Little Juniata River, Huntingdon County, 4/21/26

[Mikey2006]

Hit the little J for a few hours today on the middle river, got on the water around 4 and fished until a little after 8. Flows were great, air temps were great, the wind was annoying but by evening it had disappeared.

The section I fished had some deep shaded pools along the far bank, which were filled with rising fish when I got there. They appeared to be taking the large mayflies that were coming off (don’t know what they were) but since I was euronymphing I didn’t have a real shot at catching them. For the first two hours I fished about a 1/4 mile of stream caught a total of 1 fish. I tried had tried everything from a dry dropper (with the 1 elk hair caddis I found in my bag), a double nymph rig, a very small single nymph in some slow water while floating the sighter, and even a small jig streamer. I basically tried every fly in my box and every presentation i could think of and I was at a loss. I eventually picked up a few on a size 18 pheasant tail fished on a dry dropper rig, but nothing with any size.

Around 6:30 it suddenly turned on. I tied on a size 14 waltz worm with a size 16 soft hackle pheasant tail as my tag and caught 8 fish from the same run on what had to be less than 20 total casts. The action was good up until sunset, when I caught a beautiful 17 Incher. Ended the day with 16 fish. What started as a terrible day turned into one of the best days I’ve ever had on the J.

Key flies:
Size 16 soft hackle pheasant tail(2.8mm silver bead): 9 fish
Size 14 waltz worm(3.2mm copper bead): 2 fish, caught the big one
Size 18 waltz worm(2.8mm copper bead): 1 fish
Size 18 pheasant tail(2.8mm copper bead): 3 fish
Size 18 olive perdigon(2.8mm silver bead): 1 fish

 

[dudemanspecial]

As they say, timing is everything. I couldn't imagine seeing a bunch of rising trout and not casting dry flies to them though. To each their own I suppose.

 

[Mikey2006]

As they say, timing is everything. I couldn't imagine seeing a bunch of rising trout and not casting dry flies to them though. To each their own I suppose.

Trust me I wanted to, but I forgot my dry fly box in the car and my 9’5wt at home. I had one singular elk hair caddis on me which got absolutely no love from the fish. Although with how deep the one pool in particular was and how far away the fish were I don’t think it would have mattered. I run a microleader system so I get zero casting distance with a dry dropper

 

[tjsingle]

Looks like a good day!

 

[troutbert]

What did the large mayflies look like? What color were they?

 

[ROVERT]

I run a microleader system so I get zero casting distance with a dry dropper

I have a Euro rod that I barely use. On mine, I have a standard tapered leader cut off at about 2x with a tippet ring tied on. My microleader is tied to that. This allows the mono to be cut off, tippet to be tied on, and dry flies to be fished.

I can't imagine going fishing without a dry fly box, especially this time of year.

I suspect you were seeing Gray Foxes/March Browns.

 

[Cougarbaby]

I recognize those rocks sshhhh quiet

 

[nymphingmaniac]

What did the large mayflies look like? What color were they?

likely Hendricksons. Too early for MB and sulphurs. Some have claimed to see Quill Gordons on the lower river, but I've haven't seen them

 

[ROVERT]

Not specifically on the Little J but I've seen reports of GF/MB in Central PA this week. I agree it is early, though.

 

[SBecker]

I am confused, you can't cast dry flies with your euro set up? Think you need to look at your leader formula.

 

[Broodstock]

This time of year it’s worth using a heavier leader on a 10’ 4wt rod or bring two rods if you’re going to nymph and fish dries properly.

Nice fish, good report.

 

[albatross]

I fished the lower river yesterday. Good action on tan caddis. I also saw some Hendrickson, likely what the OP saw.

 

[Tiogadog]

Not specifically on the Little J but I've seen reports of GF/MB in Central PA this week. I agree it is early, though.

March Browns (or Gray Foxes ...thought they were now considered one in the same) were coming off of Penns on Sunday. This was in addition to Hendricksons and Quill Gordons...the wind was awful though and there were minimal rises while fished.

 

[TheDuke44]

Glad you kept at it long enough to get into some good fishing! Water color/clarity in your pics looks absolutely ideal.

I am with @ROVERT though:

On mine, I have a standard tapered leader cut off at about 2x with a tippet ring tied on. My microleader is tied to that. This allows the mono to be cut off, tippet to be tied on, and dry flies to be fished.

While euro nymphing is often the best way to get fish to the net, having the versatility to quickly switch over to dry flies is a must imo.

Regardless, seems like you still had a great day!!

 

[dudemanspecial]

I am confused, you can't cast dry flies with your euro set up? Think you need to look at your leader formula.

Or, you know, you could actually fly fish 🤣

 

[Mikey2006]

What did the large mayflies look like? What color were they?

Sort of a light tan-ish color

 

[Mikey2006]

I am confused, you can't cast dry flies with your euro set up? Think you need to look at your leader formula.

I have 30ft of Pierre Sempe nylon sighter material tied straight to the end of my fly line. I can fish a dry dropper rig pretty well with that but it’s hard to cast super far. When there’s a little wind and the fish are way out on the far bank like yesterday it was a real challenge

 

[SBecker]

I have 30ft of Pierre Sempe nylon sighter material tied straight to the end of my fly line. I can fish a dry dropper rig pretty well with that but it’s hard to cast super far. When there’s a little wind and the fish are way out on the far bank like yesterday it was a real challenge

If you have that much of a problem casting dry flies with your euro rig, carry a spare spool or reel in your pack.

 

[Mikey2006]

If you have that much of a problem casting dry flies with your euro rig, carry a spare spool or reel in your pack.

I definitely should