Ralph Scherder: The Wild Trout Economy

In this episode of the Finsylvania podcast I interview Ralph Scherder, the owner and creator of Dark Skies Fly Fishing. We chat about the “wild trout economy” here in Pennsylvania. Specifically, we start with what known economic data exists about PA’s wild trout economy. The we discuss what can be safely inferred about the wild trout economy from Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission surveys about angler behavior. Later we dive into some of the information PA fish and boat has presented to the public and politicians claiming to highlight economic benefits of their hatcheries. We discuss some of the inaccurate claims, methodological flaws, and vague aspects of how Fish and Boat attributes this economic productivity to their hatcheries. Then we ask the valid question is a generational shift to more and more anglers preferring to catch wild fish in general making expensive hatcheries less relevant? Anecdotally it feels this way out there but things like PFBC’s wild trout stamp and recent angler surveys illustrating lack of public approval of stocking over wild trout also seem to suggest a more objective shift away from captivation with stocked trout. We talk about how our state could greatly enhance the wild trout economy by cutting stockings over wild trout, designating wild native brook trout conservation watersheds, and managing current wild non-native brown trout fisheries better. We also discuss how the threat of loss of stream access is a top threat to both the wild trout economy and future of fishing in PA. PA fish and boat is not replacing the numerous access points being lost at break neck speed to posted signs and this seems to be fueling crowding and stoking frustration from other anglers trying to avoid these crowds.

TAKE ACTION NOW FOR STOCKING REFORM

Please take part in the Finsylvania Podcast E-mail campaign demanding stocking reform and better wild trout management from politicians. DM or e-mail me for the e-mail address block you can copy and paste into the send bar after taping a short message to politicians and the media about this issue. We have some real momentum and have gotten 3 stories in the news covering this issue. Reach out to me using below links and Join the Fight!!

Salvelinus19@gmail.com

https://www.instagram.com/jimsinsta_gram?igsh=MXB4djIyMHh1dzc3Mg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr on instagram

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ApHVhB9eW/?mibextid=wwXIfr facebook

Consider subscribing to Dark Skies Fly Fishing Magazine and reading my column in every issue called “Fly Fishing After Dark.” Its all about night fishing with a fly rod.

https://darkskiesflyfishing.com/magazine/

#blueliner #wildtrout #brooktrout

1. PA trout stocking schedule 2026

2. Pennsylvania fishing license 2026

3. HuntFish.pa.gov

4. PA Fish and Boat Commission

5. Mentored Youth Trout Day PA 2026

6. Opening day of trout season PA 2026

7. PA fishing regulations 2026

8. Stocked trout waters PA

9. Golden Rainbow Trout PA

10. Fish-for-Free Days PA 2026

11. PA trout season 2026

12. Trout stocking map PA

13. PA fishing license online

14. Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only (DHALO) PA

15. PA steelhead permit

16. Lake Erie fishing report

17. Susquehanna River fishing report

18. Pennsylvania trout stocking 2026 schedule by county

19. PA fishing app (FishBoatPA)

20. PA fishing license requirements 

21. Trout fishing Pennsylvania

22. Smallmouth bass PA

23. Steelhead Erie PA

24. Walleye fishing Pennsylvania

25. Largemouth bass PA

26. Panfish Pennsylvania

27. Muskellunge (Muskie) PA

28. Channel catfish PA

29. Yellow perch PA

30. Chain pickerel PA

31. Brook trout PA

32. Rainbow trout PA

33. Brown trout PA

34. Bluegill PA

35. Crappie fishing PA

36. Striped bass Susquehanna

37. Carp fishing PA

38. Flathead catfish Pennsylvania

39. Rock bass PA

40. Native trout streams PA 

41. Lake Erie PA

42. Presque Isle Bay

43. Susquehanna River

44. Delaware River PA

45. Raystown Lake

46. Allegheny River

47. Lake Wallenpaupack

48. Yellow Breeches Creek

49. Pine Creek Gorge (PA Grand Canyon)

50. Spring Creek State College

51. Oil Creek

52. Elk Creek (Steelhead)

53. Beltzville Lake

54. Nockamixon State Park

55. Moraine State Park (Lake Arthur)

56. Keystone State Park

57. Little Buffalo State Park

58. Lake Chillisquaque

59. Kettle Creek

60. Lehigh River

61. Youghiogheny River

62. Penn's Creek

63. LeTort Spring Run

64. Lackawanna Lake

65. Big Wapwallopen Creek

66. Brodhead Creek

67. Harveys Lake

68. Lake Frances

69. Laurel Highlands Trout Trail

71. PA fishing guides

72. Fly fishing Pennsylvania

73. PA charter boats

74. Fishing tackle shops PA

75. Kayak fishing PA

76. Ice fishing PA

77. Best trout bait PA

78. Fishing rods

79. Spinning reels

80. Waders for men

81. Fishing license agents

82. Fish finder

83. Fishing gear

84. Minnows/Nightcrawlers

85. Fly tying materials

86. Trout stream conditions

87. Fishing reports NEPA

88. Fishing reports NWPA

89. Fishing trip planner PA