Tip 1: Beat the Sun
David Lilley, owner of Blue Heron Sports in Milton for nearly 30 years, said the reasoning behind this old adage is simple, “It’s because the sun hasn’t gotten up high. The number one concern that a fish has is birds – eagles, herons, hawks – so they’ve developed their eyes [to looking up]. They’re looking for birds that are going to come down and eat them.”
He explained that as the sun gets higher in the sky, it’s much easier for the birds to see the fish, so they go into stealth mode – hiding underneath rocks or in nooks and crannies where birds can’t spot them as easily.
“Once the sun gets up, it’s generally harder to catch fish. Cloudy and dreary days are better for catching fish,” Lilley said.
Blue Heron Sports has adjusted its offerings over the years, but it now focuses 100% on fishing and it welcomes anglers of all ages and skill levels.
“Thirty years ago, a business could get away with a little hunting, a little fishing, a little baseball, a little soccer, but nowadays, with the accessibility of the internet, this store has slowly become all fishing,” he says with a smile.
Tip 2: Get the Right Gear
Lilley’s second tip:
invest in the right gear, but that doesn’t mean spending a bundle.
“Fishing doesn’t have to be expensive. At our store, we have a lot of $20 fishing combos that include hook, line and sinker; add a box of worms for $4 and you’re looking at $25 to get started,” he said.
Lilley says his in-store selection far surpasses any local department store and in-person shopping also allows customers to hold a rod, try out a reel, put on waders and boots, and see different types of lures and bait.
In the end though, he said almost every fish in the Susquehanna River Valley, if hungry, will simply eat nightcrawlers (earthworms).
Lilley said, “Fish are generally predatory, which means they will eat anything that’s in front of them. A lot of folks overthink that and think that there’s a bass bait or a trout bait or a walleye bait, but you know what? They all eat the same thing. It's in the river – minnows, grubs, hellgrammites, stone caddies…”
He continued, “Size is the difference. A bass has a large mouth and will eat a larger bait, where a trout, bluegill or panfish have smaller mouths so smaller baits [are the key].”
Licensing and Fish for Free Days
He reminded anglers that everyone over 16 needs a license. For current fishing license pricing, check out the PA Fish and Boat Commission’s website.
PA’s opening day of trout season is always the first Saturday in April and one week before that, the state hosts a Mentored Youth Fishing Day, where kids can fish for free with a licensed adult.
In PA, kids under 16 do not need a license, instead they can get a free Mentored Youth Permit.
For a small fee, a family can choose to get a Voluntary Youth Fishing License for their child, the cost of which is matched by the Fish and Boat Commission for stream-stocking programs – a win-win for parents and the environment alike.
Need more expert advice? Blue Heron Sports’ spring and summer hours are Tuesday through Thursday 9 am-6, pm Friday 9 am-7 pm and Saturday 9 am-4 pm. They are located at 5115 SR 405 in Milton.
Where to Cast a Line
Did 
you know that Pennsylvania has more miles of streams than any other state in the nation, with the exception of Alaska?
Did you also know that the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission annually stocks Trout in coldwater streams and Muskellunge, Walleye, and Panfish in warmwater/coolwater streams.
To find out what waterways are stocked in your area, check out this handy website.
Lilley has his own favorite fishing spots – generally where there aren’t any people – but suggested the following easy-to-fish waterways for beginners and experienced anglers alike:
- R.B. Winter State Park in Union County
- Penns Creek in Snyder County
- Faylor and Walker Lakes in Snyder County
- Montour Preserve in nearby Montour County
As noted on the state’s stocking website, stocked streams in Northumberland County are:
- Two portions of Little Shamokin Creek
- Schwaben Creek
- Mahantango Creek
Northumberland County also boasts:
- Weiser State Forest/South Branch Roaring Creek
- Lake Augusta/Susquehanna River access at the Shikellamy Marina
Stocked streams in Snyder County include:
- South Branch Middle Creek
- North Branch Middle Creek
- Middle Creek
- Beaver Creek
- North Branch Mahantango Creek
- West Branch Mahantango Creek
- Kern Run
- Swift Run
Stocked streams in Union County include:
- White Deer Creek
- North Branch Buffalo Creek
- Rapid Run
- Buffalo Creek
- Limestone Run
- Penns Creek
- Laurel Run
Note: Spruce Run is also a great option – while it isn’t stocked, it offers native Brooktrout.
