M
Mike
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2006
- Messages
- 5,559
A survey this week discovered a wild BT population in a trib to the main Octoraro Ck., of which only a relatively short stretch exists in Pa. The surprise was the wild trout existing in this warm, southern location, among numerous farms and no limestone spring temperature influence. Preliminary data analysis indicated that the stream just missed the biomass by six kg that would have been required for a class A designation. The stream supported some nice fish for its size and, in a generally uncommon circumstance in Pa's wild trout streams, there were no trout in the headwaters very few mid-way to the mouth. The population, although existing in marginal temperature circumstances based on the fish community, was best in its lower end. It was discovered after two years of early May or late April electrofishing trips to the tail-race of Chester Octoraro Reservoir in search of herring or shad revealed a couple of wild browns each time. Drive-by observations indicated that no streams in the area looked like they would support wild trout, but using experience, the trout were found in the second trib that we selected. To be honest, it would not have been a surprise if they had not been present in that trib. It's location as that of a wild trout stream was not obvious, even to the trained eye. Ultimately, the stream will be added to the wild trout streams list at some point.
