Recent News and Happenings

***UPDATE FOR 3/2/10***

On February 16, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stock truck arrived at the designated meeting location in Boiling Springs. WCO David Hurst formulated the plans for the float stocking of the Run, a connector from Children's Lake to the main stem of the Yellow Breeches, and the upper Catch and Release section on the Yellow Breeches. Cumberland Valley TU Chapter (CVTU) members were on hand to float stock the approximately 700 robust trout allocated to the day's stocking effort. The effort by Cumberland Valley TU Chapter (CVTU) members to float stock trout has resulted in improved distribution of trout and angler satisfaction. If an area on the stream looked like it should hold fish it did! Those CVTU members knew where to place the trout for optimum food and cover and released trout accordingly. Special thanks to Jim Siedlarczyk, CVTU member, who shoveled a path of well over fifty yards from the Run to the main stem of the Yellow Breeches for those volunteers that were carrying buckets of fish. We seniors especially appreciated his work by not having to post hole through two feet of snow to stock the trout.

Just a reminder that we will soon be in the time frame when many streams, lakes, ponds and reservoirs in the Commonwealth will be closed to all fishing from March 1 to 8:00 a.m. on the opening day of the trout season. Pennsylvania has two trout openers, April 3 and April 17.

However, there are Special Project Waters that are open to fishing year round (no closed seasons) If in doubt about fishing a particular water area, consult your nearest Fish and Boat Commission office. Information for those offices is provided on page 40 of the 2010 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary booklet.

***UPDATE FOR 2/10/10***

My boss, in my working life, was very active in the outdoors and he was fond of saying that there was no such thing as bad weather only bad gear. He was right as usual because, with the advancement in breathable inner and outer wear including waders, there is no compelling reason to stay indoors during inclement weather unless you are unable to afford the sometimes high prices for good gear or cannot enjoy winter fishing due to health reasons. Read on and make the necessary purchases/adjustments and enjoy winter fly fishing.

I fish four seasons of the year and am often asked how I fare in the coldest winter months. My response is "quite well" and honestly, when fishing to the early morning Trico hatch in August when the weather is hot and humid I prefer the winter fishing. A high number of January winter days in the Cumberland Valley boast an average temperature of 37-38 degrees F. and coupled with sunshine and early afternoon midge activity and occasional Little Blue Winged Olive activity make for an exciting fly fishing experience. Besides, I have yet to experience crowded stream conditions in the winter! Sunshine on my shoulders in the winter is most enjoyable. Add that to fly fishing to trout sipping midges and LBWO and you have a perfect fly fishing experience.

This is how I dress for a winter day's fly fishing. Close to my body I like good quality hydrophobic briefs and undershirts that do not absorb moisture. Next a base layer of heavyweight wading underwear of polyester stretch fleece. Both of the above mentioned under garments provide excellent layering and wick off perspiration in cold water conditions (the secret to winter fishing comfort). Add a layer of heavyweight fleece, 200 or more weight. wading pants and equal fleece weight pull over shirt. Like the briefs and long underwear, both items assist in wicking away moisture from the skin. The walk-in to the stream may consist of a short distance or in the case of remote streams like Penns Creek, a half mile or more walk may be required. I then layer with a breathable quick drying fleece jacket. Often I fish in deep water so my final outer layer is a hooded angling jacket for waterproof protection. The important /vital part is the waterproof sleeves because one can only hold arms up so long when casting and fishing. Eventually the arms become fatigued and the elbows sag into the water and it is at that time a waterproof wading jacket is of value. Now that the body is well ventilated and insulated what about the head and hands? Windstopper type fleece gloves, with or without full finger coverage, is great for comfort and the resulting warmth fleece provides. A ball cap under a hooded wading jacket is sufficient especially if one relies on a flip down magnifying glass for ease of tying on tippet material or flies. However, for those that have sharp eyes, a fleece watch cap type of hat that is comfortable and warm is hard to beat. Now for the waders. I prefer breathable boot-foot waders, but they can be hard to find. Evidently the technology of securing the boot to the uppers has not been perfected and leakage is a possibility around the seams. Also, most breathable boot-foot waders contain less than the desired amount of insulation. The average insulation consists of about 200 grams of Thinsulate, which may be adequate for non-winter fishing trips. Neoprene waders are rugged and, with 600 grams or more of Thinsulate in the boot, is a good choice but the waders can be a bit bulky for us senior citizens. However, neoprene waders do not have the important breathable feature and moisture tends to build up, resulting in eventual cool, then cold clammy feeling that can mitigate time on the stream.

All of that information, if utilized, will make for a comfortable day of fly fishing regardless of the weather. Saturday, following weekend of the heavy snow, found two feet + of the white fluffy stuff in my backyard. I made my way out to the stream with the aide of snowshoes, which I removed at stream edge, and was able to enjoy several hours of top notch fly fishing. Even released two nice brown trout for my effort. Don't give in to cabin fever and the winter doldrums. Don the appropriate winter wear and go out to you favorite stream for a fantastic day of fishing. That puts Punxsutawney Phil in the proper prospective….six more weeks of winter……who cares?!

***UPDATE FOR 1/25/10***

The 2010 fishing season is starting to crank up with improvements in the weather and trout stocking in the Yellow Breeches Creek. The weather has been brutal the past two weeks with daytime highs well below normal and nighttime lows also several degrees below normal for this time of year, combined with 40 mile per hour winds. This is not a good recipe for wading into a stream and it is down right unappealing. This is farm show week and weather is traditionally ugly in the Harrisburg, PA area. However, the weatherman is predicting an upturn and daytime temperatures may hit the 40 degrees F. mark, something we have not seen in the past two weeks. Anglers are looking forward with anticipation to a weather pattern that will bring the Yellow Breeches watershed area to above freezing. We may finally reach normal day and night time temperatures before the farm show grand finale! Could this reprieve be the January thaw?

Now, to the fishing segment. I started the New Year off with my traditional day of fishing and did not catch a fish. I worked the surface with midge patterns that have proven effective during winter weather conditions and not one lean and hungry fish looking for a Happy Meal (pardon the commercial fast food endorsement) opted for my offerings. Oh well, Penn State was about to play in the Capital One Bowl against LSU so thumbs down to the fish as I headed for the warmth and wide screen of a football day during Bowl Season. However, those of us fortunate enough to live in the Cumberland Valley, and those anglers that live within a two hour driving window of the famed Yellow Breeches, have known for years about the highly anticipated, highly participated first weekend in January when the Yellow Breeches Anglers and Conservation Association stock trout, weather permitting. The Yellow Breeches Anglers and Conservation Association, Inc. performs its annual winter stocking of trout along an approximately 13-mile stretch of the Yellow Breeches. Traditionally, Children’s Lake, the Run, and the Yellow Breeches Catch and Release areas are stocked the day prior to float stocking other reaches of the creek. There just aren’t enough day light hours to complete the job in one day. This is the ultimate win-win situation for anglers and the best way to take the edge off of winter’s predictable cabin fever. Somehow, seeing the flashing amber light atop the green truck with the yellow aeration tanks and large YBAC stenciling moving through the Boiling Springs area, summons the urge to go fishing and provides fresh insight that winter should not mean the disappearance of the angling spirit. The YBAC is a significant driving force displaying a spirit of determination to maximize fishing opportunities for all anglers residing in and outside the Cumberland Valley. It’s members volunteer for extra work and demanding assignments that go beyond what is expected to operate a Nursery that annually raises and stocks over 36,000 trout. A 2010 membership, at a cost of $12 adult and $3 Junior (under 16), maximizes the four season fishing opportunity for all anglers!!

On Friday, January 15, the cooperative weather finally allowed the stocking of trout in Children’s Lake, the Run and the main stem of the Yellow Breeches Catch and Release section. On Saturday, January 16, the open water above and below the catch and release area was stocked. Some nice fish in the 15 to 20 inch range were strategically placed where those anglers that ventured from the cozy confines of the parking areas would be pleasantly rewarded.

Interesting, after the trout stocking, a few of us did some kick sampling of the Yellow Breeches’ bottom utilizing a D Ring net and were astounded at the number and variety of bugs collected. The bugs consisted of an inch and quarter size stonefly, Hendrickson nymphs, Sulphur nymphs, Blue Winged Olive nymphs, one Trico nymph, Scuds, and an impressive number of free-living caddis larvae. Ken Okorn took an interest in the free-living worm like caddis critters that really can’t swim but can move about by use of the front legs. These caddis larvae are found in and under riffle rocks where they move about searching for the food that the fast moving water pushes by. Ken noted that he was going to tie up a few of the worm like critters and fish them the next day. We then moved about 40 yards downstream, into quieter water, and retrieved a short piece of waterlogged tree branch. There we found numerous cased Grannom caddis attached. The rich combination of Hendrickson nymphs and cased Grannom caddis will provide some interesting and exciting roll over hatch activity in late March and early April.

Well, Ken made good on his promise to tie up a few free-living worm like caddis and was on the creek the following morning along with fishing buddy, Jim Ritter. Now, Ken had surgery on his right thumb and wrist in December and just recently had the cast removed. He is working on regaining the dexterity he once had so Ken’s fishing consisted of utilizing the Czech Nymph style of fishing by extending the fly rod with one hand and literally fishing a short line under the rod tip. The reason Ken was Czech nymphing was because he was not allowed (doctor’s orders) to use his right hand. The orders were to not lift more than eight ounces and not to push or pull anything. So he improvised by holding the rod in the left hand and tightening the drag all the way down. Thus he did not have to cast, which would have required reeling with the healing right hand. The positive was that Ken was out fishing but the negative was the occasional loss of a hefty trout because he could not allow the fish to run with the set drag. The normal Czech nymphing technique and flies used are expertly covered in the book entitled Czech Nymph by Karel Krivanec and Friends. Jim Ritter summed up the morning of fishing by saying that Ken out fished him with only one hand! See fly of the week for Ken’s version of the free-living worm like caddis critter.

***UPDATE FOR 12/16/09***

Early Wednesday morning of my five day hunting and fishing trip, the 30 to 40 mile per hour winds awoke me from a deep sleep at Camp Shanty which is located on a ridge in NY about eight miles from 20 Mile Creek. My plan was to hunt that morning for deer and then break camp and drive the 278 miles home to Boiling Springs, PA. Hunting time was limited, as I needed to be at a Cumberland Valley Trout Unlimited Board meeting at 7:00 p.m. I turned on the battery-powered radio and learned that the winds would continue for the next twelve plus hours, with gusts reaching 65 mph. More importantly, a lake effect storm was approaching the area and I know from past experience that can mean sudden snow fall that is measured in, not inches, but feet. I decided against the hunting and soon after first light, headed for 16 Mile Creek for steelhead fishing. Access to the creek from the parked vehicle was optimal in the event I needed to leave the area quickly as a result of the building storm front. I was hopeful that I could fish for several hours and then leave for home on my terms. This plan has worked in the past because lake effect storms seem to die out after reaching inland 20 to 50 miles. I would simply outrun the approaching weather hazard. Gayle always cringes when I make such plans.

Sunday through Tuesday, when not deer hunting in the early morning and late afternoon hours, I had fly fished several of the east side of Erie tributaries with moderate success as the water was low and gin clear. The cooler temperatures seemed to be thinning out the number of fair weather fishers resulting in more open water to fish. The majority of anglers were taking steelhead using live Emerald and Golden Shiners. I suspect the main food item in Lake Erie for steelhead is the shiner minnow and that may have contributed to the angler's success. I had won a box of Muddler Minnows tied by well-know fly tier Andrew McNeillie of New Bloomfield, PA at the 2008 Fly Fisher's Club of Harrisburg banquet and caught several steelhead using the various sized minnows. However, I tucked away the thought that when home, I needed to do some research on flies that patterned the shiner minnow.

16 Mile Creek was off color and the water level was increasing from the borderline winter mix of sleet, some hail and some snow but the majority of precipitation was rain. I had the lower end of the creek to myself. Great!! I suspected that a fresh run of steelhead had entered the creek and set about to fish certain portions of 16 Mile Creek that normally hold resting steelhead. Unlike fishing the low and clear water of the past few days, the steelhead were not interested in the Muddler Minnow and a modified Pumpkin Picker, see Fly of the Week number 37, was well received. The modification consisted of the addition of florescent chartreuse lead barbell eyes to the fly. Perhaps the extra color zip was not necessary but the extra weight probably got the fly lower in the water to where the steelhead were holding. I lost my supply of standard tied Pumpkin Picker's earlier in the trip and only had four of the modified versions on hand. I caught and released four steelhead trout in rapid succession. The fresh run steelhead were strong fighters and rapid succession translated into about a total time of 40 minutes to catch and release those four zestful steelhead. Leaves, twigs, limbs, grapevines and large tree sections were floating downstream from the results of the menacing winds. As the morning fishing progressed, I lost several of the hooked steelhead when the fly line and tapered leader would tangle with the floating debris while the steelhead zig-zagged the creek. Soon all of the modified Pumpkin Pickers were gone. Coincidentally, I did not catch another steelhead and it was now 9:30 a.m. I tried several other patterns that had been productive in the past but with out success. Either the steelhead only wanted the modified Pumpkin Picker or the feeding frenzy was over for the morning. Interestingly I have found steelhead tend to enter short windows of feeding frenzy from daybreak (this time varies as fall and winter seasons unfold) to about 9:30 a.m., again from 11:30 a.m. to about 12:30 p.m. and around 3:30 p.m. to dusk. Again, this time varies as we progress into the fall and winter seasons.

Next trip to the Erie area I will have an adequate supply of hand tied Pumpkin Pickers in regular and modified versions and a good supply of hand tied Emerald Shiners. Here is what my research uncovered. CVTU's Favorite Flies book contains a write-up and tying instructions (page 84) for the Emerald Shiner contributed by well known fly tier, fly fisher and fishing guide Tom Baltz. Also by coincidence Scott Douglas another well traveled fly fisher who ties great flies sent me an email…………well, just see the current Fly of the Week and then read Stream Tippets to see the results.

I made the CVTU Board meeting on time even though the 278 mile trip home covered the gamut of weather conditions but I did outrun the bulk of the storm.

***UPDATE FOR 12/1/09***

It was early November and the weather was perfect for steelhead fly fishing. However, the Lake Erie tributaries around Erie, PA, were experiencing low and clear water conditions. The steelhead were gathered in the small pools and hordes of anglers (mostly bait fishers) were hovering around the pools and yanking out the corralled steelhead. Now remember, these fishers with the bait do not practice catch and release and they reminded me of the Great Blue Heron that is found along almost all of our trout streams. If you watch them you will see them spearing fish after fish. What is the point you say? The Great Blue Heron does not practice catch and release but does utilize these fish for sustenance. The majority of bait fishers in the Great Erie Steelhead Alley may or may not use the fish they catch and keep. Overall, watching the glutinous taking of the steelhead from the shallow pools was disheartening!!

I left and headed back to my camp in nearby NY for the evening archery deer hunt. Later I received a call from a friend, Thom Livingston, who was bird hunting in the area west of Erie near the Ohio line, and he asked if I wanted to meet up and fish Chautauqua Creek in NY. Thom had a NY fishing license and, since my NY Super Sportsman hunting license included an annual fishing license, I was legal, so the plans were made. Thom had fished the Chautauqua Creek previously and was impressed with the volume of water flow that resembled 20 Mile Creek in PA. Also, he stated we would fish the Catch and Release section of the Chautauqua Creek. The thought of a Catch and Release steelhead and salmon section caught my interest. “You bet”, I said.

The next morning, about 11:00a.m, we meet near the PA/NY line and drove the approximately 11 miles to Chautauqua Creek. We parked in an area near the open water fishing along Chautauqua Creek and talked to several fishers that were coming off the water for a lunch break. We found out that enough steelhead trout were present to keep the attention of the fishers. Interesting that one of those fishers was the person that initiated the Blood Dot Egg Fly and Blood Dot Sucker Spawn craze. The last name of this individual was none-the-less Blood. He created the Blood Dot addition to the flies while living in the Pittsburgh area. Jeff Blood was generous in that he gave Thom and me several flies with the dot and we told him that we would not fish his hand tied flies but would use the gift flies as patterns for our tying at home. Amazing the quality fly fishers one meets on trout streams!

We fished the open water of Chautauqua Creek below the Route 5 Bridge and then decided to drive upstream to the town of Westfield and fish the Catch and Release section. The C&R section begins at the bridge (South Gale Street) in Westfield, NY. Then upstream 1.3 miles to the upper dam used by the Village of Westfield for water intake.

Accesses are limited along the C&R section but the NY DEC has a large parking lot with access to the C&R section about midway along the C&R. The trail from the large parking lot is steep and one should be in good shape to access the creek. At the base of the steep access the waters are inviting and that is where I met the young lad that had moved to the area from Oregon. He had a steelhead trout on when I saw him and after he released the fish I asked him what he was using. Astonishingly, he was catching steelhead on a subsurface size 20 elk hair caddis presentation! We talked and he related that the C&R section was the only section of steelhead water that he fished. The other tributaries were crowded and he had experienced some callous behavior from other anglers. I told him I understood his feelings and expounded on some of my unfortunate experiences on open water. We parted agreeing that more C&R sections were needed on PA and NY Lake Erie tributaries. I’ll close this update with a request that you contact the PA Fish and Boat Commission (www.fish.state.pa.us) and stress the importance of C&R steelhead sections on Lake Erie tributaries East and West of Erie. DO IT NOW! Remember, tomorrow may be too late!

***UPDATE FOR 11/4/09***

It is encouraging and refreshing to talk to younger fly fishers that are enthusiastic about the sport, especially when it comes to steelhead trout fishing. Such was the case on a recent Saturday when I entered the Yellow Breeches Outfitters to talk to Gary who was working at the time. I haven't seen Gary in a week to ten days and I wanted to update him on a recent archery hunting and steelhead fishing trip that Gayle and I enjoyed. I told Gary about the harsh weather we encountered on our way across Interstate 80 between the State College, Clearfield and Dubois areas. The snow was impressive and the driving required full attention on the road conditions. Needless to say, many drivers of vehicles passed us with one arm pasted to their ear engaged in cell phone conversations.

Anyway back to the fishing. A young lad by the name of Jason Bubb, from the Dover, Pa, area overheard our conversation and began to ask questions about what flies Gayle and I were using on the steelhead trout. I suggested he read the October 14, 2009 Recent News and Happenings and corresponding Fly of the Week postings on my website because the flies we used were the same type of flies that my son-in-law, Glenn Klinger, used on our October 1, 2, 3 and 4 steelhead trip. I informed Jason that I would be using that batch of flies for an upcoming early November steelhead fishing trip. Jason had just returned from the Erie area and fished Elk Creek while there. Ironically, Jason was on Elk Creek while Gayle and I were there but fishing the Mile Creeks on the East side of Erie. Jason said after the rain event the steelhead trout were higher upstream on Elk Creek. He took steelhead trout on a white egg fly with a blood dot and a bead head Prince nymph combination. More steelhead trout were caught on the Prince nymph, when used as a dropper, than on the egg fly. Since Jason wanted to expand his repertoire of flies for an upcoming return steelhead fishing trip to Elk Creek, I provided him with the tying ingredients to put him and a few friends in good stead for that upcoming trip to the Erie area.

***UPDATE FOR 10/14/09***

The daylight hours have noticeably decreased in recent weeks and the water temperature in most streams in PA has dipped to the cool, if not cold, category. Throw in the arrival of high school, college and professional football action and, as is common this time of year, most anglers have given up fly fishing for the season. But hold on. The steelhead, as well as the noticeable increase in big brown trout, in the Lake Erie tributaries east of the Erie area have sparked the excitement to fish for LARGE WILD TROUT!

I need to reemphasize that the combination of seasonal light variation and the cooler Lake Erie water temperatures along with recent rain events have triggered the annual migration of steelhead and a sprinkling of large brown trout into the East side tributaries. Lake run browns have been present for many years but not common. According to a fishing buddy, he has seen brown trout caught over the years. He speculates this increase is probably the result of stocking in the tributaries that are approved trout waters and further noted that the recommended PFBC trout strategy plan provides for the stocking of brown trout in Lake Erie in an attempt to add diversity to the tributary fishery, create a near shore springtime fishery and enhance the offshore summer boat fishery.

My early season steelhead fishing formula is simple………..in early October the migrating fish arrive at the mouth of the Lake Erie East side tributaries and stack up awaiting a significant rain event that will blow out those shale dams that lake waves have formed over the summer. These dams, when present, prohibit the upstream migration of fish. A check of the extended weather forecast, coupled with good onsite stream conditions from a reliable source and a flexible fishing schedule (I'm retired) and the stage is set. A significant rain event occurred at the end of September and another rain event was forecast to follow in a few days. I was on my way to the Erie area!

On October 2, I was on one of the tributary streams east of Erie, fishing during a steady rain that continued for the remainder of the day and well into the night. I fished for several hours and left the stream at noon. I returned at 3:30 p.m. and, in spite of the increased water flow, I was able to wade to my favorite spots. Three hours later, with an ever increasing water flow and discoloration of the water, I felt that crossing the stream to access my vehicle would be hazardous. I decided to make the circuitous two mile walk through the woods. This entailed climbing a few cliffs in route to the vehicle, thus negating the need to wade the stream. I was somewhat tired when reaching the vehicle but felt I had made the correct decision. Those of you that have felt the power of water while wading a torrent flowing stream will understand my reluctance and wisdom in not wading across at that time.

Returning the next morning after the rains had subsided, I found the water level had dropped significantly, a trademark of the tributaries in the Erie area, and I was able to wade and fish my favorite locations. Since I knew where the fish were holding prior to the rain event, the discolored water that resulted from the heavy rains was not a significant problem. Also, I knew that the fish from the previous day would have migrated upstream and that the traditional holding areas would be replenished by fresh fish from the lake. Numerous hookups and releases followed with the Wooly Bugger as the primary offering. See Fly of the Week for further information on fly selections.

My thoughts on early season steelhead fishing in the Erie area tributaries are as follows: The Lake Erie frontage in the Erie area is known as the Central Basin and averages 70 feet in depth and provides cool water, a good combination for lake living trout. The area east of Erie toward Buffalo is the Eastern Basin and has deeper and cooler water, some areas as deep as 200 feet. I had received reports of steelhead trout off the shore and in the Chautauqua Creek in New York seven to ten days before the fish were spotted at Twenty Mile Creek, a distance of only about twenty miles apart. It seems reasonable that the colder water holds the steelhead trout and when the spawning urges are triggered by light and water conditions the tributaries around Northeast, PA and Westfield, NY are some of the earliest to receive and hold fish.

Several of the fish caught had the raspy suction-cup like scars from the mouth of sea lampreys. Sea lamprey, an eel like fish, entered Lake Erie from Lake Ontario via the Welland Canal about 1921. This canal provides the fish a way of bypassing the Niagara Falls. Some tributaries in Lake Erie provide spawning and nursery waters for sea lamprey. The larval sea lamprey may remain in those tributaries for several years. This could explain why the Wooly Bugger is effective on steelhead trout and brown trout that migrate into Lake Erie tributaries for spawning purposes. While in the lake, the steelhead and other fish are susceptible to mature sea lamprey and their debilitating and even deadly parasitic ways. The host fish often is killed due to loss of blood and other body fluids or because of infection in the resulting wound. Control measures consist of mechanical weirs and electrical weirs, use of lampricide (costly approach) and sterilization of the male sea lamprey. Overall, the sea lamprey population has been greatly reduced.

Steelhead and brown trout, upon entering the tributaries in preparation for spawning, do not actively feed. The size of the fish indicates an adequate storage of life sustaining bio while they are in the tributaries. So why do we catch these critters on flies like the Wooly Bugger and egg fly? The egg issue may be the easiest to answer as steelhead trout eat the eggs of the November spawning brown trout and the brown trout eat the eggs of the later spawning steelhead trout. Basically a territorial issue. What about the Wooly Bugger fly? The easy answer is the larval sea lamprey in the Lake Erie tributaries are available to the spawning steelhead trout and brown trout and instinct overrules the biological non feeding necessity and the survival instinct unleashes the predator instinct embedded in the fish. However, I cannot locate research that states young sea lampreys are a significant food source for steelhead and other fish in the tributaries or in the lakes. The Wooly Bugger simply catches fish! Thus you have two good flies to present to the spawning fish…………….the Wooly Bugger and the egg fly. Pretty basic but effective fly pattern choices.

***UPDATE FOR 9/10/09***

Labor Day passed and the White Fly hatch is showing a decline in the number of bugs that appear at pre dusk. The Hexagenia continue to appear in heavy numbers and are currently providing the bulk of the pre dusk mayfly hatch fishing. Hexagenia should be active on the Yellow Breeches until mid September.

However, the morning Trico and mid morning Micro Caddis bugs continue to serve up a platter of excellent fishing opportunity. The latest Fly of the Week (FOW) is unique in that it catches fish on many freestone and limestone streams across the Commonwealth but has become invaluable to me as part of a tandem rig for morning Trico activity. The Para CIA (Cover it All) fly as described in the FOW has a fluorescent orange post that is more than adequate to spot even when tied on a size 24 hook.

Tom Baltz and I have often discussed the problem some of our clients have when fishing the small mayflies, known as Tricos, to rising trout. I have to admit that at the age of 66, I often lose sight of the minute fly on the stream's surface resulting in a slower reaction to the splashy rise of the fish resulting in NO hook up. I tried tying a Trico pattern with a high visibility post but fish seem to lose interest in the fly. I now do the following when light conditions are not favorable to my eyesight: I tie on a size 24 Para CIA with the orange buoy like post as the point fly and then attach a 10 to 12 inch piece of 7X or 8X tippet material to the bend of the hook. Next, I tie on a size 26 hackled Trico as the dropper. After making a cast to a targeted rising fish, I can easily follow the bright post fly as the tandem rig of flies make its way to the feeding fish. The Trico is usually the first fly to reach the feeding fish, and with the aid of the vision enhanced posted fly, hookups are dramatically increased. An added bonus is the occasional hookup on the point fly and the possibility of a double hookup.

***UPDATE FOR 8/13/09***

The 2009 August issue of the Mid Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide (page 7) featured an article written by me entitled Yellow Breeches-Hexagenia. Some of that article and some new stuff follows for those that do not have access to the magazine and may fish the Hexagenia and White Fly elsewhere.

The premier roll-over hatch on the Yellow Breeches in mid August to early September is the appearance of the Hexagenia and White Fly. Fly fishers equate the arrival of the White Fly hatch with as much anticipation as they do the opening day of trout season but many ignore the Hexagenia. The Hexagenia appear about a week to ten days prior to the White Fly and are present about a week to ten days beyond the White Fly.

The first sighting of Hexagenia mayflies was August 5 at 8:00 p.m. (this year the first sighting by Gayle and me was August 7) as Gayle and I were sitting on our swing near the South bank of the Yellow breeches about fifty feet upstream from the lower end of the Catch and Release area. The Yellow Breeches Catch and Release stretch begins just below the stone bridge in Boiling Springs and ends about a mile downstream on our property. The Catch and Release area is well known nationally and internationally by anglers and the focal point is the Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse area. Many anglers plan their trip around the fishing access at Allenberry and the excellent lodging and meal accommodations at the Inn. For some unobvious reason, the Hexagenia tends to take a back seat to the popularity of the White Fly hatch. The Hex, as many locals call the big bug, provides excellent fishing weeks before, during and after the White Fly hatch. For example, by August 12, 2008, the Hex had provided seven days of great late evening fishing and would provide another six days of great fishing before the first sighting of the White Fly hatch. However, on August 12, I entered one of our local fly shops and was immediately asked the status of the fishing on the Catch and Release section of the Yellow Breeches. I gave a summary of the previous day’s early morning fishing which consisted of a good number of Tricos, followed by mid morning to mid afternoon Micro Caddis and Terrestials, and later in the evening an abundance of Hexagenia. Unfortunately NO White Fly Activity! The reply was that the shop had about 25 calls that day alone regarding the status of the White Fly hatch. I asked if any callers were inquiring about the Hexagenia activity and the reply was negative.

Regardless, the Hex does have a bleacher bum following of fly fishers. It is heartening to see a few serious fly fishers show up late in the evening at this time with LED headlamps or smaller LED lights clipped to hat brims. The light is a sure sign of the serious Hex fly fisher because they know that the large mayfly, about 1 to 1.5 inches long, dun and spinners phases are about to appear. Add the tail length and the Hex looks immense. The tail is paramount in determining if the dun or spinner bug is a Hexagenia or Brown Drake. The Hex has two tails and the Brown Drake has three tails and is usually much smaller in overall body size. Fortunately, the Yellow Breeches Catch and Release section has two prime areas that provide superb bottom conditions for Hexagenia development and adaptability. A significant area immediately upstream of the Still House at the Allenberry Dam provides excellent Hex fishing as does a sizeable area upstream of the lower end of the C&R. The Hex nymphs are burrowing critters and well equipped for the task of forming U-shaped tunnels in the soft mud like bottom. Upon emerging at dusk, the huge bugs are joined by the spinners that have emerged previously. The combination of duns and spinners provides an excellent amount of fish eating goodies for the evening/night fishing.

About fifteen years ago I caught several duns and spinners to examine prior to tying the patterns I use for fishing the Hex hatch. The body color of the dun is greenish yellow with distinct yellow ribbing while the spinner is a brownish yellow. I then tied several patterns and placed a natural among the patterns. The visual result was encouraging and later that evening, after numerous hook ups and releases, I had the dun and spinner patterns that I continue to use to this day. However, after years of fishing the Hex hatch the dun pattern has emerged as my ace fly. My eyesight has lessened over the years and changing flies at dusk or after dark is a challenge so I favor tying on a fly that will catch fish during the dun and spinner activity. Also, during the roll-over hatch with the huge number of White Flies, this versatile Hex dun pattern continues to account for frequent hookups. My rod preference while fishing this pattern is a three-weight rod with a 7.5 foot 4X tapered leader. While fishing flat water a 5X tippet is added to the tapered leader and, for ripply water fishing, I use the 4X tippet material. When guiding, I advise clients to bring a rod they have confidence in and give them a window of 3, 4, or 5 weight.

The dusk and early night fishing plays out as follows: On the stream and set up for the Hex appearance at 7:00 p.m. However, into the third or fourth week of the six weeks of Hex fishing, trout will take a Hex dun pattern about an hour before the first naturals appear. I suspect we are fishing to the trout’s memory bank. All too often fly fishers leave the stream prior to the arrival of the Hex. I can only surmise they are not aware of the vigorous Hex hatch that is about to unfold. The first Hex to appear streak up the stream, at times smacking into rods and often the fly fishers hands and face. These critters are on a mission to mate and later deposit eggs. Five minutes or so later the newly emerged duns can be found clinging to ones shirt drying wings. The trout are up taking the duns that have not escaped the water. Splashy takes begin to pop around the fly fisher as the trout grab the meaty morsels. The action continues to dark. Hopefully by this time several trout have been caught and released because the fishing is about to get tougher! During the spinner phase of night fishing one hears the sound and perhaps sees the whitish remnants of water and foam as the fish recovers for the next surface take of a Hex. The casting distance is mentally calibrated and after one or two trial casts your fly is in the feeding zone. That zone after dark is usually a casting distance of about 10 to 20 feet.

Sight and sound senses are on high alert attuned to the feeding fish. Surprisingly and with much satisfaction, the fly fisher catches and releases fish. After dark, fish working the surface, coupled with the night sounds of the crickets, katydids and other night insects overhead and on the surrounding stream banks, make the fly fisher one within the eco-system. The feeding frenzy subsides about thirty minutes into the night and now it is time to carefully work one’s way to the parked vehicle. The light that was a must to assist in changing flies, untangling line messes and at times releasing the occasional bats that get caught up on your fly, becomes invaluable. Sage advice is to carry a spare light or batteries just in case of an emergency. At this time of the night, after successful Hexagenia fishing, it is hard to fathom that we are in the doldrums of summer fishing!! think so!

See Fly of the Week for current information on the Hexagenia hatch activity.

***UPDATE FOR 7/28/09***

In the past few weeks, early morning Trico fishing has been good to excellent. Trico spinners brought the trout to the surface and fly fishers have been catching a fair share of the surface sippers. In a past update regarding Tricos, I noted that trout are less wary during the early stages (first one to two weeks) of a new hatch season and, over or under sized flies, improper tapered leader and tippet matches and less than perfect presentation can result in a moderate number of trout caught. But remember, as the hatch moves into consecutive weeks, the trout become aware of bad presentations, inappropriate sized flies, leaders and tippet material. Trout learn to recognize the real deal from the decoys and will come up within inches of the surface and actually drift a foot or so with the fly only to turn away at the last heart stopping moment. The gin clear water and white throat of the trout combine to offer a front row seat to fly acceptance or fly rejection.

My last morning outing for Tricos on the Yellow Breeches was mildly disappointing. Trout were coming up and drifting with the well presented fly but would turn away at the last moment. I removed the size 24 light colored hackled Trico and tied on a size 24 dark hackled Trico with the same results. Next came the size 24 male spinner Trico followed by a size 24 female spinner Trico. No luck. I found a size 26 male spinner Trico in my fly box. I then downsized the 7X to 8X tippet and attached the size 26 male spinner Trico. The change resulted in more hookups but not quite the number that I expected based on the surface activity in the pool. A further change was necessary.

I remembered what I had written in an August 2008 article on Tricos for the Mid Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide. The additional advice was to add floatant to the Trico! I did and the results were a definite bump up in the number of trout caught. Now, during my morning Trico outings, I carry a supply of size 26 and 28 flies representing the male and female spinner phase, light and dark hackled versions and most importantly floatant. A light coating of liquid floatant is applied to the fly and reapplied after each caught and released trout. Observe a Trico as it lands on the water’s surface and you will note that it is riding high. Often the Trico has one wing up and moving as it floats on the surface. Tricos, that have been on the surface for a period of time, become flush with the surface. Trout seem to prefer the newly spun out Tricos. The addition of the floatant evidently makes the fly more representative of the newly spun out natural Trico spinners. Makes sense and it does make a difference.

***UPDATE FOR 7/3/09***

During the 2009 Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp, which began on Sunday, June 21, and ended on Friday, June 26, an interesting bug formula unfolded in the morning and in the evening. Fishing was an integral part of the Camp curriculum and the day began at pre-dawn with the students heading down to the Yellow Breeches to fish. After a day of classroom and streamside educational classes, they would fish from 6:00 p.m. to dusk. Not a bad way to spend a week. The Allenberry Meadow Lodge was the residential housing for the students and conveniently located near the Catch and Release section of the Yellow Breeches. Fish were up the first morning of the camp and surface activity lasted until about 7:00 a.m. A search of the water’s surface did not reveal any obvious bugs. That evening I called Scott Douglas, a friend that lives near Leesburg, Virginia, and regularly fishes the Yellow Breeches the four seasons. I asked him his thoughts on the pre-dawn and dawn surface activity. He suggested that, with the recent rain throughout the previous week, the Blue Winged Olive Spinner might be on the water. I tied a dozen # 20 BWO Spinners and the next morning several of the students were casting them to the rising fish and with success. Good advice, Scott.

The next encounter was with the size 20 Black Caddis in the evening. Fish would leap out of the water to try and catch the tiny morsels that were bounding up and down about 3-4 inches above the water’s surface. Surface fishing with a size 20 dry fly black caddis pattern was fruitless and frustrating. After consultations with Clark Hall, Rivers Camp Chief Gillie, and Ken Okorn, another knowledgeable fly fisher, who was volunteering as a morning gillie, it was decided to tie a soft hackle black caddis and fish it on the swing a foot or so under the surface. This approach would mimic the emerging black caddis and hopefully prove effective. It did! The soft hackle, fly when wet, profiled the black caddis pupae nicely. Interesting that the soft hackle pattern also caught rainbow trout that tend to favor colorful fly patterns. See Fly of the Week for general tying instructions.

Pheasant tail nymphs were moderately successful during the Camp week, fished the usual high sticking approach and utilizing a strike indicator. A few days after the Camp ended I ran into Don, another friend of mine, who fishes the Yellow Breeches from March to September. He fishes almost exclusively with a special blend olive muskrat nymph. He fishes the nymph down and across and has phenomenal success. Unfortunately, I did not think to have the students in the morning cast the pheasant tails down and across to effect the lofting of the fly as the current caught the fly line and caused the fly to rise. It would have been exciting for the 14 to 17 year old Camp students to have a fish hit the pheasant tails on the swing and feel the jolt as the tippet material is stressed to breaking capacity. I plan to have a good number of Don’s olive muskrat nymphs on hand for the 2010 Rivers Camp.

Another fly pattern that caught the attention of the students was the Y2K. That fly will be the basis of a future Fly of the Week!!

***UPDATE FOR 6/15/09***

As noted in the 3/15/09 Recent News and Happenings Update, the Flymph fly was to receive a test on Pine Creek’s large German brown trout. The following is an account of the results.

Our Cumberland Valley TU group of sixteen arrived in the Slate Run area under weather conditions that warranted the wearing of rain gear while out and about. Fortunately, the rain remained light and intermittent through the remainder of the fishing trip. However, the conditions did bring out a better showing of hatches than I have seen on Pine Creek in many years. The Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only section of Pine Creek, from the confluence with Slate Run downstream 1.2 miles to near the confluence with Naval Run, is big water and often reminds me of a western stream found in Montana. The scenery surrounding the project water is impressive for both the mind and the spirit. In April, this section of water received a stocking of 250 German browns that ranged in size from 15 to 20 inches. The fish were purchased with funds donated by visiting anglers and corporate interests in the Pine Creek Valley. While inquiring about the big trout stocking process with project coordinator, Tom Finkbiner of Wolfe’s General Store and Slate Run Tackle Shop, Ken Okorn and I did not hesitate to each donate $20 to the fund. We felt that we received full value from catching and releasing several feisty German brown trout.

It was time to give the Flymph fly a workout! Early Wednesday morning, several of us were on the creek and along with the light rain, Blue Wing Olives, Gray Fox and March Browns were visible on the water surface. Fish were favoring the middle to further bank near the paralleling bike trail and wading to about mid chest level and THEN a long cast were necessary to reach the surface feeders. It was obvious that some huge fish were working the surface and an accurate cast with the Flymph fly resulted in a hookup or a miss. Patience after a miss was necessary to allow the fish time to gain confidence and resume surface feeding. Often another fish was surface feeding outside the feeding zone of the “put down” fish and casts could be made to that fish. Standing in moving water that is mid chest high is a challenge. Then add long distance casting to the equation and some talent and luck are necessary. The resulting casting is not generally artful, resembling more of a heave or fling, but what is lost in art form (style, grace and technique) is made up in efficiency and effectiveness when the Flymph fly softly rides through the feeding zone and the surface boils with the take. The resulting hook up hisses the fly line across the surface as the huge and powerful German brown torpedoes its way downstream and then, as the line backing begins to show, the fish suddenly turns and zooms toward you! At this time a larger than traditional arbor reel is worth having. In short, the German browns on Pine Creek are hard-running game fish that have similar fighting qualities as some of the fall steelhead in the Lake Erie tributaries.

I noticed that the Flymph fly takes were aggressive even when the trout appeared to be sipping at the surface. At the terminus of a long distance cast and float through the feeding zone, the take at the surface was easily seen as the undisturbed surface disrupted into highly disturbed water!

Yes, the Flymph fly was effective and Ken and I tied up several while at Pine Creek to give to other anglers in our group. When nearby anglers asked what fly we were using we would tell them the Flymph and the usual response was, “What’s that?” We would explain that the Flymph was a floating nymph type fly pattern and not difficult to tie. There was no need to tell them the fly was effective because the results were obvious!!

***UPDATE FOR 6/1/09***

The rain swept through the Cumberland Valley on a late Saturday night and had moved out by sunup Sunday. The call from the local fly shop came in at about 9:20 a.m. inquiring about stream conditions and, from my house, the Yellow Breeches looked off color and about medium high. The creek had been running above normal for past weeks but wade fishing was still comfortable. I ventured outback to check the concrete wedge, which is my fishing gage, just below what a few anglers call the Gene Pool. The water level on the wedge was about two inches from the top indicating tolerable wade fishing levels. I relayed this information onto the fly shop and as the day progressed the water turbidity improved and the level went down a few inches.

At 11:00 a.m. a fishing buddy and his grandson arrived at the house to try their luck at catching a few fish. Bob has been tutoring his grandson in the mechanics of fly fishing and the progress was noticeable. I ventured to the stream to take a few pictures of the duo hoping to get a good photo for my website. The day before, I had been on Clark Creek with my son-in-law and grandson and had taken a few photos. I thought that my grandson and Bob’s grandson fly fishing tutorage would be appreciated by viewers of my website.

While standing on the bank with my camera, about to take my photos, I noticed bug activity that was characteristic of the Tricos. Sure enough, there they were. Numerous Tricos, several feet away from me and about 8-10 feet above the water doing what I call the Trico Dance. The photo op was on hold as I headed to the garage to get my expandable handle net. Several swipes through the undulating oval produced enough Tricos for positive identification. Trico normally appear in late June to early July but a few years ago I netted Tricos that appeared in early May. INTERESTING! Unfortunately the trout seem not to recognize the early Tricos as an added food source. I did get the photos of Bob and his grandson as noted on the home page of this website update.

About noon I received a call from a friend, that is a guide, inquiring if the Sulphurs were hatching on the lower end of the Catch and Release section. Up to this point, I had not seen enough Sulphur activity to respond in the positive. He planned to take his two clients upstream into open water (outside the project waters of the Yellow Breeches) for possible Sulphur evening action. Later in the day I noticed some surface activity. Sulphurs! The random surface activity continued until about 6:30 and then increased. I donned my fishing gear after dinner and walked out back. It was obvious that a good number of Sulphurs were emerging and the fish were up, also in good numbers. Seven trout later my CIA Sulphur was disheveled and the evening light fading. I decided not to tax myself with tying on a replacement CIA because my eyes are not good in dim light and besides, my goose-neck light that affixes to my chest pack was back at the house. I made a mental note to add the light to the pack for future late in the evening/dusk/dark insect activity. For now, the Sulphur activity would provide many more evening to dusk fishing adventures and I wanted to be prepared. Want to tie up a few CIA Sulphur flies? See Fly of the Week link for general tying instructions.