Larry A. Smail's Blog

The past week I had been involved in a number of outdoor interests as usual.  One morning I packed up my fishing gear and headed north of Dayton, Pennsylvania for a few hours of fishing. I visited the back waters of the Mahoning Dam. I used to love fishing here in my earlier days, so I try to get back occasionally to fish and enjoy the solitude of the area.  

Mahoning Creek is the actual waterways flowing through the deep, and steep surrounding hills. The dam was built years ago as a flood control measure for Pittsburgh miles away.

Yellow Flag

The water is deep, and green. The shoreline is brushy with very big rocks scattered about. As for the fishing, I caught some Pumpkinseed Sunfish; bluegills and smallmouth bass. I was entertained by, at least, three water snakes all morning. they were moving about among the rocks and floating limbs.

Mahoning

Turkey Vulture

I, also, spent some time along the Allegheny River north of Kittanning. On this morning, a change in the weather became the norm. The winds increased, and the temperatures were chilling. However, I did catch a nice Channel catfish, and a Smallmouth Bass.

I saw a mature Bald eagle this morning flying across the river. I saw a huge carp at about six feet from the shore. I would estimate the behemoth to be around 40 inches in length. I, also, saw a big muskie  along shore.

Bob, and I hunted gobblers on Thursday morning. We closed in to about 80 yards from the gobbling bird. Unfortunately, we were on the wrong side of a gulley, but we had to play the hand we were dealt. A second bird gobbled with the first when  all went quiet. The humidity and temps were rapidly climbing, so we went to the homestead to do prep work for the coming garage.

Buffalo Creek

I enjoyed a cool morning hiking along Buffalo Creek near Worthington, Pennsylvania. I enjoy walking here for exercise. Sometimes, I fish for carp in these waters, too.    

  I traveled to Moraine State Park to do some hiking on Tuesday, June 3. We were experiencing some cool comfortable hiking weather. I explored the Sunken garden Trail and walked on another trail as well.

I hiked Crooked Creek area one morning. Here I saw several deer, including a doe and her fawn.                                     

I saw a 5-6 rabbits and squirrels. Later, after the hike, I fished a little. I caught a number of bluegills. Here I watched a wood duck family; mallards; lots of geese, and a beaver.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Later today the garage will be arriving. Anxious to put this behind, and see this task completed.

The little Screech Owls left the owl box this week, too.

  I felt the need to get out for a time. The planned yard work, and the washing of the jeep would need to wait until the afternoon.   

I went to the area of Cochran’s Mill, and would spend some time fishing Crooked Creek, too. I managed to be lucky and catch a largemouth bass of around fourteen inches. I could see carp swimming . They appeared to range from around eighteen inches to, maybe, twenty-two inches in length.

   I was forced to exit the waters prior to noon. The gnats would come out as the temperature climbed. Hundreds of the pesky critters would fly about my face. Needless to say I didn’t appreciate their determination.                                                              

Only Bass I caught.