Exploring Swampy Trout Streams

[wcosner2]

Looking over maps as any trout angler does, I have always wondered about the swampy natural reproduction streams. Have any of you all ever tried to hike in and float these sections in search of trout? I know you'd likely have to do it in April or May before it gets too warm but I have always wondered if it is worth the effort. Anybody ever been bold enough to go for it?

 

[wildtrout2]

Not that swamp, but I've fished Hughes Swamp, which is the birth place of Jeans Run. It has lots of small natives and stays cool all throughout the summer. It's just a few feet wide, but actually somewhat deep. I had to wear a head net the one time I fished there, since the bugs were horrible, but the scenery was worth the agony. It is also very good bear habitat, so you need to keep your eyes open.

 

[tjsingle]

I'd give it a shot, just be aware it may be muddy in spots.

 

[Forestfishin]

Worth a shot. At worst it looks like it’ll be a neat area to check out scenery wise. If in an area that’s received a lot of rain this spring probably extra swampy. Probably a good idea to have a wading staff.

 

[Letort]

Nothing I enjoy more than having my foot sucked into gooey mud to the point you cannot move. By the time you free one foot, the other is firmly stuck.

When I am looking for that type of aggravation, I head to the Letort.

 

[troutbert]

Where is that?

I've fished some beaver ponds with success and those are often in swampy areas.

But the streams that I fished in swampy areas other than beaver ponds have generally not been very productive for me. Often you are trying to walk in mud, dealing with thick vegetation (alders) and getting eaten up by pestilent bugs.

 

[sixfootfenwick]

Yes

 

[hooker-of-men]

A huge portion of the Adirondacks looks just like that. Between marshy ground and deep water, those streams up here pretty much require hauling in a canoe or kayak.

I imagine they hold some nice brook trout, but I'm not going to find out anytime soon.

 

[vealboy]

I fish streams like this alot.My only advice would be try not to do it alone.

 

[wildtrout2]

I fish streams like this alot.My only advice would be try not to do it alone.

Great advice here. That swamp looks to be in the middle of nowhere.

 

[double00]

Swampy "downstream" portions of nat. repo streams have produced my largest bookies.

 

[wcosner2]

Swampy "downstream" portions of nat. repo streams have produced my largest bookies.

This has been my experience on one stream in NEPA which is why these areas have got me thinking. Plus they just seem like spots other people haven't made it to which is always neat. Not going alone is probably some good advice.

 

[Tigereye]

Not that swamp, but I've fished Hughes Swamp, which is the birth place of Jeans Run. It has lots of small natives and stays cool all throughout the summer. It's just a few feet wide, but actually somewhat deep. I had to wear a head net the one time I fished there, since the bugs were horrible, but the scenery was worth the agony. It is also very good bear habitat, so you need to keep your eyes open.

Funny you should mention bears. Met a game warden at gate across from the rifle range transporting a Momma bear to that very area. Asked him if he was there the day prior as I saw a culvert trap leaving as I was passing by. It was him delivering her 2 yearlings. Bears came from Delaware Water Gap area. They were harassing a beekeepers hives.

Been back there a few times walking dog. Did see some bear poop but no bears.

Knowing bears, they are probably right back where they came from.

 

[Bamboozle]

Nothing I enjoy more than having my foot sucked into gooey mud to the point you cannot move. By the time you free one foot, the other is firmly stuck.

When I am looking for that type of aggravation, I head to the Letort.

👍

Back before I knew better, I almost spent the rest of my natural life stuck in the middle of Big Springs down in town....

Some advice for the OP:

​

Leave a note or PM someone in advance the coordinates of where you will be fishing. This is SOP for me when I go "where no man has gone before."​

​

Make absolutely sure to NOT wear boot-foot waders or any slip-in footwear.​

​

If you aren't wet wading, wear chest waders versus waist highs because you MAY go in deeper than you anticipate.​

​

Bring a wading staff that DOESN'T use elastic shock cord (Simms, or an Orvis Ripcord if you can find one). However a ski pole with a basket is the BEST option.​

FWIW - Pushing a wading staff in the mud in front of you and using it to pull on can make a huge difference when you are stuck in mud. However if it is a shock corded staff, you may have a problem EXTRACTING it from the mud.

If nothing else, when you are stuck in the mud you can use the wading staff to fend off the water snakes coming toward you to eat your flesh. 😉

 

[DO_inthewoods]

Looking over maps as any trout angler does, I have always wondered about the swampy natural reproduction streams. Have any of you all ever tried to hike in and float these sections in search of trout? I know you'd likely have to do it in April or May before it gets too warm but I have always wondered if it is worth the effort. Anybody ever been bold enough to go for it?
View attachment 1641242715

These are the status quo for brookie fishing in Maine, so worth a shot from a boat! Similar to beaver ponds, they actually can stay surprisingly cool from the amount of water passing in and out of the ground

 

[glamcaster]

State Gameland 211 has your name written on it if that's accessible. Ideally bring a friend, sometimes the swamp will eat you and there's kind of an eerie vibe there overall..I'm curious about Jeff's Swamp but have no clue how to access it.

 

[5footfenwick]

Not in Pa, but in the Adirondacks exploring with my canoe one summer I found a swamp with Native brook trout and largemouth. I landed two 14” native brook trout and a 22-1/2” Largemouth in the same day all within 50 yards of my campsite. It has always peaked my interest in Pa. I’ve hit a lot of beaverponds etc. some are just ok, some are chub infested, some have nothing. Still looking for that magical swamp or beaver pond. But I think I used up all my good luck finding that one in New York.

 

[Prospector]

👍

Back before I knew better, I almost spent the rest of my natural life stuck in the middle of Big Springs down in town....

Some advice for the OP:

​

Leave a note or PM someone in advance the coordinates of where you will be fishing. This is SOP for me when I go "where no man has gone before."​

​

Make absolutely sure to NOT wear boot-foot waders or any slip-in footwear.​

​

If you aren't wet wading, wear chest waders versus waist highs because you MAY go in deeper than you anticipate.​

​

Bring a wading staff that DOESN'T use elastic shock cord (Simms, or an Orvis Ripcord if you can find one). However a ski pole with a basket is the BEST option.​

FWIW - Pushing a wading staff in the mud in front of you and using it to pull on can make a huge difference when you are stuck in mud. However if it is a shock corded staff, you may have a problem EXTRACTING it from the mud.

If nothing else, when you are stuck in the mud you can use the wading staff to fend off the water snakes coming toward you to eat your flesh. 😉

You are a brave man!!

 

[Bamboozle]

You are a brave man!!

If you mean wading Big Springs in town, dumb would be a more appropriate description. 😉