Donegal Creek, Lancaster County (5/5/07)

[jhguster23]

Fished with a buddy from about 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. We're both pretty new to the sport (a couple of years each, no formal lessons). We entered the stream at the red barn on Donegal Creek Road, about 300 yards north of SR 23 and worked our way upstream. This is the first time I fished this water, and it looks beautiful -- as though it should be holding a lot of fish. Although neither of us caught any -- nor did we even see any.

We used prince, pheasant tail and hare's ear nymphs, along with black and olive wooly buggers. All presentations were done initially without weight, and then split shot were added to get the flies down deeper. At Donegal, there were a lot of extremely small insects (midges?) in the air and around the surface of the water, but there did not appear to be any surface activity, so we didn't bother to use dry flies.

It was the fourth time I've been out this year...and I'm still fishless -- not like that's going to stop me. But I'm wondering why I keep going to these streams (and I know the fish are there), where apparently there is a hatch going on, and I'm not seeing any surface activity. I was at Lititz Run last night and there were what appeared to be sulfurs? everywhere, skittering on the surface, hovering above the surface, and I did not see or hear a single rise. Both last night and Saturday morning, the air was extremely cold (low 40's)...does the air and or water temperature have to reach a certain point before the trout will start feeding on the surface???

With respect to Saturday morning...I'm wondering if our presentation was somehow lacking...not getting our nymphs down deep enough? I know the fish on the lower reaches of Lititz Run are pretty skittish, but I didn't think Donegal was that way.

I'm kind of at a loss here, and would love some feedback from some of the more experienced anglers who fish those streams about a change in tactics.

 

[thedude1534]

I've only been there once and I went to the same area you did. The fish that I did manage to see were VERY skiddish. However, I lost my polarized sunglasses the weekend before, so I wasn't exactly in the best situation to be spotting.

From what I've heard about Donegal, its either feast or famine. Your in a hole with a bounty of fish, or they are nowhere in sight.

When I went there it was one of the first times I attempted to fish by myself, and my skills were quite mediocre (now they are only partially mediocre, haha). I will probably try to go back there in the Fall to redeem myself.

 

[steve98]

If its any consolation,I did not catch a TROUT on the fly for the first 2 or maybe 3 years.
Now 23 years later I will admit I do not have a whole lot of success.
The most Trout I may have caught in 1 session is around the 12-to15 count.
But it isn't always, about catching fish with me.

As far as your technique,I beleive it all comes down to 3 very important things. Presentation,Presentation and finally PRESENTATION

keep casting and good luck
Steve 98

 

[Wulff-Man]

It's very possible that the cold temps were the reason for the lack of surface feeding, and it's also possible that the temps made it difficult to get any activity even under the surface. With air temps in the low 40's the water temps may not have been much higher in the morning. The rule of thumb is that the fish will be most active at the most comfortable time of the day. That means when it's cold, it's best in the middle of the day when it's warmer and more pleasant. When it's hot, it's best in the morning and evening when it's not too hot. The best water temps for trout feeding are around 55 to 65 degrees. They will be most active around 60 degrees. As you get further away from the optimum temps in either direction they will be less and less active. That isn't to say you can't catch trout at 45 degrees, the odds will just be slimmer, and you have to be sure to fish "deep and slow" to get the food in their faces.

 

[Wulff-Man]

If the trout are skittish at Donegal, the next time you're there (hopefully when the temps are good!) you might want to quietly approach the stream and just sit near the bank and observe for a while. Maybe string up your rod and tie on your fly, watch the birds, eat a snack, whatever. Wait and see if anything rises before you risk spooking them.

 

[villeman]

I was there Sat. night from 6:30-dark at the same spot. I managed to catch 4. There was a few rises but not many. I caught two on a green weenie, and 2 on a BWO. I had the whole stream to myself.

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

ok heres the deal. this time of year is tough. the fish are skittish because they get harassed all day everyday. in fact, i was coming home from york county fishing and drove past the donegal fly area, at 7:15p.m there was 7 cars parked in the fly area. the trick is to hit them in the a.m before anyone gets there. the problem with that at this time of year is it is still a little cool in the morning.
flys to use:
pink or red san juans work well
bloodworms are native to the watershed
buggers (olive,white or black)
BWO's
mosquitos
gray fox
march browns
grey black white or olive midges


also since these fish are angler aware, stalking and stealth is a big key!

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

just to give ya an idea ....at 8:15 am today 3 fisherman in the ffo area

 

[amb]

jh - I haven't fished Lititz Run in a few years but remember the fish not responding to the insects that were active on the stream. They did respond well to the pellets that the farmers fed them. I had a few good days on the stream but never a "Match the hatch" day, so to speak.

As for the Donegal, because of the pressure and gin clear water, you have to have very light presentation. I would suggest very light tippet, 6x would be the largest, and a dry fly dropper presentation. This time of year any lighter dry fly or caddis will draw a few takes but the dropper is what they key on most. Smaller prince nymphs or pheasant tails work well. I find most success with a little flash in them. Upstream is very good water, there is also great water upstream of the ffo stretch.

Good luck, the stream starts to grow on you when you learn it a little bit.

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

watch yourself going upstream of the ffo. this year was the first year it wasent stocked due to increased landowner postings. ill second the notion of prince nymphs working well on that stream. i have most luck with them while fishing them as an emerging insect.

 

[spectorfly]

Donegal and Lititz usually do not have any surface activity. Donegal does have some, Lititz has virtually nill.

 

[troutfly21]

I can say the same as Steve98, it took a LOOOOONG time for me to catch fish on a fly. Truth is, if you start on your own without a mentor of some sort, whether it's lessons, a friend, or just a lot of research, it's tough to learn. It takes a really long time to get pretty decent at it, but it's all worth it in the long run.

As far as advice, I would agree with everything from above. Most important is presentation. Drag free drift is KEY, mend line. Especially in PA, light tippets are the ticket. More often than not, in regards to your fly, go at least a size smaller than you think. Like someone said above, watch the stream for a few minutes while you string up, flip a rock or two, match what's underneath. Hare's ears, pheasant tails, caddis larvae, midge pupa, and the beadhead and flashback varieties of each are good nymph choices. I always use at least one split shot. Use an indicator, (I prefer the yarn ones). Griffiths gnats, blue winged olives, elk hair caddis are good dry's. I don't think I've ever fished a nymph or dry larger than a size 16 with much success in PA. Now that the weather is getting better, start using ants. A little later in the year, beetles.

I hope some of this helps produce some fish for you. Good luck and happy trails.

 

[JackM]

troutfly21 wrote:
.... I don't think I've ever fished a nymph or dry larger than a size 16 with much success in PA.

Looks like I'm going to be throwing more flies away. First the Quill Gordon's, now everything over #16. Dang!

 

[tomgamber]

that funny because I very rarely tie anything smaller than a 16...

 

[gofishjb]

If you're looking for good local action, head north up the Tully. Fish emerging caddis and regular old elk hair green/tan caddis, and your fishless streak will soon be over.

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

i put this in another forum thought it might help for underwater baits.
Link To DEP document regarding Donegal in PDF
look at the whos it going section for the chart. it will show you what kind of life is in donegal.
sowbugs dominate.....never tried them.

 

[troutfly21]

Correction for the Western PA gents... Larger streams and larger rivers=larger insects. The advice I gave earlier about the size of fly was a Southeastern PA generalization. Naturally, there are some exceptions. For the most part, the spring creeks in Southeast PA have smaller insects.