Fishing for brown trout at Merrill Creek in the summer

[Eskimo]

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No idea. I was hearing rave reviews about Merrill Creek Reservoir and its massive, water-darkening schools of ravenous trout so I brought my kayak out there and I got skunked.

The whole day sucked. The sun was scorching. A cormorant perched in one of those big dead trees almost shit on me as I paddled underneath it. The only fish I saw were millions of tiny sunfish. As I was trying to get on the water, an entire 50-boat bass tournament was ending and getting off the water.

I was very surprised to see the reservoir has a safety guy in a little booth in the parking lot that you have to check-in with. He comes out when you park to get your name, write down your license plate, and check to be sure you have a PFD. I guess that's why MCR hasn't had any drownings this year unlike Round Valley, Spruce Run, and the Delaware River.