Anglers enjoy day on water
PENN TWP — Good weather made for great fishing as trout season started Saturday.
Anglers lined waterways across Butler County, looking for a big catch on the opening day.
“First day is always the best,” said Andy Bellaji of Butler Township.
Bellaji and his son Connor, 10, were two of the many people fishing along Thorn Creek. They were joined by Bellaji's brother, Tom Bellaji Jr., Chad Erdost, and his son and nephew, all of Butler Township.
“It's more about the kids than for me,” Andy Bellaji said. “I just want them to get involved instead of sitting behind a computer.”
Connor, who has been fishing for about two years, said he enjoys the pastime.
“The best part is reeling in a big fish,” he said.
The feeling was mutual with everyone along the creek, regardless of age.
It's why so many people see it as a great way to spend a weekend, or in the case of Erdost, a vacation.
“I took a vacation for it,” he said. “I always take a vacation for trout season.”
Erdost said he enjoys the bonding time fishing brings.
“It's good for the kids and family,” he said. “It keeps the kids out of trouble.”
Erdost's son, Jordan Erdost, 14, said he has been looking forward to trout season for some time.
“We've been counting down the minutes,” he said.
The state Fish and Boat Commission said in a release it stocked more than 3.2 million adult trout this year along 10,000 miles of wild trout waters.
Anglers along the creek saw results from the supply.“Fish are nice this year,” said Terry Duncan of Renfrew. “Seems to be a lot of them.”Duncan also was fishing with a group of six family members, including his brother, Dan Duncan.“We come out together every year,” Dan Duncan said. “It's tradition.”He agreed the trout were plentiful.“They were jumping out of the water when we started,” he joked. “We haven't had that in a few years.”Duncan said the sunny weather was probably the most beneficial reason the fish were biting.“I think the weather has a lot to do with it,” he said. “Last year it was raining.”Kevin Kopp of Butler certainly had his luck with the fish biting.It didn't take long for him to get his first trout of the day following the 8 a.m. start time.“It took about half a minute,” he said with a grin.Not long after he sent his line into the creek came another bite.“The first day is usually pretty good,” he said.His son Caleb, 13, followed in his father's footsteps with a bite of his own, making for three fish within the first couple minutes of the season.“He's taught me some things,” the son said of his father.The Kopps fish frequently in the area, but also spend a lot of time in Erie.Of course in Erie, the fish are a little bigger.“I caught a 34-inch walleye last year,” said Caleb.But while Butler County doesn't offer as large of fish as Erie, it still remains a destination for anglers, including those from Erie.“There's lots of trout to catch here,” said Ben Heasley, 16, of Erie.Heasley made the trip down to fish with his grandfather, Al Heider of Butler Township.“I've been fishing down here for years,” Heider said. “It's a good spot.”Beyond spending time with his grandson, Heider said fishing is a great way to make new friends.“One of the best things is meeting good people,” he said.One of those friends was Bill Ludwig of Evans City, who was fishing up the creek.“I've been fishing here 10 to 12 years,” Ludwig said. “It's a convenient area, and there's lots of fish.”Ludwig said he used to take his daughters fishing along the creek before they graduated.“It was always a good spot to bring them,” he said.While the first day of trout season was a success this year, the season is long from over.And even better days may still be ahead for those who are not fans of crowds.“They will usually restock in a couple weeks,” Andy Bellaji said. “It's nice then because you're not elbow-to-elbow.”
