Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Welcome Aboard!

You are not logged in.

#1 Feb-22-21 11:25AM

Paul Naj
Northern Snakehead
Registered: May-20-08
Posts: 385

Central PA Winter Trout

Finally a window where I could get away and it wasn't snowing or a sheet of ice. I haven't trout fished since New Year's eve and the cabin fever was getting bad so even though it was supposed to barely break freezing yesterday, I made the 3 hour trip north. I took my time getting out in the am to give it a chance to warm up a bit. Much to my surprise when I got in the area around 12:45, it was already 34 degrees. Regardless I got on the water by 1:15, and it was little to no winds and quite a beautiful day.

https://i.imgur.com/h7YvAyK.jpg?1

The water was a bit low, but still plenty of fishable runs. The meting snow just added to the beauty of the day

https://i.imgur.com/pSOTN69.jpg?1

In spite of the good looking water, I couldn't buy a hit. I fished nymphs and streamers, tried all sorts of flies and never had a sniff. I moved up river and had two short hits but never hooked either.It was 2 plus hours and I had nothing to show for. I hiked further upstream and got into a deeper and slower run. I found a nice current seam and my first cast into it I hooked this beautiful, healthy 16" brown.

https://i.imgur.com/ndOn4s5.jpg?1

After taking a couple of pics and releasing him I waded back into position and within a few casts, I hooked up again. Another good fish.

https://i.imgur.com/vcnQpcs.jpg?1

When I landed this next one, it was my 6th fish and 4th in 4 casts. I knew I was into something good and I took a pause to soak it all in. I had the spot to myself, it was relatively warm, the fish were quality and, for at least that moment, all was right in the world again.

https://i.imgur.com/3CxJoLb.jpg?1

The action continued, I missed a couple and the hits started to slow down. During that time I noticed fish were rising and eating blue winged olives. It wasn't much of a hatch, but enough to get them feeding on top. I saw several rising in a  seam on the far side of the run so I waded closer and put a perfect cast in that seam and hooked up big. The fish made 3 or 4 screaming runs through the hole and I managed to get this beautiful 19" brown to net. It's my biggest in PA and ties my personal best 2 which I caught in Colorado and Montana. The pictures just don't do justice to this fish's beauty and thickness.

https://i.imgur.com/bgiDtGf.jpg?1

Those runs through that hole definitely scattered the fish but managed one more fish, a rainbow holdover that was a bit beaten up. He was thick and put up a great fight though. The funny thing is that they don't stock fish within 3 miles of this spot but it's the 2nd rainbow I've caught in that area.

https://i.imgur.com/UI77GS6.jpg?1

Final tally was 9 fish in just over an hour. I should have quit then but spent another hour searching without a hit. I finally quit when the temp dropped below freezing and the line started icing in the guides, What a great day on the water.

Offline

 

#2 Feb-22-21 11:59AM

drxfish
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Sterling
Registered: Jan-04-14
Posts: 2975

Re: Central PA Winter Trout

Great job finding and catching quality fish!  Awesome day.


Always wishin' I was fishin'

Offline

 

#3 Feb-22-21 11:59AM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15564

Re: Central PA Winter Trout

Wow...looks like so much fun!!!  lol  tongue

Seriously, nice work on gettn' some. Impressive!


Time to go fishin' again!

Offline

 

#4 Feb-22-21 12:02PM

Junger
Northern Snakehead
From: Potomac, MD
Registered: Aug-14-17
Posts: 720

Re: Central PA Winter Trout

Nicely done! Beautiful trout.

Offline

 

#5 Feb-22-21 2:27PM

hookup
Patagonian Toothfish
Registered: Jan-31-12
Posts: 2301

Re: Central PA Winter Trout

Nice job and thx for sharing

Offline

 

#6 Feb-22-21 5:23PM

Curly
Patagonian Toothfish
Registered: Mar-15-10
Posts: 5414

Re: Central PA Winter Trout

Sweet report!


Hell or High Water...........I'm Fishin!!   big_smile

Offline

 

#7 Feb-23-21 4:52AM

backtofuturetoyota
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Stafford
Registered: Jan-12-12
Posts: 826

Re: Central PA Winter Trout

Just what I needed.....awesome report!

Offline

 

#8 Feb-23-21 7:16AM

Bruce
Northern Snakehead
From: Frederick, MD
Registered: Nov-12-11
Posts: 347

Re: Central PA Winter Trout

Beautiful fish. Even though it must have been cold, the scenery is striking. What stream were you fishing, and if it's a secret place, it's ok not to answer.

Offline

 

#9 Feb-23-21 9:55AM

firemunkee
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Ashburn, VA
Registered: May-23-13
Posts: 1766

Re: Central PA Winter Trout

Stunning! Thanks for sharing the report with us!


Together we'll fight the long defeat.

Offline

 

#10 Feb-23-21 4:22PM

Paul Naj
Northern Snakehead
Registered: May-20-08
Posts: 385

Re: Central PA Winter Trout

Bruce wrote:

Beautiful fish. Even though it must have been cold, the scenery is striking. What stream were you fishing, and if it's a secret place, it's ok not to answer.

Check your email.

Offline

 

#11 Feb-25-21 6:59AM

GregF
Northern Snakehead
Registered: Mar-21-11
Posts: 712

Re: Central PA Winter Trout

Beautiful fish!  Big for PA.

Offline

 

#12 Feb-25-21 7:08AM

Houli
Northern Snakehead
From: Leesburg, VA
Registered: Dec-09-10
Posts: 252

Re: Central PA Winter Trout

Great day on the water! Thanks for sharing.

Offline

 

Board footer

Powered by PunBB
© Copyright 2002–2005 Rickard Andersson