Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - 23

This about-to-be-released Brown Trout is the result of a stealthy
presentation of live creek bait.
The opening day of trout 2023 on Sugar Creek, Venango County. It
is a very popular stream in April and May.
access sites are the bridges on public roads, " said Bell. However,
Bell usually focuses his fishing on stretches of the stream that
require a little exercise to reach, particularly when looking for
big Brown Trout.
Sugar Creek supports trout through the summer due
to deep flowing pools and numerous stretches of oxygenenriching
riffles. Stream temperature is also impacted by an
influx of cooler water from numerous spring-fed, canopyprotected
feeder streams. Several of these feeder streams
support wild Brook Trout populations, as well as reproducing
Brown Trout.
In addition to trout, Bell also catches quality Smallmouth Bass
and Walleyes that move into the lower portion of Sugar Creek
from French Creek during high water periods. He occasionally
encounters Northern Pike, which likely swam down from the
Lake Creek tributary.
" For dry fly anglers, there are several good hatches on Sugar
Creek including Grannom Caddisflies, Hendricksons, Alderflies
and Little Brown Stoneflies. But, I focus my presentations closer
to the bottom. I fish nymph patterns with my fly rod in the
spring and early summer. However, I also enjoy catching trout on
a piece of nightcrawler every bit as much as using any artificial.
By mid-summer, drifting an indigenous live shiner or dace is
extremely exciting, because it always produces. With Brown
Trout becoming very active for their fall spawn, I switch to large
chubs to catch oversized Brown Trout, " said Bell.
Threading half a nightcrawler on a hook and drifting it with the
current just off the bottom is one of Bell's most successful live bait
presentations for stocked trout during spring and summer.
" Read the water current before making
a cast in order to determine the most
likely spot for the biggest brown to
hold. Then, using the largest piece of
creek bait from your bucket, make
that first cast-n-drift your best one.
The commotion from a sloppy cast or
catching a smaller trout will alert a wise
old Brown Trout. You might as well
move on, " said Bell.
September/October 2023
23
photos-Darl Black

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023

Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - 5
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - 6
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - 7
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - 10
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - 12
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - 13
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - 15
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - 16
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - 17
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - 18
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - 20
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - 21
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - 22
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - 23
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2023 - Cover4
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