The usually subdued Lizard Creek in Schuylkill County was instead an angry, muddy flow on Saturday, marring an opening day of trout season for many anglers.

Robert Schareren of New Jersey waded into the edge of the waters, hoping he'd go home with some pan fish. He drove from New Jersey to visit relatives in Mahoning Township. All his efforts got him were a few nibbles."Something bumps your line and you get all excited, thinking you've got one," Schareren said. "But it turns out to be nothing.The waters were aggravated by heavy rain the day before and melting snow from the past week or so. As a result, fishing proved to be a disappointment.The turnout of anglers was also lower than usual for opening day. Usually on opening day, Lizard Creek is packed with people either finding relief from the seasonal cabin fever or just hoping to net fresh food for dinner.An exception to such frustration was where ponds or small lakes existed.One such site was the Sportsman's Rod and Gun Club pond along Route 895 in West Penn Township. Dozens of people of all ages - from children to seniors - sat along the bank of the pond with lines floating in the water.The pond is for members only.Bob Tucker of Coopersburg showed off five nice-sized fish.Senior citizens Charles Strohl and James Romanchik of Jim Thorpe sat on chairs next to each other. Strohl was the first one with success, pulling in a 14-inch doozy.Steve Dunn of New Tripoli fished with his daughter, Madison, age 7. "This is a good place to fish," the father said.Although fishing season opened Saturday in Schuylkill, Northampton and Lehigh counties, it doesn't open for other local counties until April 15.One thing new for fishing enthusiasts this year is that a 3.1-mile section of the Lehigh River, from upstream of the Glen Onoko railroad bridge to the confluence with Mauch Chunk Creek, has been added to the adult trout stocking program.Rainbow and brown trout were stocked during the preseason stocking period.Saturday is a Mentored Youth Trout Day throughout the state, during which youth under the age of 16 can join a mentor (adult) angler who has a current fishing license and trout permit to fish.