April Shakedown

Mikey D Fishing started the 2016 season on the Bay with a few bumps and a nice fat Striper.

Captain C.C. holds a nice Striper above caught just south of the twin Bay Bridge spans in 35 feet of water while chumming.  The moment of glory was but a respite from multiple obstacles encountered during MikeyDFishing's shakedown jaunt for 2016.  Captain C.C. and Captain Joe were on the boat by 0700 under cloudy skies and calm waters.  Obstacle Number 1 required charging one of the marine batteries enough to turn over the Mercury 150.  Underway and feeling that we beat our one glitch of the trip, we fired up the Lowrance HDS 12 and soon began marking multiple fish on the bottom and several groups at 15 - 20 feet. 

We anchored in 32 feet of water, lowered the chum bucket, and deployed multiple lines baited with fresh alewife.  Fishing was slow, but soon enough the telltale sound of clicking from one of the fishfinder reels caught our attention and after a nice fight led to the 24" beauty above.  Unfortunately as fat and as tasty as it looks, it is still 11" shy of the 35" minimum required during the Striper trophy season that lasts until May 15.  With cigars ready to celebrate a new season, we encountered Obstacle Number 2:  always have a working lighter and a backup on board. 

As the bite slowed, we decided to shift to trolling.  While in the process of re-rigging, Obstacle Number 3 confronted us:  I pulled the last of my leader material from the spool.  Always ensure that you have enough tackle at the start of a new season. 

Fishing is often about adjusting to your conditions, so we decided to use what we had and relocate to a new anchorage in hopes of enticing a few more fish into the chum line.  While heading toward the mouth of the Severn not far from one of our favorite spots, the Lowrance HDS marked multiple fish at varying depths.  With little hesitation or delay we dropped anchor, deployed the chum bucket, and began re-baiting.  As we moved with precision around the boat, I caught a glimpse of a Coast Guard cutter on a constant bearing and decreasing range.  Within a minute, they were close aboard and announced they intended to conduct a safety inspection.  Obstacle number 4:  Coast Guard boats powered by twin diesels are not conducive to productive fishing.  We passed our safety inspection with flying colors, but that was little relief as we stared at a blank screen on the fish finder. 

With the weather deteriorating and the sea state increasing, we decided to call it a day.  Despite the obstacles, MikeyDFishing can take solace in landing the first Striper of the season and meeting the challenge over a brief two hour fishing window!  Looking forward to the stars aligning during our next outing!  -- Mikey D Fishing

With Part Two of Pennsylvania's opening day of trout season behind us, we offer an aerial view of the Felker Cabin in Potter County aptly known as "God's Country" and the Northern Operating Base for Mikey D Fishing!

Mikey D Fishing Open for Business

Spring has arrived, the Mikey D is in the water, now equipped with a Lowrance HDS 12 Gen 3 sonar, and ready to hit the bay for stripers.

But before hitting the "salt life," Captains C.C. and Joe lit out for "God's Country" to celebrate the opening day of trout season.

Actually, this weekend was the second opening day in PA.  Two weeks ago the southern counties opened for trout, so I headed solo up to the Poconos to fish with Chuck.  Weather was a bit chilly and damp; perfect weather to keep out the fair weather anglers.  We headed down from Pop's house to fish Jacoby Creek, and small stream that the state throws a few hundred trout in so the locals can pull them out.  Pennsylvania cycle of life, so to speak.  We got to our spot where we had scouted out some fish the day before.  Rigged up and ready to go by 0730, only to have to wait another 30 minutes before the official opening.  A bit nervous; there are no real rules of civility when it comes to opening day.  You can be fishing all by yourself one moment, and the next five dudes show up and start chucking bait right next to you.

This morning, though, the trout gods smiled and no one showed up.  Got into position about 0755, first cast went off at 0800, and "bam," 12 inch Brookie.  Second cast, "bam," 12 inch Brookie.  Third cast ... well the pattern was set.  I out Dad in the spot and moved up to a pool just above, and, wash, rinse, repeat with four more Brookies to hand.

By 0900 or so the locals started rolling in, so we headed to the Mt. Bethel Diner for eggs and scrapple and headed pack to the house to clean our catch.  In the afternoon we headed to Bangor to fish a stream that runs right through town.  From the look of it you wouldn't think that trout would fare well, but the water was clear and clean and we picked up a few more fish before calling it a successful opening day.
















Two weeks later it was time to experience the Potter County version of opening day.  Joining the Mikey D Fishing team was Professor Tim O'Brien, long time fishing companion.  Joe and Tim rolled in Friday afternoon with plenty of time to wet a line.  Since the stocked streams were still closed, we hit a delayed harvest section of the upper Allegheny, just north of Coudersport.  Weather was absolutely perfect; temps in the high 60s, sunny skies, little to no wind.  We set up on a stretch of water and were given a demonstration by Joe of "dynamic nymphing," or what the locals might call high sticking.  Whatever you call it it worked, as Joe picked up two nice trout, while I lost a decent one.









After grilling some steaks Friday evening, we settled down by the campfire enjoying cigars and Amador bourbon.

After a breakfast of eggs, scrapple, and biscuits the next morning, we lit off to see what Fishing Creek had to offer.  Joe and I fished the west branch, which runs behind the house, while Tim headed downstream to fish the main branch.  I decided to forgo the fly rod and throw spinners, while Joe and Tim stuck to their fly rods.  I can say that the morning was full of fishing but not any catching.  It was definitely a day for the bait dunkers.  Despite seeing guys catching fish, the best we could get was one decent hit on the spinner.

Undeterred, we decided to avoid the crowds on the put and take waters and return to the delayed harvest section of the Allegheny.  This time we fished upstream of our earlier foray, which turned out a good move for Tim, who picked up at least three trout on a gold Wooly Bugger.  Unfortunately, I was thrashing away below Tim and did not get a chance for pictures.

Saturday dinner was at the Friendly for burgers and beer, and then back to the cabin to get some practice with the drone.  Should be some video heading this way soon.

All in all a fantastic opening day weekend.  Not much in the way of numbers of trout landed, but great being out in the woods, standing in stream, and enjoying the evening with bourbon, cigars, and good friends in God's Country.