Cross Fork, Potter County, 9/5/11

I have to be honest. I don't care WHAT we're fishing with. I'm interested in this for the sole reason of going up to my favorite place in the state and fly fishing w/ you all.
 
Kettle has no QG hatch from what I understand. Crossfork I'm not sure, I will post Kettle hatch chart later today.
 
If you're fishing the bigger waters in NCPC, a good hatch can help, but the fish usually will eat nymphs & streamers. As Pat alluded to (and mentioned many times previously) water temps & levels are far more important on the tribs where the trout are opportunistic.

If you are motivated by bug intrigue (like Jack) you roll your dice and take your chances. I'm on the fence. I like different bugs and fishing different hatches, but my time is very limited and I want to be successful.

Final thought: You'll get more of the white truck chasers in April.

Tough call...
 
That area is polluted with waters and watersheds. If you fish only popular streams and popular areas, you will share the streams, no doubt in mid-to-late April. If you fish the stocked sections you will encounter the "truck-chasers." If, however, you look around a bit, you will find streams and areas where you can hike in for miles and get beyond any feeling of crowdedness. Chances are the hatches are better, even if smaller in scope.
 
Continuing, I think the QG is not sunset affair, but rather something that occurs sporadically, perhaps in waves throughout the day depending upon the way the sun heats or doesn't heat the water and streambed. I'd be looking for them where no one else is-- maybe in the same watershed, but one or two ridges over.

Not to be redundant, but if you can't find a stream to fish in this area, then come along and learn how to do so:
 

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Also, if you explore this area by map, do not be deceived that streams "have roads running beside them." Look at the topography-- the roads are several hundred feet above the stream in many stretches. Finding a place to park is the easy part and it isn't easy since the roads are narrow along the ridges. Most difficult is getting to the stream over steep and long embankments. If you get in using a trib hollow or lesser slope, you can walk up or downstream often for miles before other decent access is found.
 
So, my only point is that crowded conditions are not a worry. Finding the hatch during the time we are there (if it is even on or not over) will be the real trick. Someone with vast knowledge of the area should be able to tell us what weekend would be best. Unless the QG is not the purpose, in which case, choosing a warmer week would make perfect sense.
 
Cross Fork QG hatch is all of April with meat of it being mid April, only two other hatches on Cross Fork at this time, tan caddis and blue quill.
 
OK, but the watersheds differ and the hatch and the hatches may move around and sprout here now, there then. We are not limited to Cross Fork. If we locate right, we should be able to reach the QG hatch or some other early-season hatch on hundreds of waters within one hour. If this happens at the right time, I plan to quest for the QG. Maybe I'll fish a hatch, maybe I'll see a couple flies and catch fish on caddis instead. I like those uncertainties. If I see absolutely nothing remotely looking like a QG, I will declare the quest a bust, but probably still thoroughly enjoy the weekend.
 
Opening Day 2012 is April 14. The 20th (second weekend of season) or the 27th would be the weekends to consider. I would favor 20th. The crowds will still be after easy pickin's on the stocked waters.
 
Stocked streams will be absolutely packed in this area. There may even be some bleed over to the wild trout streams. Most of the camps in this area are used almost exclusively for that weekend. On the other hand, as you said before there is sooooo much water that we will be able to find uncrowded water. The water levels at this time of year is a coin flip. With all that being said the 20th sound fine with me.
 
I will be able to advise, but cannot plan this event. Find a place to hold gatherings in the AM and PM hours and where anyone who wants to camp or sleep can be accomodated. Locate on a major road that will give access as noted to the roadways and watersheds we are interested in fishing. Pick the date and CG/location and let the chips fall where they may.
 
JackM wrote:
Also, if you explore this area by map, do not be deceived that streams "have roads running beside them." Look at the topography-- the roads are several hundred feet above the stream in many stretches. Finding a place to park is the easy part and it isn't easy since the roads are narrow along the ridges. Most difficult is getting to the stream over steep and long embankments. If you get in using a trib hollow or lesser slope, you can walk up or downstream often for miles before other decent access is found.
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There's a whole mix. Some stream stretches are easily accessible from the road. And some do require a long and/or steep hike. And there's a wide range in between.

You can take your pick how much serious hiking you want to do.

My main point is that people shouldn't feel intimidated if they are not hard-core hikers. There are places that are pretty easy to access. I fished up there with people who are in their 70s, and they did fine.
 
I agree, troutbert, I am responding to claims of potential crowding, which I think you may only experience on these easier to access areas.
 
JackM wrote:
I agree, troutbert, I am responding to claims of potential crowding, which I think you may only experience on these easier to access areas.
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I wouldn't worry about crowding, after opening weekend. And of course it's the stocked streams that draw the big crowds.

The unstocked streams are rarely crowded, with the exception of Slate Run, which is a busy stream at times. And Cedar Run sometimes, too, but less than Slate.
 
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