Finsylvannia

Join me for this Finsylvania Podcast Update! We announce a new big Finsylvania project called “The Finsylvania Road Trip Series” where we hit the road and talk to subject matter experts in management of species outside of PA and take fisheries science & management lessons home back to PA. Meet a new species, a nee fishery, or just learn more about one you already know ir have interest in! I also announce THE BIG SPRING PRESENTATION ASSOCIATION’s May 7th fundraiser for Big Springs Legal Defense Fund against the warehouse that potentially threatens to distribute or alter its spring source. 5-8pm come raise kiney for this legendary stream and enjoy the conpany of the fly fishing community and refreshments all in the beautiful natural setting of the Kings Gap Mansion. Also on this Update episode we talk about warming stream temps and reducing brook trout thermal stress by bonking stockers in brook trout and wild trout streams on the head and removing the man made hatchery stream pollution. Finally we talk about Tim Schaeffer’s pet project, merging PFBC and PGC. Find out my personal opinion on the motivations for this move and why it could amount to just anither way to bail out hatcheries at hunters/public land SGL’s expense. Road trip series fisheries and species NJDEP-Weakfish population crash and recovery efforts Maryland DNR-Snakehead invasion, myths, and harms(PA streams discussed too) Minnesota DNR-Coaster Brook Trout Managment/Genetics Lake Ontario Non-native Salmon stocking with Dr. Peiman, a new way forward #brooktrout #blueliner #snakehead #seatrout #chinooksalmon Dark Skies Fly Fishing https://darkskiesflyfishing.com/product/1-year-digital-subscription/?srsltid=AfmBOoqErAMSpSJoH6v0vTMHyOfG1Jr9HrXm7jpIfVEW3PvY1MvGN8Z7 Unicorn Brookies https://www.unicornbrookies.com/ DONATE TO BIG SPRING LEGAL DEFENSE FUND!! https://protectbigspring.org/

In this episode I sit down with Drew & Tyler from Native Fish For Tomorrow, a Minnesota based native fish conservation organization. I sit down with them to discuss the critical importance that native so called “non-game”(hate that term🥴) fish play in the health and quality of our aquatic ecosystems and fisheries. As fly fishermen we often onow everything about the emergence of the macroinvertebrates trout feed on and that part of the ecosystem yet we know so little about these vital non-trout native fish that entire aquatic environments depened on for ecosystem services. From native fall fish helping 9 other species of small antive fish spawn to white sucker runs transferint massive amounts of nutrients and protein to head water streams in their eggs during spawning runs, come learn about why the trout, bass, or musky angler should care about these amazing species. You will also learn along the way that these so called “non-game” fish are extremely worthy targets and truely excellent sport fish that have tradionally just suffered from lack of branding or false cultural stigmas. Critical to our ecosystems and fun to catch, whats not to love? I was very intentional about reaching out to Native Fish For tomorrow for an interview for this episode because their policy wins for better management of the these species(therfore healthier streams) in Minnesota is nothing short of impressive and provides a road map to healthier streams and better fishing here in PA if we chose to follow it. My contact-Jim Suleski E-mail: [email protected] Cell-609-405-1415 Socials https://www.instagram.com/jimsinsta_gram?igsh=MXB4djIyMHh1dzc3Mg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr https://www.facebook.com/share/1DtXWagt9c/?mibextid=wwXIfr Subscribe To Dark Skies Fly Fishing!! Check out my Column in each issue called “ Fly Fishing After Dark” https://darkskiesflyfishing.com/product/1-year-digital-subscription/?srsltid=AfmBOoqErAMSpSJoH6v0vTMHyOfG1Jr9HrXm7jpIfVEW3PvY1MvGN8Z7 Check out Phillip Light’s Unicorn Brookies Blog for the VERY BEST information on Native Brook Trout conservation a issues Pennsylvania Trout Fishing Stocked Trout PA Wild Trout Fishing PA Lake Erie Steelhead Alley PA Smallmouth Bass Fishing Largemouth Bass Lakes PA Pennsylvania Walleye Fishing PA Musky Fishing Channel Catfish Pennsylvania PA Panfish (Yellow Perch, Crappie) Snakehead Fishing PA Striped Bass Hybrid PA Carp Fishing PA Fly Fishing PA Trout Ice Fishing PA Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov) +5 Top Location-Based Keywords (Rivers & Lakes) Delaware River Fishing PA Susquehanna River Fishing Allegheny River Fishing Pine Creek Gorge Fishing (PA Grand Canyon) Raystown Lake Fishing Lake Wallenpaupack Fishing Lake Erie Fishing Report Pymatuning Lake Fishing Lake Arthur Fishing Beltzville Lake Fishing Marsh Creek Lake Fishing Nockamixon Lake Fishing Yellow Breeches Creek Fly Fishing Penns Creek Trout Spring Creek State College Oil Creek Fishing Neshannock Creek Trout Slippery Rock Creek Fishing Youghiogheny River Fishing Cedar Run PA Slate Run PA Fishing Creek Bloomsburg Letort Spring Run Monocacy Creek Trout Wissahickon Creek Fishing Conneaut Lake Fishing Presque Isle Bay Fishing Walnut Creek Access Elk Creek Fishing Schuylkill River Fishing Juniata Valley RV Juniata Valley RV +8 Top Recreational & Regulatory Keywords PA Fishing License PA Fishing Regulations 2026 PA Trout Stocking Schedule Buy PA Fishing License Online PA Fishing License Cost PA Fishing Regulations Trout PA Fishing Report PA Trout Stamp PA Fishing License Exemptions PA Fish and Boat Commission PA Fishing Season Dates PA Fishing Guide PA Fishing License Agents PA Senior Fishing License PA Trout Unlimited Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov) +3 Top "Where to Fish" & Trip Keywords Best Fishing Spots in PA Fishing Near Me PA Fishing Charters PA Fishing Guides Lake Erie Family Fishing PA ADA Accessible Fishing PA PA State Parks Fishing Fishing Cabin Rentals PA Top 100 Trout Streams PA Best Bass Fishing PA PA Boat Registration Fly Fishing Guides PA Kayak Fishing PA Bank Fishing PA Best PA Lakes for Fishing Trophy Trout Fishing PA Smallmouth Bass River Fishing Weekend Fishing Trips PA PA Fishing Tackle Loaner Program Public Fishing Access PA Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov) +8 Regional and Specific Keyword Variations Philadelphia Fishing Pittsburgh Fishing Harrisburg Fishing Poconos Fishing PA Fly Hatch Chart Green Drake Hatch PA PA Bait and Tackle Shops Streamer Fishing PA Dry Fly Fishing PA PA Record Fish Muskellunge Fishing Tips Walleye Fishing Lake Erie PA Inland Water Fishing Fishing Gear PA Best Time to Fish PA PA Trout Management Areas Catch and Release Fishing PA PA Native Trout Fishing Permits PA Local PA Fishing Clubs

In this episode I interview author Noah Donten. We briefly discuss his new book “Brook by Brook.” This text is a how to guide about chasing PA brook trout that also has some history/conservation information that I am Really enjoying reading right now. However, the main topic of discussion for this epsiode is a chronological history of all the various categories of environmental impairments and insults suffered by native brook trout in PA from arrival of european colonists to present day. I wanted to do an episode like this because Its my belief that to know where we are going in brook trout conservation we have to know where we have been. Seeing them survive the scale and intensity of the disturbances to both the landscape and their genetic fitnese/diversity shows us how resilient and worth our conservation efforts they truly are. We cover eras from early european colonization, mill dams, clear cutting, mining, loss of beavers, culverts/roads, and introduction of non-native competitors. Inhope you will joinnus for this discussion and consider how their extremely miraculous survival theough these eras bodes for their future survival! #nativebrooktrout #brooktrout #conservation #blueliner #pawilds #pafishing Check out Darkskies Fly Fishing Magazine and my New Fly Fishing after Dark Article! https://darkskiesflyfishing.com/magazine/?srsltid=AfmBOooD1QHS0QhO9ZYGA4HtfhbCWZgBRazvKXr2GCYZTD9mdBonii5P

Philip Light of Unicornbrookies.com comes on the podcast to tell all about his most recent article detailing the data dump received from filing a right to know request for Fish and Boats “notice of stocking” data. Private & club stocking in class A streams, mouths of class A streams, and a number of invasive exotics from around the world. We talk about the total lack of regulation of private citizens, clubs and bussinesses dumping buckets of harmful hatchery trout/invasive fish in Pennsylvania’s waterways. We talk about the threat possed to New Jersey, Maryland, New York, and Ohio’s waterways due to exposure to PA’s negligence when it comes to regulating private stocking. We talk about some of the more heinous examples of stocking over native brook trout(Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture’s areas identified as would be strongholds for the species). We also talk about the concerning examples of children being taught to release non-native aquarium fish in programs like trout in the classroom or when adults are shown conditioning children to stock hatchery trout in videos that are inescapable on social media this time of year. We need a stocking authorization in Pennsylvania, it’s mission critial. For anyone who has yet to participate in the Finsylvania E-mail campaign demanding reforming trout stocking over wild trout and shifting resources to stream access, please reach out and DM me to participate and advocate for better fisheries management! [email protected] https://www.instagram.com/jimsinsta_gram?igsh=MXB4djIyMHh1dzc3Mg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr https://www.facebook.com/share/1RKmthH1um/?mibextid=wwXIfr Here is Philip Light’s article on Unicorn Brookies detailing the stocking data. https://www.unicornbrookies.com/2026/03/05/pennsylvanias-trout-stocking-problem/ Dark Skies Fly Fishing Magazine! $12 for one year 5 issues. Click the link and start reading! Check out my column fly fishing after dark for all things night fishing with a fly rod! https://darkskiesflyfishing.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoryfKM7Se9xOBtHOnGlw7YuUDyw75MzGR1qil81K5dbY7BP5Ffp #blueliner #pawilds #troutstocking #brooktrout #conservation #troutfishing @darkskiesflyfishing @Vox

In this episode I sit down with Kevin Wolfe from the flyboxllc.com and casts that care. We talk about his recent article on the 9 inch harvest minimum for ALL trout in the state of Pennsylvania that was just passed this winter by Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. We discuss the regulation’s effectiveness at its stated intention of “protecting brook trout.” As Kevin and I discuss, you will aee it s better than what we had but seems to fall quite short of effectively protecting native brook trout in ways you might not otherwise have considered without taking the deep dive with us. Again for the 3rd guest in a row we talk about the lack of angler education on brook trout from PA fish and boat and how that translates into serious management issues. We also discuss why some streams have those rare giant unicorn brook tro it and why others do not as well as what life history/migration factors make big brookies. We talk about our anecdotal experiences on whos harvesting brook trout and is it significant? We also discuss how better brook teout managlent in other states translates into better fishing and trophy sized brook trout. We talk about the sharp contrast between brook trout specific protections/regulations in states like Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The main difference being we have zero of those species specific management areas or protections. Check out Kevin Wolfes Fly Box!! The fly box site: https://www.theflyboxllc.com/ Casts That Care: News Feed: https://www.theflyboxllc.com/charitynews Subscribe: https://www.theflyboxllc.com/pricing-plans/list Behind The Vise Marketplace: https://www.theflyboxllc.com/behind-the-vise-marketplace Info: https://www.theflyboxllc.com/sell-your-flies Subscribe to Dark Skies Fly Fishing Magazine for awesome fly fishing,conservation, destination, and fly tying content! Check out my Fly Fishing After Dark Column!! Currently talking about mousing/creature fly techniques. https://darkskiesflyfishing.com/magazine/ Check out Philip Light’s UnicornBrookies.com, the most detailed content on brook trout management and conservation out there with visually stunning photography, mapping, and graphs that will allow you to see/understand native brook trout like you never have before!! https://www.unicornbrookies.com Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), Lake Erie, Susquehanna River, Allegheny River, Youghiogheny River, Spring Creek, Little Juniata River, Yellow Breeches Creek, Pine Creek, Kinzua Creek. Target Species: Trout (stocking, brown, rainbow), Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Steelhead, Muskellunge (Musky), Panfish, Catfish, Snakehead, Carp. Regulations/Licensing: PA fishing license, PA trout stocking schedule, PFBC, Fish-for-Free days, trout regulations, delayed harvest artificial lures only. Techniques/Lures: Fly fishing, topwater, Ned Rig, spinners, streamers, woolly bugger, trout magnet, nymphs, jigs. Seasonal/Current Events: PA fishing report, March fishing, trout stocking, steelhead run, river fishing, bait shops near me, boat ramps. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov) +10 Key Trends This Week (March 2026): Trout Stocking: "Trout stocking schedule" is highly searched as the preseason stocking begins. Lake Erie Steelhead: "Erie steelhead fishing" and "tributary fishing" are top, especially around Elk Creek and Walnut Creek. River Smallmouth: "Susquehanna River smallmouth" and "topwater bass" are popular for warmer days. Fly Fishing: Specific patterns like "Woolly Bugger," "Flashback Hares Ear," and "Tunghead Pheasant Tail" are trending. Specific Trout Streams: "Spring Creek," "Little Juniata," and "Yellow Breeches" are top searches for trout. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov) +4 For the most up-to-date, hyper-local information, anglers are searching for PA trout stocking schedules by county.

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

In this episode I discuss some breaking news coming out of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat commission, the latest class A stocking exemptions (including Penns Creek), as well as an update about Finsylvania’s stocking reform e-mail campaign to politicians and journalists. People have been coming out of the woodwork asking if they can help get stocking reformed by sending their own personalized e-mail to politicians and journalists. I have compiled an enormous list of all the publicly searchable politicians and journalists I could find. If you mesage me on social media(james suleski) or e-mail me at [email protected] I would be happy to share that list of addresses with you so you can join the fight for stocking reform by making your own personalized message to PFBC’s elected oversight demanding better oversight and serious reforms at the agency. Check out Darkskies Fly Fishing Magazine!! https://darkskiesflyfishing.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqOL3WLXsnvL8fmCEujH0SLvecRW9hHdfet3fdBKmsLZGi10K0E Contact me about sending an e-mail to fight for stocking reform! [email protected] #nativebrooktrout #stopstocking #blueliner

In this episode Bill Dell from the troutbitten project and I discuss wild native brook trout and their management here in Pennsylvania. We cover topics like setting expectations for anglers who want to fish for them, their often underestimated resiliency, and how we could be managing them better here in PA. We discuss how states like Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia and others are managing native brook trout much more effectively that the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. We talk about the free to cost saving management actions that would likely allow the PA wilds to have larger and healthier populations similar to those southern state’s managers have created with evidence based management. We talk about how fly fishermen often leave PA to fish for native brook teout because of how bad the management is here. A central theme discussed is a big lack of angler education from PA Fish and Boat. Other states have much more angler education videos and material while PA fish and boat seems to just try tominflate the value of hatchery trout to fishermen with their social media. We discuss brook trout conservation genetics and how stocking ontop of brook trout and in large downstream waterways harms their genetics. We discuss how the combination of stocking and bad stream habitat restoration attendant that simulate raceways in the wild have harmed native brook trout. We discuss the contrast how the habitat blueliners find brook trout in naturally sharply contrasts with the trench or chute like monoculture habitat created by these single channel stream restoration projects with no islands or sode channels. Finally in the action alert listeners and viewers are encouraged to reach out if they are interested in writing an opinion editorial(op-ed) for a local media source to publish to help raise public awareness and pressure politicians responsible for PA fish and boat’s continued waste and failures to do better. #nativebrooktrout #blueliner #pawilds #pafishing #flyfishing #conservation #brooktrout #wildtrout Action Alert: Contact me at this e-mail if you would be interested in writing a short opinion editorial on the need for stocking reform and submiting to a local state media source. [email protected] Show notes and resources mentioned: If you love wild native brook trout check out the link to the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture below. https://easternbrooktrout.org/ Dark Skies Fly Fishing Magazine @darkskiesflyfishing If you love fly fishing and want to read about overlooked fishing opportunities available to you in the northeast and mid Atlantic this is the publication for you. It features articles on fly fishing tactics, destinations, species, conservation, and fly tying. This is no amateur publication. Ralph Scherder who created this project is a full time very skilled fly fishing writer and guide. He puts his heart and soul into Darkskies and it shows. Subscribe now, its only $12 a year for 5 issues. https://darkskiesflyfishing.com/magazine/?srsltid=AfmBOor8-SLp8gTSPgK3EIs9FTA3XkB6qXzuCKcwTA9G576eFK7ZGU2R Unicorn Brookies by Philip Light This blog covers native brook trout in PA like you have never seen before. Phil’s articles take a deep dive into different brook trout populations in PA and surrounding states as he examines their management in a setailed science based manner that teaches readers things they can’t get any where else about these amazing fish. Fascinating Blog on brook trout. https://www.unicornbrookies.com/ Trout (Stocked, Wild, Rainbow, Brook, Brown) Smallmouth Bass Largemouth Bass Walleye Muskellunge / Musky Yellow Perch Crappie (Black/White) Channel Catfish Flathead Catfish Northern Pike Chain Pickerel Bluegill / Pumpkinseed Carp Shad (American/Hickory) Steelhead (Lake Erie) Lake Erie Fishing Susquehanna River fishing Lake Nockamixon (Bucks County) Raystown Lake Lake Wallenpaupack Allegheny River / Reservoir Delaware River Yellow Breeches Creek (Fly fishing) Big Spring Creek Pymatuning Reservoir Lake Arthur (Moraine State Park) Pine Creek (Trout) Lehigh River Octoraro Lake Marsh Creek Lake PA Fishing License (Online/Purchase) PA Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) PA Trout Stocking Schedule Trout Permit Pennsylvania PA Fishing Regulations Summary Class A Wild Trout Streams PA Keystone Select Trout Streams PA Free Fishing Days Sunday Fishing Regulations PA Special Regulation Trout Streams 4. Gear, Tackle & Techniques Trout Unlimited Fly Fishing PA Best Trout Lures PA Senko Worm (Green Pumpkin) Waders / Simms Waders Fishing Charter Near Me Fishbrain App Garmin Livescope / Sonar Baitcasting Reel KastKing Fishing Tackle Trout Rod Fly Tying Materials Bass Fishing Boat 5. Seasonal & Specific Searches Ice Fishing PA Spring Trout Season Fall Bass Fishing PA Fishing Report Fishing Map PA Boating Handbook PA Magnet Fishing PA Ten Species Challenge Boat Rental PA Best Fishing Near Me

In this episode I sit down with Professor of Fluvial Geomorphology Doug Thompson to discuss the overwhelming failure of engineered instream structures to help streams over the past century. In fact, engineered instream structures have harmed and scared many streams in that timeframe by destroying channel complexity, preventing tree growth in the riparian zone, decreasing ground water/spring recharge, and creating a habitat thats hostile to native fish. Further we discuss examples like stream projects at fishermen’s Paradise and how they were considered a “success” by Pennsylvania Fish and Boat because of their popularity with anglers who lined up by the thousands to catch stocked trout in the easy to fish “holes” created by the rock and log engineered structures. However, ecologically these projects were a failure because they stopped the stream from moving naturally in the flood plain as well as stopped the stream from engaging the flood plain. We also discuss how this unregulated wild wild west of building faulty instream structures like J-hooks, deflectors, mudsills, lunker bunkers, and backwards rootwads continues today despite a century of failures and lots of evidence they do more harm than good. Doug talks about how Pennsylvania fish and boat commission’s habitat manual still displays extremely harmful and misinformed structures like Jack Dams. We discuss Dorothy Merritts and her discovery that legacy sediment is covering many of our stream valleys hiding what true pre colonial reference conditions for our streams would have been. We discuss legacy sediment removal as an exciting new technique with promise that creates a flood plain and lets the stream channel establish itselft where it wants to as well as move around on the flood plain. We discuss my conversation with Dorothy Merritts about how streams were likely not single channel morphology and were more likely channel networks with islands, side channels, and anastomosing channels. I talk about the growing fisheries science consensus that single channel stream restorations are bad for native brook trout and facilitate invasion of their havitat by non-native brook trout. Doug talks about the benefits of overly wide streams that form islands and in crease the fraction of the stream covered by tree canopy on the islands and in the riparian zone. We talk about the thermal benefits of legacy sediment removal and flood plain connection causing more downwelling and ground water recharge that makes streams colder. Finally doug gives advice to anglers and conservationists looking to get into stream work on how to “do no harm” and avoid working with rock, big boulders, and not over engineering large woody debris. We talk about Doug’s book The Quest For The Golden Trout and how it captures the synergistic consequences of hatchery trout and engineered stream projects as far as harming aquatic ecosystems and native species. Any serious angler or conservationist will enjoy this eye opening discussion about how we need to fix stream “restoration.” For $12 a year subscribe to Darkskies Fly Fishing Magazine. Ralph Scherder puts his heart and sould into this magazine and the stories and articles are top not h. There is a regional focus on Pa and surrounding states in the northeast and midatlantic. Buy Douglas Thompson’s Book The Quest for The Golden Trout https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwis5dHQ8oOSAxUwQf8BHXvrPFgYACICCAEQABoCbWQ&co=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrOXR0PKDkgMVMEH_AR176zxYEAAYASAAEgL_dfD_BwE&sph&cid=CAAS0gHkaKhTg55oda2mMs3p_3BHBOl3VYEo19cNZeX3iYIp-IdFczIG5H3rBmvhZOk_KSsK_e1cjP2tGtHay1H2NwnqShbvHaD8fegJzjX5Wp8xPRdWSfQh1eiF5zzBZCwGqM3ebYUCNUVsqKINimzTSIl0ClcBbp0eMKHJE9E7zdl7bXWex55Pn-YVp-lW8hOl4aV6SIM_QeCIloj-IUQOCYg5WPicH5P1JAdCJBSvKvgPqa47lpt0oEdorPwZz4x7S9O8lCR646o5xJAsDCkk83TQGIg&cce=1&sig=AOD64_16CuJ7NSvuo1-KVRTEWEG2LagKaA&q&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwjNicvQ8oOSAxUtrokEHURsLrQQ0Qx6BAgUEAE https://darkskiesflyfishing.com/magazine/?srsltid=AfmBOoryFuCcNSjJkQS0ckoYzoFSQZZOOv67MdrOA1T9ol9DchvIQizP fishing gear tackle box fishing rod fish finder fishing line fishing hook fishing bait fishing lure fishing reel huk fishing fishing license fishing regulations trout fishing PA bass fishing PA smallmouth bass PA largemouth bass PA rainbow trout PA brook trout PA walleye fishing PA crappie fishing PA perch fishing PA musky fishing PA catfish fishing PA steelhead fishing PA Lake Erie fishing report Susquehanna River fishing Pine Creek fishing Pymatuning Reservoir fishing Lake Wallenpaupack fishing Penns Creek fly fishing Spring Creek fishing PA stocked trout streams Seasonal & Regulatory Queries PA trout season opener PA fishing season dates PA fishing license cost PA Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC)

Tim Schaeffer just signaled he is going to grant 13 class A stream stocking exemptions(5 new and 8 renewals) including Penn’s Creek! This was disclosed at the december 23rd hatcheries and fisheries committee meeting 2 days prior to Christmas and WAS NOT listed in the meetings agenda. Further it has been brought to my attention that one pay for play trout club owns property on many of these streams and we are currently trying to find out if they or their property are connected to the sections recieving exemptions. Also an angler survey reveals a solid majority of trout anglers DO NOT want hatchery trout stocked over significant wild populations. This same survey shows access is a big concern for anglers as well. Join us and learn more about whats going on in fisheries management in PA. Action Alert! Tell Governor Shapiro & the house/senate game and fish committees an executive director that ignores the angling public, lies in senate hearings, spends the agency into oblivion on stocked fish, and puts all his energy into pandering to special interests won’t be tolerated. TELL THEM ALL TIM SCHAEFFER HAS TO GO!!! Shapiro E-mail: [email protected] Senator Greg Rothman, head of G&F committee: [email protected] Rep Anita Kulik Astorino, head of house G&F committee: [email protected] Consider buying a subscription to Dark Skies Fly Fishing Magazine! Its a great project that covers the where, how, what, as well as conservation issues for the mid-atalntic region and pairs very nicely with a subscription to other national fly fishing magazines for just $12 a year! https://darkskiesflyfishing.com/magazine/?srsltid=AfmBOoryFuCcNSjJkQS0ckoYzoFSQZZOOv67MdrOA1T9ol9DchvIQizP Pennsylvania fishing PA fishing license Fishing regulations PA PFBC (PA Fish & Boat Commission) Fishing near me PA Best fishing PA PA fishing spots When does fishing season open PA Species-Specific 9. Bass fishing PA (Largemouth, Smallmouth) 10. Trout fishing PA (Brook, Rainbow, Brown) 11. Walleye fishing PA 12. Catfish fishing PA 13. Perch fishing PA 14. Crappie fishing PA 15. Pike fishing PA 16. Musky fishing PA Locations & Waters 17. Raystown Lake fishing 18. Neshannock Creek fishing 19. Delaware River fishing PA 20. Susquehanna River fishing 21. Lake Erie fishing PA 22. Allegheny River fishing 23. Fly fishing PA 24. PA stocked trout waters Techniques & Gear 25. Bait fishing PA 26. Fly fishing gear PA 27. Lures for bass PA (Crankbaits, Swimbaits) 28. How to fish for Walleye PA 29. Best bait for trout PA 30. Fishing knots 31. Fishing rods for PA bass Guides & Charters 32. PA fishing guides 33. Fishing charters PA 34. Guide to bass fishing PA Seasonal & Events 35. Ice fishing PA 36. Spring fishing PA 37. Fall fishing PA

This week on Finsylvania Mike Evanko creator of Wooly Bugged and author at Dark Skies Fly Fishing discuss loss of stream access to posting of private land. Many noteable anglers around the state are sounding the alarm on this loss of access that is not getting significantly replaced by Pennsylvania Fish and Boat. We discuss why “angler opportunity” always seems to mean stocked fish and not access in PA. We discuss the future of our sport and how much of a threat losing access is. We also discuss those who might benefit fork this loss of access and seek to monitize it. Please take part in this week’s Action Alerts by doing the following….   1. E-mail Senator Greg Rothman, Anita Kulik Astorino, and governor Josh Shapiro at these E-mail addresses. Tell them a lot of license dollars and certainly tax payer infastructure grant dollars need to be shifted from stocking to creating more stream access! They need to protect our sport and the PA outdoor economy!   Shapiro E-mail: [email protected]   Rothman E-mail: [email protected]   Kulik Astorino E-mail: [email protected]   DONATE TO BIG SPRING’s LEGAL DEFENSE FUND!!   https://protectbigspring.org/donation-use/   Subscribe to Dark Skies Fly Fishing Magazine for $12 a year!!   https://darkskiesflyfishing.com/magazine/?srsltid=AfmBOoocwf7H7yp67aWvj-6zg_FK4OJQqTy9oTcN2zEYzpNRjRq6oqNs   #streamaccess #publicland #postedsigns #lossofstreamaccess #fishpa   * fishing near me * PA fishing license * PA fishing regulations * PA trout stocking schedule * best fishing spots in Pennsylvania * fishing in Pennsylvania * trout fishing PA * bass fishing PA * fly fishing PA * ice fishing PA * fishing Lake Erie PA * fishing Raystown Lake * fishing Susquehanna River * fishing Lake Wallenpaupack * fishing Lake Arthur * PA fishing permits * PA fishing season dates * Walleye fishing Pennsylvania * Steelhead fishing PA * catfish fishing PA * Musky fishing Pennsylvania * Bluegill fishing PA * Crappie fishing PA * Yellow Perch fishing PA * Snakehead fishing PA * where to buy PA fishing license * PA Fish and Boat Commission * fishing tackle shops near me * fishing guides Pennsylvania * best trout streams PA * public fishing waters PA * fishing maps Pennsylvania * PA state record fish * fishing gear * fishing rod * waders for fishing * best fishing lures for PA waters * fishing charters Pennsylvania * shore fishing PA * family fishing spots PA * beginner fishing PA * youth fishing programs PA * night fishing PA * kayak fishing Pennsylvania * warmwater fishing PA * coldwater fishing PA * Allegheny River fishing * Delaware River fishing PA * Monongahela River fishing * Oil Creek fishing

Show description and links below this weeks action alerts!! Action alert 1: e-mail Governor Josh Shapiro’s office and tell them we need adoption of an emergency stocking authorization in Pennsylvania to mitigate the vast ecological damage from unregulated private stocking. Please also mention we need commissioners taking the 3 vacant spots that will actually use it to say “no” to irresponsible private stocking once an authorization is adopted. E-mail for Shapiro’s office: [email protected] Action Alert number 2: please contact Penn Live and tell them the desperate need for stocking reform is important news thats not getting reported on. Tell them we don’t want to see fluff pieces on stocking that ecologically give Fish and Boat a pass and leave iut the harmful effects of these hatchery fish. E-mail Penn Live: [email protected] Welcome to episode 2 of the Finsylvania podcast! Today we have author and guest Philip Light from unicornbrookies.com. Unicorn brookies is a conservation blog about the management of native brook trout in Pennsylvania that features high quality photography, mapping, and abundant citations of fisheries science. Its truly a one of a kind publication that helps readers understand native brook trout and their management far beyond what you will find in traditional writings about these fish. After a brief discussion of unicornbrookies.com and Phil’s path in conservation we hit the main topic, the wild wild west of private stocking in Pennsylvania. We discuss everything from what kind of entities are doing the private stocking, their motivations, the kinds of places they are doing it. Further, we discuss what the ecological and social impacts of private stocking. Finally we talk about how in our opinion private stocking illustrates a huge culture issue in the fly fishing and angling community with how pollution is viewed or not viewed. The episode ends with some action alerts including 2 conrete ones that I will list above. Hopefully everyone interested in trout fishing in Pennsylvania or stocked vs. wild and native trout enjoys the podcast. This podcast is relevant in many areas in the PAwilds where some of our most sensitive native species live. Blueliners will identify with some of the painful stories of hiking into remote wild places only to find stocked trout. Phil’s Blog https://www.unicornbrookies.com Darkskies Fly Fishing Magazine https://darkskiesflyfishing.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoptU1wFt2-yup60TQILuxR9Z2w8OG4mwiVv0xomXws6ocyXvJpb #blueliner #brooktrout #fisheriesmanagement #pawilds

Finsylvania is a podcast dedicated to discussing and changing how we manage fish in Pennsylvania. In this episode we discuss the elephant in the room, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s failure to manage our states aquatic resources coherently. I lay out a high level overview of the problems with the current myoptic focus on stocking invasive hatchery trout. These issues include wide spread ecological harm to native aquatic species and gross waste of tax payer and fishing license funds on stocking. Finally we talk about the vision for this podcast, an interactive means for discussing fisheries management in Pennsylvania and taking action to make it better!   #pafishing #stockingreform #conservation #pennsylvaniaflyfishing #stopstockingoverwildfish #blueliner #nativefish #pafishandboat #fisheriesmanagement #brooktrout #hellbenders #nativebrooktrout #flyfishing #fishing Trout fishing PA" "Largemouth bass fishing Pennsylvania" "Smallmouth bass Susquehanna River" "Walleye Lake Erie" "Steelhead fishing PA tributaries" "Northern Pike Allegheny River" "Panfish species in PA" "Muskellunge fishing spots" "Catfish fishing in PA"        "Susquehanna River fishing report" "Lake Erie fishing conditions" "Yellow Breeches Creek trout stocking" "Penns Creek fly fishing" "Allegheny River fishing access" "Lake Arthur fishing" "Fishing spots near Mechanicsburg PA" "PA state parks fishing" "Schuylkill River fishing"        "PA fishing license purchase online" "Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission" "PA fishing regulations summary booklet" "Trout season opening day PA" "PA trout stocking schedule" "Lake Erie fishing permits" "Daily creel limits PA" "Illegal baitfish in PA" "[Fish species] minimum size PA"        "Best bait for PA trout" "Fly fishing techniques for smallmouth bass" "Ice fishing tips PA" "Nymphing tactics Pennsylvania" "Jigging lures for walleye" "Kayak fishing PA regulations" "Fishing tackle loaner program PA" "Fishing knots" "How to tie a [specific knot]"        "PA fishing reports" "Fishing weather forecast [location]" "PA flyfish forum" "Fish for Free days Pennsylvania"