salvelinusfontinalis
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2006
- Messages
- 7,284
Recently was inspired by a board member here whom I spoke with about a subject. I have been trying to have this conversation for awhile. Half the time no one will talk, other times there is no one to talk to but mostly I just don’t know how to ask. So many questions on such a large topic. This member blew me away with how much he knew on this subject but also his passion. I could hardly talk. In the end he inspired me to write a poem and I felt like it was a very beautiful one. Upon its completion, it became evident my life is going to change drastically again and before I get wrapped up in life I needed to get this out. Today when I should have been fishing or packing up the reminisce of all I know, I just went to hold an old wounded friend as she held me. I sat along the various banks of the Letort today and didn’t fish a single cast. Instead I sat there with my pen so mightier than my sword and just started to write...To you in the only way I know how, before its too late and its gone because I feel like its so important. I want a serious discussion on this. Here is my opinion and I want to see where you sit, what you are willing to do and most importantly do you even believe?
Blind Faith: Pennsylvania’s Migrating Wild Brown Trout
“I am not solicitous to examine particularly everything here, which indeed could not be done in fifty years, because my desire is to make all possible discoveries, and return to your Highnesses, if it please our Lord some time in April of 1723. I shall bring one of a brightly colored delicious fish so numerous you can walk on their backs!”
-some yinzer in 1653 writing to England.
Believe?
Got me, that was just me playing with Christopher Columbus, no one wants credit for that.
Ok, Okay, how about this....
““Once there were brook trout in the streams in the mountains. You could see them standing in the amber current where the white edges of their fins wimpled softly in the flow. They smelled of moss in your hand. Polished and muscular and torsional. On their backs were vermiculate patterns that were maps of the world in its becoming. Maps and mazes. Of a thing which could not be put back. Not be made right again. In the deep glens where they lived all things were older than man and they hummed of mystery.”
-Cormac McCarthy
Believe that?
I don’t. The words are nice and I like the reflection and beauty but there is no hope.
Doesn’t he believe?
Let’s try......
“During interglacial periods, water levels fell. Brook trout populations were cut off from one another and lived in isolation for thousands of years. During these periods of isolation each population evolved traits unique in the particular environment it inhabited. Some lived in large rivers, streams or lakes where food was plentiful. Here they grew rapidly, lived long lives and reached sizes better measured in pounds than inches. Others adapted to limestone streams which, although not usually large, were incredibly fertile. Here too, brook trout grew large. But most brookies lived in little freestone streams and brooks where food was scarce. In such meager environments, they had to mature quickly and spawn early, for life was tenuous and brief. They were small and slender, but brilliantly colored, as if to make up for their diminutive size. As the glaciers ebbed and flowed populations of brook trout were alternately separated and then reunited. When reunited, they interbred and shared the genes evolved during years of isolation. This alternate separating, then mixing of the various populations endowed brook trout with an extremely diverse gene pool that allowed them to readily adapt to a wide variety of conditions. They could live in large and small, freestone and limestone streams ... lakes and ponds ... even tiny headwaters and trickle tributaries. No stream was too big or too small, as long as the water was cold and clear. This then was the icy crucible that molded Salvelinus fontinalis, the only salmonid native to the cold-water streams of Pennsylvania and our state fish. Their survival as a species is absolutely dependent upon this diversity and their ability to adapt to a wide range of environments. Until shortly after the turn of the 20th century, brook trout angling in the streams of northcentral Pennsylvania was nothing short of fantastic. There were no brown trout. They were not introduced into our waters until The 1880’s. In big freestone streams like Kettle Creek, Sinnemahoning and Loyalsock brook trout averaged between 9 and 10 inches, 12 to 14 inch fish were not uncommon and, incredibly, some reached lengths in excess of 20 inches and weights approaching four pounds. These were the so-called river trout ... deep-bodied, silvery and less distinctly marked than brook trout of the smaller tributaries and headwaters. River trout did not spend the whole year in the larger waters, however. Even in the "good-old-days" these streams reached temperatures above the lethal level for trout during the summer months. But the versatile brookie had evolved a strategy to deal with this situation: They
moved upstream into cool headwaters and tributaries for the summer months. After spawning in the fall they moved back downstream and wintered in large pools of the main stem where they were safe from anchor ice and the other perils of winter. Brookies that lived year-round in the smaller upstream waters were called hemlock trout and were brilliantly colored, big-headed and slender ... the same as those familiar to most Pennsylvania anglers of today. They seldom exceeded 10 inches in length. Brook trout of the limestone streams were even larger than those of the freestone streams. In these richer waters it is said they averaged about 2 pounds. This is the way it was in Pennsylvania until shortly after the turn of the century. Brook trout made their last stand in the Kettle Creek watershed, according to Charles Wetzel, who wrote of his angling experiences there from 1918 to 1920. He told of how immense schools of brook trout gathered at the mouths of Beaverdam Run, Trout Run and Hammersley Fork as the summer sun warmed the main stem waters of Kettle Creek. Wetzel related how with the first high water of June they moved up into these tributaries in such numbers that they darkened the bottoms of the large downstream holes, before moving upstream and dispersing; and how all the anglers envied experts like Rube Kelly who would catch several brookies of 20 inches or so every year. Similar accounts of angling in the East Fork of Sinnemahoning and in Loyalsock Creek during the same period were told by Max Greely, a former district forest warden from the Wharton area, and Charles Lose, a noted conservationist of early 20th century Pennsylvania.”
-Ken Undercover “The Real Natives”
Sounds like he might believe.
Do you yet?
Come on man. They exist. What do you need a picture?
Oh what’s migrating brook trout got to do with migrating brown trout?
IMO just about everything.
It does too happen! Oh really???!!!
There now do you believe me?
SMH, where is your blind faith?
Ok...you asked for it but maybe by the time I’m done rambling I might convince you.
Pennsylvania boasts over 86,000 miles of rivers, streams, creeks, tickles and drainage ditches all across the Commonwealth. This is a United States second only to Alaska for flowing waters. To really put that in perspective, you could almost travel around the world 4 times before you would run out of Pennsylvania flowing waters. The Susquehanna River watershed which drains over half of the state, is measurable to 37.5 times the entire size of the Florida Everglades alone. Within the great vastness of our aquatic ecosystems lay minute universes compassing a wide array of life forms driven on an endless sea of time and evolution. 5000 miles of stocked trout waters, 125 stocked trout lakes and 16,000 miles and counting of wild trout nursery waters are accompanied by a plethora of complex geologies, ecosystems, fisheries management regulations and in the middle of it all lay one of the most genetically diverse and adaptable species on the entire planet.
Brown Trout.
I can blather on about genes, genetic diversity, complexity and everything but to the point from PFBC website “Trout and Salmons”:
“Brown Trout are closely related to Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar). The genus name “Salmo” is the Latin name for the Atlantic Salmon. The species name “trutta” is the Latin name for “trout.”
So closely related that the fish Commission has had trouble distinguishing between either. Recently in a post on Brown Trout Genetics Mike Kauffman retired PA fisheries biologist said:
“Short and to the point...Salmonids are genetically very plastic and one result is that there can be a lot of overlap in meristic characters between species. We once sent a carcass of a large Salmonid from the Delaware River, caught around New Hope, to an Ichthylogical expert, who then passed it onto another expert lab after the first lab had a shot at identification. The result? Just as in my case, nobody else could conclusively determine whether it was an Atlantic salmon or a Brown Trout using meristics. There was too much overlap in key characteristics.”
Some brown trout move like salmon. There is so much genetic overlap, its what they were born to do. It can and is influenced by a great many things. So many varibles with such an encoded creature that it’s anyone’s guess sometimes.
“The Brown Trout lives in cold or cool streams, rivers, lakes and impoundments. It is more tolerant of siltation and higher water temperatures than Brook Trout. A Brown Trout’s optimum water temperature range is 50 to 60 degrees, although it can tolerate water temperatures in the low 70s. Like Brook Trout, they are also somewhat tolerant of acidity. Brown Trout may be found in all of the state’s watersheds, from limestone spring creeks, infertile headwaters and swampy outflows to suitable habitat in the larger rivers and reservoir tailwaters. Some Brown Trout can “hold over” after they are stocked. They can last a year or more in a stream, because they are adaptable to stream changes and are not that easy to catch.”
Basically this fish can be found anywhere in almost any watershed in PA by the description and in places Brook Trout cannot tolerate.
So within that great vastness of aquatic ecosystems where minute universes lay, encompassing a wide array of life forms driven on an endless sea of time and evolution in PA, do you believe Brown Trout have adapted to do what they do?
Kind of a simple question don’t ya think?
But...
Do you believe Brown Trout Could migrate from the headwaters of Pine down stream to the North Branch, to The Susquehanna to the Bay and back?
Kinda hard to but why not?
Better yet rather than ask that, why would it? Habitat not enough to support the fish? Expansion of the species? Food available? All of the above?
When they move do Brown Trout return to the same headwaters in PA? Different ones? Crapshoot? Do just a percentage return? How about when they migrate to larger waters do they return to the same spot there or different?
While those questions matter, right now all that matters is if you believe.
Letort to Connie, Connie to Susquehanna, Susquehanna to Bay, Bay to Susquehanna, Susquehanna to Connie, and Connie to the Letort?
Believe?
There are those of us out there hunting these “movers” To date I believe I have found a bunch of different populations or all the same one. I don’t know. The vastness of this is so great that the scope could be so large as to not be able to see it all. I do know this, through out the course of my fishing career I have witnessed large brown trout show up one day and disappear the next. I could never explain it.
Is it possible the majority of your stocks of PA wild brown trout come from these fish? At least the ones of greatest genetic diversity and strength?
If we are to support this fish in an attempt to increase stocks and better understand them could this be a wholesome agenda for our native fish the brook trout?
Recently Maryland did a study on there migrating brook trout in the Savage River watershed. Some of their findings are intriguing.
https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Documents/USR_Brook_Trout_Summary_2017.pdf
https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Documents/Telemetry_Study.pdf
The reason these studies are important is because it can start answering some important questions. For example: If a brown trout doesn’t move but stays in the main warmwater river how does it survive? Likely spring upwellings for one and protecting those are very important.
The problem is those of us that believe have no idea where to begin. It’s a very vast and expensive endeavor for one, two you need to convince the state its worthwhile both socially and economically worthwhile and three you need to convince the anglers and have anglers police themselves.
We haven’t even begun.
What will it take?
1. Anglers on board
A. Brook trout guys I’m looking at you. Yeah I’m there too,
and I believe brown trout have been bad for
brookies but did you read the PFBC’s description of brown
trout above? They are just better adapt. Couple that with
urbanization and pollution and it is unlikely you will ever
see PA brook trout fishing be even remotely what it was.
But what if I told you I have identified at least 2 and maybe
three migrating brook trout populations? Each has its own
treat including one being migrating brown trout. I believe I
have ways to separate these two populations though and
beyond that instance better understanding these populations
could maybe enhance them to where 16-20” PA freestone
brook trout would be possible again. In the populations of
migratory PA brook trout Ive fished, the size range is
between 12-16" with more possible. There are factors that
are similar between watersheds and the biggest 2 key
factors is limited competition and a vast available ecosystem.
B. Awareness and Friendship. You are not going to catch your
flies with vinegar. Its time as fisherman if we wish to
accomplish these goals to start being forthcoming and less
judgemental. Fly-fisherman alone are never going to
accomplish this. You may need the help of colleges, bike
trail guys, hunters etc..... So many people use our
resources as to not take advantage of the extra happily
given help would be a major loss.
http://keystoneflyguides.com/wild-trout-south-east-pennsylvania/
2. PFBC on Board
A. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission over sea all of
the states waterways. They have helpful resources and
monies to conduct studies and habitat enhancement. They
also have the ability to help manage regulations.
B. Convince the PFBC of the great economic impacts the fish
could bring. Out of state licenses to the boost to local
economies.
More than 1.6 million Pennsylvania
anglers spending $503 million
The American Sportfishing Association and consultant
Southwick Associates, in a 2017 update of Economic
Contributions of Recreational Fishing, estimate there are
1,671,435 anglers in the state. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat
Commission license sales place the number at 1,433,257 for
2016, but there are anglers not required to buy licenses and
others who simply do not buy licenses.Those anglers spend
an estimate $503 million while fishing in Pennsylvania,
producing an overall economic output of $853.3 million and
supporting 9,586 jobs in the state, according to the
ASA/Southwick report.
And you can expect that number to grow.
3. Get the Fish on Board
A. The PA tailwater Initiative needs reopened. There are a few
watersheds that migrating brown trout would benefit greatly.
B. Increase your viable stocks by cessation of stocking nursery
trout waters.
C. Increase returns of migratory brown trout by protecting
pinch points such as falls or dams. Where ever the fish are
at a stacking and most vulnerable state should be no fishing.
Also expand the river mouths out on small feeders that
provide summer refuge. This could be done by expanding
the mouths out into the main river providing a longer
highway of cold water for the fish to get into. Look at the
mouth of the Letort and how it disappears slowly each year.
This could have habitat to protect the fish and should be
considered a pinch point and no fishing.
D. No kill brown trout areas. Large areas. Example. Headwaters
of the Letort downstream to mouth From there to the dam
upstream to the mouth at the Susquehanna.
E. Different seasons, limits, or slot limits in other areas. NO
BLANKET REGULATIONS!
https://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/Fisheries/TroutPlan/Documents/trout_congregate.pdf
Ouch lots of work!
This is a lot and hard to accomplish things to do but I believe its possible too. It would be odd to see wild brown trout be managed for there enhancement for the first time in the history of the state but in the process back the brookie? This is a possible huge opportunity to turn back the clock and create a new fishery.
What will it take from bureaucratic bull to the regular Joe angler?
“Today at camp as the crackling fire weaved its smoke interconnected between the tree branches and my nostrils, I could see the hoards of large brook trout begin migrating upriver. “
- Some guy writing in Andy’s cabin journal during the 2035 NCPA summit.
Can you believe it?
Do I have to walk on water too?
How long will it take? I dont know but I do know there is light at the end of that tunnel and we need to take those first steps together or not at all.
Just have some faith.
Blind Faith: Pennsylvania’s Migrating Wild Brown Trout
“I am not solicitous to examine particularly everything here, which indeed could not be done in fifty years, because my desire is to make all possible discoveries, and return to your Highnesses, if it please our Lord some time in April of 1723. I shall bring one of a brightly colored delicious fish so numerous you can walk on their backs!”
-some yinzer in 1653 writing to England.
Believe?
Got me, that was just me playing with Christopher Columbus, no one wants credit for that.
Ok, Okay, how about this....
““Once there were brook trout in the streams in the mountains. You could see them standing in the amber current where the white edges of their fins wimpled softly in the flow. They smelled of moss in your hand. Polished and muscular and torsional. On their backs were vermiculate patterns that were maps of the world in its becoming. Maps and mazes. Of a thing which could not be put back. Not be made right again. In the deep glens where they lived all things were older than man and they hummed of mystery.”
-Cormac McCarthy
Believe that?
I don’t. The words are nice and I like the reflection and beauty but there is no hope.
Doesn’t he believe?
Let’s try......
“During interglacial periods, water levels fell. Brook trout populations were cut off from one another and lived in isolation for thousands of years. During these periods of isolation each population evolved traits unique in the particular environment it inhabited. Some lived in large rivers, streams or lakes where food was plentiful. Here they grew rapidly, lived long lives and reached sizes better measured in pounds than inches. Others adapted to limestone streams which, although not usually large, were incredibly fertile. Here too, brook trout grew large. But most brookies lived in little freestone streams and brooks where food was scarce. In such meager environments, they had to mature quickly and spawn early, for life was tenuous and brief. They were small and slender, but brilliantly colored, as if to make up for their diminutive size. As the glaciers ebbed and flowed populations of brook trout were alternately separated and then reunited. When reunited, they interbred and shared the genes evolved during years of isolation. This alternate separating, then mixing of the various populations endowed brook trout with an extremely diverse gene pool that allowed them to readily adapt to a wide variety of conditions. They could live in large and small, freestone and limestone streams ... lakes and ponds ... even tiny headwaters and trickle tributaries. No stream was too big or too small, as long as the water was cold and clear. This then was the icy crucible that molded Salvelinus fontinalis, the only salmonid native to the cold-water streams of Pennsylvania and our state fish. Their survival as a species is absolutely dependent upon this diversity and their ability to adapt to a wide range of environments. Until shortly after the turn of the 20th century, brook trout angling in the streams of northcentral Pennsylvania was nothing short of fantastic. There were no brown trout. They were not introduced into our waters until The 1880’s. In big freestone streams like Kettle Creek, Sinnemahoning and Loyalsock brook trout averaged between 9 and 10 inches, 12 to 14 inch fish were not uncommon and, incredibly, some reached lengths in excess of 20 inches and weights approaching four pounds. These were the so-called river trout ... deep-bodied, silvery and less distinctly marked than brook trout of the smaller tributaries and headwaters. River trout did not spend the whole year in the larger waters, however. Even in the "good-old-days" these streams reached temperatures above the lethal level for trout during the summer months. But the versatile brookie had evolved a strategy to deal with this situation: They
moved upstream into cool headwaters and tributaries for the summer months. After spawning in the fall they moved back downstream and wintered in large pools of the main stem where they were safe from anchor ice and the other perils of winter. Brookies that lived year-round in the smaller upstream waters were called hemlock trout and were brilliantly colored, big-headed and slender ... the same as those familiar to most Pennsylvania anglers of today. They seldom exceeded 10 inches in length. Brook trout of the limestone streams were even larger than those of the freestone streams. In these richer waters it is said they averaged about 2 pounds. This is the way it was in Pennsylvania until shortly after the turn of the century. Brook trout made their last stand in the Kettle Creek watershed, according to Charles Wetzel, who wrote of his angling experiences there from 1918 to 1920. He told of how immense schools of brook trout gathered at the mouths of Beaverdam Run, Trout Run and Hammersley Fork as the summer sun warmed the main stem waters of Kettle Creek. Wetzel related how with the first high water of June they moved up into these tributaries in such numbers that they darkened the bottoms of the large downstream holes, before moving upstream and dispersing; and how all the anglers envied experts like Rube Kelly who would catch several brookies of 20 inches or so every year. Similar accounts of angling in the East Fork of Sinnemahoning and in Loyalsock Creek during the same period were told by Max Greely, a former district forest warden from the Wharton area, and Charles Lose, a noted conservationist of early 20th century Pennsylvania.”
-Ken Undercover “The Real Natives”
Sounds like he might believe.
Do you yet?
Come on man. They exist. What do you need a picture?
Oh what’s migrating brook trout got to do with migrating brown trout?
IMO just about everything.
It does too happen! Oh really???!!!
There now do you believe me?
SMH, where is your blind faith?
Ok...you asked for it but maybe by the time I’m done rambling I might convince you.
Pennsylvania boasts over 86,000 miles of rivers, streams, creeks, tickles and drainage ditches all across the Commonwealth. This is a United States second only to Alaska for flowing waters. To really put that in perspective, you could almost travel around the world 4 times before you would run out of Pennsylvania flowing waters. The Susquehanna River watershed which drains over half of the state, is measurable to 37.5 times the entire size of the Florida Everglades alone. Within the great vastness of our aquatic ecosystems lay minute universes compassing a wide array of life forms driven on an endless sea of time and evolution. 5000 miles of stocked trout waters, 125 stocked trout lakes and 16,000 miles and counting of wild trout nursery waters are accompanied by a plethora of complex geologies, ecosystems, fisheries management regulations and in the middle of it all lay one of the most genetically diverse and adaptable species on the entire planet.
Brown Trout.
I can blather on about genes, genetic diversity, complexity and everything but to the point from PFBC website “Trout and Salmons”:
“Brown Trout are closely related to Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar). The genus name “Salmo” is the Latin name for the Atlantic Salmon. The species name “trutta” is the Latin name for “trout.”
So closely related that the fish Commission has had trouble distinguishing between either. Recently in a post on Brown Trout Genetics Mike Kauffman retired PA fisheries biologist said:
“Short and to the point...Salmonids are genetically very plastic and one result is that there can be a lot of overlap in meristic characters between species. We once sent a carcass of a large Salmonid from the Delaware River, caught around New Hope, to an Ichthylogical expert, who then passed it onto another expert lab after the first lab had a shot at identification. The result? Just as in my case, nobody else could conclusively determine whether it was an Atlantic salmon or a Brown Trout using meristics. There was too much overlap in key characteristics.”
Some brown trout move like salmon. There is so much genetic overlap, its what they were born to do. It can and is influenced by a great many things. So many varibles with such an encoded creature that it’s anyone’s guess sometimes.
“The Brown Trout lives in cold or cool streams, rivers, lakes and impoundments. It is more tolerant of siltation and higher water temperatures than Brook Trout. A Brown Trout’s optimum water temperature range is 50 to 60 degrees, although it can tolerate water temperatures in the low 70s. Like Brook Trout, they are also somewhat tolerant of acidity. Brown Trout may be found in all of the state’s watersheds, from limestone spring creeks, infertile headwaters and swampy outflows to suitable habitat in the larger rivers and reservoir tailwaters. Some Brown Trout can “hold over” after they are stocked. They can last a year or more in a stream, because they are adaptable to stream changes and are not that easy to catch.”
Basically this fish can be found anywhere in almost any watershed in PA by the description and in places Brook Trout cannot tolerate.
So within that great vastness of aquatic ecosystems where minute universes lay, encompassing a wide array of life forms driven on an endless sea of time and evolution in PA, do you believe Brown Trout have adapted to do what they do?
Kind of a simple question don’t ya think?
But...
Do you believe Brown Trout Could migrate from the headwaters of Pine down stream to the North Branch, to The Susquehanna to the Bay and back?
Kinda hard to but why not?
Better yet rather than ask that, why would it? Habitat not enough to support the fish? Expansion of the species? Food available? All of the above?
When they move do Brown Trout return to the same headwaters in PA? Different ones? Crapshoot? Do just a percentage return? How about when they migrate to larger waters do they return to the same spot there or different?
While those questions matter, right now all that matters is if you believe.
Letort to Connie, Connie to Susquehanna, Susquehanna to Bay, Bay to Susquehanna, Susquehanna to Connie, and Connie to the Letort?
Believe?
There are those of us out there hunting these “movers” To date I believe I have found a bunch of different populations or all the same one. I don’t know. The vastness of this is so great that the scope could be so large as to not be able to see it all. I do know this, through out the course of my fishing career I have witnessed large brown trout show up one day and disappear the next. I could never explain it.
Is it possible the majority of your stocks of PA wild brown trout come from these fish? At least the ones of greatest genetic diversity and strength?
If we are to support this fish in an attempt to increase stocks and better understand them could this be a wholesome agenda for our native fish the brook trout?
Recently Maryland did a study on there migrating brook trout in the Savage River watershed. Some of their findings are intriguing.
https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Documents/USR_Brook_Trout_Summary_2017.pdf
https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Documents/Telemetry_Study.pdf
The reason these studies are important is because it can start answering some important questions. For example: If a brown trout doesn’t move but stays in the main warmwater river how does it survive? Likely spring upwellings for one and protecting those are very important.
The problem is those of us that believe have no idea where to begin. It’s a very vast and expensive endeavor for one, two you need to convince the state its worthwhile both socially and economically worthwhile and three you need to convince the anglers and have anglers police themselves.
We haven’t even begun.
What will it take?
1. Anglers on board
A. Brook trout guys I’m looking at you. Yeah I’m there too,
and I believe brown trout have been bad for
brookies but did you read the PFBC’s description of brown
trout above? They are just better adapt. Couple that with
urbanization and pollution and it is unlikely you will ever
see PA brook trout fishing be even remotely what it was.
But what if I told you I have identified at least 2 and maybe
three migrating brook trout populations? Each has its own
treat including one being migrating brown trout. I believe I
have ways to separate these two populations though and
beyond that instance better understanding these populations
could maybe enhance them to where 16-20” PA freestone
brook trout would be possible again. In the populations of
migratory PA brook trout Ive fished, the size range is
between 12-16" with more possible. There are factors that
are similar between watersheds and the biggest 2 key
factors is limited competition and a vast available ecosystem.
B. Awareness and Friendship. You are not going to catch your
flies with vinegar. Its time as fisherman if we wish to
accomplish these goals to start being forthcoming and less
judgemental. Fly-fisherman alone are never going to
accomplish this. You may need the help of colleges, bike
trail guys, hunters etc..... So many people use our
resources as to not take advantage of the extra happily
given help would be a major loss.
http://keystoneflyguides.com/wild-trout-south-east-pennsylvania/
2. PFBC on Board
A. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission over sea all of
the states waterways. They have helpful resources and
monies to conduct studies and habitat enhancement. They
also have the ability to help manage regulations.
B. Convince the PFBC of the great economic impacts the fish
could bring. Out of state licenses to the boost to local
economies.
More than 1.6 million Pennsylvania
anglers spending $503 million
The American Sportfishing Association and consultant
Southwick Associates, in a 2017 update of Economic
Contributions of Recreational Fishing, estimate there are
1,671,435 anglers in the state. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat
Commission license sales place the number at 1,433,257 for
2016, but there are anglers not required to buy licenses and
others who simply do not buy licenses.Those anglers spend
an estimate $503 million while fishing in Pennsylvania,
producing an overall economic output of $853.3 million and
supporting 9,586 jobs in the state, according to the
ASA/Southwick report.
And you can expect that number to grow.
3. Get the Fish on Board
A. The PA tailwater Initiative needs reopened. There are a few
watersheds that migrating brown trout would benefit greatly.
B. Increase your viable stocks by cessation of stocking nursery
trout waters.
C. Increase returns of migratory brown trout by protecting
pinch points such as falls or dams. Where ever the fish are
at a stacking and most vulnerable state should be no fishing.
Also expand the river mouths out on small feeders that
provide summer refuge. This could be done by expanding
the mouths out into the main river providing a longer
highway of cold water for the fish to get into. Look at the
mouth of the Letort and how it disappears slowly each year.
This could have habitat to protect the fish and should be
considered a pinch point and no fishing.
D. No kill brown trout areas. Large areas. Example. Headwaters
of the Letort downstream to mouth From there to the dam
upstream to the mouth at the Susquehanna.
E. Different seasons, limits, or slot limits in other areas. NO
BLANKET REGULATIONS!
https://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/Fisheries/TroutPlan/Documents/trout_congregate.pdf
Ouch lots of work!
This is a lot and hard to accomplish things to do but I believe its possible too. It would be odd to see wild brown trout be managed for there enhancement for the first time in the history of the state but in the process back the brookie? This is a possible huge opportunity to turn back the clock and create a new fishery.
What will it take from bureaucratic bull to the regular Joe angler?
“Today at camp as the crackling fire weaved its smoke interconnected between the tree branches and my nostrils, I could see the hoards of large brook trout begin migrating upriver. “
- Some guy writing in Andy’s cabin journal during the 2035 NCPA summit.
Can you believe it?
Do I have to walk on water too?
How long will it take? I dont know but I do know there is light at the end of that tunnel and we need to take those first steps together or not at all.
Just have some faith.
