Another trout season is underway, and I still enjoy getting out on a stream, even though I’ve been trout fishing for over sixty years now. Over all those years, I’ve had a chance to fish with an assortment of equipment, lures, and baits. Like a lot of kids, I started with worms and a bobber
READ MOREThe first day of trout season in Pennsylvania has been a long-time tradition. It’s a day shared by family and friends to celebrate something near and dear to their hearts. It is a day that many PA anglers dream about on cold winter nights. Chilly temperatures, rain, and even snow go hand in hand with
READ MOREAs I sat down to write this piece, the streams were running high and muddy from the past few days of rain. I suspect that by the opening day of trout season, there will still be some high, discolored water. Of course, those who were on the streams on opening day will be able to
READ MORETis the season. March Madness is fun, but I am only thinking about fishing. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has already placed 3.3 million trout in our many state waterways. Last I heard- the Commonwealth has 697 stocked streams and 129 lakes. Impressive. The PFBC will also coordinate with many others to add an
READ MOREI suspect when we think about getting ready for the upcoming trout season, our thoughts turn first to rods, reels, line, and a selection of lures or flies. Those are things that should be addressed, but I think we sometimes overlook some other basic but vital equipment, such as boots or waders. Whether you use
READ MOREWhen it comes to the opening day of trout season, a question I sometimes get, especially from someone just getting into fishing, is, what’s the best way to catch trout? There are people who have written lengthy books on that topic, but in this brief format, here are some things to consider. The truth is
READ MOREOK, I’ll admit it; I’m a year-round fisherman, and there’s probably never a month of the year that goes by that I don’t get some fishing in somewhere, either on the ice, in a boat, or wading a stream. Admittedly, the ice fishing season was again cut short, so it’s time to move on to
READ MOREIt’s hard to believe that another trout season is just around the corner, and the stocking of trout is already underway — as of February 19th. The Fish and Boat Commission will be stocking a total of 3.2 million trout. That includes 2.3 million rainbows, 702,000 browns, 132,000 brookies and 14,000 golden trout. With the
READ MOREWe are moving into that time of year when we outdoor types start spending less time outdoors pursuing game and fish and more time indoors. We still have some small game hunting and muzzleloading hunting left, and hopefully, if we get enough ice, we diehard fishermen can start hitting some local lakes as well. These
READ MOREParty, party, party — it’s what most folks do on New Year’s Eve to say goodbye to the previous year. Hopefully, our heads have cleared up by now from the revelries of New Year’s Eve, and we can take time to focus on what lies ahead in the coming year. So, steep a pot of
READ MOREAs the hunting seasons begin to wind down, some of us begin looking towards the upcoming fishing seasons. I know trout season is still a long way off, but we ice fishermen are hoping to get out on a lake in the not-too-distant future. With the fishing season not far off, it’s also time to
READ MOREWell y’all, it’s one of my favorite times of year! The Blaise Alexander Christmas Fun Coloring Contest is in full swing! Thanksgiving is officially behind us, so now it’s time to move fully into the Christmas season! My tree is going up this weekend and all the decorating will be done too! I even bought
READ MOREWhile the actual Thanksgiving Day has just passed, that single day to many signals not just a day but a season of being thankful, sharing time with family and friends and celebrating all of the good things in our lives. Thanksgiving Day marks the beginning of the holiday season that runs through to Christmas and
READ MOREMoving into the early fall period can be a real dilemma for people like me who love hunting and fishing. Hunting seasons are underway, and some great fishing can still be available. Case in point: I was talking with an avid trout angler recently, and he told me a few weeks back he picked up
READ MOREI love this time of year as North Central PA is now shining. Fall brings us so many vibrant colors. Change is in the air. It is an absolute shame that it gets dark at 6:45 p.m. This totally dampens my outdoor activities. Fishing remains my passion. It serves as my zen. I am still
READ MOREJimmy has headed down the shore for a little vacation, so I’m taking up the helm this week. No worries, he’ll be back next week! In his absence, it only seems fitting that we should talk about all things sports. I’m not usually a sportswriter, but I think I can handle it. Maybe. We’ll see.
READ MORESometimes it seems like the only thing that is constant is change. It sounds a bit contradictory but think about it. We graduate from school and leave home, get a job, then change jobs. We move to new areas and sometimes even move to a different state. Meanwhile, all around us, new businesses crop up,
READ MORETeach and Jensen were at the beach. School is out for the summer, and they needed a break. I stayed behind to watch the dog. No worries, kids. I got to fish. No need to travel as we are super spoiled. I do 95% of my fishing right here in Lycoming County. Some of my
READ MOREWater becomes the center of attention when the temperature climbs because of the cooling relief it can provide. Making a day of splashing through sprinklers, swimming laps in a pool or horsing around with friends at a waterpark is part of the summertime experience. Even though most people equate summer fun with ocean escapes, those
READ MOREWell, trout season is well underway, and hopefully, some of those crowded conditions that occur in those opening days are pretty well past. Certainly, those first few weeks in April can be very productive, but so can the weeks that follow, especially through the month of May. Now, I realize that there are many methods
READ MOREAs I write this, the 2023 Spring Gobbler season is less than a week old, and, as usual, a variety of reports have been coming in – everything from “I haven’t seen or heard a gobbler yet,” to hunters who have been working gobblers every morning they have been out. One hunter reported calling in
READ MORELycoming County is blessed with numerous fine streams that can yield various types of fish — particularly trout. In a bid to help get children interested in the bounty of these area waterways, the Consolidated Sportsmen of Muncy Creeks have, for about the past 25 years, conducted an annual “Kids’ Trout Derby” in a stream
READ MOREWhen 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 little episodes are extremely rare. I can count them with my fingers. This past Thursday, I was on Lycoming. I parked my
READ MORETrout season is now well underway in our state, and a good number of anglers are pursuing a variety of trout species in lakes and streams. When it comes to trout fishing in Pennsylvania, the most commonly caught trout will be rainbows, browns, and brookies, and for good reason — they are the ones most
READ MOREThe 2023 trout season is officially underway. I hope that you had a chance to slay. The jury is still out for me, personally. All my gear is buried in the garage behind (30) 4×8 sheets of 1/2-inch drywall. I saw some great photos from the week before. Pennsylvania now allows kids to fish with
READ MORESoon, Spring Gobbler season will be upon us, so as an enticement, let’s get you salivating over some rather tasty ways to make great meals with free-range, non-GMO, organic wild turkey meat that is devoid of any government-approved chemicals! Many who have tried wild turkey meat agree that it has a better flavor than pen-raised
READ MOREIt’s funny how we associate different events with different parts of life. For me, the Little League World Series marks the beginning of the end of summer. And the West Branch Builder’s Home Show is the unofficial kick-off to spring. I always look forward to spending a couple of hours at the show each year.
READ MOREFor several months leading up to the NCAA’s March 12 Selection Sunday announcement of which teams would receive invitations to the “Big Dance,” many of the potential invitees were as nervous as teenagers eagerly anticipating their inclusion in a big high school social. The saying “been there, done that” is commonplace in our vernacular, and
READ MOREAs we approach the opening of another trout season, the two questions I find a lot of people asking are “Where should I fish”? and “What should I use”? There are several factors to consider when it comes to the question of where to go. Certainly, the weather is a consideration; high wind and bitter
READ MOREApril is an exhilarating month for the hunting and fishing crowd; we start the month with the opening of trout season, and at the end of the month, turkey hunting for gobblers is on the agenda. While I will enjoy the throbbing of a nice trout on my flyrod, you can bet I will also
READ MORESpring is certainly a favorite season for many sportsmen. Cabin fever and the winter doldrums are finally behind us, we can finally get outside, and so many things are available to explore and enjoy. Foraging for wild edible plants can begin as the daily temperatures begin to rise, the snow has melted, and spring rains
READ MORE“Double your pleasure, double your fun – with Double Mint, Double Mint, Double Mint Gum!” This popular jingle was used in years past to advertise a brand of gum that remains popular to this day. But be careful because if you remember this jingle, you may be giving away your age! But “Double your pleasure,
READ MOREI know most of the fishing crowd doesn’t think of a new fishing season being underway until trout season rolls around in April, but I’ve always considered the new season underway when I hit the ice for the first time. In recent years that first trip rarely took place before the start of the new
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