Yesterday was the trout opener in our part of PA. An old friend of 30 plus years and I went the day in the mountains an hour East of my home. Laurel Creek near Ligonier, PA. Old Fort Ligonier of Geo Washington and French and Indian War Fame.
The trout opener is like a major Holiday here, not so much about the fish as it is about getting out of doors in Spring like weather and socializing with others who love being outdoors and the good earth.
We caught a few early trout but it was more about enjoying the day and we meet some outstanding outdoor people.
It's amazing how it brings people from all walks of life together and form a single bond. A Doctor to my left and a plumber to my right talking about a beautiful day, a fine stream, and even finer people on the water this day.
Here is a shot of Laurel Creek....
Every year, These wonderful members of Latrobe United Methodist Church set up along the stream for some fellowship, fishing, and cooking. They invite all us lying fisherman to eat pretty much all day. Pancakes, bacon and eggs for breakfast. Keilbasa sandwiches all morning. At noon some fine BBQ'd chicken. They don't take any donations or want any and they don't preach. They say "it's the Christian thing to do." They said it's alot of fun. They sure were a lot of fun to socialize with as well. Good people. They kept all the fisherman well fed for free. I did see a few cans of libation being handled in the group...they must be good people. Grandad said never trust a man who doesn't drink.
Another stream view
As you can see from the other stream photos, it doesn't get crowded up in the mountains. The most people you see are on the small bridges that cross the stream. And these people are the Geezers who can't wade or walk too far any more...besides, they want to be close to the FOOD!! It sure was fun. My 70 year old buddy is in the foreground in this pix.
The picture I really wanted to show you is this prize fish of the day one fine Gentleman landed...a 24" Palamino trout! A beautiful fish!
Yes, he was a true sportsman and released this beautiful fish after a few pix. It was amazing. Everyone cheered when he caught it, and cheered again when he released it.
It was such a fine day with sun and the temp around 55 degrees. It was
a party and reunion and celebration of Spring. After a few glasses of Dago Red last night and a baked fish dinner, all was right with the world and I slept like a baby. There should be many more days like this one.....I don't know if a day in heaven could be any finer than this day was....
Was it Tennyson who said "Some men fish a lifetime and don't realize it's not the fish they are after..."???
PS: As a subnote....this is the area where Rolling Rock beer was brewed for years. "Mountain Spring Water" written on the bottles.....a couple of years ago ago, RR was bought out by Busch and is now made from NJ sewer water. Since than, Sam Adams has opened operations in the old RR brewery.
http://www.ligonier.com/
http://www.fortligonier.org/
The trout opener is like a major Holiday here, not so much about the fish as it is about getting out of doors in Spring like weather and socializing with others who love being outdoors and the good earth.
We caught a few early trout but it was more about enjoying the day and we meet some outstanding outdoor people.
It's amazing how it brings people from all walks of life together and form a single bond. A Doctor to my left and a plumber to my right talking about a beautiful day, a fine stream, and even finer people on the water this day.
Here is a shot of Laurel Creek....
Every year, These wonderful members of Latrobe United Methodist Church set up along the stream for some fellowship, fishing, and cooking. They invite all us lying fisherman to eat pretty much all day. Pancakes, bacon and eggs for breakfast. Keilbasa sandwiches all morning. At noon some fine BBQ'd chicken. They don't take any donations or want any and they don't preach. They say "it's the Christian thing to do." They said it's alot of fun. They sure were a lot of fun to socialize with as well. Good people. They kept all the fisherman well fed for free. I did see a few cans of libation being handled in the group...they must be good people. Grandad said never trust a man who doesn't drink.
Another stream view
As you can see from the other stream photos, it doesn't get crowded up in the mountains. The most people you see are on the small bridges that cross the stream. And these people are the Geezers who can't wade or walk too far any more...besides, they want to be close to the FOOD!! It sure was fun. My 70 year old buddy is in the foreground in this pix.
The picture I really wanted to show you is this prize fish of the day one fine Gentleman landed...a 24" Palamino trout! A beautiful fish!
Yes, he was a true sportsman and released this beautiful fish after a few pix. It was amazing. Everyone cheered when he caught it, and cheered again when he released it.
It was such a fine day with sun and the temp around 55 degrees. It was
a party and reunion and celebration of Spring. After a few glasses of Dago Red last night and a baked fish dinner, all was right with the world and I slept like a baby. There should be many more days like this one.....I don't know if a day in heaven could be any finer than this day was....
Was it Tennyson who said "Some men fish a lifetime and don't realize it's not the fish they are after..."???
PS: As a subnote....this is the area where Rolling Rock beer was brewed for years. "Mountain Spring Water" written on the bottles.....a couple of years ago ago, RR was bought out by Busch and is now made from NJ sewer water. Since than, Sam Adams has opened operations in the old RR brewery.
http://www.ligonier.com/
http://www.fortligonier.org/