Fly Fishing for Native Brook Trout on PA Public Land
Nature was in the early death of summer, leaves were changing into vivid colors of reds, sunset oranges, and pale mellow yellows. The breeze had changed, the summer warmth had turned into a crisp fall air. And the native brook trout were viciously hungry and in full colors.
We ventured deep into the heart of the state game land acreage on the quest for some of the most beautiful fish, the brook trout. “Native” brook trout fishing in Pennsylvania is celebrated by many. Being born and raised in PA it gives us a sense of state pride to live with such incredibly gorgeous mountains and landscapes. As well as the wild and native state fish – the brook trout.
The fish that call PA home are beautifully vivid in color and incredibly sensitive to their stream habitat and water quality. Only to live and breed in the coldest and purest water found in the mountains.
These beautiful fish are found in the smallest headwater streams typically with the highest water quality parameters. Most people do not even know these fish exist! Honestly, the selfish part of me hopes they never will though to keep them safe and out of the clutches of some who just don’t understand what these fish truly are.
Rare and of the utmost importance to protect. To protect these fish means protecting cold, clean, clear head waters.
From the beginning of the year, January 3rd, to be exact. We have been exploring new potential brook trout waters in PA.
Over 20 streams have produced some of the prettiest fish I have ever seen. Also, being of a fisheries management and research background, have gained some excellent knowledge of the streams with a healthy population of trout and which do not.
Most of these adventures were done on public land.
State Game Lands are an asset to all of us who love the outdoors. If you do not own land and love to hunt, fish, hike, bicycle, or simply just BE OUTSIDE. These state owned land masses are prime areas for satisfying that.
On this trip, we loaded the Jeep with the mutts and went for a ride to do some PA Bluelining.
Our job takes us all over PA, which we have been taking full advantage of by looking up blue line streams around the areas we work. PA Fish and Boat’s Interactive Trout Map is a hidden gem and our lifeline to awesome fishing adventures. Depending on what we want to fish for that day like, trophy trout, keystone select waters, or my favorite CLASS A/Wild Trout streams, this is the ultimate resource.
Wait, blue-lining? What is that?
Well, streams have a blue color code on maps. And to get super techy; trout streams are characterized by different designations. Wild Trout waters are classified with a blue line on maps, CLASS A streams are green, etc. Fly fishing these headwater blue line streams is something that is becoming increasingly popular.
Whether you have done it your whole life or just picked it up fly fishing, woman or man. The feelings and emotions are still the same. These fish might not seem to be much to some but for others they bring us that much closer to our connection with the land and water.
This was one of the better trips we have ever had. The native brook trout have lived and layed offspring in these tiny cold water streams for centuries. The first couple pools of this Class A Trout stream produced brilliantly colored brookies from the start!
Some fish were so little that they slipped right through the net. Others so bright in color it made us continue the search for more!
After several more stunningly colored brookies, the sun started to set and we had to make our way out from one of the best native fishing days.
Practicing catch and release techniques, wetting hands before touching fish, and maneuvering smartly in the stream ensures that these beauties will thrive and survive to be caught again.
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