December 28, 2024 – Some Small Stream Sneaking in the Light Rain for a Mess of Small Trout – Berks County

Maturing early, I see.

Well, I did not want for action this morning on a small SEPA freestoner.  I was fishing by 7:45 AM, testing my theory about the morning bite still being a factor this early in the winter, especially with rather typical temperatures—it ranged between 35 and 43 while I was on the water.  I also got to test my new rain gear for the second time this winter.  I stayed dry, but I had the hood up until at least 11 AM before it let up.  That pause in the precipitation did not last very long, but it did feel good to dry out for a while.  I covered a good bit of water and even fished my way back, cherry picking a couple high percentage winter holes that did not produce to my satisfaction on the way upstream (or downstream to be honest).  The slow steady rain did not amount to much until it was quitting time around 1 PM, and after a two-hour break from the wet stuff on the crick, I drove home in a light rain, much like my predawn drive.  It was noon before I started noticing some more color and a few decaying leaves in the current.  I caught fish consistently on a size 10 natural jigged bugger until about 10 AM, and then things quieted down until I put on a waltz and a size 20 frenchie on the dropper tag.  I was surprised not to catch more chubs or fallfish, but I think the creek was pretty cold with snow melt and even some fringe ice in the spots that don’t get much sunlight.  I was also surprised to catch a holdover brown.  This creek is stocked, but I rarely find any stockers left by this time of the year and certainly no rainbows. 

Some dreary crick pics.

This being a freestoner, few fish were found in the pocket water unless I happened upon just the right moderate flow and the right depth.  Instead, fish were in the holes.  I moved a couple that looked better than 8 inches, and I stuck one that was 9 or 10 that came off.  Otherwise, I was catching 3 or 4 small trout in every hole.  It was fun once I accepted that those little ones were simply going to outcompete any of the better ones today.  I am sure I caught over 20 wild brown trout and a handful of creek chubs.  I kept secretly hoping for a day-maker or two, but it was clear that today was not that day.  It is hard to complain about a double-digit day in late December regardless of size, although I did wonder if a larger average fish was just as active on a larger creek somewhere today.  Most of the fish today were from the same year class, maybe two-year-olds, so there was a good spawn.  I did catch a couple YOY while nymphing too, so the low, hot water this year did not affect the broods too much, I hope.  I saw one redd that was pretty covered with silt already, but I have not found the spot where most of the fish spawn on this creek, not yet anyway.  Having only caught one true big fish here, and maybe a half a dozen mature fish in recent years, there may only be a few mating pairs that keep this population going.  I have read that it does not take more than two (or four) to sustain a wild population, and that might be true here.  Time will tell.  I could happen upon 10 redds some future November.  I did catch a 7-inch male that was all colored up and looking, well, male even at that size, so mature is relative on a creek this small. 

A consistent dinkfest but plenty of winter action.

The plan was to quit around noon, but I was so enjoying the lack of rain that I not only pushed upstream further than anticipated but also hit a select few holes on the way back.  Fishing got tough after 10 AM despite the clouds and stain.  Man, that return trip was really disappointing on the fishing scale.  I did catch one more trout and a chub, but besides that I don’t think I got a hit after the lunch hour.  With the water getting dirtier, I even tried a black jigged bugger, but nothing seemed to outperform the natural one I started the morning with.  I saw some fish moving around or spooking when I peeked from a few higher vantage points, but I did not see any bigger fish.  Still, I am glad I took the time to walk back slowly and take my time.  I mostly had the place to myself—the dog walkers came out when the rain stopped, and I spoke to one unsuccessful fly guy at the lot when we were both leaving.  It was not a bad day for a walk in the woods, and little ones were pretty ravenous for late December.  I am heading out with Eric on Monday following a very warm and rainy Sunday night, so I hope the fish stay hungry for a mitch.  I realized today that I don’t go back to work until next Thursday, so I can’t rule out another solo trip either!

This weather is not without its photographic charm.