First Posted: 3/25/2012
I feel compelled to write about the weather. Let’s face it – this is not what we are used to. I spoke with our Chief Meteorologist Tom Clark at the end of this week and sensed a little concern in his voice. He is reporting that most plants are growing at least three weeks ahead of schedule. Many of these plants could not withstand a killing frost. Tom is quick to remind us that many of the advanced forecasts are for above-normal temperatures straight through the month of April but there’s always that “what if” factor. What if we get a killing frost in the middle of April like we would in a normal spring” The fruit trees might be completely budded by then and that could affect the crop yield.
We have experienced seven straight days with temperatures reaching over the 70 degree mark. The normal range is in the low to mid 50s. I recently walked down a food plot road in one of the local state game lands. The lane was lined with budding autumn olives, honeysuckle and multi-flora rose plants. They are actually where they should be in mid-April. So I guess I can see why Tom Clark is a little concerned over it. Will this mean anything (negative or positive) to the acorn, hickory or grape crops? Only time will tell.
While this recent warm spell might not have much effect on mammals and their springtime activities, it is affecting the reptiles and amphibians. Spring peepers usually can be heard in full volume after the second week of April. Trust me, they are out now and sounding off. I caught two of them this week on the sidewalk of a friend’s home in West Wyoming. I am getting e-mails about snakes being seen in people’s yards and that usually doesn’t happen until late April.
How about the bugs? Experts are warning us to prepare for a particularly buggy spring and summer because of the lack of a deep freeze this winter. The mosquitoes were horrible this past week and they will only get worse as the ground water continues to warm up. The ants are out and about and so are the stink bugs. Remember to spray down yourself and your pets if you plan on heading out into the woods. The ticks are also out there in large numbers.
Now I don’t want to sound like a pessimist. The weather could stay as forecasted and this warm trend could stick around right through summer. If that’s the case we could see early and bumper crops of wildlife feed in the woods and farmer’s harvest. No one can change the weather so I recommend you hold on and get ready for a spring ride of a lifetime. Let’s just hope it doesn’t snow in July.
The lakes and ponds are acting as if it’s mid-April as well. Several of my fishing buddies have already hit their spring perch and crappie locations. They are fishing the pre-spawn locations now. That usually doesn’t happen until around Easter time or at least around the traditional opening day of the trout season. So if you’re looking for something to do today, try fishing for panfish.
That reminds me. The first of two trout season opening days for anglers in 18 southeastern counties is set for next Saturday, March 31. This marks the unofficial start of the 2012 fishing season. The spring’s record warm weather is having an effect on fishing license sales as well. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is seeing a significant jump in license sales as sales across the state are about 22 percent higher than last year at this time.
The 18 counties that open next Saturday, March 31 include Adams, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, and York. I will probably spend my day in Schuylkill County at one of the state Parks stocked for the 8 a.m. fish cast. The rest of us will have to wait for the traditional opening day set for Saturday, April 14. That’s when the rest of the state can join in on the fun.
While the opening day is one of the biggest fishing days of the year, it’s also one of the biggest social events. Research shows that when it comes to fishing, anglers like being together with friends just as much as they like catching fish. I have always said this and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission agrees. Opening day is really about getting out of the house, enjoying the outdoors and spending quality time with family and friends.
I have always made trout stocking a traditional event as well. Many of the lakes and streams in our area are scheduled to be stocked between now and April 14. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s “great white fleet” of stocking trucks has been busy since mid-February stocking Pennsylvania’s waterways with a fresh supply of brook, brown and rainbow trout. They even have a supply of trophy trout, including trophy golden rainbow trout. Every year the PFBC stocks about 3.2 million trout in waterways across the state.
More than 850,000 anglers buy a fishing license each year. A resident fishing license costs $22.70 and a trout-salmon permit is $9.70. A license is required for anyone 16 and older. Licenses can be purchased at sporting goods stores and online at www.fishandboat.com. You can also find the stocking schedule there as well.
If I’ve got you thinking about the trout season, be sure to watch Pennsylvania Outdoor Life tonight at 6:30 p.m. on WNEP. We’ll take you to the Benner Springs Trout Hatchery for a look at the trout being stocked for this year’s opening days. We’ll look on as two trout stocking trucks are loaded with thousands of trout for Frances Slocum State Park Lake. Have a great day!
