Trending
The summer of 2016 will not be a fond memory for most trout anglers here in the south-central region of Pennsylvania.
When weather and water conditions are favorable, summertime trout fishing can be an interesting and enjoyable experience. I love the challenge of fly-fishing for trout under typical summertime conditions. The operative word here, however, is “typical.” Warm weather and many bright days are the norm for summer weather, along with generally low, clear stream flows. Those situations make trout extra spooky and difficult to catch, which is part of the attraction for us hardcore trout fishermen who pursue them in the summer months.
As with so many things in life, measuring fishing success is a relative thing. This time of year, the experience is more important than numbers of fish caught. Spending a morning catching two or three trout on an ant or beetle imitation pitched deftly into the shadows of an overhanging tree limb can be every bit as satisfying as hooking a couple of dozen fish in the more robust flows of April or May. There is also a fine line between a challenge and an exercise in futility. And that is what we have faced this summer.
Since late June, daytime temperatures have soared well into the high 80s or low 90s most days most throughout our region. Rainfall during that same period has been sparse and well below seasonable averages. As a result, most of our streams are dreadfully low and clear, and most important for our trout resources, daytime water temperatures elevated to levels that become cause for concern. Trout are classified as cold-water fish. I’ve caught temp in water temps ranging from 34 degrees to 74 degrees. Being cold-blooded creatures, a trout’s metabolism is regulated by the temperature of the water it lives in. The peak metabolic temperature for brown trout. Simply put, the further below 63 degrees the water temperature gets, brown trout digest their food slower and feed less. As water temps go above 63 degrees, the effects on the trout begin to become a problem. Trout start to be stressed when water temps hit 70 degrees and at around 74 degrees will quit feeding altogether and go into survival mode. While they can tolerate temps in the high 70s and early 80s for short periods, those elevated water temperatures will ultimately be lethal for trout.
Excessive summertime water temperatures are why so many streams Pennsylvania cannot support trout year-round. And a brutally hot summer like we are experiencing this year can stress the trout populations on some of our best wild trout streams. That point was driven home last week when the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Fish and Boat Commission temporarily closed sections of Penns Creek to fishing or other disturbances to protect the exceptional wild brown trout population that inhabits this world-class trout stream.
“The prolonged combination of little rainfall and steadily climbing water temperatures has left wild trout massing at two locations in Bald Eagle State Forest where mountain streams are supplying needed oxygen and cooler water,” said State Forester Dan Devlin. “The goal is to prevent additional stress by limiting angling pressure and the chances of others needlessly spooking them.
“In an effort to gain support and protect this valuable resource we sought cooperation from the Fish and Boat Commission, and its bureaus of law enforcement and fisheries responded rapidly,” Devlin said, “clearing the way for a joint effort that will limit disturbance to fish in these areas. This limited and temporary closure is based solely on the need to provide areas of thermal refuge.”
The two locations posted against fishing or disturbing trout are the mouths of two cold-water tributaries, Panther Run and Swift Run, near the Union-Centre County line. The closure will be in effect until water conditions improve, which might be at least several weeks until cooler weather or significant rainfall mitigate the current problems. DCNR Rangers and PFBC Waterways Conservation Officers will monitor the areas and enforce violations of the temporary closure. For more details and updates on the Penns Creek closures, contact the Bald Eagle State Forest District at 570-922-3344.
As a dedicated trout fisherman and conservationist, it is disturbing to hear of such environmental problems on closures for any trout stream, much less one of the crown jewels of trout fishing in eastern North America. I also recall discussing the trout fishery on Penns Creek with a PFBC biologist more than 20 year ago when he told me Penns has always had temperature problems in the summertime, but the trout population there had successfully adapted to that situation by migrating to the mouths of cold-water tributaries and spring holes as they have done this summer. It also gratifying to see two of our conservation agencies taking action to take action to protect one of the most amazing natural resources in Pennsylvania.
Hopefully, nature will provide the ultimate relief very soon with ample rainfall and cooler temperatures.
Young’s column appears every Sunday in the Mirror.