NattyBumppo
New member
Howdy gang,
Last week I spent 4 days (well really 3 1/2) out in central PA limestone country. Fished Penns, Elk and Spring Creek with a fishing buddy whom I met a few years back through ROFF (newsgroup rec.outdoors.fishing.fly). THis is my third season going out there and I really love it. My fishing pal, Dave, is a great guy and one helluva fly fishermen and knows those waters as well as anyone.
Anyway, I am just amazed not only at the number of bugs on those streams but also the diversity and size. March Browns, Sulphurs (yellow and orange variety), a couple variations of caddis, spinners at night (both March Brown and Sulphurs). One night just after dark we were getting ready to leave the water and when we looked over one section of Penns it was an absolute cloud of March Brown spinners. We had both fished pretty much the whole day and were getting bushed so we just admired the scenery for a few and headed back to the trucks.
The weather could have been better but then again it could have been worse. My most successful time astream was the first night I was there. Rolled into town mid afternoon and headed out onto Elk about 6:00 pm. Managed to land 7 browns....4 on March Browns and 3 on Sulphurs. I had a few more hits but was a bit too slow on the draw to hook em'. One thing about those fish is that they almost never give you a second chance. Unlike the stockies here in NJ where if you miss the strike often times you can place the fly right back on the spot and the fish will take it.
The rest of the time the fishing was fine but the catchin' was spotty. 4 more one day way upstream on Penns then only two then only one. Maybe (big maybe) could have nabbed a couple more if I fished nymphs more often but I'm kinda hardheaded that way.
As always I learned a bit from time spent astream. Most notably I learned that you need GOOD rain gear! Also, if your rain coat has a hood that doesn't roll up or detach you better use it instead of a hat. Ya see, with that hood settin' back behind your neck in the pouring rain it fills with water then the first time you lean over to release a fish or anything other reason, all that water runs down your back .
Anyway, just wanted to drop by and say hello and report that the bug life on PAs limestoners is doing quite well, as are the trout.
I may stop by the FB on the 8th to say hello. I may even be able to wet a line for an hour or so before I have to go to my sons little league game. All depends on how much I get done around the house on Saturday.
Natty
Last week I spent 4 days (well really 3 1/2) out in central PA limestone country. Fished Penns, Elk and Spring Creek with a fishing buddy whom I met a few years back through ROFF (newsgroup rec.outdoors.fishing.fly). THis is my third season going out there and I really love it. My fishing pal, Dave, is a great guy and one helluva fly fishermen and knows those waters as well as anyone.
Anyway, I am just amazed not only at the number of bugs on those streams but also the diversity and size. March Browns, Sulphurs (yellow and orange variety), a couple variations of caddis, spinners at night (both March Brown and Sulphurs). One night just after dark we were getting ready to leave the water and when we looked over one section of Penns it was an absolute cloud of March Brown spinners. We had both fished pretty much the whole day and were getting bushed so we just admired the scenery for a few and headed back to the trucks.
The weather could have been better but then again it could have been worse. My most successful time astream was the first night I was there. Rolled into town mid afternoon and headed out onto Elk about 6:00 pm. Managed to land 7 browns....4 on March Browns and 3 on Sulphurs. I had a few more hits but was a bit too slow on the draw to hook em'. One thing about those fish is that they almost never give you a second chance. Unlike the stockies here in NJ where if you miss the strike often times you can place the fly right back on the spot and the fish will take it.
The rest of the time the fishing was fine but the catchin' was spotty. 4 more one day way upstream on Penns then only two then only one. Maybe (big maybe) could have nabbed a couple more if I fished nymphs more often but I'm kinda hardheaded that way.
As always I learned a bit from time spent astream. Most notably I learned that you need GOOD rain gear! Also, if your rain coat has a hood that doesn't roll up or detach you better use it instead of a hat. Ya see, with that hood settin' back behind your neck in the pouring rain it fills with water then the first time you lean over to release a fish or anything other reason, all that water runs down your back .
Anyway, just wanted to drop by and say hello and report that the bug life on PAs limestoners is doing quite well, as are the trout.
I may stop by the FB on the 8th to say hello. I may even be able to wet a line for an hour or so before I have to go to my sons little league game. All depends on how much I get done around the house on Saturday.
Natty