A break in the weather this past week was much needed. With temperatures well above freezing, the snow began to melt, revealing the green grass underneath. Robins and red winged blackbirds flocked to my yard. This morning I had several deer browsing as well. Earlier this week, a hike along my favorite native brook trout stream introduced me to dozens of young fish that had hatched over the winter. They swam in the shallow water like tadpoles, while the sun warmed the stream banks. There were thousands of hatching insects on the snowy banks. Some of these bugs collected in the pools of the small stream and provided a source of nourishment for these fish. I wondered if the heron i saw at the beginning of winter had plucked all of the colorful adult fish from these waters, or if they had found a wintering hole further downstream. Deer crossings led up the bank into the deep snow and revealed travel routes used in winter. I made a note of these areas and planned to return after a little more snow has melted to look for shed antlers. It was good to be outdoors.
Trout stocking has begun on area Approved Trout Waters and will continue through the upcoming months. Anglers can get a good look at these fish, while helping the PFBC to stock trout in area streams. The trophy golden trout always get me excited while stocking. You can see them swimming in the pools after being stocked. This has me looking forward to the Mentored Youth Fishing Day on April 11 and the Regular Opening of Trout Season Statewide on April 18. Before then, there are opportunities to fish for trout at waters in the area that are open to fishing year around. For a list of these waters please go to:http://fishinpa.com/ The list can be found if you click on Trout Fishing Regulations for the Northwest Region and scroll down to the list. Although the trout caught from these waters must be released, it is still fun to catch them in open water after a long winter. Steelhead fishing in Lake Erie tributaries is available until April 16, before reopening on April 18. Many of these fish are tired from spending a season in the creeks. Fresh fish are often caught closer to the mouths, before the water temperature rises to uncomfortable levels and pushes them back into the lake. For specific rules and regulations, please go to http://fishinpa.com/ or refer to the 2015 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary booklet.
Ground hogs, squirrels, deer, turkey, red-tailed hawks, and many other birds and animals have become more active now that the weather has become more bearable. The last of the snow and fishable ice is continuing to melt as I write this. Soon the green buds of leaves will be growing on the trees and gobblers will be gobbling in the hollows and fields. The official beginning to Spring is March 2o, but you don’t have to wait until then to enjoy the outdoors.
