Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 29

Brook Trout
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
A Pennsylvania trout fishing grand slam.
Golden Rainbow Trout
photos-Mike Parker
Pop flies still fall and fish still rise, and my youth is over.
I never made the Pirates, nor entered celebrated fishing
tournaments, but what became is far greater. Now a man, I am
blessed to be a husband of a loving woman and father of two
beautiful children.
One spring, I was asked to coach my son's baseball team.
Fond memories flooded back from my days on the diamond.
I strived to make baseball joyful for a future generation. To
me, part of this meant that my players had off on the opening
day of trout to discover fishing. My shortstop fished a nearby
creek, one flowing along our home baseball field. Swapping
aluminum for graphite, Noah stepped to the plate. This was his
opening day. Noah's first swing, ushered in by the classic eight
o'clock start, made contact. Abundant in the pool, the Rainbow
Trout boasted more colors than the PowerBait it engulfed. A
single species now to net, Noah stood proudly at first base.
Though others obliged, it seemed fish wised to our
concession stand. Listening to coach, Noah hooked my
preferred bait-minnows. Daring leadoff towards second,
Noah tossed against the far bank. As if stealing a base itself,
a speedy Brook Trout darted from the shadows. A frisky
skirmish later, Noah caught his breath at second base with
another species.
Quickness often designating him shortstop, Noah felt
comfortable between second and third base. Not only
was he executing well-placed casts, he skillfully played
fish away from snags. The only obstacle before a third
species was the Brown Trout, the biggest fish of the hole.
Ignoring every presentation, it became clear Noah's triple
would be challenging. He threaded a waxworm along a
thin hook. Effortlessly, the giant inhaled the offering. A
triumphant triple, any coach would be content if Noah's
game had ended there.
Bases loaded, Noah exhausted live bait options.
Reading coach's signals, Noah trusted a trout magnet.
Son slowly dragged and jigged the morsel. Surprising the
entire roster, attracted to the lure was a finicky golden
Rainbow Trout. Spectators cheered for this bottom-ofthe-ninth
inning action.
Crossing home plate, 7-year-old Noah achieved a
Pennsylvania trout fishing grand slam. The emotions
a little boy of yesterday felt looking into his glove and
seeing a baseball were the same ones a little boy of today
experienced admiring four fish held in his hands.
Grandpa passed away 6 years ago. Noah could
scarcely walk, let alone catch a baseball or fish. Yet,
between emerald spring waters, earthen infield, and
heaven, I felt Grandpa watching. Gazing up, I fully
expected a fly ball to drop from the perfect blues of a
spring sky.
May/June 2023
29

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023

Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 5
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 6
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 9
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 10
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 12
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 13
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 14
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 15
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 16
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 17
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 18
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 19
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 20
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 21
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 22
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 23
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 26
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 27
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 28
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 29
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 30
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 31
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 48
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - Cover4
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