Welcome to the "unofficial" official page of the Pohoqualine Fish Association.
(Clicking on any picture throughout this site will open a much larger image of the same, and if you'd like the above image to set as your Desktop, you may pick up your copy HERE)
Coming SOON! Pohoqualine 2011!
A page like this is long overdue..... and the same watchful camera that brought you Fabulous Froggage now presents the stunning beauty of Pohoqualine! Primarily a fishing organization, it has been around for more than a century, and hosts some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire Pocono region, with beautiful, clear-running McMichael creek flowing through its midst.
Sixteen miles of trail......
...... follows McMichael creek, and it sports many butterflies!
This one pauses long enough to have its picture taken :-)
Sadly, if you're here to see pictures of the fish caught here, you've come to the wrong place :-(
I'm not much of a fisherman, and those who know me best know if it won't take a plastic worm, a doughball, or cut-up fish, I won't be fishing for it! I personally prefer Largemouth Bass, Carp, and catfish!
When I visit Pohoqualine, I usually AVOID the stream, since the water is refreshingly-clear, and it seems like the fish would be a bit "spooky". I leave the stream itself for the experts..... and maybe someday if I can find a fly fisherman along the trail who will show me his catch, I'll perhaps post it here :-). Overall the plants and animals seen here are entirely undisturbed, and photographed quietly, and in their natural setting.
Below, this Foxglove was growing in a garden of an abandoned house, in the town of McMichaels itself.
A female Wood Turtle (Clemmys insculpta)
This is the most common turtle throughout Pohoqualine! In the cooler months they stay in the stream or it's smaller, marshier tributaries, but by Summer, they wander far afield, and it's not uncommon to see one munching on a wild strawberry, or eating a garden slug on a wet morning (cloudy days are best for picture-taking, unless I'm going for butterflies!). Even though I breed Wood Turtles, mine are all long-term captives, and fear spreading "captive" diseases and such to any would-be new introductions, so turtles are left strictly alone when encountered..... except to get their picture :-). This one was seen in McMichaels.
The Pennsylvania State Flower - close-UP!
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) grows just about everywhere here, and in early-June when in flower, it's quite incredible! Even in the wintertime, the plant itself remains in leaf, and still fully-green, it, as well as its larger cousin the Rhododendron, sport their flowers once the warm weather is here to stay!
A male Tiger Swallowtail pauses to dine on this milkweed
Actually it's the sweet nectar this butterfly is after! While most members and visitors to Pohoqualine head directly to the stream, or perhaps some of the ponds, some of the greatest treasure can be found in the fields! All season long there's always something in bloom, starting with the Penstemons and the other early-bloomers, and continuing until the last Aster blossom fades - the butterflies always seem to know what's in bloom, and exactly where to find it!
Above we have the delicate flower of a rather tough plant! This is Crown Vetch, and is an introduced species used for erosion control mostly. Sadly, butterflies seem to ignore it.
For a historical look at Pohoqualine, please check out the following link! Here you can discover the history of this beautiful and unique place, and see some pictures of the area - both new and old!
The above link is not one of my pages, and will open in a separate window or tab :-)
For lots more goodies, please click the arrow
