The first day of trout season was bitter sweet this year. My son who has lived in PA for the past two years will be headed back to California tomorrow to resume his life there. I am thankful for the many fishing memories that we have made over the past two years. He is a great young man and has transformed into an outstanding anlger. I am glad that he will be following his dreams by returning to California but I’m also sad to loose the best fishing buddy a dad could want.

I left the choice of creeks up to my son on his last day in Pennsylvania. He picked Black Moshannon Creek. This creek holds a special spot in our memories. It was the first creek that he and I camped on when he was the ripe old age of 4 weeks almost 28 years ago. Yes, it was the first day of trout season.. yes, it snowed. Yes.. we used a camper.. I’m not totally crazy. ha ha! That trip set the tone for the outdoor lifestyle that we both live and cherish.

We woke up extra early but planned to miss the 8 a.m. cast. In Pennsylvania the “opening day” of trout season starts at a specific time so anglers line the creeks waiting impatiently for the “first cast” of the season. First things first with us. the trout will wait. A hardy breakfast and conversation is top priority. We even bumped into a few old friends that we haven’t seen in years.

My son caught the first trout of the morning … a lively rainbow! The creek was lined with anglers who witnessed his euro nymphing seminar. This bow took the top fly which was a pink squirmy worm. He pulled double digits out of the shallow run by executing some seriously proficient drifts with his two-fly rig.

This strangely patterned little guy hit my point fly which was a weighted size 12 prince nymph tied by my son. Do you know what it is? This little trout is a tiger trout which is sometimes produced in hatcheries by cross breeding brook trout and brown trout. This particular little guy is an extremely rare catch though because he was produced in the wild as a result of brown trout and brook trout spawning in close proximity.

The “bow technique” cast is a staple of Pennsylvania fly fishing. Many of our remote wild trout streams are wrapped in mountain laurel, overhung trees and other dense plant life. the bow cast enables us to hit small pockets beyond the reach of normal casting techniques. My son is well practiced in this technique and used it several times during the day to dig trout out from under overhanging vegetation.

My son and I both got deep into double digits on rainbow and brown trout. It’s fitting that on his last day in Pennsylvania he would beat me in total numbers by a fairly comfortable margin. Definitely a proud father moment! I was smiles from ear to ear while taking this particular photo as I came to the realization that his skill level has grown well beyond my expectation.

We are not above taking a few trout for dinner once in a while but today all where set free. This brown trout came from the fastest of runs and now it’s time for him to go home. In the same regard, I wish my son safe travels to California and hopefully in the spring he will return home for a few more fishing adventures with his old man. Counting the days.