Lower Yellow Breeches, Cumberland County 5-13-21

[albud1962]

Water Clarity: Clear
Flow: Below average
Hatches: Sulfur 14 and 16, midges
Location: riffle areas
Water Temp: High 50's

Nice evening to be out.
I have been fishing downstream of Allenberry for a change and not to be around crowds. Other sections of the Breeches have good fishing even though they are ATW. I have had some excellent fishing lately in these lower ATW sections.

Air Temp about 72 and clear skies. Started about 6 pm.
Midges and Sulfurs were hatching. Noticed fish rising about 6:30.
Caught 5 on sulfur breadline fly and Mike Heck's snowshoe emerger size 14 and 16. Consistent action. All fish were wild browns
8 to 11".

 

[JeffP]

So when was the Breeches last surveyed? I am not very familiar with the stream but have noticed a number of people reporting catches of wild trout both upstream and down. How far down were you fishing? Was it a stocked area? If it was, what does that say about the Breeches wild trout if you only caught wild browns in a stocked area on the lower part of the stream?? What would the Breeches be like without stocking. I know that won't happen.

 

[troutbert]

JeffP wrote:
So when was the Breeches last surveyed? I am not very familiar with the stream but have noticed a number of people reporting catches of wild trout both upstream and down. How far down were you fishing? Was it a stocked area? If it was, what does that say about the Breeches wild trout if you only caught wild browns in a stocked area on the lower part of the stream?? What would the Breeches be like without stocking. I know that won't happen.

The reports do seem to indicate that the wild brown trout population is going up in the Breeches.

If so, what is causing that? What changed?

 

[Maurice]

troutbert wrote:

JeffP wrote:
So when was the Breeches last surveyed? I am not very familiar with the stream but have noticed a number of people reporting catches of wild trout both upstream and down. How far down were you fishing? Was it a stocked area? If it was, what does that say about the Breeches wild trout if you only caught wild browns in a stocked area on the lower part of the stream?? What would the Breeches be like without stocking. I know that won't happen.

The reports do seem to indicate that the wild brown trout population is going up in the Breeches.

If so, what is causing that? What changed?

Catch and release practices. As indicated over the past 10-15 years during angler surveys the vast majority of anglers bot artificial and bait practice C&R.

the Breeches is one of if not the most heavily stocked streams in PA, and also most heavily fished. So it proves the point Mike makes repeatedly that wild trout populations can and in some cases do increase in spite of stocking.

However, most of his examples in SCPA expanded through reductions of stockings and density. This is not the case here but the Breeches is a much larger system with more room for refuge and cover both thermal and pressure.

There is no question in my mind that if it were surveyed it would go
Class A easily. This is why that will never happen, and it doesnt need to to remain a good wild trout stream shared by all angling types.

 

[afishinado]

Maurice wrote:

troutbert wrote:

JeffP wrote:
So when was the Breeches last surveyed? I am not very familiar with the stream but have noticed a number of people reporting catches of wild trout both upstream and down. How far down were you fishing? Was it a stocked area? If it was, what does that say about the Breeches wild trout if you only caught wild browns in a stocked area on the lower part of the stream?? What would the Breeches be like without stocking. I know that won't happen.

The reports do seem to indicate that the wild brown trout population is going up in the Breeches.

If so, what is causing that? What changed?

Catch and release practices. As indicated over the past 10-15 years during angler surveys the vast majority of anglers bot artificial and bait practice C&R.

the Breeches is one of if not the most heavily stocked streams in PA, and also most heavily fished. So it proves the point Mike makes repeatedly that wild trout populations can and in some cases do increase in spite of stocking.

However, most of his examples in SCPA expanded through reductions of stockings and density. This is not the case here but the Breeches is a much larger system with more room for refuge and cover both thermal and pressure.

There is no question in my mind that if it were surveyed it would go
Class A easily. This is why that will never happen, and it doesnt need to to remain a good wild trout stream shared by all angling types.

I agree with Mo that the YB has a Class A wild trout population. I also agree given the number of anglers that fish it plus all the clubs that current stock it, the chances of it being surveyed and taken off the stocking list is nil.

 

[jifigz]

I agree but I will disagree, too. I think it is possible that the YB could be surveyed and designated as Class A. From hearing from friends the wild browns are doing great there. I think the PFBC is all about making waters Class A if they can to afford them protections. If that were to happen, I just think that the YB will become one to the exemptions in the state and continue to be stocked.

It has only been a few years since they have expanded the Class A water on Kish and it is still being stocked.....so it isn't out of the question for the YB to do the same..

 

[DGC]

Additional characteristics of the Breeches leading to wild trout despite stocking:

New treatment tech for the Huntsdale waste water.

Better riparian land practices from certain farms

Just enough springs scattered along its length to limit lethal thermal episodes.

Outstanding forage

Outstanding spawning habitat.

What it lacks is big fish habitat.

 

[troutbert]

DGC wrote:
Additional characteristics of the Breeches leading to wild trout despite stocking:

New treatment tech for the Huntsdale waste water.

Better riparian land practices from certain farms

Just enough springs scattered along its length to limit lethal thermal episodes.

Outstanding forage

Outstanding spawning habitat.

What it lacks is big fish habitat.

Good stuff. I think the water cleanup at Huntsdale probably helped a lot.

Hasn't there also been dam(s) removed? That can improve spawning habitat by reducing the amount of streambed covered with silt, and exposing more gravel.

 

[Susquehanna]

Additional characteristics of the Breeches leading to wild trout despite stocking:

New treatment tech for the Huntsdale waste water.

Better riparian land practices from certain farms

Just enough springs scattered along its length to limit lethal thermal episodes.

Outstanding forage

Outstanding spawning habitat.

What it lacks is big fish habitat.

Would you say this stream is a good candidate for in stream structures then?

 

[DGC]

Dam removal likely helped as well. As to instream structures to construct now, I have my doubts, but will leave that to the folks at CVTU.