Birding, or fishing...

This past Saturday was the trout opener for Pennsylvania. My friend Jarin asked if I wanted to go out, and we decided to go north and hit Sinnemahoning State Park. He had never been there, but I had been fishing up there with my dad for as long as I can remember. I have spent many first days of fishing season laughing and telling stories on the tail gate of dads truck with a sandwich in hand.

My brother Sam, our friend Cody, and me waiting for 8 o'clock

From left to right, Cody, me, and Sam having lunch.

My brother and me with stringers of fish from first fork. Seems like last week.

I have been to first fork fishing and have been very lucky, and I have been there and been skunked. Saturday, we were skunked. Out of everyone I talked to, not one caught a fish. But I hear that they hammered them just north of us. No matter, I love being there. Seeing the elk, eagles, and osprey were highlights of the day. I didn't manage any photos of the eagles or osprey, but did get a few of deer, mergansers, and geese.

White-tailed Deer at First Fork

White-tailed Deer at First Fork

It looks like this one was hit by a car...?

Common Mergansers male on right

Pair of Canada Geese

Canada Goose

Pair of common mergansers

Though the fishing wasn't great, the weather was perfect. It was a great day outside, but we wanted fish!! So we heeded to Weedville to hit a small mountain stream, Red House Run. When we arrived, we decided to cook up some food. You can't fish on an empty stomach, so I pulled out the Coleman grill and whipped up some venison and butter, while Jarin made a side of cheese and broccoli rice. I think from now on instead of my dad's pound of lunch meat, pound of cheese, loaf of bread, and a jar of pickles, I will go with a stove for a hot lunch. Sorry dad!

Jarin stirring his rice with

If you don't have cooking utensils, chop up a stick with your machete. Improvise!

At Red House, we each caught a few native brook trout, one of my favorite fish to catch. I believe that this years' first day was a success.

Wednesday after class Jarin and I hit Kyle lake. We each caught a few bass, he caught more. (The only reason I admit to this is because he might read it...) And I snapped a photo of this Red-Winged Blackbird.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Yesterday, my friend from high school met me and Jarin for some pond fishing by the boy scout camp. Now, when I hear still water fishing, naturally I grab my still water fishing gear. This includes plugs, spinner baits, top waters, etc. Jarin and I got there early, and weren't doing so hot. When my high school friend Jeff came, he informed us that trout don't hit spinner baits, rubber frogs, and crank baits.... If Jeff had told us we were fishing for TROUT in still water, things may have been a little more exciting for us. Communication was lacking this day evidently. Jarin and I caught nothing...we saw a bluegill and northern water snake. BUT, the trip wasn't a waste of time. It was a beautiful day, and I shot 2 osprey for a few minutes, one with a sucker!

An osprey perched in a tree. Check the talons on that thing!

Osprey with a sucker, I didn't see the catch. I heard calls and looked up and there he was, circling with his dinner. Osprey hold their fish a certain way to cut down wind resistance, these birds are very impressive. One of my favorite birds of prey.

Osprey with a sucker

Osprey with a sucker

Osprey with a sucker

Osprey with a sucker

The second Osprey Kiting waiting for his dinner.

Osprey with a sucker, shaking the water off.

Osprey with a sucker, air drying

Since Jarin and I were not ready for trout, we ran to Sabula Lake. The water is still pretty low there, but I managed to bring in a large mouth bass on a shallow runner crank bait, and catch this photo of a Common Loon.

Common Loon

This past week has been pretty enjoyable. I got to spend allot of time outdoors, got a few photos, and even caught a few fish! I really can't complain.

A special thanks to Jarin for coming prepared Saturday, and Jeff for his lack of information. The trip wasn't a complete waste!