Taking Stock North & South

[Dejon Hamann]

Did a bit of "stocky bashing" the last few days to prepare for the upcoming Rumble.  The two outings really set out the best and worst that stocked fisheries could be.

First it was down South to join fellow Freestoner Mark Hanes for some stream stocky bashing.  We targeted the delayed harvest areas of a few streams around Bradford, PA.  This was the downside. All though the company was splendid the water conditions were not at all conducive to accommodating freshly stocked fish.  I know the fish are bred to "go in", but it would seem a stocking program that took into account the actual conditions of the target waterway would be a better use of money.   So, we stayed away from the "barrel shoot" and wandered around looking for 1 or 2 suitable stretches of water that made the game fair.  Mind you, this isn't to say I haven't had extremely enjoyable days chasing PA stocked trout. In fact, I've had many.  



Second it was up North to join Dave Forgeron of St. Catherines on a private, cold water, lake above Toronto.  Now, this was a gorgeous, well fed, local stocky program in all it's glory.  The difference between the fish was unparalleled with the latter full of guts and glory.  We fished a long 10hour loch style day and enjoyed feisty, really great looking rainbows in the 1-3lb range.  Great company, great fish, great scenery.  A day to be remembered.

[Chris Smith]

Baker and I did the same last Sunday.  Great company and a lot of laughs, but fishing DH streams this early in the season just isn't fun.  

We did manage to spice things up by employing those techniques where we have less experience or skill, and I did end up learning a few things...I think.  We'll see how the wild fish respond.