Trout season began last Saturday. Where do you plan to begin the season? For many the answer is simple. Like those who have a favorite stand for the opening day of buck season, anglers are no different. Only in this case it’s a favorite stretch of water that keeps anglers coming back time and again. There’s a good reason why anglers are such creatures of habit.
In the case of our family, Potter County was the area and Freeman Run was the stream. That’s where Dad and Uncle Bill went every season on opening day for as long as I can remember. Sure there were good waters to fish closer to home, but there was the fun, excitement, and the tradition leading up to the adventure streamside.
Another temptation that kept these two coming back from one year to the next was that our camp is in close proximity to this particular stream. Being headquartered at camp provides for a full weekend on the stream, and in between time they could check out areas that might hold a gobbling bird knowing that in a few short weeks they would be turkey hunting. From then until today anticipation of the “first day” continues to add to the adventure.
What to use come opening day never entered their conversations. Dad and Uncle Bill loved to fish using minnows and salmon eggs along with a good selection of small worms.
Live minnows were Dad’s favorite, but if his stock of live bait fell short, he would resort to the salted variety. And you can bet that Saturday night of opening day the iron skillet at camp would spit and hiss from fresh trout hitting the pan.
You know what is amazing is how that pan will hold a slight odor of fish, yet not impart that flavor to other foods cooked on its surface.
While many other streams were fished for trout across the season, opening day was met with a special kind of anticipation. Maybe it was being on the streamside with rod and reel in hand for the first time since the close of the season last year. Or could it be continually trying to guess where the pockets of fish could be found?
Whatever the reason, I’m anxious to return to those familiar places where muddy boot tracks litter the banks of the stream. And where rinsing off your hands in the water of a stream will make your hands ache right down to the bone if you allow them to remain there too long.
It is said, “You can never go back.” Well, that’s accurate to a degree. We need to look forward; however, we need to remember our past and learn from it as we go. Memories generated streamside can live on forever. Sure we love to fish, but sharing time with others as flowing water engulfs your line provides down time and to appreciate where we are who we are sharing time with.
The first day of trout season opens up a new season. It is a time to relax and reflect. For each of us hopefully the season opener will be a time to set aside the stress of daily life for a few hours in a place where cell signals are weak and the only ringtone is that of flowing water.
Take the time to go fishing. Yes, the best places to fish are where you find them, and come opening day most of us will be at our favorite spots along a muddy stream bank. If you enjoy fishing as much as most anglers do, you have more than enough gear to outfit a kid or two, and even an adult.
With that in mind, why not take someone who is new to fishing along. Share the experience, and have some fun.
Outdoor Youth Education Grant Recipients
Prior to the opening of the Great American Outdoor Show held in Harrisburg in February, the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Assoc. announced it would be conducting an auction. Funds raised would be distributed to support youth education events.
This year eleven organizations received funding for programs designed to get youth outdoors and to teach them about the valuable natural resources available throughout the state. The grants were distributed statewide and were between 200 & 600 dollars.
Within the region two groups were awarded grants. The Jefferson County Youth Field Day, Sigel, Pa., $600, for its annual free event which gives youth the opportunity to have fun and develop new skills by participating in shooting sports, archery, canoeing, and other skills stations.
The second was PA Wildlife Habitat Unlimited, DuBois, Pa., and was awarded $600, for the Clearfield County Youth Field Day for kids ages 7-14. The free event features archery, fishing, boating, shooting, and more.
To date, POWA has raised and distributed over $400,000 to fund youth educational opportunities with their Youth Education Grant Progam.
POWA’s mission includes promotion of outdoor education and increasing awareness and appreciation of our natural resources and outdoor heritage.
To learn more about membership or becoming involved with the Youth Education Grant Program visit POWA’s website: paoutdoorwriters.com, or contact Executive Director Paula Piatt at ppiatt@paoutdorwriters.com
Charlie Burchfield is an active member and an active member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association, Outdoor Writers Assoc. of America and the Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers. Gateway Outdoors e-mail is GWOutdoors@comcast.net
