West Branch Report 8/22-8/25

[brachycentrus]

Originally Posted by JeffK

I have heard pretty reliable rumors of guys using brown trout eggs ripped from henfish in the Lake Ontario tribs to catch plenty of fish in the Delaware system. Guys up by Pulaski swear by brown trout eggs for both steelies and inland trout. With people from all over fishing the Pulaski area brownie eggs have made their way down to streams all over the Northeast.

Many negative aspects here from snagging brown hens, to leaving the carcasses to rot after the eggs have been removed, to overfishing. PA sounds like they are on the right track with this issue.

That said, some harvest should not harm the populations and I hope state regulations are sufficient to prevent over-fishing. Most fly fishermen recoil from seeing any fish on a stringer, but a few legal fish for the table should be OK. Poaching is another matter and cannot be tolerated.

Please dont assume that either state regulations or the state has the best interest of the fishery in mind.
NY especially has proven over and over that they have neither the will or inclination to manage the UD as a wild trout fishery.