Muddy Creek, York County, 3/8/09

[Woolybugger]

I fished the lower section of the Special Regs area from 3 until 7pm today.
I caught a few browns and one rainbow. One brown was over 20" and had talon marks on his back. The big trout must have been a holdover and after the osprey hit him, his head turned black!! Check out the center pic.
Like Maurice mentioned, I have also seen a lot of trout that have marks on their back. I would think a big trout like this one would be too big for a heron to eat, but I think the smaller ones have distinctive marks on the back where a heron attacked them. I think that herons, and ospreys, and maybe a eagle are gorging themselves with all the trout in the shallow water.
Today the trout came on size 14 stonefly nymphs. They would chase a woolybugger, but only nip the tail.
I talked to four guys fishing the lower section and I asked them if they were from PA Flyfishing.com, but nobody today said they surf the net!
It was simply a beautiful day to be fishing. Shirtsleeves, and some fresh air.

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[Maurice]

Wooly,

Please stop hanging my fish by the neck. I'd rather see them lying aon a dry rock than like that. Makes my head spin.

That middle pic a nice fish. There was one 20" fish put in the lower end during the stocking but I didn't see it to confirm the coloration. However, the fish in your pic does indeed look to be in great shape. Fish that large don't survive in shallow water....there must be deep water somewhere. Certainly no under your boots. or where you stand while casting...think about it.

 

[Woolybugger]

Maurice,

1- The fish aren't hanging by the neck!! They are gently lifted out of the water while I take a quick pic. When you grab a small fish, you could damage the fish or take the fish slime off. I use barbless hooks and put the fish back in the water quickly....... always released unharmed!! That's the best way to do it...... but you think that you are correct.

2- They aren't "your fish" they are paid for by us PA license buyers. I'm a conversationalist and worry about our pristine trout waters more than you do.

3- I mentioned all the trout streams are quite low and I'm praying for rain. It's not a rub at Muddy Creek, not at all. It's just a educated observation about the trout streams that I love so much. I love all the trout waters in PA.

4- I believe that I catch a heck of a lot more trout than you do!! And I can also say that as God as my witness...... I have never killed a trout in a C&R area!

I will purchase a small fine mesh net for the catch and release fishing I do. I know that a fish picked up by a small barbless hook won't hurt him at all....... but some like you don't understand...... so I'll spend $15 for a light net to carry.

Please don't attack me!! I'm a nature loving conversationalist who want's the PA trout fishing to become the best in the world.