Big Spring, Cumberland Co., 02/22/2015

[3wt7X]

Time Fished: 10:00-01:30 PM

Weather: It was a nice day. Mid to upper 30s in the morning with cloud cover, and it the sky cleared and the temps raised to around 44 degrees in the early afternoon.

Hatches: Midges size 20-28, BWO size 18-20, and the usual sowbugs, cress bugs and sculpins.

Water Conditions: Crystal clear and the water temps were in the usual 50-54 degree range.

Techniques: I was able to catch them all different ways. Streamer fishing was good for the larger fish. I hit two rainbows on a size 20 parachute olive pattern, and I had a very large rainbow put his nose on a midge dry first thing in the morning. I broke a nice rainbow off on a size 20 BWO nymph and took a couple more smallish rainbows on the same nymph.

Results: Results did not matter to me today. I have been so sick of this winter, just getting out was a win. I did catch a couple nice fish on scuplin patterns to include a very heafty brookie and an 18 inch bow. Truly, I could have caught the skunk and I would have been happy considering the weather lately. I had the stream to myself for about 2 hours, then the church crowd must have let out.

 

[BREECHESANGLER]

Nice fish. I was a great day to be out.

 

[fisherboy3]

I spy a sculpin helmet...those things are deadly

 

[dc410]

A brace of Big Spring beauties. Very nice!

 

[Chaz]

Sweet! I've got to get there.

 

[geebee]

beautiful fish. i've yet to see or catch a brookie there.

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

Really you haven't seen any?

I was just there Wednesday from sunrise until 12.
Fishing was rough until after 11 or so. Fish started rising to midges, I tossed big sculpins at them and caught them after they rose ;-)

Went to the Letort for an hour and did really well considering the bright sun.

It was a good day to get out.

Forgot to add that I was kicking the snow and ice off of the foot bridge at Bonnybrook on the upstream side before I left. I just wanted to see what might scurry out. I beautiful rainbow of about 12 inches came out and sat in 4 inches of water in the bright sun. Always a surprise to see in the Letort.

 

[Night_Stalker]

3wt7X,
Sweet Fish and well done report.

geebee,
I have only encountered brooks at the ditch down to the next parking area. I am be no means very experienced / successful on BG. You just need to walk around with a small amount of stealth to "see" them at the upper water.

Salvelinus,
I've caught Brooks & Bows in the tort. I've seen Koi and Smallmouth.
I was told of musky years ago.

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

I too have caught bows and Brookies in the Letort.
A few larger specimens too.
I've even caught pickerel in lower Big Spring.
It's still an unusual sight and pretty cool.

As far as Brookies in BS, ice caught them as far down as just below the Newville dam which is kinda an anomaly. I see them very regularly in the entire fly area now. It's a very good sign.