Where to start for bigger wild Browns/Brooks?

[Broodstock]

I’ve found a few things to be true regardless of geography. Low density streams tend to have larger fish. Marginal waters that might be bass fishing for most. Barriers to upstream migration- which could be a dam or otherwise.

More than the where- the how and the when also make a big difference. Bite windows are a thing for predatory fish. Fishing streamers is a low numbers high size strategy. Sure you could nymph and catch numbers and possibly get a 20” fish or larger but it’s just a different game at that point. Or just mouse at night.

Then there is head hunting a riser on the far bank that’s shown itself to be a very nice fish, and making the cast and getting the drift. That’s the best.

If you focus less on the where, more on the how and when - you’re going to start to move the needle.

 

[Oregon_OwlII]

I think enough big wild trout exist in the Yellow Breeches. I caught a decent sized brown in the post-spawning period last year in the special regs section. Other times when I’ve been there at night I’ve heard surface eats that practically make the trees shake.

A long time ago I and a buddy kicked up some large wild browns in the Yellow Breeches below the Special Regs area. I'm bet there a still wild ones like that in there. I would go after them at night with streamers if I were still in that area.

 

[Oregon_OwlII]

There is not really many wild trout streams between Lancaster and Exton let alone ones that produce large wild trout. Your best bet is to stick close to home and fish the letort and big spring. Those are both very extremely hard streams to fish but given enough time, you will probably catch a substantial sized brook trout or brown trout. I’ll PM you some Lancaster county streams that have the potential to produce 14+ in brown trout from time to time.

A little further east, in Valley Creek, closer to the Schuylkill, at certain times of the year, some big brown trout are present. There's also a smaller creek near Birdsboro that spills into the Schuk that has very decent size browns near the mouth of the river. I don't want to give away the location of sizable brookies in SEPA. Bottom line, explore and ye shall find. They are out there.

 

[Oregon_OwlII]

For long-time Breeches regulars: Has that always been the case? Or has the wild trout population changed a lot over the years?

Not an expert on how abundant the population is below the Spec Regs area, but I kicked up a few big wilds 50 years ago in that stream.

 

[PennKev]

Even with that tail? I can’t tell if it’s just being squished against his jacket but it looks like half of its tail is missing. Could that really just be from spawning?

Wild fish do get injured in various ways and survive.

 

[sixfootfenwick]

I would vote that fish is wild.
As far as the breeches, try going down river as the season begins to warm, venture up in increments as the season progresses. There will be an influx of large wild brown trout from the river.
It won't be many and you will have many fishless trips and even seasons, but when you do catch one, it could eat most of the wild browns you catch elsewhere, possibly even including that one you posted (hyperbole).

As far as brook trout, my lips are sealed other than look for low competition, medium to large watersheds, recovering from pollution but have many good brook trout tributaries.
And there is always Big Spring. Usually one or two brook trout in it in the 16"-17" range. Good luck catching it!

 

[jifigz]

I have fished Big Spring 3 or 4 times in my life, but I have never made a cast into the "ditch." I have also never caught a brookie out of Big Spring, only browns and rainbows.

I know the ditch contains large wild brookies, but are they pretty common throughout the rest of the stream, too? It seems like wild bows are what I have most commonly caught there.

 

[sixfootfenwick]

I have fished Big Spring 3 or 4 times in my life, but I have never made a cast into the "ditch." I have also never caught a brookie out of Big Spring, only browns and rainbows.

I know the ditch contains large wild brookies, but are they pretty common throughout the rest of the stream, too? It seems like wild bows are what I have most commonly caught there.

Since the TU project they have extended downstream.
Big Spring biologist report

I'd say they are common.

One issue I have seen noted, by anglers that I have found to be true is:
Big Spring brook trout feed heavily on sculpins.
Don't fish those and you will catch more rainbows.