Hay Creek, Berks Co, 5/7/2023

[5alp]

Fished from 230-5pm. Weather was comfortable in the low 70s. Skies clouded up as I drove west from the Philly area. By the time I was on stream the sun was behind the clouds and stayed that way until I left. Water level was good, some stain in the deeper holes. Nymphed upstream the whole way catching fish in pretty much every spot I thought they'd be. Probably 2-1 stocked fish to wild. Did catch one wild in the 14" range which fought like hell, thought I was snagged at first. Thinking back that's one of the better wild fish I've caught on this stream.

Not a ton of big activity, did see a few Sulphurs come off later in the day.

Some pics of the few better wild ones, most of the wild fish were small, 5-7". I think the one in the net is wild?

 

[salmo]

Nice pictures

 

[Mike]

I have a biologist type of question for you. How far downstream did you pick up your first wild fish? We didn’t used to find them in the center of town as an example, but I would have expected them to be present from at least the lower gate on old Rt 82 and upstream to possibly Scarlets Mill. In the past there was a break in the population that started somewhere in the Scarlets Mill area, perhaps a little below it, and then the population picked up again upstream from Rt 82 in Geigertown, which is the official lower end of the Class A stretch.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

I have a biologist type of question for you. How far downstream did you pick up your first wild fish? We didn’t used to find them in the center of town as an example, but I would have expected them to be present from at least the lower gate on old Rt 82 and upstream to possibly Scarlets Mill. In the past there was a break in the population that started somewhere in the Scarlets Mill area, perhaps a little below it, and then the population picked up again upstream from Rt 82 in Geigertown, which is the official lower end of the Class A stretch.

Sent you a PM, Mike.

 

[wildtrout2]

Fished from 230-5pm. Weather was comfortable in the low 70s. Skies clouded up as I drove west from the Philly area. By the time I was on stream the sun was behind the clouds and stayed that way until I left. Water level was good, some stain in the deeper holes. Nymphed upstream the whole way catching fish in pretty much every spot I thought they'd be. Probably 2-1 stocked fish to wild. Did catch one wild in the 14" range which fought like hell, thought I was snagged at first. Thinking back that's one of the better wild fish I've caught on this stream.

Not a ton of big activity, did see a few Sulphurs come off later in the day.

Some pics of the few better wild ones, most of the wild fish were small, 5-7". I think the one in the net is wild?

Yes, the one in the net is wild.

 

[tjsingle]

Fished from 230-5pm. Weather was comfortable in the low 70s. Skies clouded up as I drove west from the Philly area. By the time I was on stream the sun was behind the clouds and stayed that way until I left. Water level was good, some stain in the deeper holes. Nymphed upstream the whole way catching fish in pretty much every spot I thought they'd be. Probably 2-1 stocked fish to wild. Did catch one wild in the 14" range which fought like hell, thought I was snagged at first. Thinking back that's one of the better wild fish I've caught on this stream.

Not a ton of big activity, did see a few Sulphurs come off later in the day.

Some pics of the few better wild ones, most of the wild fish were small, 5-7". I think the one in the net is wild?

Nice report. I was thinking about heading up that way yesterday but didn't have enough time. The one in the net looks wild to me. Your experience matches ones I have had in the past.

 

[Andrwhite610]

Nice wilds. I fished Hay about 2 weeks ago in the lower section in birdsboro. Landed two stocked browns. I’ve also caught a couple wilds in that section late this past winter. One was a decent size maybe 12”+

 

[Mike]

Andrew and Nymph-Wristed, thanks for the info.
Mike

 

[Andrwhite610]

Andrew and Nymph-Wristed, thanks for the info.
Mike

Photo of fish landed in Birdsboro

 

[Silent Ocelot]

Wow, sounds like you had a good trip alp!

Last I was at Hay, which was Thanksgiving, I managed mostly chubs but was able to pull out a few small gorgeous wild browns, including one that was scarcely 3 inches. Also caught an extremely anorexic rainbow. All on nymphs, it was November. It was a good day to get a shorter Helios out and a good day to test out some new line, line I need to get back from the person I lent it to. I found that a size 18 silver beaded PT was a good fly to use that day.

I really like the size of Hay and the variations in depth. It seems to have a lot to offer, shallow runs and deep pools for a variety of approaches. It's a shame it gets pounded by the white truck chasers every year. Hay would be a great creek without stocking and if it were C&R and artificial lure only. The temps in the upper stretches are viable to support trout through the year, hence the massive wild brown population. I love the scenery there, but it gets sketchy during hunting season when I am not wearing orange and have tan waders on. I have fond memories of fishing this creek as a kid when I lived in Exeter. I have a friend who is a Hay regular and says there are 20 inch wild browns in there. I have yet to even see a fish close to that size but I believe it.

 

[5alp]

Wow, sounds like you had a good trip alp!

Last I was at Hay, which was Thanksgiving, I managed mostly chubs but was able to pull out a few small gorgeous wild browns, including one that was scarcely 3 inches. Also caught an extremely anorexic rainbow. All on nymphs, it was November. It was a good day to get a shorter Helios out and a good day to test out some new line, line I need to get back from the person I lent it to. I found that a size 18 silver beaded PT was a good fly to use that day.

I really like the size of Hay and the variations in depth. It seems to have a lot to offer, shallow runs and deep pools for a variety of approaches. It's a shame it gets pounded by the white truck chasers every year. Hay would be a great creek without stocking and if it were C&R and artificial lure only. The temps in the upper stretches are viable to support trout through the year, hence the massive wild brown population. I love the scenery there, but it gets sketchy during hunting season when I am not wearing orange and have tan waders on. I have fond memories of fishing this creek as a kid when I lived in Exeter. I have a friend who is a Hay regular and says there are 20 inch wild browns in there. I have yet to even see a fish close to that size but I believe it.

You're right on, the creek has such a nice variety of water types. I especially like the stretches where the gradient really drops. Its also small enough to cover pretty much all the water with my 7ft 3wt.