Creek. Comparing the issue of stocking over wild trout is a vastly different discussion on that section of Fishing Creek compared a smaller freestone stream that supports brook trout.

I'm not sure if it is rainbow fingerlings that hold over and get some age, adult stocked rainbow trout that hold over or a combination of them but there are good numbers of them year round in the stocked section. Certain conditions favor catching one species or the other.

Yeah what is up with the destruction of the trees along lower Fishing Creek through Mill Hall? Properties that run through Class A waters should have to have permission from the PFBC before cutting down trees like that. Those Willows and Sycamore trees they cut down below the firehall really upset me! I don't understand why they even did it. Fishing Creek is ALL class A waters down to where it dumps into Bald Eagle Creek and those trees help with regulating water temps as well as erosion.

 

[Fish Sticks]

I do not believe the hatchery floodings have effected Fishing Creek. Spring Creek however I know was effected by the flooding of the hatcheries. There is way too much private unsupervised stockings going on in this state that the PFBC needs to get a handle on. I guess they were trying to pass some new laws regarding this.

They walked back the stocking auth your referencing saying it was untenable for private hatcheries despite most other states having one and the loudest conplainiest hatchery owners I believe also have to deal with this in virginia. But ultimately PFBC bent the knee and pledged fealty to private aqua culture and bow its a “stocking notification” with no regulatory ability. They mentioned an authtoization would be sought in future but will take “years” to develop despite models in every state touching PA. I am sure this can will get kicked down the road again. Prepare for functional home nuclear fusion reactor before common sense stocking reform in this state.

 

[wildtrout2]

Yeah what is up with the destruction of the trees along lower Fishing Creek through Mill Hall? Properties that run through Class A waters should have to have permission from the PFBC before cutting down trees like that. Those Willows and Sycamore trees they cut down below the firehall really upset me! I don't understand why they even did it.

Yep, and those two tree species are water lovers and do nothing but help keep stream temps cooler.
I despise the reckless destruction of trees, they take too long to grow.

 

[Flintlock]

That brewery is owned by a very well educated person who is a outdoorsman…..that irked me too. The place is never open and there is no parking signs all over in that section now. It’s sad

 

[lycoflyfisher]

Their beer is often named with Fishing themes in mind as well. I haven't spent a dime there as a result of their tree cutting and prevention of parking for fishing access, even outside business hours.

 

[bigjohn358]

Their beer is often named with Fishing themes in mind as well. I haven't spent a dime there as a result of their tree cutting and prevention of parking for fishing access, even outside business hours.

I haven't been in there either but I don't really go for that "yuppie" stuff. To me its all weird brews and food. I don't even understand why they had to remove most of those trees upstream of the brewery since there is nothing there.

 

[Flintlock]

I used to park at the old bank….now that’s gated and posted too

 

[bigjohn358]

I used to park at the old bank….now that’s gated and posted too

I used to park there a lot as well. I just go further down and park now. I'm just glad that the area around Lizardville isn't posted anymore. Some people on 4wheelers ruined that for a year or two a couple years ago but then they removed the posted signs.

 

[wildtrout2]

Some people on 4wheelers ruined that for a year or two a couple years ago but then they removed the posted signs.

And, I would think there's a good chance that those guys were locals. You'd think they would know better than that. Don't 💩 where you eat...

 

[bigjohn358]

SO SAD! Who allows this? More trees down along Fishing Creek in Mill Hall! Who allows this?!?! I'm doing some phone calls but it's too late now!

 

[wildtrout2]

I can't imagine why a "customer" would want streamside trees removed. It really make no sense at all! Very sad. 😡

 

[bigjohn358]

I can't imagine why a "customer" would want streamside trees removed. It really make no sense at all! Very sad. 😡

This is on the creek side of a dike. I don't think this would be privately owned. I'm thinking its Mill Hall Borough property.

 

[lycoflyfisher]

Mill hall Borough probably, the mayor wants to see every tree in the Borough along the creek cut to protect their "levy" that does little to nothing to prevent flooding and provides zero relief from flood insurance for local residents.

 

[Swattie87]

See if they can return my flies stuck in those trees. Not a problem any more!

 

[Flintlock]

3 words….Clinton county politics
You would have to experience it to believe it

 

[troutbert]

Mill hall Borough probably, the mayor wants to see every tree in the Borough along the creek cut to protect their "levy" that does little to nothing to prevent flooding and provides zero relief from flood insurance for local residents.

The reason is probably related to maintaining floodwater conveyance. It's a channelized section of stream, done to try to reduce flooding. During big floods, trees can jam up at the bridges and back up the water, causing flooding, blowing out bridges, etc.