A dream trip, long in the making, finally happened for me back in April. One of my fishing buddies, Brian Bond, accompanied me to Central PA, home of some of the best fly fishing in the East Coast, the United States, and even in the World after I found out this tidbit of information:
"Central PA streams host international events, such as the FIPS-Mouche World Fly Fishing Championships and the US National Fly Fishing Championships and are frequented by internationally known fly fisherman Joe Humphreys...you may catch him casting a line with past presidents and celebrities " (http://www.visitpennstate.org/)
Why are these waters so great? Limestone! Limestone = Springs... Springs = Cold, rich water... Cold, rich water = Terrific insect life and reproducing trout! As most of you readers already know I frequent the Elk River in West Virginia for the same reason. True fly fishing takes place here at these streams. "Match the Hatch" is a must up here. These streams rarely produce fish that will bite on the poplar Elk Hair Caddis, Adams, and Royal Coachmen flies that most anglers have somewhere in their fly box. An angler must match the hatch in order to have a successful day on here, or might as "hope" they find a very hungry trout who suffers from "curiosity kills the trout". It definitely isn't anywhere near fishing for brook trout, the "opportunistic" trout, which I love doing time to time but the spring creeks are "where its at".
Find me a angler who doesn't like spring creeks and I'll show you an angler who can't catch a fish there.
Other reasons these waters are superb are because the Excellent PA regulations on their waters, and the disposition of anglers in the area. It's definitely not like some in West Virginia, who feel they must "keep your limit" of trout. Catch and Release, Fly Fishing Only, and Trophy Trout regulations are present everywhere up here. Plus, there is more interest of fly fishing up here rather than spin fishing, and Trout Unlimited Organizations are very active in this region.
Eye Level with Penns Creek, PA
Brian and I first headed to Spring Creek located in State College, PA. There is a section of the creek called "Fisherman's Paradise" which wasn't hard to find. There were state-issued street signs that directed us here. Even the GPS had "Fisherman's Paradise". We arrived and immediately looked at the water and saw fish rising. I couldn't be happier. It was a tough adjustment here because of the "no wading" regulation in the Paradise section. I looked down at my legs and wondered why I even put waders that evening. After a quick outing that night, we met with our host, Dan, and headed back to the cabin.
Fisherman's Paradise
The next day we fished Fishing Creek and Spring Creek. Fishing Creek was outside of Lamar, PA and home of Joe Humphrey's, an internationally known fly fishing legend. We started fishing at the Humphrey's Hole on Fishing Creek, with nothing happening at all. A few Hendrickson's started hatching but no rises. We started scouting some water upstream and decided to hit Spring Creek. I am eager to visit Fishing Creek in the future, I've hear so much about this stream and the large fish it produces. We just kind of hit it at a bad time. "I'll be back!"
Later that day on Spring Creek we had a blast. We all did very well on the stream using everything from tiny midges on top to scud patterns down below. We relaxed at the truck around dinner time and then hit the stream for the evening rise of the trout. A small rusty spinner worked along with the midges that night. The wild browns of Spring Creek started gave us a warm welcome as well! I was told that Spring Creek hold the highest amount of wild brown trout and number of holding trout in PA, which is very impressive considering the amount of water the state has!
Wild Brown on Spring Creek
The Mountaineer "midging" in sandals,
with a Nittany Lion behind me taking notes :)
Still keeping the Brown Trout busy later at dusk
The following we day we started out on Penns Creek, another famous PA stream with the springs and limestone influence. Upstream from where we fished, is the popular Penns Cave formations. Penns was described to me as being a "Bug Factory" with their several different hatches throughout there year, and at the same time. This water reminded me the most of WV's Elk River with their hatches, stream characteristics, and beautiful, educated brown trout.
The fish were being very picky. All three of us had fished for an hour having yet to land a trout. I started to change my flies, rig, and technique to the "high-sticking" method- very effective to nymph trout on the bottom of the stream bed and presenting your flies in a realistic way. I was using Caddis Larvae and Pupa patterns and lifting the flies out of the water at the end of my drift. This is also known as the "Swing and Lift" method. Right on the lift I feel the bite and there was my first trout. Followed by another. Followed by another. And then finally a nice 17inch Penns Creek wild brown trout.
17in Brown from Penns
Penns Creek, PA
Later that evening we ended up on Spring Creek again, only to find more fish sipping down midges in the Paradise. So, I broke out my 10x tippet (very, very delicate monofilament line) and size 32 midges that are the ticket at times on the Elk River. The first cast under a bridge.... "Sip".... Raise the fly rod and FISH ON! I remind you that these flies are about the size an annoying nat, maybe smaller, and the tippet is about as thin as a spider web. Midging is a technique I've picked up at the Elk, and having Dave Breitmeier as a mentor. Wow is it deadly at times! After a "delicate" fight, I brought in the trout and it was a beautiful rainbow. Of course, she wanted her picture taking with a Mountaineer! We made a few buddies in the parking lot from Lancaster, PA... who were not Pitt fans, but Penn State fans- we made sure of that first! They asked how the fishing was and I replied "not bad at all, I've had great success on my midges". They then asked "What size midge are you using? A 22? 24?" I replied "Nah, a 32...." They could not believe it so I then showed them my rig. They were amazed and then shook their heads at me.
"Midge Magic"
The following day it was time to depart and head back home to WV. Brian and I checked the forecast and it was calling for rain... but in the afternoon. As we arrived in Tyrone, PA on 220 South, we looked at the map and saw the Little Juniata River- yet another spring and limestone influenced creek full of wild trout. We then looked up, saw a nice overcast, looked at eachother and decided to fish. Not really knowing where to start, we hopped over the bank and began to watch the water, wondering what fly to tie on first. After a few tan caddises started hatching, Brian and I started matching the hatch. It wasn't long after that before Brian hooked into a nice Brown in the big water of the "Little J". After a quick photoshoot, it was my turn. I saw a fish rising along the bank. After several casts in the quick current, I finally got the brown to take my fly. The presentation and drift had to be just perfect for him to do so.
Wild Brown from the "Little J"
A touch of fire on the adipose fin
On the way home Brian and I kept discussing how we can't wait to visit this area again. It was roughly 3.5 hours away from north central WV, and the Little Juniata River been the closest at about 2.5 hours. As long as the gas prices don't soar in the summer, which isn't looking good right now at 2.59 a gallon, we'll be back up the next chance we get.
The most challenging part of the trip wasn't the selective browns, it was putting up with those Yankees and their horrible driving! LOL, I do have to mention that the Penn State fans were much more welcoming than the Pitt fans, but I'm sure they didn't like these Hillbilly Mountaineers coming into their house deliviring a whoopin' on their fish!
Fresh Chrome from Lake Erie.
My largest of the trip!
PA lake-run Browns
Steelhead at Dusk
Lake Erie at Sunset
PA lake-run Browns
Steelhead at Dusk
Lake Erie at Sunset
