Opening day of trout

Some will and some won’t. Depends on many factors-region, size of creek, etc.

Right now, in our area, one would need downrigger balls. Most of the bigger waters are over the official flood stage and will be higher by the end of the day. As an example, the Little J, although not an opening day type of water (it is open year round) typically fishes well at less than 3 feet gage height and under 300 cfs. It is currently at 10.55 feet and 9,750 cfs.

It might take most of a dry April to become fishable again.

The small stream on our property is typically 2-3 feet deep in one of the primary pools. I can now actually see the water rushing by from my kitchen window, 250 yards away. This means it climbed out of the 5 foot high bank on top of the normal flow.

For those going, even if not extreme water conditions, please be careful. The water is cold (it was 49 on our creek on Sunday) and one slip could be trouble.

Ya same here in Lawrence Co. The Neshannock is almost touching the North St Bridge. Upper Big Run has yards and feilds flooded on FrewMill Rd. I haven't been out 422 but I suspect the Sliipery Rock looks like the Mighty Missisip.

The point is under water. Looks like the forecast is for the three rivers to crest at around 27 ft. Just two ft shy of flooding river ave and the bike trail on the north side.

At least the rain has been slow enough that millvale and etna didn’t flood. Yet.

The point is under water. Looks like the forecast is for the three rivers to crest at around 27 ft. Just two ft shy of flooding river ave and the bike trail on the north side.

At least the rain has been slow enough that millvale and etna didn’t flood. Yet.

I think those two typically flood from debris damming in the pipe areas of the creeks.  Hopefully they were cleared out recently.  Likely going to need cleared out after this is done.
 
This was actually on my Accuweather forecast for Saturday.
 
"A couple of morning showers; otherwise, breezy and chilly with some sun; a bad day to be a fish; brisk and chilly for the trout opener"
 
Pretty cool they put that in there, but I am pretty sure most fish will be safe from anglers on Saturday.  I would still bet there will be some areas that are fishable by Sunday.  It hasn't rained more than a light sprinkle here since about 11AM.  Most creeks around here are drainage ditches that clear pretty quickly.  They are raging now, but pretty sure all of the soaking rain is done.  A few showers from now until Saturday, which won't help, but supposed to get the major downpours.  Not sure if there will be any trout left in those ditch creeks though?  I have a feeling we will be hearing of a lot more trout being caught in the 3 rivers this year.  The mouths of those creeks are probably going to be hot spots when the creeks get to a nice level.  The river fish will move in there to get out of the river current and meet up with stunned pellet heads.  I imagine many of those trout will be on the lower end of the food chain. 

We gonna smash em! C'mup here and fish, and check out the eclipse with the family 
 
BH

 That stretch near Renfrew gets pretty warm by the end of May. Found a couple cool water feeders where the fish congregate. Better off fishing way down stream from there after May. Nice area where the Connie & SR Meet the Beaver in Elwood City but don't have to go near that far down for summer. Haven't fished Big Connie in over 35 years.  I'm sure there is way more  posted stretches now than then.    

If I were inclined to go, I'd head for the highest elevations.  Wondering if stockies hold their place in these conditions or if they get washed away?

 Fished Little Sugar up that way a good bit back in the day. Nice little stream from what I remember. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX28cgKHHyc