West Branch Tavern Fishing Report, 5-6 April: High Holy Day

 It's the most anticipated day for the Mikey D team, and the unofficial start of our 2025 season.

The High Holy Day, Fishmas...

It's the Opening Day of trout season in Pennsylvania.

At 8:00 AM on the first Saturday in April, anglers grab their fishing gear and head to streams which have been closed since the end of February.  Yes, there are many streams in Pa which can be fished year round.  But the masses descend on Approved Trout Waters throughout the state to chuck bait, spinners, and flies at stocked fish.

It's magical, and consider us members of the cult.

Captain DiPaola rolled in Wednesday night to prep for the opening.  On Thursday afternoon we headed to Pine Creek in Ansonia, about 45 miles to the east, to knock the rust off.  A section of the stream is designated Keystone Select Delayed Harvest, which means the state stocks big fish, and you can fish the stretch year round.

Air temps were in the upper 60s to low 70s.  Water temps, however, were pretty cold; I'd estmate in the 40s.  Consequently, the fishing was slow.  Although we got some hits, I only netted a 15 inch Fallfish on a black Wooly Bugger.  Fortunately, Joe got the skunk off with a 12 inch Rainbow.

On Friday we walked the west and east branches of Fishing Creek near the WBT.  Water was low and clear, and we spotted many trout in the normal holding spots.  

Things were looking good as we strategized over bourbon and cigars Friday night.

Saturday's forecast was for rain, but we were hopeful.  Buoyed by coffee and sticky buns, we got to the Pavilion Hole around 7:30 in the morning.  Air temps were in the upper 40s, no wind, and light showers.  The water level was up at bit from Friday, but had a nice green tint.  Even if the rain picked up, we were confident the stream would at worst get a nce level bounce and the fishing would be great.

                                             

At the appointed times the lines went in.  Sticking with the Wooly Buggers, we quickly picked up three Rainbows, one going over 15 inches.  All in about a half an hour.

And then the deluge began.  

Fortunately, the pavilion provided protection, and we stood around waiting for the heavy stuff to abate.  After about an hour the rain diminished a bit.  We tried the Lower Hole to no effect, and I managed to hook (and lose) a fish at the Beaver Pond.  With the rain picking up again, we headed back to the WBT for breakfast and some liquid refreshment. (Thanks Mary!)

From the radar, it looked like the heavy stuff would push through around 11:00.  So we headed back to the Pavilion Hole, only to find that the "nice level bounce" was more like a flood of chocolate milk, and at least another foot higher than in the morning.

It was not looking good.  A trip to the east branch proved no more fruitful.  So back to the Pavilion Hole for a few more shots before surrendering to the weather gods.  It appeared that Fishmas would end earlier than we had hoped.  It was then that Captain DiPaola, spotting a riser on the far bank, put on an angling demonstration that saved the day.

Positioned between a large overhanging tree and saplings, he deftly cross-casted a San Juan Worm/Green Weenie tandem above the rise.  It was a tough casting, but after a few tries, and one miss, he stuck the trout, maneuvered the fish out of overhanging brush, and landed the final trout of the day.

And so ended Opening Day.  Not what we were hoping for, but a great day nonetheless.  It's really not about catching fish (which is what you say after a day like Saturday).   But truthfully it was a fun day battling the elements, and putting some fish in the net.

Sometimes you just gotta put in the work, if you can call it that.  When that fails, just light one and enjoy the day.

Tight Lines,

Mikey D Fishing

Post Script.  You hear "you should've been here today" a lot.  The next day was one of those days.  Armed with a spinning rod, I headed out Sunday afternoon to check out the water and do some prospecting.  Amazingly, the water level had dropped a good six inches, and the stream had regained its green color.  Visability was good enough to see the trout slashing at my spinners and minnow imitations.  I managed a few fish at the Pavilion, then picked up a nice 18 inch+ Rainbow down at the lower hole on a micro minnow lure.  All in about an hour's worth of fishing.

                                      

Today we woke to snow and temps in the 30s.  Cold, snow and rain in the forecast for the week.  I'll leave the streams to the worm-dunkers. (Mary reported an angler armed with a stringer at the Pavilion Hole this afternoon.  As she reminded me, they're stocked fish)  But trout season is upon us, and hatch season is not far off!

Fishing "Crick" Stocking Report, March 3: Rites of Spring

 It's still a few weeks until official Spring, but you know you're close when the PA Fish and Boat Commission stocking truck comes to visit.

We've had some mild weather, at least until Sunday.  Sunday it never got above 15.  The high today was forecast to be in the mid-20s.  When we volunteers met up with the Wildlife Conservation Officer and the truck at 0930, we were sitting at a brisk 18 degrees.  Fortunately, there was no wind, no precip, and the sun was peeking through the clouds.

We had 10 folks stocking.  Often we'll see additional vehicles following, not to stock, but to spy out the spots.  The cold temps must have kept them away, as everyone joined in today.

All in all a fun morning.  After our safety brief, the conga line of volunteers followed the WCO and truck to hit spots on both branches of Fishing Creek, and some spots on the main branch.  Approximately 1,000 trout (Browns and Rainbows) were stocked in a about 2 miles of stream.  The local rod and gun club will stock another 1,000 or so (including some big fish held over from last year) in a few weeks.  That's a lot of trout in a small stream.  

It's a pretty uncomplicated process:

Follow the truck until it stops.

The driver fills 5-gallon buckets, each holding around 15 fish

You take your bucket down to the crick (yep, that's the WBT in the background)

Once you're at the bank, you take off the lid

And you heave the contents into the stream

Finish with a Friendly Burger and a couple of Labatts Lite Draughts, to round out a great morning.

Oh, and yes, the WBT received a healthy portion of trout!!!  Probably around 75 fish.  Hopefully the Mink and River Otters won't take too many over the next few weeks.

Mentored Youth Trout Day is March 26.  Opening Day is April 5.  It's been a long winter.  But the High Holy Day is upon us.

Tight Lines.  And thanks to PAFB!

Mikey D Fishing

Winter Reds Fishing Report - Feb 18, 2025

For those who think that the short days and cold winds of winter evaporate any hope of wetting a line, there are places to go, and species to target, that can make fishing in February as good as any other month on the calendar.  Of course, knowing where to go and how to fish those spots takes time and skill.  Thankfully, Joe, a.k.a. "Maj. Salt Life", has put in time on the water and has it dialed in.  

With only a couple hours to fish, I met Joe at the ramp near one of the many creeks that meander around and through Camp LeJeune, NC.   Maj. Salt Life recently equipped his well-appointed G3 skiff with an electric trolling motor, a critical addition in shallow slow-moving creeks with easily spooked Reds about.  We got underway around 1400 and headed to a spot just a few hundred yards away from the point of departure.  Temps in the upper 40s, low 50s.  Light breeze out of the northwest, on a falling tide.  

Joe noted that the water was not as clear as it had been lately.  Regardless, you could still see mullet and Reds darting in front of us.  Joe engaged the spot lock on the trolling motor.  Clearly, the word had spread since we were joined by a few kayak fishermen who were working holes 3' - 6' deep.  Joe grabbed the fly rod, but I wanted to get the skunk off, so I reached for the spinning rod tipped with a trusty gold spoon.  After a few casts and no takes, I decided that it was best to listen to my local guide and go with a electric chicken Z-Mann soft plastic.  Soon after that, I was on with our first redfish.  It was small, just 15 inches, but it was great to feel the tug after a long winter's respite.  

Joe was quick to follow using his 8-wt. fly rod tipped with a self-tied, chartreuse clouser.  

And it was a hog.  A nice 27 incher that took 10 mins and several runs to get to the boat.  With both of us on the fly rods, we landed one nice Red after another totaling 10 in a 2-hour period.  Most were in the 18 - 24" class. 

Nice fish on a beautiful February day.  And despite the constant action, it gave me pause and not a small amount of gratification to feel a piece of life come full circle remembering the times fishing with my father, then fishing with my young children, and now fishing with my oldest son as he prepares to be a dad.

Tight Lines,

Mikey D Fishing

Trappe Waterfowl Compilation - Fowl not Fish - Jan 2025

 When the Chesapeake creeks are frozen and the fish are sedate, fowl offer a bridge on the Delmarva.  The winter of 2025 has been a throwback with several days of single digit temperatures resulting in frozen ponds and tributaries.  Polar winds also bring duck species that haven't frequented the eastern shore in numbers in some time.  Pintails, Canvasbacks, and Bluebills were in the hunter's sights for the first time in years.  

At Stirling Farms in Trappe, MD, the main target is the Canadian Goose.   Phil Weglein, owner and proprietor has hosted a core group of us since we both became friends in high school over 40 years ago.  Because of Phil's generosity, we have been able to enjoy the outdoors, lots of laughs, and knock down countless birds.  This season was no exception, and it doesn't go without notice that with age, the priority shifts to laughs and comradery over taking the shot.  Many thanks to Phil, Stirling Farms and all those who joined the hunting party during the 2025 season including Paul Carmen, Chris Morris, Jack Kamps, Audrey Weglein along with boyfriend Nick.  Of course, we can't forget bird dog extraordinaire, "Scout"!

Tight Lines,

Mikey D Fishing

Looking For Reds In All The Right Places - Jan 29, 2025

January brought artic cold up and down the east coast.   Our regular Chesapeake fishing grounds are at least partially frozen.  But if you know where to look, you can find fish.   Major Salt Life, equipped with a new trolling motor on his G3 jon boat, accepted the challenge.  In reality, Joe was looking to work on his trailer and decided to use a nearby boat ramp in Eastern North Carolina to facilitate repairs.  Soon after he arrived however, he spotted dozens of Reds in water less than a foot deep.

Major Salt Life started with a spinning rod but soon grabbed his fly rod to land one fish after another on virtually every cast.   A few days later, he was at it again.   The videos below show the redfish in schools in very shallow water.  This time, Joe relied solely on his fly rod using a Clouser he tied.  Fish were all released safely, and most were in the 18 - 28" class.  Not bad, not bad at all for January!   Makes me all the more excited for spring temps and warm water.  

Tight Lines,

Mikey D Fishing

   

Ringing in the Reds - Cape Charles Fishing Report Late December 2024

Captain Felker demonstrates that the cusp of winter is still a great time to catch redfish in the lower Chesapeake Bay.

 

Happy New Year!

Tight Lines,

Mikey D Fishing

Cape Charles Fishing Report, 27 November: I'll Have a Drumstick, Please

 Especially if it's a Red Drum Stick!

Apologies for the poor play on words.  The major period for fishing yesterday was in the morning.  But with temps still in the 40s, I decided to hold off until noon-ish.

Right before I was ready to gear up, the phone rang.  It was Captain DiPaola, heading north on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.  He was heading home to Bethany Beach to host Thanksgiving for his family.  I suggested he stop for a bit to do some fishing.  Joe demurred, as he had to pick up a Turkey that afternoon.  I countered with a reasonable suggestion; fish, forget the Turkey, and pick up Wa Wa Gobblers for the family....

I mean, it's a Thanksgiving feast, and without the prep!  For some reason, though, Joe listened to his better angels and proceeded on his way.

So I had the lower bay to myself.  Got on the water around 12:15.  Partly cloudy skies, air temps in the 50s, water temps the same, no wind, flat seas.  A low tide scheduled to come in at 12:30.   I brought both spinning and fly gear, but decided to go with the fly rod, since conditions were perfect for this average caster.

Hit our go-to spot at the sothernmeost breakwater off Bay Creek.  A pretty good video:

I started at the breakwater, and on the third cast picked up a small Red on the EP Baitfish pattern I've been using all fall.  It's a bit chewed up, and the eyes are missing.  But the fish don't seem to care.

After several more casts without a strike, I continued down towards the mouth of Plantation Creek, casting every once in a while, again with no action. 

When I got down to the mouth, the tide was way out, and I could wade over 100 yards off the beach and still the water never got up to my knees.  A lot of Mullet jumping around, and every once in a while, I could see disturbed water - tell-tale signs that Redfish were around.

As soon as I started casting the action began.  Water was shin deep, and crystal clear.  While I was taking fish on blind casts, every so often I spied Reds swimming, and cast to them like we would when stalking Bonefish.  A lot of fun watching the take.  The fish were only around 15-16 inches, but still a fun pull on the fly rod.

From 12:45 or so until 3:30, it was non-stop hooking and catching.  Didn't keep a count, but I'm pretty sure I had a strike or landed a fish every 4-5 minutes.  Around 2:30 a slight wind picked up and more clouds came in, so the stalking ended and I fished back up to the breakwater.  Every spot I cast to resulted in at least takes, if not hookups.  Even hooked and landed a few in the slot, with the biggest around 22 inches or so.

It was one of those times where I'd tell myself that it was the last cast for the day, only to get a hit or a hookup.  After a few "last casts," the sun was lowering, and the air temps got cooler.  A sign that it was time to head home.

Happy Thanksgiving, and Tight Lines,

Mikey D Fishing