Neshannock Creek DHALO, 11/1/2008

[jaybo41]

Spent a very enjoyable day on the water today in the DHALO. The weather was perfect and the foliage was still colorful. All in all, it was a perfect fall fishing experience.

Things were a bit slow to start, but once they picked up I did very well. I took a walk way downstream from the parking lot with the train cars--maybe 2 miles downstream--and worked my way back upstream towards the fly shop. Hares Ear #14, Caddis Pupa #16 BWO nymphs #16, Copper Johns #14 and buggers produced the most fish. Go small and flouro is recommended, the stream is low and clear. The good news is the trout were hungry. The chub were also hungry and attacking the surface today going after the midges. Too bad the trout weren't!

Along with a great day of fishing, I had a nice conversation with two gentlemen I met on the stream. They were also enjoying successful day on the water.

The guys fishing behind the fly shop seemed to be doing well too. I observed one guy getting a few takers on a caddis on top while there.

 

[ryguyfi]

I've fished there twice since the fall stocking and have had similar luck. I've been able to entice a few takers on caddis and #20 griffiths gnats on top. That stream is just beautiful. It's enjoyable even picking up a fish or two, but the way it's been fishing lately, that's pretty uncommon. If I wasn't going to Erie this weekend, I'd probably go back. Still plenty of good fishing weather left!

 

[jaybo41]

More water would have been the only thing to improve the conditions last Saturday. For the little water it did have, there was, in some areas a decent flow. Griffith's gnats are a good choice there. It's not uncommon, at least from my experiences to get into double digits there. I have also been skunked there too. It's a great stream to walk, can't wait to go back, maybe this weekend if the weather/conditions are looking decent.

 

[Acristickid]

Never fished there or Oil creek. What are the best hatches at these creeks?

 

[ryguyfi]

check out ncflyshop.com
they have stream reports, hatch list, etc.

This fly shop is right on the water in Volant, where the DHALO area is. They have some pretty decent hatches there and the shop also takes donations all year round to stock a "lunker fund" stocking. All fish from my understanding in this stocking are 18" plus. There's always fish in this stream and a very beautiful stream to enjoy the day on. I highly recomend it!

 

[jaybo41]

That's some really good advice ry, I always check the nc fly shop website before I go. This stream, generally holds fish year round. If either of you guys are interested in meeting up or going up, I'd be glad to hook up and fish with you. I've never fished Oil Creek either, almost did several weeks back and in retrospect, I think I should have. The NC PA streams were/are VERY low with little to no flow at all.

 

[EA88]

just fished the NC and cool spring today the rain helped its gotten a little green color now I did okay fished from behind the fly shop then down strean a little, caught 6 all on small nymphs like pheasent tail hears ear and caddis pupa, I only fished cool spring for 2 hours my first time on it nice little creek caught 2 with in my first 20 min at the big rock off of the last parking area near the field anyone with info on oil creek please share lets keep our fingers crossed for some rain.

 

[David]

NC, for me, has been primarily a caddis and midge stream, but good numbers of both. I've done well with real small olives in the cold months too. In the spring / summer, I know there are March Browns, sulphers and all the drakes (but the brown drake is the most prevelant in my experience).

Oil creek, I fish much less frequently, so I'm sure there will be better info coming, but grannoms are a big deal there. It has a variety of mayflies, too. Here are some nymph pictures I took earlier this year at Oil. Feel free to let me know what each one is if you ID them, because I haven't attempted yet...maybe in the winter.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=fjisoaa.126nklaq&Uy=-kb72l7&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&UV=256188834477_32941117714&localeid=en_US

 

[pcray1231]

I've fished Oil many times, but never Neshannock. Though on Oil, I don't think I ever fished it outside of Spring/summer, and I rarely fish the special regulation section.

Caddis are a big deal there. Many types. There's also some mayfly hatches, such as sulphurs. Compared to other streams in the area, the bug situation is pretty good. Since they are primarily stocked fish, and a lot of rainbows (there's browns too), the old standby's such as buggers and egg imitations work very, very well.

While Oil is a nice stream on its own, the bike trail is what makes it special. They open it up to drive the stocking truck on. As a result, lots of places get stocked far from the nearest access point. Thus, places are stocked that get little pressure, and the fish last a long time. When I fish Oil, I cover miles, and end up fishing in relative solitude over good numbers of fish. (caveat, I don't know where the fall stocking takes place).

 

[ryguyfi]

Yeah I've got the fly shop on speed dial lol. I always call up a day or so ahead of time in the good season to see what's coming off so I can tie some up. BWO's might be coming off now, but I saw some sparce caddis last time I was up there. I'd go this week but I've been planning a steelhead trip for weeks now. But maybe sometime in the next couple weeks I'll head up and I'll let you guys know. I'm always up for fishing, and love fishing with new people... always something you can learn/teach.