When you spend as much time on the water as I do, you always catch a few. And while some days are certainly better than others, you occasionally have those fantastic experiences. These episodes are extremely rare. I can count them on my fingers. Last night wasn’t one of them. No worries, sports fans.
Jensen and I snuck out after dinner. We headed up to one of our favorite stretches. I always enjoy fishing with my son. Stop growing. Jensen is now 17 and a junior at Williamsport Area. I talk about him a lot in these columns. Whether he is playing basketball or strumming his guitar, I am so proud of him. Yes. It is tough being a kid these days. Jensen loves to fish with his buddies. They often reach out for advice, even though I’m not invited. My young friends are fishing in the same spots as I did when I was their age. Fantastic. It brings back several memories.
I know Lycoming Creek quite well. It is in my backyard. I took Jensen to a spot that constantly produces. It is not near any major stocking points. But the trout usually gather here in large numbers, even a few weeks after the opener. I always encourage my friends to find these locations. Fish are always on the move, and they will eventually migrate to these pools.
Stocked fish sometimes get a bad rap. I have learned to appreciate them, and they are what we target. These trout spend their early years in a nursery. Once they get to a desired size, they are released into the wild. These fish will likely head downstream. They are searching for cover. Looking for slower-moving water. Remember, swimming upstream and battling the current isn’t something they are used to. But where do they go? That is a valid question. Several studies show that a Rainbow will leave its initial post after three days. One radio-tagged Bow swam an incredible 121 miles from its entry point in 14 days. Yes. Trout are in the Susquehanna. Browns will hang out a tad longer. They will likely move after seven.
The changes in diets with these critters are truly amazing. Trout are raised on pellets while they are in the nursery. Stocked fish quickly learn to adapt and begin to find natural food almost immediately. And after a few days in the stream, their diets will make a complete 180. Early in the season, these trout pay little attention to what is floating by. They will only take the worms, minnows, salmon eggs, and power bait that the weekend Warriors will throw. But then all of a sudden, a light switches, and the stocked trout will start to feed primarily on bugs. It is quite incredible. Hang in there, ORVIS guys. The transition is happening.
I was bouncing a green Peeping Caddis off the bottom. This is my go-to nymph on Lycoming early in the season. The water is still up, and she is flowing. Jensen was downstream, and he was using a gold Rooster Tail. BANG. He landed a decent rainbow. BANG. Another. Then, a gorgeous and healthy brown a few minutes later. Okay. I was happy for my son, but this was embarrassing. I switched to a yellow stone fly. Perhaps this will entice something. I adjusted my depth and added some weight. Made one cast, and my indicator dropped. Finally. NO. A SNAG. My son was chuckling at his dad, who was now waist-deep in the water, trying to retrieve the rig that he had just tied. BANG. Jensen landed another. URGH.
The madness continued. I actually asked if I could reel in one of his catches. We headed home, and my son was bragging. Cropping photos and sending them to his friends. Talking trash. I had no comebacks. I don’t know what the final score was, but I got out-fished by Jensen for the very first time. My son landed several trout, and I had none. I was crushed.
Much love to the kid, and I am hoping for a rematch. I have had many great nights on Lycoming, and you can definitely add this. Even though I didn’t get one in the net, this was a different experience. Seeing my son Jensen land a fish is simply priceless. It never gets old. And those smiles for the camera are better than the ones before. Cheers.
