Lackawanna River and Class A Blue Line, Lackawanna County, Fri 7/1/22

[Clams]

Took the day off yesterday for my third annual day trip to the Lackawanna River. Was on the road from Lower Merion before 4am and in the water by 630. Fished a few spots in Archbald and Jermyn. Air temp was low 60s and water temp was a perfect 59 when I started. I hit three spots and caught fish in all of them. Caught mainly smaller browns plus one awesome fish that was bigger and had broad shoulders and fought hard. The winning ticket was a size 16 sexy walts on my nymphing rod. Saw lots of caddis in the air but saw no rises the entire morning. I had a huge yellow stone fly land on the back of my neck while I was tying on a fly, which I was not expecting and was kinda cool. By 10am the sun had cleared the trees and it was getting hot and the water temp was 64 and rising, so I left the big river and headed to a nearby class A in the mountains where I switched to my butter stick and had some fun with the brook trout. It was getting hot even in the mountain shade but the water temp was just 61. The brookies were ridiculously easy to catch on both a dry (an elk hair caddis) and a dropper (caddis larva). Called it a day by 12pm. Didn't see another fisherman the entire time. Was back home by 3pm and was on the sofa napping by 4. A good day.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

I almost went on Thursday, but I was worried about those temps. It's a long ride to be done by 10 AM, as you know, but you solved that well!

 

[Wild_Trouter]

Took the day off yesterday for my third annual day trip to the Lackawanna River. Was on the road from Lower Merion before 4am and in the water by 630. Fished a few spots in Archbald and Jermyn. Air temp was low 60s and water temp was a perfect 59 when I started. I hit three spots and caught fish in all of them. Caught mainly smaller browns plus one awesome fish that was bigger and had broad shoulders and fought hard. The winning ticket was a size 16 sexy walts on my nymphing rod. Saw lots of caddis in the air but saw no rises the entire morning. I had a huge yellow stone fly land on the back of my neck while I was tying on a fly, which I was not expecting and was kinda cool. By 10am the sun had cleared the trees and it was getting hot and the water temp was 64 and rising, so I left the big river and headed to a nearby class A in the mountains where I switched to my butter stick and had some fun with the brook trout. It was getting hot even in the mountain shade but the water temp was just 61. The brookies were ridiculously easy to catch on both a dry (an elk hair caddis) and a dropper (caddis larva). Called it a day by 12pm. Didn't see another fisherman the entire time. Was back home by 3pm and was on the sofa napping by 4. A good day.

What you described is the perfect trip in every way 👍

 

[Clams]

I almost went on Thursday, but I was worried about those temps. It's a long ride to be done by 10 AM, as you know, but you solved that well!

Yeah I was definitely questioning my sanity on the long ride back, lol. But as a famous American once said, if you don't run you rust.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

Yeah I was definitely questioning my sanity on the long ride back, lol. But as a famous American once said, if you don't run you rust.

I notice some "rust" in that beard 😉

 

[glamcaster]

Nice stuff! Seems like you got the best of both worlds with the browns and brookies. The "butter stick" you mentioned, what set up is that? I've been looking into a new rod for those smaller blue lines. Nice pics!

 

[Maurice]

Great report, glad someone is getting into them.

 

[Clams]

The "butter stick" you mentioned, what set up is that? I've been looking into a new rod for those smaller blue lines.

The Butter Stick is a fiberglass rod by Redington. I have the 7'6" 4wt. I use it with an Orvis Battenkill II reel which is for 3-5wt lines/rods. It's a good set up for smaller water.

 

[glamcaster]

The Butter Stick is a fiberglass rod by Redington. I have the 7'6" 4wt. I use it with an Orvis Battenkill II reel which is for 3-5wt lines/rods. It's a good set up for smaller water.

You're awesome, thank you for the rec! The price of the battenkill II isn't awful, so I think I'll pull the trigger when my next paycheck comes.