Restocking fishing gear for a year’s worth of fun
By Dave Bates
For the Observer-Reporter
I just finished updating my “fishing to do list” which will extend well into next the next trout season.
* Take up fly fishing again.
* Fish State College area.
* Fish Lake Erie and its tributaries.
* Make friends with a boat owner. (subliminal)
* Dig up Uncle Jim’s old fly rod.
* Take a fly casting class.
* Learn to tie some basic fly patterns.
After looking over the depleted contents of my trout vest, I extended my to do list to include replacing the dwindling supply of hooks, split shots, swivels, etc. I picked up a spool of four-pound monofilament to have in reserve in case the old stuff fails to hold up. The last thing left was to put some worms in the fridge and pick up some salmon eggs and Power Bait. I am officially ready for the Saturday opener.
Just about the time I stepped up to the cash register the sticker shock hit me. $80. … I let it sink in. I was all ready to become flustered when I got to thinking … $80 for a year’s worth of fun. I guess it seems like money well spent. Sure, the trout stamp and Lake Erie stamp are extras, but the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association gathering is in Erie this May and we’ll have the opportunity to go out with the pros. Can’t miss that one.
Last year was smallmouth on the Susquehanna and it got me fired up to fish again. I’m already planning another trip out to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this summer with my new guide buddy, Joe. This year holds real promise as there is so much fishing to be had in Lake Erie; much of which I’ve never taken advantage of. I’m looking to try the Penn State region as well.
Most of my fishing has been limited to Yough Dam, Ten Mile and Whiteley creeks and the occasional foray down to the Monongahela River or maybe a local farm pond during the summer so I’m looking forward to expanding my fishing horizons. It is a small price to pay in order to wring such enjoyment from a full year on the water.
Sometimes I forget just how numerous the opportunities for fishing in our area are. For those looking to open the trout season closer to home, these are just some of the stocked waters around Washington and Greene counties. They would include, but not be limited to, Canonsburg Lake, Mingo Creek, Linden Creek (Little Chartiers), Dutch Fork Lake, Pike Run, the North Fork of Ten Mile, which I believe is the dividing line for Washington and Greene Counties, north and south, respectively, are the fishing midpoint between Washington and Greene. There are probably a few other venues of which I’m leaving out. Some of these waters I have fished or navigated and others are but names on a page that I hope to add to my list sooner rather than later. On the Greene County side there is Brown’s Creek, Whiteley Creek, Dunkard Fork and Wheeling Creek near Ryerson Station State Park and Lake Wilma is just a stone’s throw from Blacksville, W.Va. There’s also Ten Mile Creek.
A number of sportsmen’s clubs in our area offer open fishing days, kids events, welcoming of new fishermen and women and some privatized/member only fishing opportunities. Some associations maintain lakes and ponds on their properties for club members but occasionally welcome outsiders to partake. If you have information on a fishing program that you’d like to share that I might pass along to the readership, I’d be glad to receive it. At any rate, good luck as you hit the water and be safe out there.
Dave Bates writes a weekly outdoors column for the Observer-Reporter. He can be reached at alphaomegashootingsolutions@gmail.com