BIG 24 INCH WILD BROWN TROUT OUT OF A DITCH??

[@MrFishtay]

For those commenting on the trash situation, this is far more complicated than a few fishermen leaving worm containers and empty energy drink cans on the banks. This is in an extremely impoverished area -- one of the counties in this region is literally one of the poorest counties in the USA. In many ways it is stuck way back in the last century when no one cared about pollution or litter. Not only are there thousands of sewer pipes going directly from homes into the creeks, but residents (the few who are left) just throw their trash into the creeks. There is no municipal trash collection and many residents don't have cars to take their trash to dumpsters. These aren't terrible people. But when they can barely put food on the table, keeping the creeks clean isn't exactly a priority. It is, as someone else put it, extremely depressing. Turning this around will require politicians actually caring about this area and these people, and investing in recovery. And, by investing, we're talking many, many, many millions of dollars. It would be great to see it happen because this area could be really special, but I'm not hopeful.

[@JOBAHT]

I live in Serbia in one of the poorest countries in Europe and I can totally understand problem with tons of trash in rivers and streams. Unfortunately poop people here do poaching so there isn't a lot of fish in our rivers.

[@FarioMentos]

Reading your comment make me think... about old times (I live in France) with a lot of Trouts and nowodays with a few Trouts. In old times the rests of human food was going to the water, without being collected... and Trouts could gave many things to eat, like human food but also animals eating human food. Now that "all urban waters" are collected, now that all now that all waste is collected to waste dumps (in my propis I speak only organic matter), Trouts have less to eat.... I never thought of that.... of course I do not apologize at all to the river, both because of chemical pollution aesthetic .... But it is true that even today, near the encampments of Travelers we made extraordinary fishings...

[@jase265]

What I wanna know is who's leaving ernergy drink cans and crap on a fishing access...

[@hardmanfishing]

Jason Allen it’s not a fishing access lol it’s a wide spot in the road. There is no “fishing access” in this creek.

[@grzesiek7358]

@@hardmanfishing Amazing, this is truly something! I will share this one to my friends, definitely. Such a fish in such a hole... Just wow! Regarding the comment of Mark Taylor it sounds very reasonable and true and sad of course. Well, maybe it's not that bad if a 'creek' like this is clean enough to hold brown trouts and hopefully those people living nearby are not that hungry if the tasty fishes can grow this big... I don't know. Anyways - great job with V&R in such a ditches, keep it up!

[@bobebinger8267]

I FISH TINY TROUT STREAMS WHERE EVER I GO.IT'S ALWAYS THE SAME, WHERE PEOPLE DON'T FISH IS WHERE YOU'LL FIND THE MOST FISH. AND PEOPLE DONT FISH THE TINY STREAMS.BUT THE FEW THAT DO USUALLY LET THEM GO.THERES SOMETHING MAGICAL ABOUT IT AND I'VE BEN DOING IT FOR OVER 58 YEARS.THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT TROUT TO ME IS COLOR,COLOR COLOR AND THAT IS JUST WHAT THAT BIG BROWN HAD.

[@0074craig]

Cheers and right on !

[@4152-h7e]

Subbing not only for great content but how well you handle the fish!! Soooo nice to see people really caring for the wellbeing of the fish, +1!!!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks for the sub!!! Glad you like the vid!

[@brianskinner5711]

Do a little research and you will find that removing a trout or steelhead or salmon from the water even for a very short while can kill the fish. They will swim off and appear fine but die after a bit of time depending how stressed the fish is. LEAVE THEM IN THE WATER!

[@4152-h7e]

@@brianskinner5711 Fully agree with you - much rather leave them in the water. You're barking up the wrong tree here; I'm just saying it's much better than most of the videos on here as you see some literally throw the fish in to the water. Many other factors also come in to fish surivival, such as water temp/time playing the fish/barbed or unbarbed hooks/hook size/type of fly or lure or bait used (as they take them down a lot deeper depending on what they think they are attacking).

[@brianskinner5711]

@@4152-h7e Howdy--Good point. The water temperature is crucial of course, because the warmer the water the less oxygen and the faster the buildup of Lactic acid. Good luck to us all!

[@scycosnake3964]

Brian Skinner Ive caught some trout multiple times

[@MrGrentch]

Great video, unreal trout, both rainbows and browns. Like others said respect for the way you handled the fish. I've been surprised by how large trout can get in some small streams. Fertile surroundings with lots of fly and small fish life, with enough deep water, plenty of oxygen and no fishing pressure I suppose. Many years ago I was fishing with my late dad in the west of Ireland(where I am) he stopped the car beside an overgrown tiny stream by the road much like your one.. We walked through the undergrowth and found a wide pool, well maybe ten feet "wide", but deep with fast water running into it and he told me to sit down and wait. A few small rises and then this huge trout(20 inches easy) rolled on one of the hatching olives and we watched him for about half an hour. I wanted to try drifting a fly over him, but it was too overgrown and my dad said to me to just leave the big old guy be and know that out in places like this, where anglers never go there are wonderful creatures like this. Before he married my dad lived in the States in New York for a couple of years and used to tell me of going into the "wilds" upstate fishing small streams for big rainbows. Funny enough he also fished a river in West Virginia while visiting a work friend who was originally from there. Sadly can't remember the name of the river, but I clearly remember it was West Virginia from the John Denver song popular at the time(I sound like Grandpa Simpson there...). Lucky bugger also lived in New Zealand for a time and fished chalk streams in Southern England. The lucky git, talk about being spoiled. 😁 Sorry for the essay(I'm Irish, can't help it 😁) Your video reminded me of that day, so thank you for that lads. 🙂 Subbed.

[@hardmanfishing]

MrGrentch I read your entire “essay” and I’m glad I did! I’m glad you enjoyed the vid and I’m glad it reminded you of old times. Thanks for the sub!

[@joecitizen9180]

Yea nys is still poppin for big browns. More remote n difficult to access the bigger the fish.

[@gregstreets8177]

This stream was stocked in the 80's by a broke down stock truck. It wasn't even on the stocking list because it's fed by open sewers, and so polluted. Wouldn't you know it, the trout flourished. They now spawn there and are a totally wild self sustaining population. For reference there are only about 3 to 5 streams in WV that have spawning wild rainbows and this sewer creek in Southern WV, is one of them. The rest are in the north eastern mountains, where the streams are clear, clean, and cool, running fresh out of mountain springs. This one runs out of a coal mine, is a public dump, and has open sewage running into it. DEFINITELY CATCH AND RELEASE HERE!!!

[@mattcox334]

Greg Streets I thought that was my stream

[@TheXeniaman]

Man that is a heck of a ditch you have there. I wouldn't breathe a word of that to any one. That 24 incher was something else, but the rainbows were nice too.

[@qcarr]

Wow, you caught some amazing Trout in that tiny stream! Beautiful Browns! Thanks for sharing, and keep on fishing! Greetings and all the best from Vermont.

[@hardmanfishing]

qcarr thanks for watching and I’m glad you liked it! Tight lines!

[@woodlandsnorth]

That's a gem of a stream! Very few small streams hold that class of trout. It's too bad about the garbage all around.

[@aklags]

Sick find... glad you guys take care to handle the fish respectfully. Not sure if you guys are into UL spin fishing overall, but if so, and in case you didn't know it, you can order replacement hooks from cultiva called the sbl-55m (barbless) or the s-55m (micro barb) hooks and that makes it even easier for them. (maybe you already know all about it. ) Great to see people seriously spin fishing on small streams. have fun out there!

[@fariostalking2422]

Are you kidding me?😲 What crazy fish!! Well done!🤩

[@OutandaboutoutdoorswithRon]

Those are exactly the kinds of spots I like to fish. Nice video. Most people won't because of the difficulty.nice brownies.👍👌👏😉

[@fuciledacaccia]

I was born in Buchanan County, Virginia, but was raised in Pike County, Kentucky, across the Tug River from Williamson, in Mingo County, WVa. Went to Williamson High School, then to West Virginia University. Good to see you having fun, and releasing the fish. Good Men!!

[@1998TDM]

I really enjoyed that video and well done for fishing a dribble 99.9% of anglers would ignore. I have come across trout in erosion ditches on the top of moors in the north of England. We found a hen brown trout the size of a salmon in a ditch less than 2 foot wide and barely deep enough to submerge the fish. Quite amazing.

[@charlesloftis2920]

Fertile water + little pressure = quality trout. Glad you guys got to hit this stream and are keeping it a secret.

[@dustytwitchell9419]

A rare pleasure catching big browns. my biggest browns came out of old farmers ditches growing up.

[@kelvinjones7791]

what a beautiful trout, never seen a 24" before. Thanks for the release, my thoughts are the best breeders are the large fish so return the big ones and keep smaller fish {assuming your going to eat them} Good video thanks

[@1life744]

You guys are awesome! My heart stopped when that trout jumped out of the water!

[@goinfishinalba9811]

Brought to the net quick nd released with utmost respect , I salute you guys respect from Scotland 👍

[@mondoarchuleta4909]

Beautiful trout. Doesn't matter on the day as long as you're having fun with family. Great video.

[@alexanderplk-cuocsongmy7517]

I've enjoyed and liked all your videos that I have watched. Very inspiring!

[@Dustcorr]

Some very nice fish there fellas,we also have similar creek fishing situations here in New Zealand,generally around spawning time.

[@curtisbrowning4682]

Nice video with some great fish. Good to see you released all those and how sad it was to see all the garbage along the stream... guess some people have no respect for Mother Nature!

[@hardmanfishing]

Yeah man we always release the fish! And it is a shame, it's just the culture of the people around there. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@kevind3203]

The most beautiful healthy fish out of a litter filled roadside trickle of a stream. Wow.

[@raulherreratapia2714]

TE FELISITO AMIGO QE GRAN TRUCHA FARIO SALUDOS DESDE CHILE TAMBIEN SOY UN APASIONADO DE LA PESCA DE TRUCHA

[@OriginalMindTrick]

Totally unbelievable stream. The beauty of that trout reminds me of the trout on the Kola peninsula in Russia.

[@williamhinkley9295]

Awesome video guys. That little stream is a gem. Obviously some cleanup would be nice, but it is what it is.

[@hardmanfishing]

Yeah I agree. Thanks for watching!

[@basilallen2100]

Guys love the video and love the respect for the fish well being. Good stuff being from WV haven’t fished it but about to thanks for sharing

[@walleyperch]

Great video - love fishing for brown trout - we uses #1 gold blue fox spinner.....

[@scycosnake3964]

Gold bluefoxes dont seem to work as well as other gold spinners, i only used silver

[@goinfishinalba9811]

Brought to the net quick nd with minimum fuss also released with the utmost respect, I applaud you guys across the pond in Scotland 👍

[@hardmanfishing]

flyfish coatbridge thanks man!! Glad you liked the vid!

[@tomjones7232]

Hi guys. Thanks for sharing. omg, I have been witness to my brother catching a huge rainbow trout in literally 2 or 3 inches of water under a bridge. Not quite your 2 foot trout, but quite close. Thanks for sharing! Randy

[@ileanaivan6896]

Nice job, reminds me of some of the small' creeks I used to fish in NC. Amazing that's not fished out, being next to the road....

[@hardmanfishing]

Ileana Ivan it’s only like that because of the raw sewage and amount of trash! Also it’s a relatively unknown fishery. Glad you liked the vid :)

[@jeffblanton16]

As much as I enjoyed this video and the beautiful trout that these guys were able to catch, i sincerely hope that these guys are helping to pick up some of the trash. very good video guys, never stop chasing them.

[@creynolds1031]

Love the video. Really impressed how well you guys treat the fish you catch.

[@chrisbajema8002]

Rock on you bros!!! That’s sick!! Loved it and live it

[@mickemike2148]

Amazing! Congratz! However, the amount of junk in that creek/ditch depresses me!

[@erudite1579]

Well done fellows. Reminds me a bit of fishing native brookies in the narrow streams that run out of cranberry bogs on Cape Cod. Narrow and ditch-like, and all grown in on the sides, but with deep pockets. Now and then you'd encounter big sea run trout aka "salters".

[@mattcardwell1506]

Pretty good little fishing hole guys. Those fish probably ran up that little stream from a bigger stocked stream below. The bigger brown you caught with its tailed ragged out tells me he's a stocker. Big browns like to wander and will travel distances. I fish similar streams that are not stocked and they have some nice fish in them. Fish that are raised in the stream and also some that have migrated in. There are some bruisers in these places and I fish big baits for them...4" hardbaits. I don't make videos because I don't want to come back and have people all up in my spots and ruining them. Have fun with your videos and watch out for putting anything recognizable in them. Tight lines!

[@screechowl75]

Another great video. Thanks for the safe releases.

[@leenichols907]

Awesome little fishing spot and great video

[@pwrplnt1975]

That's pretty cool! I can't believe their hitting spinners in that small of a stream. I'd have hit that place with some good ol worms and barbless hooks! Great Video!! God, what BEAUTIFUL fish!!

[@OriginalMindTrick]

@wayouttatune2 Why would worms make it so you don't release the fish? Don't get it.

[@jamess.6541]

OriginalMindTrick worms often gut hook fish

[@OriginalMindTrick]

@wayouttatune2 From my experience that is not the case as most trout are hooked in the mouth when worm fishing.

[@tomjones7232]

I am a firm believer in catch and release. Otherwise we have no fish, right? This is not hardly rocket science. I thank you very much for continuing to catch and release. To my mind, videos and photographs, done quickly, are good enough. I protect my fish when landed, and I quickly do the picture thing so that I always carefully release my fish, whatever the species. I love it!

[@r3ggie25]

Tom Jones do you think the Natives did catch and release? 😐

[@scycosnake3964]

@@r3ggie25 some people just dont realize how many trout are in streams, keeping them wont even dent the population

[@joecitizen9180]

Nice!!! I have a few secret "ditches" too. Lmao. Monsters get in a hole or culvert pipe plunge hole n just make it their home.

[@jayhill971]

Good handling of fish..respect

[@stantoncompanyrealtors7259]

Amazing fish from that size water. Any water for that matter. It's a shame there are so many culverts that cut off sections of stream to migrating fish. They do make for good washout pools though.

[@mn4056933]

That was serious fishing, huge trout!

[@paulhebert3969]

I love the fact that your smart enough to release these fish.It is just as much fun to catch them a second time as it was the first.The only thing i would do differently is i would debarb the hook for an easier release.You will lose more fish but if your not keeping them then it really doesent bother a person much when they get away.Good job i will subscribe now.

[@hardmanfishing]

paul hebert thanks for the sub man! Glad you liked the vid!

[@Knotrockets]

Really debarb the hook your a genius never heard of that. I guess you're sportsman of the year. 😱

[@mikejones3155]

Super awesome fish!!

[@siahandtravoutdoors1857]

Stream fishing looks so fun. I never catch anything when I go though

[@uncleknife9887]

Holy Hardman, that's what I call a last ditch effort...nice S. Trutta!🎣

[@hardmanfishing]

VENEZUELAN JENNINGS thank you!!!

[@arictelian]

I like the way you guys handle your fish. Much respect!

[@hardmanfishing]

arictelian thanks man glad you liked the vid!

[@andybowen1249]

Super fish and you handle the fish so respectful

[@BlueCollarFishing]

That's a quality fish for a drainage ditch. nice catch

[@alistair5a677]

What a wonderful quality of trout from this tiny water! It has to be fairly clean to sustain fish of those proportions. Well done to you both, you must have had a wonderful time. I would certainly keep the videos coming absolutely fascinating and astonishing !!

[@hardmanfishing]

ALISTAIR GIBSON I will man! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@alistair5a677]

Thank you for the reply, I will certainly be informing my fishing buddies here in Scotland about your video. Well done for the careful release of the treasured species, keep it up lads and tight lines for the future!!

[@jimknowles5483]

Yes the size of the fish for that small stream surprised me! But so did the size of your net!! How is it that you have such a large net .....or any net in such small pocket water?? Excellent, thoughtful release of game fish!! just jim

[@Iaminsaneone]

Awesome days fishing, and that big Brownie was a beast, great vid.

[@hardmanfishing]

Brendan Carter thanks man! Glad you liked it

[@joecitizen9180]

Bro dont worry bout people talkin bout trash in the creek, etc. Thats just down n dirty brown trout fishin! Youre gettin some nice looking fish outta them , so most of it seems like surface run off, during spring in the mountains shit gets carried to creeks. Bro i find generators, air compressors so many volleyball/beachballs, on our property ( which i try to get out every year) . Me and my family own a 1 mile stretch of Onesquathaw creek, in nys. Your channel is real to me. Its why i watch it.

[@hardmanfishing]

Joe Citizen thank you!!! I’m glad you like the channel!!

[@joecitizen9180]

U ever get to nys lmk i will show u some spots

[@hardmanfishing]

@@joecitizen9180 Will do!

[@northeastwildernesswalker]

Wild browns dude!!!! Gotta love it. Glad you released it that fish was probably at least 10 years old

[@hardmanfishing]

Deric Rood yeah man! That was an old warrior. I just hope it’s still alive so I can try to catch it this year to see how much it’s grown if at all! Glad you liked the vid!

[@BROWNTOWNFISHING]

Nice brown bro i love chasing wild browns. Tightlines 1🎣🎣🎣🎣

[@bretthardman4903]

Awesome!! Beautiful fish

[@TyPigPatrol]

beautiful fish!

[@SteveSnowman]

Well done boys! Nice watch.

[@aleta5873]

That looked like a dang mini whale jumping out at first....'omgosh' is right !

[@Highsmokepoker]

Awesome catches guys keep it up

[@jjiacobucci]

Most colorful brownie I’ve ever seen. Congrats !

[@hardmanfishing]

jjiacobucci thank you!

[@THEMONVALLEYFISHERMAN]

This video is dope as hell. I understand the trash, people used to not care in my area and I’m 45 mins outside the city of Pittsburgh. Been to elk springs resort a few times. Maybe we can link up sometime! Great video.

[@hardmanfishing]

TheMonValleyFisherman thanks man! And I’m not against it!

[@patrickkerner1471]

Blue fox lures, I swear by them carry silver and gold color 1 to size 3!

[@holeesheet2021]

Blue fox rule, as do Panther Martins for small water like this!

[@scycosnake3964]

They are the best spinner from big companies for sure

[@ИльяВоробьеа]

Wow. Trout is here. Perfect fishing.

[@millec60]

You couldn't have handled those fish better. Awesome job and awesome fish!

[@hardmanfishing]

millec60 thank you so much man.

[@richardmyhan8755]

That water looks so clean & nice

[@martinperotti5954]

Brown beast!so good to release that great catch

[@jockeengstrom5189]

Great videos!!!

[@BootsEditor11]

Sweet, and thanks!

[@pennscreeksniper1097]

That’s a great damn brown look at the colors and jaw on that thing

[@tadhghayden8440]

really cool fishing there.! fascinating !!

[@christashik9524]

Nice job setting him free unharmed. Catch him again next season!

[@hardmanfishing]

Chris Tashik I’ll do my best!

[@idahok9trapper470]

You guys should contact trout unlimited or some fishing clubs to do some stream restoration in the area and have days scheduled to go pick up trash . It might take a while to get the streams cleaned up but it would be worth it . If there are not any fishing clubs around you guys should start one .

[@hardmanfishing]

There is a trout unlimited chapter and we do cleanups on the creek. Unfortunately it only makes a small dent in the amount of trash that is continuously thrown in the creek.

[@shanghunter7697]

Beautiful male brownie there young man, GREAT to see that nice catch & release.....respect !!

[@hardmanfishing]

Shang Hunter thank you!

[@CraigMounsey]

Greetings from the antipodes. Nice video. The big fish was a ‘Loch Leven’ brown. Quite rare and very beautiful. What it was doing in that creak is a mystery. Cheers, Craig

[@brettshamblin4496]

I live near loch leven on the yellowstone. And we get.trrout lile this all late fall and spring if u know where to poke around

[@andrewhardman3720]

I can’t believe a 24 inch trout came out of such a small pocket of water!

[@craigleith100]

That was freaking awesome guys 😲👏👏👏💯👌 subbed instantly if this is what your vids are like ☺ ✌💙👍from Scotland 💙🎣🙋

[@stubee1744]

I man that was mad , better that loch Lomond in a burn 😂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿😂

[@danielcannaday2207]

I need to move where y'all are seems like y'all could catch fish out of a mud puddle good job as always

[@Fishingthelow_country]

Awesome stuff🤙

[@steadyitch]

very cool!!!!!

[@IronSwan73]

Buddy you need a fly rod it would of fortified the situation at least by 10 ! Nice fish

[@MadDogOutdoors]

What a gorgeous fish. Also nice to see the fish treated with care. Well done. Subbed.

[@hardmanfishing]

MadDogOutdoors thanks for the sub man! Glad you liked the vid!

[@RoryMunroe]

It’s funny how the fish are still thriving in a creek filled with trash

[@IFHA23]

Favorite part waa the music

[@mikedavis6209]

Beautiful brown trout guys

[@hardmanfishing]

Mike Davis thank you!

[@m.w.h.9253]

That's crazy cool stuff.

[@marshallhurt8814]

Nice fishing as always,great video

[@pennscreeksniper1097]

I fish a stream it’s bigger water but it’s the same as it is here with the trash and it’s years and years of it from 2 streams that run in and a dam above and just people dumping trash over many years the fishing is unreal and with big brown trout that look very healthy

[@johnclark3697]

Great vid boys.. John England u.k.. shame people don't know such beauty is on their doorstep... I'm sure they wouldn't leave trash behind if they did..... gorgous trout.

[@TheSkyeLife]

Wow! Congrats man, that is absolutely unreal!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks man!

[@TD402dd]

No young man, that is a stream where trout live.

[@uncutfishing]

Come on, I mean, *come on*. That is no ditch. This is a normal straightened stream. On the other hand, yeah, I can forgive your youthful astonishment. Things like that are not in many textbooks ;) And the last fish is large however you look at this. Tight lines!

[@dallasjones9981]

Wow

[@blgndvlcu1257]

Great video guys and I just subscribed you, that was beautiful looking big brown, usually you can see those bright red spots on small brownies, as they get older red spots disappears or less visible but this big fella was so handsome, it might be spawning time, his lower jaw growing a hook, which means it's a male fish.

[@hardmanfishing]

I'm glad you liked the video! and thanks for the sub, share the channel around!

[@cooperharlan6301]

How is it possible that a stream like that can exist! The Pollution is bad, and the creek is tiny, but the fish are huge!! Also so little fishing pressure it seems??? I am in shock.

[@justing738]

what state did you catch that second fish you said was a rainbow? it looks like a red band trout which I believe are native to west coast?

[@patrickkerner1471]

Never overlook those small spots!