Took my first drive up with a friend to hay creek. Needless to say it was alot farther then i thought. After gearing up and such i went down to the first easy access hole. The water was on the colder side. Seen a couple fish swimming around under a bridge so i picked up a few there and also some chubs. I then moved a little upstream to a promising looking hole where i pulled out a couple more browns and an amazing looking brookie. After getting my leader and fly line retardedly all strung up in a tree to the point where it was unrecoverable i madly returned to my vehicle and hit the road back home. It really blew, happened only after about and hour and i only fished no more then 20 yards of the stream.
Hay Creek Berks 6-13-09
- Thread starter mute
- Start date
wildtrout2
Well-known member
That is a beautiful little brookie!
Good opportunity to compare a fallfish with its closest relative, the creek chub. Anglers often mistakenly call fallfish chubs. Picture 4 is a fallfish; picture 6 is a creek chub. When fallfish are present, stream temps are seasonally marginal for wild trout at that location or not far downstream. That doesn't mean that wild trout won't be present, but it does mean that the temps are seasonally borderline.
Temperature problems in summer combined with low flow and suboptimal habitat prevent Hay Creek's wild trout population expansion to much of the the stocked trout section, except in very low densities or during the cooler months. A fairly good population of wild trout exists in the limited areas of good to excellent habitat (good physical habitat, fairly good seasonal temps). On average, the stocked section's habitat and seasonal temps are not conducive to supporting a good wild trout population, as evidenced by the trout population and fish community composition, thus the stream continues to be stocked.
Temperature problems in summer combined with low flow and suboptimal habitat prevent Hay Creek's wild trout population expansion to much of the the stocked trout section, except in very low densities or during the cooler months. A fairly good population of wild trout exists in the limited areas of good to excellent habitat (good physical habitat, fairly good seasonal temps). On average, the stocked section's habitat and seasonal temps are not conducive to supporting a good wild trout population, as evidenced by the trout population and fish community composition, thus the stream continues to be stocked.
Interesting stuff Mike. Since I was a kid, I’ve never really paid much attention and called both fallfish and creek chubs just plain old “chubs”. So fallfish inhabit more warmwater or borderline coolwater habitats, and chubs can be found in more of a coolwater stream that may be also suitable for wild trout. Interesting, I will now pay more attention to the chub/fallfish populations in the streams I fish.
I went to the FBC site to get more info:
http://www.fish.state.pa.us/pafish/fishhtms/chap11.htm#creekch
As far a Hay Creek, I do catch quite a few wild trout, but I would say most of my fishing on the middle section of the stream (the open area along 82) is done during the cold-water months. There are sections that hold a decent amount of wild fish, and many of the wild trout seem to inhabit the ATW section in the spring. Perhaps they move into the ATW from the upper class A section when the water temps are suitable and/or move into the section for spawning.
We had this discussion before, while perhaps I over estimate the length of Hay Creek as a Class A stream, at the very least, it would make a perfect DHALO section, especially along the closed section of 82, since it’ open the public with plenty of parking and the stream temps and habitat are near ideal to hold trout most of the year. Right now it’s fished heavily when the stocking occurs and is not utilized much by anglers the rest of the year. I know, there’s a lot of pressure to keep it open for catch and keep guys, but there are many anglers out there looking for a decent place to catch some fish that’s not dependent on a recent stocking.
Mike, I believe the “masses” are on MY side in this case, since the recent PFBC trout anglers survey showed that SR areas are very popular among trout anglers, and a Hay Creek DHALO would surely be a well-utilized stream all year-round. Also, since the Tully is the only SR in Berks County, another SR in the county is would be a good thing since Hay would take some pressure off the Tully, which is frequently complained about by many anglers as been too crowded. The catch and keep guys would have their chance to harvest, just a little later in the year. Also, creating an SR area on Hay would help stretch out the limited number of trout that can be raised and stocked by the FBC. Further, the mortality of wild fish that inhabit the stream would be lower without bait fishing, and C&R regulations for most of the year would save a lot of wild fish. In other words, everyone, including the fish would win! Just sayin’………again.
Thanks for the info Mike.
RLS365
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- Dec 6, 2006
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- 50
Went there saturday and caught at least 30, mostly stockies(browns could not resist white woolly buggers). Alot of people there in the morning but it cleared out once they all got their 5 fish. First time ever there and was surprised how nice of a stream it is, will be going back frequently.
Squaretail
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What a brookie mute.
tomgamber
Well-known member
I've seen fallfish on opening day below the out flow of Bush Dam on Kettle. Are you saying the water was unseasonably warm that year? I don't remember myself. What would the exceptions be?
Those three smaller fish are great references for streamer tying. Layered, weighted streamers, with high water, is big brown city. Light brown or olive marabou tied in at the top, and white, grey, and little red tied in at the bottom, and the browns can't resist. This coming week we're supposed to have rain and cooler temps, when the streams turn murky, it can be a blast. Nobody is braving the elements and the fish let down their guard......just enough.
If your local stream gets stocked with fingerlings, and you suspect big browns inhabit the stream, attempt to do some night fishing, and use heavy, heavy leader for horsing big guys at night. Try swinging across the current and slow done the strips a bit. Wooly buggers always work well, but if you have some real cannibals in there, whip up some big wet streamers. In my experience, I like to stay away from ties that are similar to bass ties that float, because they usually just get missed when the fish breaks the water.
But, with high water, and cooler temps in the early summer, the browns feel good about themselves and will crack our offerings.
I'm sure most everyone already knows this....more of just a friendly reminder to go hawg hunting.
If your local stream gets stocked with fingerlings, and you suspect big browns inhabit the stream, attempt to do some night fishing, and use heavy, heavy leader for horsing big guys at night. Try swinging across the current and slow done the strips a bit. Wooly buggers always work well, but if you have some real cannibals in there, whip up some big wet streamers. In my experience, I like to stay away from ties that are similar to bass ties that float, because they usually just get missed when the fish breaks the water.
But, with high water, and cooler temps in the early summer, the browns feel good about themselves and will crack our offerings.
I'm sure most everyone already knows this....more of just a friendly reminder to go hawg hunting.
went there today since its 10 mins from my house and forgot you guys said go to the end of hat creek rd . so i fished from the bridge at 82 up a bit and caught one little wild brown about 5 inches id say, pretty lil guy and that was it. there was and old man leaving with his limit and 2 other worm chuckers there at the bridge. i remembered you guys said at the end of 82 as i was leaving so il have to go back sometime and try up there but i was not too impressed with that lower section . kinda silty and not to much habitat. i didnt see any fly fishermen tho.
jayL
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- Jan 2, 2007
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- 9,946
Mute,
I've caught fish in Hay creek when there were 4 inch diameter branches floating down it and it was running mocha brown.
Go upstream from that stretch. Stay on 82 for another 1/3 mile or so until the road ends. There is much better water up there.
I've caught fish in Hay creek when there were 4 inch diameter branches floating down it and it was running mocha brown.
Go upstream from that stretch. Stay on 82 for another 1/3 mile or so until the road ends. There is much better water up there.
englishprof
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- Mar 6, 2009
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- 549
Took my first drive up with a friend to Hay Creek also. We decided just to explore a bit and come back another day to fish. Hopefully this Friday.
Stopped by the bridge where the stocked section begins. Checked the stream there. Pretty small but still interesting looking. We then drove down Hay Creek Road (Rt. 82?) until it ended apparently where a hurricane washed out the road in the 70's. Walked the road and down to the stream where a dam creates a canal which was used to carry iron ore to Joanna's furnace for Bethlehem Steel. Really nice looking water all along this stretch. Met two kids with a stringer of four fish - rainbow, two browns and what looked like a tiger to me. They were using bait. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
The water was murky after one our recent downpours. I always run from these conditions, but, after reading some of the posts in this thread, i'm beginning to rethink my fear of "chocolate milk". Anyway, it's pretty obvious where to fish. I'll post results after we fish it. Thanks to all of you. May not seem like it to you but this thread provided a lot of information on Hay.
Oh, and thanks Evan for all of your help - especially directions.
Stopped by the bridge where the stocked section begins. Checked the stream there. Pretty small but still interesting looking. We then drove down Hay Creek Road (Rt. 82?) until it ended apparently where a hurricane washed out the road in the 70's. Walked the road and down to the stream where a dam creates a canal which was used to carry iron ore to Joanna's furnace for Bethlehem Steel. Really nice looking water all along this stretch. Met two kids with a stringer of four fish - rainbow, two browns and what looked like a tiger to me. They were using bait. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
The water was murky after one our recent downpours. I always run from these conditions, but, after reading some of the posts in this thread, i'm beginning to rethink my fear of "chocolate milk". Anyway, it's pretty obvious where to fish. I'll post results after we fish it. Thanks to all of you. May not seem like it to you but this thread provided a lot of information on Hay.
Oh, and thanks Evan for all of your help - especially directions.
i would love to see that water delayed harvest alo. dont thing it will happen. and even if it does the locals will poach the #OOPS# out of it, but i can hope for the wild fish in that streams sake. could be a great stream if people left fish in there.
