Perry/Juniata Wild Trout 5/10

[Dances_With_Brookies]

Man, its been a long time since I fished last... I finally found some free time so I headed to the Tuscorara State Forest. Here are my notes and observations from yesterday's adventure...

Schaeffer Run- I arrived here about 730 am to see what effect the Wild Brook Trout Enhancement program was doing for the fishery. Well, I fished about two miles of stream and encountered mainly 5" pinkie size brookies. I did catch one that may have gone 8" on a good day. I also took note of two baitfishermen below where I was, and on my hike back out to the truck-I found three fresh, empty worn containers along the bank. There may be a direct correlation between the general lack of quantity, and size of the fish I encountered with my discovery??? I packed up to head to destination #2.

Horse Valley Run/Kansas Valley Run- I started on Horse Valley Run managing to catch one small stocker brook. I then headed up Kansas Valley Run where I was sure better things awaited me since the stream is Class A and I have done exceptional here in the past. After an 1.5 hours here, and two more empty worm containers-my hunch was severely misplaced. I managed just two 4" brookies and lots of barren water in spite of excellent holding water. There was not a soul in sight-fish or fishermen save for me. I packed up and decided to try one last place.

Willow Run- I arrived at the gate to the State Game Lands and began my long hike back to what use to be productive water. From my point of entry, I went upstream a good two miles to where the stream is literally choked with brush and overhanging limbs. I managed two wild browns-one was 12" and the other was half his size. I also encountered empty packaging for "Eagle Claw" size 8 snelled bait-hooks and a pile of mono.

My thoughts...I'm not about to get into an argument why I encountered such poor conditions on any of the places I visited. I am well aware that there are many factors upon which the success of our wild trout fisheries is predicated. Having said that, it is apparent to me that more and more of our wild trout streams are being plundered of their riches. I openly wonder whether publishing the Class A list on the PFBC site is such a good thing, and in the alternative, whether designating streams for programs such as the Wild Brook Trout Enhancement is really producing the intended effect that our PFBC personnel desire or if it is just drawing more unwanted attention to already fragile fisheries. I saw the thread views regarding Meadow Run and share in the concern with others that there probably are trolls lurking on this board for information since we so readily give it. For these reasons, I will continue to post stream reports, but I will not be handing out specifics as I have been accused of doing in the past. If you read any of my future stream reports and want to know more, feel free to PM me. If I know you or recognize your Username, I will try to help you out in any way I can as I have done for others. For everyone else, my apologies...

 

[afishinado]

I've never fished in any of those spots but it’s amazing, no matter where you fish in PA you’re sure to find trees, bushes, dirt, rocks, a styrofoam worm container, and a empty red, white and blue pack of Eagle Claw hooks.

Thanks for the report.

 

[shipnfish2006]

I last fished willow run two years ago and while fishing it came across a guy carrying a stringer with 3 7-8" browns on it. He kept telling me how much better they were to eat than the stockies. Then proceeded to tell me how many he had caught out of there that year. I've never caught much of anything on that creek in 2 attempts and have no ambitions to go back again.

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

Thats a shame DWB.

You are correct in saying that there are alot of factors that contribute and affect fragile wild trout fisheries. I have often thought that publishing a class a list and making specific streams designated wild brooktrout enhancement programs will only attract attention. We are all guilty of it though. I have all the lists like most flyfisherman. Prehaps what they need to do is charge a fee for those lists then most people would avoid them. The downside is anyone can assume that a crystal clear stream running through state forest, in most cases can and does have wild trout in it. My biggest beef with these people that want to bait fish these wonderful natural areas, isnt the fact that they are keeping trout (though I hate it). My biggest problem is that they are leaving thier trash behind.

AN update on Wyomissing......we went back this weekend and fished way above were the derby took place. Tons of stockers there. :-x We approached the derby "area" and talked to a guy who told us they stocked from into the stocked section of Wyomissing downstream to where we saw that fence up. That is near 2/3's the entire class a section. seems that anyone who thought "its just a small area" was wrong. In those stocked sections the wild browns were to busy hiding to bite or just been yanked out by trout derby enthusiasts. Downstream from there we caught a load of wild browns. *sigh* guess they wanna trash that fishery. :-o please if you live close go fish the class a section and yank those fish out. I know i took someout yesterday.
:-D

 

[JackM]

salvelinusfontinalis wrote:
....seems that anyone who thought "its just a small area" was wrong.

Seems the person who reported on the derby stocking of a small section was wrong, if the information you received was accurate. I commented based upon the information provided in the original post and particularly at what I thought was an over-reaction by the original reporter who thought it was only a small area that was stocked. If you want to be upset now, I would have less of a negative reaction, though outrage is still not called for, in my opinion.

 

[tomgamber]

Sal,

Rant, fight the good fight...go for it...but you have to accept the fact that while you may share the same feelings with a majority on this board, when it comes to all the fishermen in this state you are but a minute fraction of a minority. Once you accept that you'll realize that going off on here is just preaching to the choir. The good fight is out there...

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

Jack think you like to argue dont you. While i do love (sarcasm) getting into it with you those comments were not intended to high jack a thread but rather give an update. if you want to argue then make a new post. I correct myself by saying i meant to type, that the affects of the stream would be minimal. They seem quiet large to me. While im sure you would love to see me upset it just not going to happen. Having to much fun over here to let it get me down. I dont see how calling the PFBC about it and asking questions was an overreaction. Hey think its an over reaction or dont think its an over reaction......i was just reporting what i saw.

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

again it wasent a rant. it was a report. when the minority of this board question my ethics or priorities then it becomes a rant.
try and remember...i dont really like to debate lol
good day :-D

 

[tomgamber]

I don;t think anyone questions your ethics or priorities, I just wonder how much energy you waste arguing with people in here when there are much more deserving people out there to argue with that might actually help fix the problem.

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

your absolutly right tom which is why i havent posted in months. then i comeback put up 4 posts and it starts again. See if so many people agree with me then how does it become an "arguement" off the bat? try to remember i post a report.....its the others who argue. lol

now please lets get back to DB's post.....the harvesting, worm/trash chuckin anglers on little wild trout streams.