Big Spring Creek Fishery Management Plan

[Joe D]

This five mile long limestone spring creek has a history as a top brook trout fishery. This distinction changed in the not too distant past, though the PA Fish & Boat Comm. still claim one section has the highest population of wild brook trout than any other waterway in the commonwealth and another section is the home to the highest density wild rainbow trout population.

You can see what the Fish Commission has planned for Big Spring Creek's future management: http://fishandboat.com/water/streams/bigspring/BigSpringMgmtPlan.pdf

 

[NJpatbee]

Interesting article and the plans are promising for the future of brook trout. I got bleary-eyed after reading about half of the the report, but did find it interesting that biologists can modify the habitat with a bias towards one type of trout over the other based on factors such as water velocity and depth. I was also glad to see that PA is planning to transplant many of the wild browns and rainbows to other waters rather than destroy them. I am a big fan of the native brookie, but the last time I fished Big Spring Creek (over 20 years ago) I caught some beautiful wild browns. No doubt those browns and rainbows will flourish in areas just a bit too warm for the brookie and provide some great sport.

 

[Barleywine]

Thank you for this update on Big Spring. I fished there in April 2011. Water was extremely high in all of the nearby streams, but the Big Spring, being a true limestoner, was not affected by the heavy rains that fell. I caught a few wild bows and brookies, but they were extremely sensitive to drag in the presentation. I was fortunate to run into Bill Ferris who is the head of the watershed association out there, and he gave some some flies and tips that made a big difference. Anyone who thinks brookies are "stupid" needs to fish for them in a spring creek where they have an abundance of food. It will most likely change your opinion.

 

[flyI4]

Thank you for this update on Big Spring. I fished there in April 2011. Water was extremely high in all of the nearby streams, but the Big Spring, being a true limestoner, was not affected by the heavy rains that fell. I caught a few wild bows and brookies, but they were extremely sensitive to drag in the presentation. I was fortunate to run into Bill Ferris who is the head of the watershed association out there, and he gave some some flies and tips that made a big difference. Anyone who thinks brookies are "stupid" needs to fish for them in a spring creek where they have an abundance of food. It will most likely change your opinion.

you're right on BW, its not just the food but the challenge of getting a good drift in a tight stream where at times limited casting room, short drifts, spooky fish that require casting out of position. Its a different kind of challenge that requires a different set of skills, and a different fly box to find success, which is why its fun. Looked up some pics seems like the bows can get pretty big in there too

 

[MACFLY]

you're right on BW, its not just the food but the challenge of getting a good drift in a tight stream where at times limited casting room, short drifts, spooky fish that require casting out of position. Its a different kind of challenge that requires a different set of skills, and a different fly box to find success, which is why its fun. Looked up some pics seems like the bows can get pretty big in there too

My avatar is a pic of one of those big bows.