Lititz Run, Lancaster County, 5/1/21

[Canoetripper]

Weather: Not a cloud in the sky and windy

Air Temperatures: Mid-60's

Time: 1:00 pm-3:20 pm

Water Conditions: Fairly clear

Water Temperature: 48

Surface Insects: Very small midges that I couldn't identify

This is not only my first stream report but also my first ever visit to the Millport Conservancy in Lititz. I took a basic fly fishing course with Precision Fly and Tackle in Lancaster.

My main goal was to become a better fly caster, but that part of the course was difficult due to very windy conditions and on grass. The instructor thought I was pretty good but I know I can, and need to be better. There was nothing he could do about the wind though.

The only other students were a cardiologist and his 11 year old son, and this was their very first time ever casting or fly fishing. I told the instructor to focus on them and especially the 11 year old boy. He is the future of this sport we all love.

Again, this was my first time at the Millport Conservancy. None of us caught any trout, but there are a lot of them there. Even the instructor couldn't figure out what the trout were feeding on. The trout would explode on the surface sporadically and than nothing. I saw a lot of big trout in such a small stream, and the water was clear enough that I could see my scud fly better than when surface bubbles hid my white indicator.

I thought the 11 year old boy was great. He never once complained. When I was his age and wasn't catching anything, I would have wandered off into the woods and started turning over rocks and logs looking for whatever critters lived underneath, which would have pissed off my father and grandfather.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I hope I did a good enough job on my first stream report.

I welcome all commentary especially from those of you with experience on the Millport Conservancy section of Lititz Run. This is the closest trout stream near where I live.

CT

 

[wgmiller]

Lititz Run is a tough stream in a lot of ways. Mostly because the fish see a LOT of pressure. The pandemic really exacerbated the problem to the point that much of the "open" water below the Conservancy was either posted or closed temporarily. Mix in bluebird skies and the fishing becomes pretty challenging. Your best bet to start catching fish on that stream is to wait for a rain event, then go toss streamers. You're right - they're in there and they're sizeable. But they ain't easy! :-D

The biggest thing you can do as a new fly angler is to learn about stream types. Learn about where the fish may call "home" and what type of food is in the stream. Learn everything you can about the places you fish and the fish that inhabit its waters. You'll be surprised how quickly things will start to fall into place when you put those pieces of the puzzle together.

Lastly, don't focus too heavily on becoming an expert caster. Streams like Lititz Run don't require distance casting or expert casting skills. What they do require is a varied skill set that allows you to cast in tight situations, with little room to backcast. Work on roll casting, "bow and arrow" casting, and other types of casting that have to be used when traditional casting won't work. You'll come to discover that many of the streams in our don't require distance casting; instead they require a wide range of skills for different situations.

Good luck!

 

[Canoetripper]

Thanks for the reply. The instructor thought that I did good job with my drifts. This was my third time fishing with a suspender/indicator. The other two times were with a guide in Colorado.

I have euro nymph fished twice and will return to watch my sighter on the leader/line.

I am sure that I will also return just to go for a walk when I need something to do.

You are correct about the tight conditions and no place for a back cast where we fished.

Where I do most of my fishing on the Tobyhanna I have room to back cast. I see others spey casting but I am not interested in that.

Tight loops and no "wind knots" in my leader is a reasonable goal for me. 30-40 ft. of line out and I'm in control will work for me.

I will look for other casting lessons and be an eager and enthusiastic learner. I think that I am close and getting closer at getting better at fly fishing.

I am fortunate that I have a place to go with plenty of moving water and room behind me to practice, practice, and practice some more.