Big spring creek 1/26/2020

[marcq]

Fished big spring for the first time today. Not familiar with the stream I started down on Newville then made it all the way up to what I believe is the ditch. The lower part of the stream where I started was a little off color. Caught a 18 maybe pushing 20 inch rainbow. Thick and healthy looking fish with a few battle scars on him. Then made it up to the fly fishing only section. Water was gin clear. I missed two other fish in this section one looked very nice. Only threw one of these jig sculpin in olive. I believe they are called stump busters. Also found a dead blue heron.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/SoXTVcNJtuQghWhD8

Haven’t figured out how to post photos from my phone to the site so I’ll stick with the google.

 

[jifigz]

That's definitely a chunky rainbow.

 

[drakeking412]

RIP Heron

 

[marcq]

Decided to hit big spring again. Only fished the fly fishing only section and this time made it to the ditch. I caught two fish a nice sized brook. Some one please tell me if it’s stocked or wild because I can tell some older guy said all brooks in the stream are wild. Also a 12 ish inch rainbow. Missed a few fish and one the is Hanna haunt me. I’ll probably be back next week.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dcYYeHjq5j46SFrC9

Thanks marc.

 

[Acristickid]

Nice job. Not an easy stream- that’s a very nice sized rainbow. My bigger ones all get off. Under the impression that the brooks are wild.

 

[Dave_W]

marcq wrote:
Some one please tell me if it’s stocked or wild because I can tell some older guy said all brooks in the stream are wild.

Thanks marc.

It's a wild fish (so is the rainbow).

There are stocked brookies downstream but they rarely work up into the FFO in my experience.

Many of the wild STs in the FFO can look pretty rough this time of year just due to spawning. Many Big Spring STs also have rather washed out colors as well. Their fins, however, tend to be bright red and often, on large fish, you'll see a curved pelvic fin (not visible on this fish).

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

Great report and nice wild brookie!

 

[marcq]

Thanks I’m kinda falling in love with this stream need to go check out the letort and falling springs. I keep hearing that they are a little more difficult then big spring so I think that’s why I’ve avoided them.

 

[bigslackwater]

Really nice wild brookie! Most brookies in the ditch are in the 5-7" range so you did good!