Brodhead Ck Monroe Co 5/26/2108

[Tigereye]

With Lehigh R running for the rafters, I decided to fish Brodhead Ck on Saturday. Stream was running a bit high and dingy with flows at 284 CFS above Analomink. I didn't get a temp but I would guess low 60's. Day was overcast.

Got to stream about 08:00 and noticed 2 mayflies about size 12. I cant confirm what they were as I could catch one. They were the only 2 insects I saw. Not sure if I missed an early hatch or not.

Set up was Indy Rig with a GRHE on point and varied the dropper between a Prince Nymph and a non descript black nymph (I call it Ugly Betty. Black dubbed body, black palmered hackle (w distinct taper) and 2 black biots for tail)

The fish seemed to prefer the GRHE as most were caught on that. A few took the Prince and a nice rainbow liked the Ugly Betty.

It seemed the browns were particularly active this day. All fish were stockies and were in the 10-12" range. The rainbow may have been a bit better.

Here are some pic's. With the water at woods edge, landing fish to get pic was tough most were released at my boots.

 

[Tigereye]

having problems attaching pic's not sure what problem is

 

[FLY_Mike]

I was there on Friday and the conditions of the creek didn't change much from your report above.

This was my first time on this creek and I was a little surprised at the size of some of the browns I caught. besides the 10-12" I caught a few that were in the 15"+ area I didn't know the fish commission stocked ones that size.

I will say this is a beautiful creek and I will be returning unfortunately there were only sporadic risers, I caught all the fish nymphing.

 

[bradtheflyfisherman]

I was there Saturday afternoon/evening in Pinebrook Park after catching browns all day on a nearby mountain creek. Was there from about 5:30/6 to 7:45/8 PM. No major hatches, some sporadic mayflies hatching across the stream, but nothing I could see around me. Went from a dry dropper rig on my 5wt to tightlining with my 10 ft 3wt in the major riffles with pheasant tails and other attractor nymphs I've done well on before, but couldn't even get a bite. Saw one fish rise very far away from at the bottom of a long pool. Was fishing some water that was probably heavily fished earlier in the day, so not surprised by my luck.

 

[Millsertime]

The month long Sulphur hatch should be prime as long as no substantial rain comes again.

I typically start fishing the Bhead in June because the flows decrease, the dry fly fishing gets prime, and the crowds are low.

 

[Tigereye]

Thanks Jack for your help. Here are some Pic's

 

[Tigereye]

another

 

[Tigereye]

rainbow

 

[Tigereye]

oops

 

[Tigereye]

rainbow

 

[Millsertime]

I fished the Bhead yesterday from around 5-930 pm. Steady dry fly action after 730 pm. Only saw a couple of sulphurs. Most trout were rising to march browns and/or caddis. Flow was great.

Caught some nice 4-5 lb range shad in town as well. Poor fighters until I was close to landing them and then they pulled good drag.

 

[hooker-of-men]

Good amount of sulfurs on McMichaels last night. They're starting to pick up, for sure.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

Good stuff, Joe. A couple weeks ago the caddis hatches were bringing out a few wild ones cleverly hidden in plain sight! In addition to all the strong, healthy stockies, we got 4 wild browns one day, including a 19 right in town. Hopefully that means a good year for bugs and fish even in the channelized sections.