WHO: Bob W., Butch W., Doug A., Jim F.,

Joe M., Joey M., and Myself

WHAT: 2011 Trout Fishing

WHEN: Opening Week of Pa. Trout Season.

WHERE: The Northern Tier of Pa.

(click on pics to enlarge)

JIM F.

The largest fish of the week was landed the day I arrived for my second stint at trout camp. It measured 17 in. and was big and fat.

NICE BROOKIE JIM !

BOB AND BUTCH W>

Looks like the brothers had a pretty decent day on the stream as well.

STILL SOME WORK TO DO ?

This guy used almost every tree available to get this dam build.

JIM F.

Kinzua Creek was running high but clear on Friday We all did pretty well bagging our limits before the nasty weather hit.

IT'S READY !!!

Fish Fry Friday is on !

DOUG A.

Fish Fry Friday is an annual event at camp. It is the climax of our 1st week of Trout Season. It's a great evening that we celebrate with all our friends, telling stories and sharing experiences from the past week.

Even though there is still plenty of tout fishing to be done, nothing beats the opening week.

No matter what Mother Nature has in store for us.

TALLEY BOARD

This was not 1 our better years of fishing during the 1st week of trout season. The weather was atrocious all week. It ranged from raining and cold (1 of the better days) to snow, sleet, rain, and wind. (WTF kind of days). We did manage to net enough fish to have our annual fish fry and everybody had fish to take home.

The good news is that there are plenty of quality trout yet to be hooked, and that will make the upcoming months very enjoyable!

WHO: Doug A. Jim F. Joe M. and myself.

WHAT: 2011 Pa. Trout Season Opener.

(click on pics to enlarge)

JIM F. CRAFTSMANSHIP

The boys from Indiana had a surprise at camp when I arrived. They had Jims hand crafted cabinets almost completely installed. They are impressive to say the least.

This is only 1 of a set of 3. They are made from Oak with Black Walnut inlays. Each inlay represents a leaf from a tree common to Pa. When you open the cabinet, the leafs identity is revealed. The handles are made from Whitetail antlers.

Thanks Jim, camp is really starting to look good.

CAMP IS SMELLING GOOD!

The Friday before the opening of Trout Season is always a good day. Doug A. always fries up 10 pounds of bacon, Jim F. bakes English Muffins, and I usually make Potato leek soup for the upcoming week.

This year was the exception for the leek soup. The wild leeks we usually pick are behind schedule and are not ready to harvest.

Jim made up for my slack by baking Syrian Bread (along with the muffins) for the 1st time. It is outstanding to say the least, and I hope he adds it to his camp baking day menu. (hint, hint)

DOUG A.

The opening of the Pa. Trout Season had finally arrived. The weather was not very cooperative during the previous week and we were challenged by windy conditions, cold rain, and a high and murky trout stream.

We gave it our best without a very impressive result

JOE M.

SLIM PICKINGS

The outcome of our day fishing was very meager. 6 trout were caught between 4 fishermen, not what we were expecting. We have been very lucky the past 12 years of trout fishing from camp with the weather and water conditions. The 13th year was almost a wash out.

I won't complain. A good time was had by all, and a bad day of fishing is still better then a good day at work.

The boys are still at camp for the rest of the week, and I'm sure they will catch enough trout for our annual Fish Fry set for this coming Friday.

If not, there is always Mrs Paul's

APPETIZERS ANYONE ?

Nick T. Jim T. and Jim F.

After fighting the elements all day, it was Time for Wing-Nite. Jim F. got the feast started by frying up appetizers of hot pepper cheese balls and mushrooms.

The seasoned wings were not far behind.

TIME TO FRY

OPENING CAMP FOR THE SEASON

Joe and I made our way to camp this weekend to prepare for the upcoming opening of the Pa. Trout Season. It's basically just getting the water turned on, and making sure everything is in good working order. After that, we planned on helping stock the local streams with trout. Normally, this is a rather easy undertaking. Not this year though. We ended up repairing 4 leaks that unexpectedly showed up. As with any plumbing job,( as far as I'm concerned,) it never goes smoothly. The leaks were finally repaired, and everything is running smoothly and ready to go. We did manage to take a few pics of the stocking process close to camp.

We also did a few smaller jobs like cleaning up the shed, and burning the left over debris from the camp remodeling project.

The long winter this year has us all anxious to enjoy another memorable year at the Fricken Camp.

STOCKER OR STALKER?

Cole is all ready to go and help the Fish Commish stock the local area streams in anticipation of the opening day of trout season here in Pa.

I also think he is anticipating the stalking of some Spring Gobbler in the future.