Brown Trout and Orange Strike Indicators

Anglers project significant intelligence to native brown trout. This heightened reputation for smarts makes some of us feel better after a frustrating day on the water. It's not deserved. If brown trout are smart, why did they repeatedly hit my orange puddy strike indicator during the weekend in State College? What part of the Loon Bio-Strike did they think was a terrestrial or mayfly?

I'm not complaining, as the eager fish proved that fishy looking runs did indeed hold trout. But I just wish that these same fish that loved the Loon Bio-Strike would also show some love for the green weenie, which at least theoretically looks like an inch worm.

State College Lessons

I spent the weekend in State College, Pennsylvania, home of Penn State University. The intent was to get schooled by some brown trout. I did. But, mostly I learned that even spring creeks get muddy when the monsoons hit.

I should have taken some pictures of Penns Creek, flowing brown and full to its banks, but I didn't want to take the time to stop the car... Even little Elk Creek was raging fast, although up by its head it was still fishable Saturday afternoon. Dreams of fishing Spruce Creek on Sunday before heading back home were dashed by high and muddy water. A few cars were in the public access parking area run by Penn State, but I cannot imagine what the anglers were thinking they'd catch. I guess they believe, as do I, better to wear waders than anything at all. But I just kept driving and headed home.

The above picture shows the water on Big Fishing Creek Saturday about noon. A few hours later it was unfishable. The next few blog posts will include some other lessons learned fishing Central Pennslyvania's most beautiful streams.