Ralph Scherder: The Wild Trout Economy

In this episode of the Finsylvania podcast I interview Ralph Scherder, the owner and creator of Dark Skies Fly Fishing. We chat about the “wild trout economy” here in Pennsylvania. Specifically, we start with what known economic data exists about PA’s wild trout economy. The we discuss what can be safely inferred about the wild trout economy from Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission surveys about angler behavior. Later we dive into some of the information PA fish and boat has presented to the public and politicians claiming to highlight economic benefits of their hatcheries. We discuss some of the inaccurate claims, methodological flaws, and vague aspects of how Fish and Boat attributes this economic productivity to their hatcheries. Then we ask the valid question is a generational shift to more and more anglers preferring to catch wild fish in general making expensive hatcheries less relevant? Anecdotally it feels this way out there but things like PFBC’s wild trout stamp and recent angler surveys illustrating lack of public approval of stocking over wild trout also seem to suggest a more objective shift away from captivation with stocked trout. We talk about how our state could greatly enhance the wild trout economy by cutting stockings over wild trout, designating wild native brook trout conservation watersheds, and managing current wild non-native brown trout fisheries better. We also discuss how the threat of loss of stream access is a top threat to both the wild trout economy and future of fishing in PA. PA fish and boat is not replacing the numerous access points being lost at break neck speed to posted signs and this seems to be fueling crowding and stoking frustration from other anglers trying to avoid these crowds. TAKE ACTION NOW FOR STOCKING REFORM Please take part in the Finsylvania Podcast E-mail campaign demanding stocking reform and better wild trout management from politicians. DM or e-mail me for the e-mail address block you can copy and paste into the send bar after taping a short message to politicians and the media about this issue. We have some real momentum and have gotten 3 stories in the news covering this issue. Reach out to me using below links and Join the Fight!! [email protected] https://www.instagram.com/jimsinsta_gram?igsh=MXB4djIyMHh1dzc3Mg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr on instagram https://www.facebook.com/share/1ApHVhB9eW/?mibextid=wwXIfr facebook Consider subscribing to Dark Skies Fly Fishing Magazine and reading my column in every issue called “Fly Fishing After Dark.” Its all about night fishing with a fly rod. https://darkskiesflyfishing.com/magazine/ #blueliner #wildtrout #brooktrout 1. PA trout stocking schedule 2026 2. Pennsylvania fishing license 2026 3. HuntFish.pa.gov 4. PA Fish and Boat Commission 5. Mentored Youth Trout Day PA 2026 6. Opening day of trout season PA 2026 7. PA fishing regulations 2026 8. Stocked trout waters PA 9. Golden Rainbow Trout PA 10. Fish-for-Free Days PA 2026 11. PA trout season 2026 12. Trout stocking map PA 13. PA fishing license online 14. Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only (DHALO) PA 15. PA steelhead permit 16. Lake Erie fishing report 17. Susquehanna River fishing report 18. Pennsylvania trout stocking 2026 schedule by county 19. PA fishing app (FishBoatPA) 20. PA fishing license requirements  21. Trout fishing Pennsylvania 22. Smallmouth bass PA 23. Steelhead Erie PA 24. Walleye fishing Pennsylvania 25. Largemouth bass PA 26. Panfish Pennsylvania 27. Muskellunge (Muskie) PA 28. Channel catfish PA 29. Yellow perch PA 30. Chain pickerel PA 31. Brook trout PA 32. Rainbow trout PA 33. Brown trout PA 34. Bluegill PA 35. Crappie fishing PA 36. Striped bass Susquehanna 37. Carp fishing PA 38. Flathead catfish Pennsylvania 39. Rock bass PA 40. Native trout streams PA  41. Lake Erie PA 42. Presque Isle Bay 43. Susquehanna River 44. Delaware River PA 45. Raystown Lake 46. Allegheny River 47. Lake Wallenpaupack 48. Yellow Breeches Creek 49. Pine Creek Gorge (PA Grand Canyon) 50. Spring Creek State College 51. Oil Creek 52. Elk Creek (Steelhead) 53. Beltzville Lake 54. Nockamixon State Park 55. Moraine State Park (Lake Arthur) 56. Keystone State Park 57. Little Buffalo State Park 58. Lake Chillisquaque 59. Kettle Creek 60. Lehigh River 61. Youghiogheny River 62. Penn's Creek 63. LeTort Spring Run 64. Lackawanna Lake 65. Big Wapwallopen Creek 66. Brodhead Creek 67. Harveys Lake 68. Lake Frances 69. Laurel Highlands Trout Trail 71. PA fishing guides 72. Fly fishing Pennsylvania 73. PA charter boats 74. Fishing tackle shops PA 75. Kayak fishing PA 76. Ice fishing PA 77. Best trout bait PA 78. Fishing rods 79. Spinning reels 80. Waders for men 81. Fishing license agents 82. Fish finder 83. Fishing gear 84. Minnows/Nightcrawlers 85. Fly tying materials 86. Trout stream conditions 87. Fishing reports NEPA 88. Fishing reports NWPA 89. Fishing trip planner PA