 "Photo:")
 "Photo:")
As far as I am concerned, this coming Saturday is a holiday. No, not because it's Block Party, but because it is the opening day of trout season in Pennsylvania. This day rates as high as the opening day of the PA whitetail deer hunting season to me, and if trout season began on a weekday, I am sure where I come from the students in grade school would have off a day from school, just like they do for the beginning of deer season.
For me, the first day of trout season usually begins at 6:30 a.m. when I wake up to the banging of pots and pans while a hearty breakfast of eggs and sausage begin to fry and a pot of dark coffee is being brewed. At least that is how the cabin dwellers begin their first day. Others generally meet up with old friends at the local diner between 6:00 and 7:30 a.m. for that same hearty breakfast. No one is permitted to begin fishing before 8:00 a.m., so that gives the outdoorsmen time to chow down on some protein and talk about where they plan on spending a good portion of their day before they catch their daily limit of trout.
For those of you from central PA, you may be familiar with the creek where I spend my opening day of trout season each year. I spend most of my time fishing in the west end of Union County on Penns Creek. This is one of the trout spots in central PA and it is always well stocked with trout from fisheries and it tends to have a lot of fish survive from year-to-year.
"The central part of the state has some nice trout streams, but Penns Creek is definitely my favorite," said BU sophomore, Jarred Fry. "I prefer to fish the Fly Stretch on Penns Creek near Cherry Run."
Bradley Snyder, a Bloom freshman, is also from central Pennsylvania, but prefers to fish a different body of water. "White Deer Creek is one of my favorite spots to fish for trout. It is a smaller creek that offers nice holes and less people than a lot of larger creeks," stated Snyder.
Once the clock strikes 8 a.m. on opening day, fishing lines are hitting the water. The bait on the end of the line varies from person to person along the water or in the water, but the most common may be minnies, spinning lures, or Powerbait. There are a number of other available baits for trout fishing. There is a gang of guys that I do my fishing with throughout the spring and summer and we all choose to use minnies as our main bait on our spinning rods, which is just a traditional fishing rod. On opening days this bait usually scores a person his or her daily limits, which is five trout. Some anglers may choose flyfish, which uses a totally different rod, a fly rod, with a synthetic fly tied on the end of the line as bait.
"I prefer flyfishing over minnie fishing, because flyfishing presents more of a challenge to me," stated Snyder, continuing "It is always fun for me to try to tie a fake fly that matches the particular type of fly that is hatching during that time of year."
On the opening day, fishing with the crew of anglers I fish with generally lasts the entire day into the evening. Of course we take a few breaks to consume a couple alcoholic beverages and eat some burgers, but once we get our limit and filet the fish so they are ready to be cooked for dinner, we are back out on the water looking to hook a few more. The day almost always ends with meal of fresh fried trout, homemade french fries, and a couple more cold brews.
"After being cooped up all winter it's great to be able to get out and go fishing with your buddies, which is usually followed up by a fish fry and some good laughs and tales," stated Fry.
In PA, fishing is regulated by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. This state department sets the daily limits, where fish may be taken from the water, and many other laws regarding not just trout, but all freshwater fish such as bass or perch. A fisherman is permitted to continue fishing after catching their daily limit, but they may not legally keep any more fish that they may catch. After the opening day, anglers can legally fish 24 hours a day, as long as they are licensed. For a fishermen to legally keep trout, they must have previously purchased a trout stamp along with regular fishing license. Anyone under 16 years of age is not required to possess a fishing license. One other main law or regulation for PA trout fishing is that a trout must be at least seven inches in length to keep it.
The Fish and Boat Commission also sets the seasons for all fishing. In 2007, the commission decided to have two separate opening days in PA. The southeastern counties, including Cumberland, Lehigh, and York, among several others, now begin their trout season two weeks before the rest of the state.
Trout season gives outdoor enthusiasts something to partake in between the two major hunting seasons in PA: deer hunting and the spring gobbler (turkey) season. The spring gobbler season begins just two weeks after trout season begins, on May 1.
"As the first day of trout season approaches us, the one thing that I look forward to most is making some new memories with old friends," said Snyder.
For any person that is interested in the outdoors and enjoys getting a fresh breath of air and listening to water run downstream over rock, fishing is a perfect pastime. Fishing is an outdoor sport that does not necessarily require the killing of animals, but it is perfect for anyone that enjoys being in the wilderness. Also, fishing is a hobby that you and your friends can do and get in a few laughs together and recall old times you have spent together.
Fishing equipment has come a long way from a pole made of a stick and string to the elaborate fishing rods produced today. However, fishing is a cheap sport to partake in. Anyone can purchase a decent fishing rod at Wal-Mart and some cheap bait to get started. So, if you are looking for a good time this weekend, skip Block Party and go to a local creek or stream and try fish for a few hours.
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article! Log in to Comment
You must be logged in to comment on an article. Not already a member? Register now