May 30,2011

If you have come for the Drakes your a bit early this year given the higher than normal water level and the hot bright weather. I would expect that about Wed or Thur. we should start to see some strong emergence but the bright sun will keep it a evening affair, maybe by the coming weekend things might be back to normal and the hoards gone. We were at Spring Creek Sunday for a drive after seeing our Granddaughter in State College, it was packed and not the kind of environment we come to expect as a place to fish, just to many people in a small space. All the trout in Spring Creek are getting pounded to death , I'll bet the Trico's will again be a  bust with very picky fish that are scared to rise, kind of reminds you of the Missouri trout not taking Trico's! If our sport is loosing people you sure can not tell it from around here, more and more people every time you venture out, thank heavens that I and my friends have fished 40 years ago and had the stream all to our own and learned that some times it's more about just being there than it is in the numbers. What the heck is the attraction about getting close to others, how about giving the other guy some space and pratice good manners. Don't stop fishing just maybe find a hidden spot and not one next to your neighbor.
  We are trying to gather some information on how to get rid of barbary, if you have been on Penns you'll know all about it, it has chosed some of the paths off to foot traffic, has anyone gotten rid of it- if so tell us how. This might be a great winter project for us local guys.

Penns Blown yet again

Guys I just checked the USGS site and Penns is now at 4200, of course some will tell you to come and wait for "The Drake", I'd be more inclined to wait another year. Yes fish do rise for the Drakes in high off colored water but given the fact it is not wise to step off the banks and your area of coverage from the bank is limited, why try to he a hero, stay at home and spend some time with your family. It looks as if we will have water past June 15 and that is not normal, the trout will be willing and hungry after that time. It looks as if we will have a lot of very fat trout that have not be hounded to death to fish to during the later summer and fall seasons. Be safe and stay home, or find a pond to fish in.

Blown Out!

Good morning, we had a very nice cook out Wed. May 18 that was to have taken place at the Bowersox cabin near Cherry Run but Mother Nature had other ideas, Dr. Lewis offered the use of his picnic pavillion and of course we said yes. It rained hard most of the entire evening as we ate and talked about how high the creek is and was getting. I have checked the USGS reports and can tell you it might be fishable the weekend of May 28 but we will require sun shine and wind to get it to come down. When it does come down the hatch explosion will be a sight to be seen, the real question will be what will they be feeding on? My best guess is the the Drakes will come on time and life will go on, I have fished Drakes when we could not get 1 foot off the banks and have caught fish but it is no fun to fight that volume of water! I'll keep you posted as what is going on.

Sat May14,2011

Fished the FFA area on Penns today, not much hatching and darn few fish taking on top, water still high and very forceful to battle. If you have a chance walk to the R.B. Winter cabin and watch the pair of snapping turtles that are mating in the pond, by accounts this is an every year occurance and worth the walk. When your there look across the stream and see the pair or Orieols that are flying in and out of the trees and the stinking barbary that has taken over the entire southern shore of the cabin pool (or Alumillers Flats, named for the homestead that was there many years ago). Talked to some very good fishermen and they told me that not much has happened on top this past few days, taking all fish on small nymphs and a few on streamers.
  I tend to look for the bank huggers at this time of year, you'll find some really good ones just along the banks in the flat glides at the ends of the pools, they just attack the March Browns and Grey Fox's as they come down stream, nice easy wading and nice takes. The water just might be a bit cool yet to get the trout looking up but it just might be the week it breaks.
  Don't forget this Wed May 18 is the R.B.Winter Chapter of Trout Unlimited fish out and cookout held at Bowersox cabin just off the Weikert Road before Cherry Run, Briar Lane. See you there.

UpDate for May 10, 2011

Seems as if all it does it rain and then more rain, all the Central PA Limestones are still running higher than normal. It looks as if we'll have another one fo those years where everything will hatch in a short burst, if your there fine if not wait another year. We are having the last stages of Hendricksons and some Blue Quills are still on the water but fading fast. The main event will be tan caddis, March Browns, Grey Fox's, Crane Flies and of course Sulphurs but not quite yet for the little yellow guys. If you can wade (be careful) check the mid pool and tail outs for March Browns, the fish take up feeding positions in these locations and pick them off one by one even in high water.
  Our best fishing is about to start but check out the USGS stream guages before making any trip to the water, if in doubt pick a pond and catch some bulegills.
  please ask any questions that you migh have.