Trout die off ?????

 Hit a couple of streams last night to try my luck at some trout. Caught everything but a trout ! Man, I hate trout ! Caught shiners (6-7"), creek chubs (5-7"), smallies  , walleye (1 @ 9") , perch (4-5") , rock bass(6") and the smallest bowfin I have ever caught (8"). My question is - Do most small "stocked" creeks experience a die off in the summer? Water temp in the first stream was 71 degrees and the second creek was 67 degrees. I do know that they have been in the upper 70's this year as well - also 'Gin clear" water. Don't get me wrong, I had a blast - But everywhere I casted I caught something other than a trout - had one decent fish on , but got off before I could see it (I assume a smallie). I must have caught 50 fish last night, all small, but on my micro lite with 2 LB test it was challenging. I tried stone nymphs, woolie buggers, streamers and small in-line spinners. Stone nymphs took the most fish. Do I need to move to a better, and colder, stream ? I thought for sure Little Sugar would have some holdovers ? Any advice ? I'm not looking for big numbers or huge fish, just love to wade down a small creek and take in the tranquility. I'm not even looking for a specific spot or stream, just wondering where to find them ?  

Sounds to me like your fishing a warm water stream. If you looking for trout try the head waters or streams where cold springs enter. The trout will head for the cooler water if possible. Believe it or not those trout will move out if things are not to their liking. As an old time WCO said once the first thing those fish learn to do when their born is learn to swim. Also just because you didn't catch any doesn't mean they aren't there. The longer they are in the stream the smarter they get. They didn't surive this long by being dumb.

Thanks for the advice. I do know there are still trout in little sugar, saw a guy with one on a stringer. I carry a thermometer with me and typically pass up shallow holes. Have you ever been fishing a nice hole, and every cast just catch little creek chub or smallies ? Does catching these fish , if there are trout in that hole, clue them into someone being there ? It's not like I can't go out after a good stocking and catch trout, it's the elusiveness of the trout long after a stocking that keeps me going. My ol' lady keeps saying " why do you want to catch stupid little trout anyway". ? My answer is "because I can't catch them". Every time I go out into a small stream, no matter what I catch, I always learn something. I try to apply these tips to catching more fish anywhere. The mystery of where the fish go is appealing to me, and I know once I figure it out, it will help me in all seasons. For spinning equipment, what would be a good lure choice in warmer weather ?   

I hear you KJH. I would love to find a small native trout stream around, but really don't know of any ? I am in the Meadville area and don't want to drive an hour or more to get to one (unless it would be on a weekend). I would love to find one that takes a good couple mile hike to get to, and is secluded. Like I said earlier, I'm not looking for big fish in particular, just nice colorful fish. If anyone cares to share a spot or even a general stream to try, please feel free to PM me. I don't like the taste of trout and have only ever kept them if they were going to die. I have walked to some very remote parts of many streams, just to find no trout. Of course technique might be the problem........

Yeah they die quickly after June. The truth is they really don't adjust to the water and pretty much die off, one reason natives are great year round. This time of the year you're better off just waiting for the fall stocking and you'll probably catch some fish. But if you want to catch some fish the general principal is find where the oxygen is coming in, meaning the riffles. Also brings in food sources. Not sure about the creeks you fish but that's always an indication on where they are in the Summer. I also saw what flies you're using, maybe try smaller flies. Copper Johns would be a great way to start out on any stream size 12-18. Considering the small fish I helped stock last Spring not sure if they'd be going after size 10's and lower. Good Luck!

You know I have only fished Oil Creek twice, both times in Spring. But from what I saw it looked like a pretty nice creek. It all depends on holdover population & water conditions really. Not to mention I like to go by the rule if you catch them over July 15 I let them go, just because they'll probably live the rest of the summer then spawn and everyone wins. On MOST creeks stocked you will catch fish in the Summer, it's just a matter of finding the holes with the most available resources to the fish.

Wow, nice catch davef. Can't think of many streams with brooks/browns in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 2. It's always nice to find streams tucked away from everything else that carry some decent fish

GadaboutGaddus, I couldn't agree more with you. Finding where a spring comes into creeks, and even lakes are definately a great place to fish. And I know what you mean by when the fish pretty much die in the process of the fight, it happens. It's better to just take him, because he'll either be yours or the coyotes. It's a shame.

WOW, I have never really thought about the stress catching trout in summer causes ? I do want to catch trout all year long, but being a part of ruining that pastime is not something I want to do. I really enjoy it too much. It's always nice to get the opinions of others, and hey, I even learned something. I love "catching" , but not as much as I enjoy fishing. It sounds like trout have a lot going against them, and I would hate to be part of that. Maybe I will spend the summer month scouting out new spots, and like I said, I catch lot's of fish in theses streams all summer long - just not what I have intended to catch. If I do happen to tie into one, I hope it can be released safely and help to improve the great fishery I call home -
 
Thanks guys.

Although I am a sucker for stocked Rainbows & Brookies ...

the truth is Bass....when the fish see you wading downt the creek with that little cigar in your mouth, they run and tell their friends for a laugh...lmao....

Thats funny, I once saw a man with a cigar in his mouth and this mountain ranger or whatever came up to him and said "Act like I didn't see you" (this lake was private to the water guys only..) and then he said "Secondly put that ******** cigar out, Wouldn't want you to burn down the mountain, would we?" Very funny at the time..

Fly,
  Got insulated waders, gloves and all the cold weather gear needed. I did a fair amount of small stream trout fishing last winter, with little success.I think most comes down to location and technique, and not spooking the fish. Didn't really get into it until late December. I remember one morning, it was like 17 degrees out with a nasty north wind, and I went to let the Ol' Lady know that I was going to go fishing. You should have seen the look on her face and the words that came out of her mouth- "are you fuc##ng crazy, it's below zero out there". She has to this day never questioned when I wanted to go fishing. I would love to find some new spots that hold trout all winter. Days like that make you appreciate nature and give you satisfaction just to catching 1 fish. What's more beautiful than a fresh blanket of snow on a PA hillside. I caught a bunch of pellet heads in spring and early summer with powerbait, but it really was not any fun. All the fish were around 7-9" and all rainbow. I also have a 7' 6" fly rod, but unless i'm in open water I really can't use it. It's just something I will have to work on this winter. Might be easier once the leaves fall ???? I took it out for the last time 2 years ago and ended up tangled in every tree - then I hooked some guy's waders and he was none to happy. SOB,SOB,SOB  - that's all I heard for about 10 minutes. And yes, I did have a cigar hanging out of my mouth. always do. It's like my lucky charm. Maybe that's why Carcus never catches any fish - HEY CARCUS, WANT A CIGAR ? Just don't pull a Clinton..........  

I'm not sure about that ? I caught early summer pelletheads in 60+ degree water temps (surface temps). Not much above that though, and have had no luck in the high 60's. I have no doubt that warmer water kills them off - I'm just a little confused on the whole issue ? I understand that the water will be a little cooler in the deeper holes, but any trout I have ever caught came from the tailway of ripples or faster currents with breaks. So now I'm in a habit of probably passing up good water. Wouldn't the water in a faster current be cooler than a slow moving deep hole ? I appreciate everyones help and advice, for some reason this fascinates me !

The ideal temperature for trout is 54 deg. to 64 deg. Brook trout cannot tolerate temps. over 65 deg. , browns can tolerate temps. up to 70 deg. and rainbows can tolerate temps. 70 deg. . But at these higher temperatures they start looking for water more in their comfort range, and they will move. The only thing that will stop them are barriers acrossed the stream.