PA vs WV Brown Trout Populations

[nd1001]

Consider that West Virginia manages native brook trout using whole-watershed connectivity strategies, while Pennsylvania faces greater habitat fragmentation and narrower reach-by-reach management.

I believe this is the biggest factor.

Fully agree, TU and EBTJV have done some great things in WV. The Potomac headwaters brook trout are doing well.

 

[cfarr]

Consider that West Virginia manages native brook trout using whole-watershed connectivity strategies, while Pennsylvania faces greater habitat fragmentation and narrower reach-by-reach management.

I believe this is the biggest factor.

We even have two whole watersheds protected for wild non native trout! Every one of those protected watersheds are a blast to fish as well. It’s a nice change to see brookies in nice sized streams compared to their headwater trickles that many are confined to. The Savage is in a similar boat, and is another of my favorite to fish.

 

[wildtrout2]

We even have two whole watersheds protected for wild non native trout! Every one of those protected watersheds are a blast to fish as well. It’s a nice change to see brookies in nice sized streams compared to their headwater trickles that many are confined to.

I have noticed a lot of the WV streams Jon fishes are much larger streams than your typical PA native brook trout stream.

 

[rustbeltwilds]

Yeah and like a previous poster said i think a few of the streams he fishes sre indeed reclaimed streams or primarily mrginal waters atkeast for the browns

 

[Swattie87]

There’s spots like that in PA fellas. The fish are marginally smaller in PA (see discussion above), but Brookies (and little, to no Browns) in streams 50+ feet across definitely occur in PA. (Though there are probably more places like this in WV.)

 

[Swattie87]

For example, these fish, came from this stream. In PA.

 

[jifigz]

For example, these fish, came from this stream. In PA.

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That there is a nice looking creek, and those are some mighty fine looking brookies.

 

[cfarr]

For example, these fish, came from this stream. In PA.

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That stream reminds me of Potomac Headwaters creeks. Looks beautiful.

Here are a couple of high elevation brookie streams I love fishing in WV.

 

[wildtrout2]

For example, these fish, came from this stream. In PA.

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Nice looking brookies! IMO, Jon's right when he says natives are the prettiest of all the trouts.

 

[FisherOfMen]

For example, these fish, came from this stream. In PA.

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I could catch fish like that all day and just be happy.

Pennsylvania is lacking in certain things compared to WV. However I can tell you that equally WV is lacking when compared to PA also.

 

[nd1001]

For example, these fish, came from this stream. In PA.

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Great fish!! What do you think the common denominator is for those larger streams in PA that don’t have a ton of browns?

Acidity? Or just a case of a slow takeover that is still in the early stages?

 

[Swattie87]

Great fish!! What do you think the common denominator is for those larger streams in PA that don’t have a ton of browns?

Acidity? Or just a case of a slow takeover that is still in the early stages?

Yes and yes.

 

[Broodstock]

For what it’s worth, I’ll be on a family trip around Labor Day to Blackwater/ Davis areas and have never been. If anyone wants to suggest a few places I can poke around with limited time, send me a PM. Otherwise I’ll be scouting around.

 

[cfarr]

For what it’s worth, I’ll be on a family trip around Labor Day to Blackwater/ Davis areas and have never been. If anyone wants to suggest a few places I can poke around with limited time, send me a PM. Otherwise I’ll be scouting around.

I gotchu brother, I’m gonna shoot you a DM.

 

[troutbert]

Great fish!! What do you think the common denominator is for those larger streams in PA that don’t have a ton of browns?

Acidity? Or just a case of a slow takeover that is still in the early stages?

Yes, acidity, which brings us back to geology. That is true in both WV and PA.

 

[CRB]

Great fish!! What do you think the common denominator is for those larger streams in PA that don’t have a ton of browns?

Acidity? Or just a case of a slow takeover that is still in the early stages?

Lack of buffering, snowier winters with more snow and more on the ground come the spring melt and more salt on the roads roads.