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.