Dunbar Creek, Fayette County, 6/2/2019

[Bllchar]

Fished this stream for many years and know it very well. Typically fish the open water (well below the Catch & Release area) once or twice a year. In most years, the fish are pooled up by now and need to work hard for a couple of fish since it is hit so hard by the bait fisherman.

This year is very different. Tried the open water today and the fishing was fantastic, to my surprise. In only 90 minutes, caught 11 and probably missed 15 more. All caught on cone head muddler. The fish were very spread out as I covered perhaps one mile of water and had action throughout. Stream was running strong but very fishable - best guess is 150% of mean flows. Water was a little murky too, perfect streamer conditions.

The stockies were all in great shape, a testimony to the high flows and probably reduced fishing pressure. Had the stream all to myself!

 

[Mike]

My bet is that your experience could be repeated on most regular stocked trout waters across the state this year, particularly those that received a May stocking or a second inseason stocking.

 

[greenghost]

Same day. Same stream. Different result. One fish. That's it. I stopped by the FFO area on my way home from a trip. Water was flowing more like 300% above where it usually is this time of year. Saw some green drakes. Caught one on a Drake nymph. Also saw sulphurs. Caddis. I should have fished downstream below the project. Alas...

I may have seen you Bllchar, were you walking along the road just up from town around 3:30?

 

[Bllchar]

I left around that time - perhaps a little later. If the guy you saw was walking along the road in waders with an orange ball cap, that was me. Sorry to hear it wasn’t so good in the project area.

Wading yesterday was a little more challenging than is typical for this time of year.

Regards,

 

[greenghost]

Yes, now that you mention it, I do remember the orange ball cap. Glad you did well down there.

I think I'm pretty much giving up on the project water. I start fishing above and below.

Best

 

[Bllchar]

Sounds like you fish Dunbar frequently. Project water is tough when flows get skinny. Surprised you didn’t have better luck under the favorable water conditions!

Good luck...

 

[greenghost]

Dunbar is probably the closest "real" trout stream (i.e. cool temps all year) to me. So yeah, I typically fish it at least a half dozen times a year. I actually enjoy the low flows better because I'm mainly a dry fly snob. I like it when you can see the fish and sneak up on them--a combination of hunting and fishing.

 

[Steeltrap]

I'm going out tomorrow. It's a tossup between Dunbar and Meadow Run in Ohiopyle. I'm disabled and bring my electric cart with me to access the spots that I can reach. I'm looking forward to just getting out!!

 

[Bllchar]

Greenghost - my wife grew up in Connellsville so I’ve fished it since I was in college and I now have kids that are 30 years old. I’ve lived in different parts of the country but always fished Dunbar as part of family visits. Last few years transferred back to the Pittsburgh area so I fish it a lot more often. I too love fishing the low water with dries. I do like the area above the game lands parking lot for its beauty and lower usage.

I also like the Sugar Creek and Pithole Creek drainages to my north for trout fishing in a day trip.

Steeltrap - hope you enjoy and catch a few!

 

[Eddy]

I work in Uniontown so I started fishing Dunbar Creek and local streams quite often this year. I never really catch that many in the main stem on any particular trip. Usually a couple here and there. I mostly catch native brooks more than stockers. I have done quite well on the tributaries I have fished though.