Little Juniata, Huntington Co, 06/10/2016

[Sylvaneous]

Water stained green/brown with levels around 240 cfs. A tough day on the Little J. Fished the Barree gorge, which reminded me why I haven't been this way for several years. Lots of big, deep water and a long walk to get to it. A smattering of bugs were seen all day. There were black quills (really dark blue quills about sz. 18-20), some sz. 14 cream or pale yellow cahills, larger caddis, like sz. 14. A few isonychias seen hatching and a few floating shucks seen. As evening approached, I saw a few big golden stone flies (not the giant ones) ovipositing. Grabbed one: sz. 8 or there abouts.

I started nymphing above the tunnel with an Iso nymph and beatis trailer. Caught a dink on the Iso and that was it. Walked and fished a good bit. Went over to an inchworm. Amazingly, caught nothing on it. One on the beatis trailer. Went back to the Iso. Caught a decent one unconsciously on the Iso as it hung in the current. Kind of a slap in the face. "See, your efforts are futile. Doing nothing gets you more than doing what you think should work. You are out of your range." Yeah, Ma Nature was F-ing with me.

Lunch at Spring Creek Tavern (They need to soak their fresh cut fries in water overnight to get the free starch out of them. Then they'll be crispy. Now they are mostly soggy. But options around here are limited.) Watched the water below the gorge. BTW, the handicap access is excellent. Unlike the one at Spring Creek, you could actually catch a fish here. I did. It's a very good spot. A couple cahills seen with sporadic rising. Again, mother nature.... I missed I think 7 strikes. Caught 3 in the waning hours of the day. One was really nice, like 16 and broad. Fought like the Devil. Nicest fish of the day, but it was hitting on top like it was a splashy dink. Surprise, surprise. In Penns and the Little J, a riser that seems like a dink frequently is a real solid fish. Other streams, yes, they are splashy dinks.

The little J. is such a TOUGH stream to get around. The large, blocky rocks, deep holes, long, bottomless troughs, streamside cliffs, deep silty backwaters, huge log jams, impassible runs, firehose-like current, trees growing right out from the waterline, big root wads and scour holes, thick brushy banks; it is a TOUGH stream to get around. It is the only trout stream I fish that you look and think "you can't to there from here. You need to go somewhere else first." and then begin a big hike around the obstacle. It will wear you out. Usually the pay off for this is a good day with powerful fish. Not so much today.
Syl

 

[dryflyguy]

Nice report.
And though I would agree that much of the little j is tough to wade, there are a few spots where the wading is easy.

Sounds like the hatches were pretty sparse - which is normal for this time of year. That's when I usually fish terrestrials - which usually work well from now, into late fall. Ants and beetles

 

[martinlf]

"Caught a decent one unconsciously on the Iso as it hung in the current. Kind of a slap in the face."

It is when that happens, isn't it. Not very fulfilling. I certainly know what you mean.

 

[Dmomeyer]

How do you access the Gorge?

I have parked at Rothrock State Forest, walked up the trail, crossed the tracks, bushwacked and cross the stream above the bridge. Pretty dangerous crossing depending on currents.

Fished that pool and upstream, however, it is difficult fishing upstream because of the trees.

If you stay on the hiking trail, does it bring you close to the Epsey private waters?

I have had great success with nymphs here.

 

[wbranch]

Now they are mostly soggy.

Nice report, very entertaining. However I love soggy fries with lots of vinegar and salt. 🙂

 

[Sylvaneous]

Dmomeyer wrote:

If you stay on the hiking trail, does it bring you close to the Epsey private waters?

I have had great success with nymphs here.

I walk up from below. I'm no expert, though. Only maybe my 3rd trip up here. I've fished a lot of the other parts of the creek much more. I walked right up and fished beside the Espy signs. So that's how far up I was.

 

[evw659]

Dmomeyer, you can access the gorge from upstream, but it is difficult. If I had to guess, I would say that it is about 1.5-2 river miles from spruce creek to the lower end of the espy water at the top of the gorge. I've done it twice, and it's not really worth it imo. If flows are above 300cfs, forget it, because you have to stay in the water to avoid trespassing.