The Susquehanna and Juniata Rivers have large wild brown trout that utilize them as well. I believe the most realistic chance at a true thirty inch wild brown trout in this state involves one thing. Migration. There is a reason that you don't want to include the lake migrations. Because they produce a disproportionate large amount of the type of fish you seek. When the adult trout finish spawn they leave the area for greener grasses which improve growth rates but also by leaving, allow the YOY to grow without cannibalism.
That class G freestone stream that doesn't produce alot of large trout during the primary fishing months just may surprise you in Fall. I have done alot of walking in the Fall for this reason.
These migrating trout are a moving target and hard to hit. To find them you must cover alot of water or locate them during the spawn. Don't overlook migration. If you want to find the bigger fish during the rest of the season, they just may be in the big creek. As far as night fishing for Big Browns.
Night fishing was born out of necessity, not because it is the only way to catch big browns. But, rather because it is the only way to catch trout staging on cold water awaiting spawn and It just so happens that these are large trout. When trout migrate to the mouths of creeks to survive in the cooler water to await spawn, they will lie in a large pod and not feed during the heat of day, but at night, well that's another story. When the air cools and the sun goes off the water and you have a large group of trout in one concentrated area. Whewee it is on. Makes for a great story about many large trout. However it ends with " The good ole days ". Because our fly fishing predecessors didn't see the problem with taking advantage of this. In all the books I have read regarding fly fishing at night in this state, this is the case.
Unfortunately places like this are not afforded any official protection from the state because the PFBC isn't the only voice in the decision making. So places like this, where the trout may not make that particular stream their residence 365 days a year go unprotected. Frankstown, Conodoguinet for examples. The PFBC stance is that wild browns do a real good job on their own without regulations and I agree. Provided pressure is not applied when they are the most vulnerable. Unregulated fishing pressure. At night.
In short to FIND that thirty incher. Don't rely on luck and the fishing Gods. In the heat of summer they need cold water and in the fall they need good gravel. The water is clear in the fall and go when the sun is high. Big Brown trout are where they want to be. Happy Hunting
I gotta stop. I'm sure that I've expressed enough of my opinions. Just my thoughts and what has worked for me over the last thirty years. I have never broken thirty. Close several times, but no cigar. Some we just never know. Biggest trout I've ever had in my hands was this past season. Big Boy Escaped without a measurement or pic. As it was meant to be, I guess.
