Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 32

Central PA Wild Trout Water-

Fishing Pennsylvania's Best
by Christian A. Shane

down to the next hole to net a 12-inch wild Brown Trout for
him. As we admired the stunning colors, the Brown Trout
swam out of the net and splashed back to its hiding spot.
photos by the author
Locating a wild trout stream, testing different fly patterns,
figuring out what is working, landing a wild trout, and releasing
"Pennsylvania's Best
it back into the water-this is the excitement of fly fishing
Fishing Waters is a
for wild trout in Pennsylvania. Our state offers accessible,
program established by the
unpressured, and secluded wild trout water.
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat
It is no surprise that many of Pennsylvania's quality wild
Commission (PFBC) to
trout water is located in central Pennsylvania from Blair,
serve as a valued resource
Huntingdon, Mifflin, Clinton, Union, and Centre counties.
to address anglers' needs and to increase the accessibility of
Through the "Pennsylvania's Best Fishing Waters" program, the
proven waters with the result of a more successful fishing
PFBC offers a Pennsylvania map to highlight, locate and fish
trip." www.fishandboat.com website.
these unique places in Pennsylvania. For more information,
With a break in the cloud cover and looming thunderstorms in visit www.PaBestFishing.com.
The PFBC Area Fisheries Managers use certain criteria to
the distance, we quickly waded up for some wild trout fishing
locate these designated areas. They research water systems
in northcentral Pennsylvania on Piney Creek, Blair County.
that can sustain increased fishing pressure, have healthy fish
Though the drizzle was a welcome sight, my friend and I knew
populations, and have desired location amenities such as
that the water levels were down in most of the surrounding
public access, water quantity and quality, and the ability for
streams. Hoping that water levels would rise as the day
progressed, we chose our fly patterns and tippets for clear water natural reproduction.
Along with other fish species categories, the PFBC has
conditions. I tied on a CDC Micro Caddis with a #18 Zebra
spotlighted Best Fishing Waters for wild trout. Anglers can
Midge dropper, and my friend tried a #16 weighted Wet Ant.
After I arrived to my fishing spot, I looked downstream to see access the website by visiting www.fishandboat.com/Locate/
BestFishingWaters/Pages/Trout-Wild.aspx and clicking on the
his rod bent. Since my focus was on watching him reel the fish
statewide interactive map or by choosing waters individually from
in, I missed a flash striking at my fly. I reeled in and dropped
the wild trout waters list. Utilizing the red lined map
coupled with individual directions for each stream
and tackle regulations, anglers can pinpoint where
the designated Best Fishing Water is located.
With the PFBC's emphasis on wild trout waters
through the Voluntary Wild Trout & Enhanced
Waters Permit, help the PFBC protect, conserve,
and enhance wild trout and its habitats by
purchasing a Voluntary Permit. Visit
www.fishandboat.com for more information on
Voluntary Permits.
Pennsylvania offers accessible, unpressured, and secluded wild trout fishing.

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * March/April 2020

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http://www.fishandboat.com http://www.PaBestFishing.com http://www.fishandboat.com/Locate/BestFishingWaters/Pages/Trout-Wild.aspx http://www.fishandboat.com/Locate/BestFishingWaters/Pages/Trout-Wild.aspx http://www.fishandboat.com http://www.fishandboat.com

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020

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