Winter State Stockings

Unfortunately, there are no scheduled stockings for Chester County for this month, but if you really want to catch some trout then there are still stockings in nearby counties.

Berks:
11/17/09 at Antietam Reservoir- Rainbow only

Montgomery:
11/17/09 at Deep Creek Dam- Rainbow only

Lebanon:
11/03/09 at Stovers Lake- Rainbow only

That's all that's posted close to our county. Nothing up for ice-fishing stocking yet.
Gathered from PFBC website

Late Fall Techniques

It's time to start slowing down your presentations now that water temps are staying cold. You may still be able to get some reaction strikes by quick-retrieving your crankbaits and buzzbaits, but for the most part you will have more luck on a slowly presented bait. Try these:

• *Slow rolling a spinner bait
• Zoom flukes (especially in clearer water conditions)
• Dropshots
  
• Large skirted jigs
• Medium bodied crainkbaits-med. to deep running
  

Focus on using more natural colors right now such as watermelon for soft plastics and black/ blue for jigs.

*Slow rolling a spinner bait is accomplished by letting it fall to the bottom or near bottom and retrieving slow enough to allow it to bounce and roll over stumps, rocks, and other bottom debris. Many times you will get the strike right after it begins it's fall over the front side of a log or rock.

Time for Some Bassin'

Right now is one of the best times of the year for catching bass. They're hungry and are trying to fatten up before the winter. Plus, the cold water gives them more energy to spare. Try using:

• Crankbaits
• Jigs
  
• In-line spinners
• Soft plastics with jig heads
  

Blues for Bass

Right now, lures that are black with blue throughout them are working well in local lakes.
Some examples of good baits are:

• Gary Yamamoto D/T H Grub 4" Black with Blue Flake rigged with 1/8-1/4 oz. bullet weight and size 3/0-4/0 wide gape worm hook
• Jigs with black and blue skirts rigged with a blue or black w/ blue speckled crayfish
• Black and blue Chatterbait
• Green/brown and blue soft plastic frogs
  

These techniques have been producing in Hopewell, Strooble, and Marsh Creek Lake.

Good Article

Ok, so this article is clearly an add for YUM baits, but it does have some good points in it that may help for bass fishing. Also, check out the internet specials on the site for some great deals on tackle, I'm talking $.25 for 20lb fishing line and Booyah! jigs for $.99
I'm not endorsing this website, just thought it was interesting

Lurnet.com article

Weeding out Largemouth

Where are all the bass hanging out in your local pond or lake right now? For many it's a no brainer-under all the weed coverage that's probably taking over your favorite fishing hole. But for some it's an overlooked jackpot that with a few changes to your tackle can be easily fished. Be prepared for some explosive top-water action!

Here's some tips:

• Use stronger line~ 8-12lb test
• Use a heavier action rod
• Pick up some weedless frogs (try matching them to your spot's species)
• Get some weedless wide-gap worm bass hooks~ 3/0-5/0 (depending on worm size)
• Make sure you have some thicker soft plastics (color really doesn't matter)

Once you've set up your rod with the heavy line, seek out good cover in you spot. Look for duck weed, lily pads, thick grass, grass mats, and logs. During the hot months bass hide under these to escape the sun. Start out by throwing your frog through all this and see if you can get a bite. Remember to set the hook hard because frogs are notoriously bad at hooking. If this fails to produce then switch over to your weedless rigged soft plastic (Senko, salamander...) and cast right into the heavy stuff.
If dragging it through the thick weeds doesn't work, then try casting a few feet past a clearing in the muck and let it sit, then slowly reel in to the opening and let it sink down. Many bass will follow the bait till the opening and then smash it.

Weedless rigged Senko worm

PA State Stocking

The following creeks are being stocked this week by the PA Fish and Boat Co:

East Branch Brandywine Creek 5/06, 08
East Branch White Clay Creek 5/06
French Creek 5/04, 05
Middle Branch White Clay Creek 5/06
Pickering Creek 5/05, 08
Valley Creek W 5/08
White Clay Creek 5/06

To see the exact locations and times, click here. Unfortunately you will have to choose Chester county and the dates still.

Sun Fishing!

Now is a perfect time to catch sunnies. If you have any kids or you just like the fight they put up on ultralight or flyfishing tackle, then go to your nearest pond and have a blast!

Sun fish are moving up to the shallows and getting ready to spawn, so look for some aggressive fishing. You'll see some of the biggest sunnies you'll find all year right now on the banks, and they'll hit at anything small enough to fit in their mouths.

Try using small plastic worms, jigs, flies, worms, bread, corn, very small crankbaits, and anything else small! Make sure to bring some forceps or small pliers!

Pond Bassin'

Bass are really active now in ponds in our area. They are beginning to move closer to the banks in preparation to spawn and are getting really hungry. Walk carefully and slowly around the banks, staying far away from the edge. Bass can see very well, and at this point they will take off at the first sign of you because they feel vulnerable with the little plant cover growing right now.

Senko-styled baits are working well as well as crappie jigs, just watch out because sun fish are in full spawn and are crowding the banks too. This is one advantage to using the jerkbaits; the sunnies might attack it but they can't take it.

Changing Trout Patterns

As the waters warm up and trout become more used to their new environments, they become tougher to catch. Don't worry, they're still in there. It's time to switch up your presentations to include more natural baits. Trout are learning what is actually natural food in streams now, instead of chasing anything that looks interesting.
Worms, minnows, and larvae will trigger some nice strikes.
Take some time before you start fishing to turn over a few rocks and see what's hatching. If you find any hellgrammites, use 'em and you'll have a great day of fishing (careful, they do bite).

Always remember to return the rocks back to the way you found them to preserve the stream's integrity.

Trout Magnets continue to Produce

The French Creek is still loaded with trout, and they're still hittin' Trout Mags like crazy. White seems to be the best color, followed by hot pink.

The secret to these lures is how you fish them. Make sure you cast them upstream and let them drift downstream. While they're drifting, slowly reel in slack line and jig your rod tip lightly and repeatedly. You want to give the tail of the Magnet a fluttering motion, as if it is slowly kicking itself through the water. Don't let it hit the bottom, and try to only pause the jigging every once in a while because trout lose interest quickly with a lifeless Trout Magnet.

Trout follow these baits for a while sometimes, so watch for them. It's best to wear polarized sunglasses to cut through the glare. Also, trout tend to just nip at it quickly and spit it out so don't wait for them to 'take the bait' like other traditional baits.

Catching Freshly Stocked Trout

It seems like these newly stocked trout should be like catching fish in a barrel right? They put so many in small holes that it can be hard to see the bottom. So why are they sometimes hard to catch? Chances are you're just trying the wrong techniques. Keep in mind these fish don't know what's natural in creeks yet, so traditional baits may not work. Newly stocked trout are mainly curious about their new surroundings, and therefore often chase things they really aren't planning on eating. Baits such as corn, Powerbait, worms, minnows, and cheese probably won't work because they're just not ready to eat yet.

The best bet is to show them something interesting; something new and moving. This means lures such as spinners, Rapala Countdowns, weighted woolly-buggers, and Trout Magnets. Trout Magnets are perhaps the best choice because of the many different colors available and ease of changing them. When they stop hitting or chasing a certain color, change it, and they'll be fascinated all over again. Brighter colors, such as hot pink and highlighter green, seem to work best.

State Stocking on Thursday

The state will be stocking the French Creek on Thursday the 9th, and they're looking for volunteers to help. The meeting place is the Ridge Fire Co. at 12:15. They need all the help they can get, and stocking is both fun and very rewarding. You'll know exactly where the big ones are and how many each hole has, plus have access to them before others.

Make sure to wear at least waterproof boots so you can stock in better places.

French Creek Report

The first two days of trout season were a little rough in our area due to the heavy flooding from Thursday/Friday's rainstorm, but fish were caught. Most people found live/natural bait to work the best. When the water was still chocolate colored, trout were hitting on pink Powerbait. Today was the best day yet, with waters turning back to mostly normal.
Cheese worked very well, fished with a light split-shot about a foot up and drifted in deeper holes with a good current. The problem with cheese, though, is that trout often swallow it, making it difficult to remove the hook. Always have a pair of forceps or needle-nose pliers with you. But even these may not be enough, so if you aren't planning on keeping some trout, try out some corn or minnows.

Shakey Jig for Cold Spring Bass

For those of you who are unaware of the Shakey Jig and what it does, check this article out. The Shakey Jig basically allows the bait to tip up on the bottom of the lake, keeping it out of the muck and in front of the cold bass' face. A new way of fishing the Jig has been discovered--Wackey! Wackey rigging a Senko or other soft-plastic jerkbait on it will allow it to tip up an inch or two after hitting bottom.
Click here for the full article

Finessing the Little Guys

Having trouble catching the big bass? Try switching to your trout tackle and through on some crappie jigs. Little bass are really getting aggressive right now and these are the perfect baits for them. Fish them slowly still, dragging and bouncing off the bottom. Don't be afraid to let it pause on the bottom for a few seconds, then give it a slight reel, pause, then jig. The hits are coming really soft, so be ready. When you feel something, reel up any slack and see if your line moves before you set the hook.
Yellow, green, and white heads/tubes are working well.

Some Great new sites!

Check out my new website, chestercountyfisherman.weebly.com (For some reason this link does not work, just copy and paste into your browser)
This is basically the same site just in a website layout that is much easier to navigate

Also check out the Coventryville Trout Club's new site, coventryvilletroutclub.blogspot.com
This is a great club dedicated to keeping fishing fun in the Coventry/Pottstown area. Become a member and receive some great benefits!

One more good site to check out is the Chester Country Bass Masters. Join and compete in actual bass tournaments, boaters and riders welcome. Click here

PA State Stocking at French Creek

The stocking of the French Creek looked good so far, with the average size of the trout (all rainbows and palaminos) bigger than usual. I'd say the average size was 11-12 inches with many reaching 15. The palaminos were all lunkers or close to it, and reports of huge rainbows in some places was encouraging.
The PFBC saw alot of help for this stocking, but they said that what they really need is help during the season when less people come out to help. I recommend at least water-proof boots so that you can get into some of the tough to reach places that don't always get stocked.

Crankbaits for Bass

For some reason, this time of year can trigger some pretty aggressive hits on your crankbaits. But, you have to know when to use them to get maximum strikes. The main thing to consider is the weather. Crankbaits do best when there is a slight wind causing ripples on the surface. This is especially true when using shallow water crankbaits (in shallow water). And cloudy days seem to produce more often than sunny days for this method.
"Many bassers find slender, flat-sided baits work best on sluggish bass in cold water (they're quieter and emit tighter vibrations), while the more rounded varieties, many of which are filled with noisemaking rattles and swim with a wide wobble, tend to produce better in warm water"
from "Shallow Water" Crankin' by Don Wirth.
Click here for the full article on Spring time crankbaits
I have seen fishermen right next to me catching fish with this method while mine were just not working. So remember to keep one of these crankbaits in your arsenal for the Spring.

Dropshotting for Winter Bass

Ever wonder what dropshotting is or when to use it? Turns out right now is the perfect time to try it out. This method utilizes alot of action with very little change in location of your lure-allowing sluggish bass more time to attack. Dropshotting is traditionally used for catfishing and most bottom saltwater species, but has been adapted for freshwater bass. The basic idea is to have a weight at the end of your line with a lure/bait suspended about 10-12 inches above it tied with a palomar knot. This lets you bounce and flick the lure and not move it from the strike zone.
Here's some very helpful links for rigging and fishing dropshots:
Drop shot rigging
Palomar Knot

An Interesting Article

Here is an article discussing fishing in Special Regulation waters in PA. It brings up pros and cons, and gives very helpful tips for fly fishing and spinner fishing for trout in winter. The article comes from:

Anytime angling: Pennsylvania's special regulation trout program

Pittsburgh Post Gazette, USA

Lunker Tips continue to Produce

Fished the same pond this weekend with the Riverside Jerbaits and managed to get a picture of a 3-4 lber. Remember, this technique isn't meant for most winter fishing conditions--mainly just farm ponds that don't see too many fishermen.

The picture shows the jerkbait's color and style as well.

Some More Winter Bass Tips

If your fishing a larger local pond, try fishing near it's dock or any structure you can find in the deeper parts. Try throwing a Senko or other 4-6 inch jerkbaits out past the structure, then SLOWLY reel the bait in. Jerk it up a little and then let it sink then reel in some slack and repeat. Most strikes will come when it is sinking-look for your line to get tight. Use a size 4 wide gap bass hook and be sure to really set the hook hard-these baits are thick and it takes some effort to get it through, even if you have stuck the point all the way through before hand (recommended). This technique helped me land a 5 lber and two 2 lbers yesterday. Lunker recap:

• Fish deep structures (Dock, drain pipe, logs)
• Use 4-6 in Senkos or other Jerkbaits with size 4 wide gap hooks
• Reel slowly, jerking upward and letting it sink for a few seconds
• Set hook hard and make sure to pull hook point all the way through bait before hand

Also, don't expect this method to work everywhere, just in good ponds with little pressure.
Here's a helpful link for Senko Soft Jerkbait rigging

Chester County Trout Stockings

Here's a list of trout stockings from March 10th to April 3rd in Chester County from the PA Fish and Game website.

According to the Allentown Morning Call newspaper, the PFBC are stocking 3.4 million trout in PA this year from their 14 hatcheries.

Tips for winter Largemouth

It can be tricky landing largemouth this time of year, and don't expect to catch many lunkers. Most bass that bite are younger, so size your presentation accordingly. Some proven lures include:

• In-line spinners (Rooster Tails, Panther Martins...)
• Small Jigs-ones that are usually used for crappie
• Slowly presented soft-plastics with no weight (Senkos, salamanders, curly tail worms)
• Bass Jigs with crayfish trailers
• Use shallow running Crank baits in open water up to 8 ft deep (when there is wind causing small ripples on the surface)
  
• Texas/Carolina rigged small plastic worms or salamanders
  

Remember to keep your presentation as slow as possible. Also, sunny days are going to produce more in the cold weather-except with the crank baits. Fish near fallen logs or shallow cover and use slightly smaller hooks as well.

Don't Forget the Year Round Trout Sections!

Just because Approved Trout Waters are closed for the season it doesn't mean trout fishing is done. Remember, there's still plenty of fly-fishing and artificial lure spots, and even an all tackle section open year-round.

Catch And Release (all tackle)
Valley Creek – at Valley Forge and tributaries including Little Valley Creek. Be aware that Valley Forge National Historic Park has imposed special bait restrictions. Check local posters. Click here for some pictures of the trout being caught here right now.
Catch and Release (flyfishing only)
French Creek – 0.9 mile; from the dam at Camp Sleepy Hollow downstream to Hollow Road
Delayed Harvest (artificial lures only)
East Branch Brandywine Creek – 1.2 miles; from SR 4019 (Dorlan’s Mill Road) downstream to SR 4004 (Dowlin Forge Road)
Pickering Creek – 1.5 miles; from SR 1019 (Charlestown Road) downstream to 330 yards upstream of the railroad bridge
Middle Branch White Clay Creek – 1.7 miles; from SR 3009 (Good Hope Road) downstream to the confluence with the East Branch
West Valley Creek – 1.2 miles; from the confluence with the unnamed tributary (locally known as Colebrook Run) upstream of SR 2020 (Boot Road) downstream to 0.25 miles downstream of the railroad tunnel

Information gathered from www.fish.state.pa.us

What to do now that Trout are Out

So trout fishing is down for a month, there's still plenty of fishing to be had in Chester County. Try out the many lakes that are not Approved Trout Waters, such as Struble and Chambers lake for panfish and walleye (This site lists many of the Chester County parks and fisheries) . Drive a little out of Chester County to get to the PPL powerplant warm-water discharge on the Susquehanna river for the best smallmouth and walleye fishing in years (click here for recent fishing reports for the Susky and other places). Did you know you can get fishing forcasts on Weather.com for just about any lake? Here's a forcast for March 7th at Marsh Creek Lake.

Last Day of Trout Season

Today marked the end for all Approved Trout waters. There are still a few special regulation spots available. Scotts Run is still producing rainbows and large browns, and they're hitting on green Powerbait with a large split shot two ft. from the bait, no bobber. Just let it sit there for a little while and you'll feel some soft hits-let them hit it for a few seconds because they're just barely taking it. But after today, you'll have to wait until April 4th to try this out. Here's the fish that I caught today from Scotts Run.

Check out the Tulpehocken Creek

Looking for some great fly fishing? You're gonna have to travel to get to this one, but it's not too far. Head out past Reading on 222 N and take the exit for Penn State Berks. Past the school is a park with a nice dam to fish that is stocked plentifully. From the dam down is the approved trout section of the Tully, where any type of bait or lure is allowed until March 1st. The trout are still plentiful here and are hitting regularly.

Above the dam and the next four miles are Special Regulation waters- artificial lure delayed harvest- and are perfect for fly fishing. The wide stretches of water have a great mixture of shallow currents and deep pools. Waders are a must to fish this creek in the winter, the shallow banks generally run at least 10 ft out until it gets deep. Trout catching has been steady in this section, and most are released. 3 mixed species limit.

Tips for Winter Trout

Winter can be a hard time to catch trout, even out of your best honey-holes. For one, the trout are slower due to cold temperatures, and two, there just aren't as many trout to catch. The leftovers from fall stockings are now smarter and more accustomed to what is real food. They're also more cautious.

The best way to combat this is to slow down your presentation, fish deeper holes, and use natural (or very natural looking) bait. This means corn, worms, minnows, and woolly buggers are in.

Many seasoned fishermen swear by brown or green woolly buggers this time of year- ones with bead heads- floated down the river/stream or slowly reeled in at lakes.

Nymphs are always a great option for fly-fishermen in winter, but check your stream for hatches first. Midges are usually a good constant for winter.

Others still claim that Powerbait is the way to go, and most say that green or brown works best. A slowly presented green/black Trout Magnet helped me land a small rainbow the other day.

Stocking at French Creek

According to a Game Warden at French Creek Park, there will be a stocking down at the Fly Fishing Only-Catch and Release section of the French Creek tomorrow. This section is located off of Pughtown Rd. near a covered bridge.
This is a Fly Fishing Only, Catch and Release Only Section!!

PA Fishing License Prices

How much does a license cost? What types of licenses, stamps and permits are available? From www.fish.stat.pa.us

Type of Fishing License or Permit Age Cost Resident 16-64 $22.70 Senior Resident 65 & up 11.70 Senior Resident - Lifetime 65 & up 51.70 1-day Resident 16 & up 11.70 National Guard & Armed Forces Reserve (resident)* 16 & up 2.70 Prisoner of War (resident)* 16 & up 2.70 Prisoner of War - Senior Lifetime (resident)* 65 & up 2.70 Non-resident 16 & up 52.70 7-day Tourist 16 & up 34.70 3-day Tourist 16 & up 26.70 1-day Tourist (includes all privileges) 16 & up 26.70 Trout/Salmon Stamp 16 & up 9.70 Lake Erie Permit 16 & up 9.70 Combination Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie Permit 16 & up 15.70

Susquehanna Smallies

If you're willing to drive a little for some great action, then head on up to Harrisburg for Susquehanna River Smallmouth.
Reports are increadible right now for the warm-water discharge area in York Haven.
Shinners, curly tail grubs, tubes, jigs, and just about any other traditional smallmouth bass lure seems to be working well.
For more info, click here.

Waters Are Warming, Ice is Melting

Finally we are able to fish our favorite holes again due to the incredibly out of season weather we've been receiving this week. Creek ice is now gone and most lakes are fishable around the edges at least.

The warm weather will only last until Friday, with temps staying in the mid 40's. After that it will stay above freezing in the high 3o's for about a week.

Looks like ice-fishing will be put on hold for a few weeks.

For more weather info, click here for Weather.com

Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show

North America's largest outdoor show! Fishing and Hunting displays, vendors, giveaways, and shows. Check out the site for complete details.

Where: The Harrisburg State Farm Show Complex

When: February 7th-15th

For the official website, click here
For TriCounty Record's article, click here

Ice Fishing at Scotts Run Lake is Hot!

Just outside of Chester County, Scotts Run Lake in French Creek State
Park is offering some great ice fishing this year due to an
overstocked lake. According to local fishermen, the normal stocking
of some 900 rainbows was boosted by an unexpected delivery of nearly
2000 browns and brooks, most above 12 inches. A paperwork error
apparently led to this well appreciated overstocking, and the locals
are making good use of it.

Despite high temperatures the ice remains thick enough to support the
weight of grown men and their gear, with most places boasting 6-9
inches of ice. The ice today, Sunday the 8th, was beginning to melt
around the edges but was easy and safe enough to cross to solid ice.

Many fishermen are catching the brown and brook trout at the shallower
end of the lake (opposite the dam) in the center. The water is
between 10-12 feet there and the fish seem to be hitting on small to
medium size shinners. Others claim yellow/green Powerbait is working
well. Yellow perch are also hungry right now, with an 11 inch half
pound one caught today around 2:00pm.

With temperatures predicted to stay well over freezing for the entire
next week, tomorrow may be the last good chance to ice-fish this lake
for quite some time. Make sure to wear waterproof boots and a
windproof jacket if you are planning to make a trip here.

Walleye of Chester County

Think Walleye fishing in Chester County is non-existent? Here's a list of places that can provide excellent Big Eye catching
Strouble Lake in Honey Brook Township provides great year round walleye fishing
Electric or no power boats only- registration and launch permit required (click here for more info),
(even more info here)
Marsh Creek in Downingtown offers walleye and tiger musky fishing year round
Electric or no power boats only-registration and launch permit required (click here for more info)

Know any more Walleye hangouts? Let us know!

A List of Open All Year Round Chester County Trout Streams

Catch And Release (all tackle)
Valley Creek – at Valley Forge and tributaries including Little Valley Creek. Be aware that Valley Forge National Historic Park has imposed special bait restrictions. Check local posters.

Catch and Release (flyfishing only)
French Creek – 0.9 mile; from the dam at Camp Sleepy Hollow downstream to Hollow Road

Delayed Harvest (artificial lures only)
East Branch Brandywine Creek – 1.2 miles; from SR 4019 (Dorlan’s Mill Road) downstream to SR 4004 (Dowlin Forge Road)
Pickering Creek – 1.5 miles; from SR 1019 (Charlestown Road) downstream to 330 yards upstream of the railroad bridge
Middle Branch White Clay Creek – 1.7 miles; from SR 3009 (Good Hope Road) downstream to the confluence with the East Branch
West Valley Creek – 1.2 miles; from the confluence with the unnamed tributary (locally known as Colebrook Run) upstream of SR 2020 (Boot Road) downstream to 0.25 miles downstream of the railroad tunnel

Information gathered from www.fish.state.pa.us

New Opening Trout Day, April 4th

Do you like it or hate it? Did it affect fishing last year and do you think it'll change this year's experience? What did you have to change about your opening day routine?

Fishing Stories, Everybody's got One--Share Yours!

The one that got away? The one that didn't? A fishing horror story or a funny tale from the past. The first time you took your kid fishing or the first time that you went fishing, tell it all here.

Hot Lures, Techniques, and Colors of 2008

What worked last year, and maybe what didn't. Talk about what weather and water conditions did to your fishing, and what you did to adapt. Or just list some things that seemed to work or not.

Got a Secret Fishing Hole you Don't Mind Sharing?

Here's a place to share those spots that always seem golden, that always produce, and should be revealed to the rest of Chester County fishermen. Make sure you add the name of the river, the town, the branch of the river/creek, and some distinguishing landmarks.