Yellow Breeches, 11/9/2007

[Dances_With_Brookies]

Despite the cold conditions, I decide to take a break from my work and head out to the Yellow Breeches for a few hours. I did not fish the C&R area-opting instead to fish some of the open water. A valid argument could me made that this stream should be removed from the stocking list as one heads closer to Huntsdale. There are numerous springs that enter in the vicinity, and a viable wild brown population to boot. I fished the area consistently over the summer, enjoying great success and today was no different. Caught two definite stocker browns-fins were stubby and very bland coloration. The other seven were as wild as can be. I also caught a 5" rainbow-I'm guessing an escapee from the hatchery. I would have stayed longer but I started to take notice that I had a small leak in the neoprenes so I called it quits. It stops being fun when your stomach is empty, your right boot foot has a gallon of ice cold water sloshing round, and you can barely feel your hands. I used several flies picking up one here and there but had the most success on a yellow honeybug and #16 BH pheasant tail nymph.

 

[Salvi1]

to stock or not to stock the club stocks from barnitz down heard some good things about the areas above that. you would have to take that up with huntsdale good luck...i really love the water on the upper end above mountain creek but also love below mountain cr its just a wonderful stream and you can find alot of solitude this time of year!

S,

 

[pap-paw]

I sure hope this info does not create more fishing pressure on this section of this stream. That is all we need to cause more posted signs to appear. Most of the posted land is a result of past fishing pressure. I don't think most of the wild browns would be there if it were not for the posted sections.

 

[Dances_With_Brookies]

I think your fear regarding an increase in posting due to increased fishing pressure is misplaced. I happen to know a few landowners in this section and one in another. It is not the fishing pressure that led to posting of property but lack of angler decorum. The people I know could care less how many people fish their land. What they care about is whether these people are carrying out what they brought in and respecting the privilege to fish there. I think by and large, people reading posts in this forum are respectful of others and united for the common good. Granted, there are probably a few that visit this site and lie and wait for information that can benefit them.

That being said, I contend that the fishery could be managed differently to reflect the true potential that it possesses. If the PFBC stopped stocking and other clubs were barred from doing likewise, I believe the circus to which you refer would disappear. Would this negate increased posting along the watershed-I would argue so along with those whom I do know to be a landowner. I tire of the mindset that to keep everything a secret somwhow benefits all of us. It benefits some of us...those in the know, but does nothing to better the fishery or promote the common good.

 

[pap-paw]

I agree te fishery management in this area could be better. However as a landowner in this aera I know that many people fish this area regardless of the desires of the landowners and keep everything they catch. You may be right that most landowners would not object to some fishing as long as it was on a catch and release basis. It has been my experience that the sections that are not posted have very few wild browns but the posted areas have quite a few. The ones in the open areas have probably migrated from the posted area's. I think the goal should be to always have fish available in the numbers that make fishing a fun rather than frustrating experience.

 

[mattd]

I have spend hundreds of days in this area on the Yellow Breeches. I will not bother getting into the whole landowners and posted property but I do know this water is under rated and misused.

I would love to see less stocking in the waters above route 34. By fall 90% of the trout I do catch are wild browns. There are even a few sections below small tribs where I have caught native brooks. This area is overstocked in the fall and gets alot of early season pressure from put and take fisherman. I've seen plenty of pretty wild browns on stringers. Its amazing how many people dont even realize they are wild. There are plenty of wild trout in the non posted sections and the posted areas are incredible.

I am lucky enough to have gotten permission to fish one of these posted sections for about 2 hours with my wife. We got over 20 trout from 5-17 in all wild browns. Just goes to show you what the stream could be. I think if they would stop stocking here would we see a much different YB. Less put and take fisherman and more posted signs unfortunately.

Any ways, the stream is great in this area and you'll never see me in boiling springs or downstream from there!

 

[Salvi1]

I have heard about this water area for a long time and Im a pretty hardcore Breeches angler and still have never gone up there...i think that the people on this site if they did go would be VERY mindful/respectful of landowners . in regards to stocking from barnitz down yes it gets alot of trout but these keep anglers pay for there licences and the privilege to keep and eat trout...they have long since gone and i have fished many days as of late without seeing another angler on this beautiful stream and there are still lots of fish to catch and no matter what anybody says there are streambred browns in this lower area...mattd you gotta check out some of the waters below 34 with me sometime .

S,

 

[Dances_With_Brookies]

Salvi,
I think your statement regarding the stocking of fish to keep anglers paying for licenses deposits the PFBC at an interesting intersection. On one hand, what you say is entirely true and has been the prevailing mindset of the PFBC regarding the program. On the other hand, managing fisheries properly to reflect their true potential brings lots of out-of-state dollars from visiting fishermen. IF YB were properly managed and developed into the wild trout fishery that I assert, I believe the $'s would come rolling in. We're not talking about removing the whole stream from the stocking list-just the area of Barnitz down to Rt 34. They (PFBC) should have ceased stocking this area a long time ago and instituted C&R or TT project. I'm not so sure about an increase in posting either if the PFBC and neighboring clubs stopped stocking. As I posited before, much of the posting came about because of angler disrespect (trash, burning fire rings). I'm not so sure that these problems would be as prevalent if stocking ceased. It could be a win-win for everyone.

As an aside, Matt-if you fish the YB that often, we have probably crossed paths and you should introduce yourself if you haven't done so already. As for the YB, there are also sections near Grantham that are just as productive...

 

[Salvi1]

DWB,

thats what i was talking about i really dont see any reason to stock (huntsdale or otherwise) from barnitz up but as I mentioned huntsdale will do what they want stock wise unless this matter is brought to theyre attention. i carry in my trunk many bags to pick up thoughtless debris left by many uncaring anglers in the lower sections i see it as my duty to the creek i love. and a good way to let landowners know that not all anglers are trashers . DWB please PM me on productive sections in or below the Grantham section i usually stick to the club areas but am looking for new and interesting waters on the breeches.