Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2021 - 27

added to your fly box. You
will have time to hit the fly
tying bench or local fly shop
between now and the official
season opener.
Are your favored fishing
holes still viable? For years,
a small waterfall existed on
one of my favored streams
that led into a small but
decent pool where a fish
or two could nearly always
be caught. The heavily
oxygenated water below that
low waterfall was particularly
attractive to large trout. One
year, I unexpectedly found
the tiny waterfall had eroded
and was gone. I mentioned
it to a friend who fished that
stream in fall while I was
bowhunting. " Oh yeah, I
Of course, there is nothing wrong with catching trout while exploring.
meant to tell you about that,
it was gone after heavy rains
low water situations. As you are accessing streams now, try to
moved into Pennsylvania from one of those major hurricanes
imagine both circumstances and how you would adapt. Did
that came in through the Gulf. " I felt like I lost an old friend,
heavy fall rains or winter snow melts dredge larger cuts into
and after a few subsequent visits, I found that little pool was
the outside curves of stream banks, where some trout may
never again productive.
take up residence? That may be worth noting.
Be mindful that you may never visit the exact same
How do you know if the stream changed since you were
stream. We may not think about it, but streams are
on
it last summer unless you visit it now? One of the most
constantly changing in some manner or another. Sometimes,
common
stream-altering occurrences in Pennsylvania are
precipitation brings too much water. Often, droughts bring
fallen trees, which drastically or slightly change the flow of
water. It may divert currents to dredge the streambed in new
locations, or such occurrences may ruin cherished holes. Pools
may exist where the rapids of shallow water previously flowed.
Naturally small limbs that fall into or hang just barely over the
surface of deep pools offer new fish-holding structure.
Remember that Saturday last spring when you arrived to
find others fishing your favorite fishing holes? Did you find
yourself wishing you were more familiar with the stream
and that you may know exactly where less crowded, harder
to reach fish were waiting? Now is the perfect time to walk
a couple miles up or down the stream with a handheld GPS
and mark alternate points. A relaxing drive along roadways
paralleling the flowing water may also be advisable, so
you may locate shortcuts leading to backup access points.
Assuming private property is involved, this is the time to seek
permission from landowners to access their property.
Of course, the stream will change slightly before the
traditional opening day, but 90% of what you need to
know will be pertinent in April. Learn your streams well
enough to form backup plans. Prepare for the popularity of
spring fishing situations or other factors that may present a
problem at your favored fishing holes. It is a great excuse to
Turn over some stones to observe natural invertebrates to imitate. relieve cabin fever.
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2021

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