Brodhead, Monroe Co., 6/20/2015

[Van_Cleaver]

Arrived around nine and started in one of the parks above the skating rink. The conditions looked to be ideal: overcast, temps around 70. occasional drizzle. Water was clear and right about average which is really good for this time of year, temp at 62. (9ish) Started in the top of a fast run where I have done well in the past and soon hooked a nice fish that jumped a couple times and shook loose. Hmmmm. Proceeded down the pool and landed one and missed a couple, but it was obvious the fish were way tougher than on my last visit. Took off the wet rig (caddis pupa and ant) to try for a riser and managed to rise and miss him on a tan caddis. Worked my way downstream to another very nice run and landed a 14" rainbow twitching the wet combo on the swing, but it started to rain so I headed back towards my truck. Hooked a few more and landed two in the top of the first run, as the rain stopped and a buddy arrived. There were sporadic riser and I proclaimed I was going to catch a trout on top. Still not sure what was the key since there were caddiss, isos, blue quills, olives and a few other random bugs. That said, I rose a bunch of fish and hooked almost anything I could see rising with a variety of caddiss for a short while till the rises totally ceased. Notice I said hooked, cause a lot came unbottoned for no particular reason. Caught most on the drift but noticed my friend (he had just missed four in a row) was leaving his fly in the water and twitching it hard. Skittering on the swing provided some more lively action. Went upstream and picked off a few more and missed a few as well. Flies that were productive: Variety of tan and also gray caddiss dries in 14-18, BWO humpy 18, black ant wet. Didn't have huge nos. but moved a lot of fish and my best day on top all year. Fished some very nice water a well and weren't really bothered by other guys , though we saw a few. Great Fathers Day trip; since I was pretty sure today would be a blow out.

 

[geebee]

Nice report. Another creek I'm dying to get out to.

 

[Van_Cleaver]

The best part is there are a lot of trout spread out over a huge area. Pretty sure a few of the Browns were stream bred fish judging by color (bright orange spots and buttery shades) and perfect fins, though some of the rainbows had nice fins as well. One of the more productive pools is super easy access, though we hiked upstream a ways and got into another really nice section. Get out while you can cause I'm sure if we keep getting these heat waves a lot of this stream will get too warm. The recent rains should be helping some as well. It did get pretty blown out for Father's Day, too, judging by the USGS chart. 66-250 cfs. Be aware that the parks that have gates and attendants close at 8 pm.

 

[hooker-of-men]

Van_Cleaver wrote:
It did get pretty blown out for Father's Day, too, judging by the USGS chart. 66-250 cfs.

Yeah, my only complaint with all this rain is that Brodhead, and most everything else in the area, has practically looked like chocolate milk lately. Still, better than the alternative.

 

[Millsertime]

I was planning to kayak the Brodhead Gorge on father's day. I didn't realize it rained so much the night prior because once I got to the section below McMichael's, I changed my mind about kayaking it! I'm not really experienced so my gut told me to wait another day. Lol.

 

[troutwilleatflies]

Always listen to your gut 🙂

 

[Van_Cleaver]

Looks like more rain coming which may kill the weekend on this stream but may be beneficial in extending the season. Two music gigs for me so I can't get out anyway. Agree with the above post. When the little voice inside says it's a bad idea; it most likely is!

 

[hooker-of-men]

Fished Brodhead yesterday morning and, even with the daily storms we're getting, the levels were pretty normal and the water was clear. I don't have a stream thermometer, but the water temp felt cool (I was wet wading and it was great). Not many bugs to be seen. I hooked up with one on a caddis and one on a trico, but lost em both.