Paflyfish Spring Jamboree 2025 - Save The Date

The Mods and I wanted to share that we have set the dates as Friday, May 16 - Sunday, May 18. More details will follow with a formal announcement later. I have talked to Jake at Seven Mountains and we are all set for the weekend. Heads up there was some conversation with Jake about a new numbering scheme for the cabins and camping areas. For example you may need to ask and confirm your cabin location as the map on the site may not be correct.

DON"T FORGET
Use the code: PAFLYFISH for a 10% discount

Website link: Sevens Mountain Campground
101 Seven Mountains
Campground Rd.
Spring Mills, PA 16875
(814) 364-1910
(888) 468-2556
Call between 8:30-4:30 M-F

 

Given the expected conditions what would be a suggested short list of dry/wet/streamer/nymphs that a somewhat experienced beginner tyer (me) with a pretty full spectrum of thread, dubbing, hackle etc could tie to bring with?

Thanks in advance.

 

It takes a lot to screw up Spring to the point of making it unfishable.

Dear dudeman,

It's always fishable with a size 2 6XL olive and black wooly bugger with 1/8 oz dumbbell eyes, just sayin'. 😉

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

Given the expected conditions what would be a suggested short list of dry/wet/streamer/nymphs that a somewhat experienced beginner tyer (me) with a pretty full spectrum of thread, dubbing, hackle etc could tie to bring with?

Thanks in advance.

Stick to various colors and sizes of buggers is my suggestion.

 

Stick to various colors and sizes of buggers is my suggestion.

Dear Kms,

All black or all white Clouser minnows will work too. Contrasty colors work in the murkiness.

If BFC is high and dirty, I'll have plenty of Fire-Tiger Rapalas to chuck. They never fail in dingy water.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

Anyone know how Spring is? Its pretty hard to mess up bad, at least for very long.

If worst comes to worst I do have a couple of yaks for me and the boy. Would rather not bring, this is supposed to be his first hatch matching dry fly experience.

 

Spring is always fishable to some degree. Unfortunately, being the only option is meh. I'll fish still water at that point. And that's OK. There is always the option of good company, conversation, food and drinks at camp. I'm game for either. There are 360 other possible days on the stream

 

Looking like I should pack double, maybe triple the amount of beer.

 

I think you guys are being too negative regarding this situation. Chances of thunderstorms doesn't mean the cricks will be blown. The Juniata in Lewistown is already to a fishable level, and so are many trout cricks. There will be fishable water of some sort around.

 

I think you guys are being too negative regarding this situation. Chances of thunderstorms doesn't mean the cricks will be blown. The Juniata in Lewistown is already to a fishable level, and so are many trout cricks. There will be fishable water of some sort around.

Not negative, just being prepared either way. The bummer for me personally is that I only get 1 or 2 shots at Penns a season as its far enough from home to make a day trip tough, but yeah, Ill have fun regardless of what happens and where I fish.

 

Dear Kms,

All black or all white Clouser minnows will work too. Contrasty colors work in the murkiness.

If BFC is high and dirty, I'll have plenty of Fire-Tiger Rapalas to chuck. They never fail in dingy water.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

I have a pile of little rapalas, but never thought to put one on a fly rod. I swapped the double triple hooks (hate those things) for inlines on some, but not most. Do you use those on a fly rod? Do you strip or swap out the triples?

 

Never let the fishing ruin a good fishing trip.

 

I have a pile of little rapalas, but never thought to put one on a fly rod. I swapped the double triple hooks (hate those things) for inlines on some, but not most. Do you use those on a fly rod? Do you strip or swap out the triples?

I don't want to speak for Tim because I could be wrong, but I think he was implying that he would fish those on a spinning rod...

I think we all go through a period where all we want to use is a fly rod and we forsake all other forms of fishing for a while, but then we realize we can love and use all sorts of fishing tactics again, not just those tactics that use the fly rod.

 

I don't want to speak for Tim because I could be wrong, but I think he was implying that he would fish those on a spinning rod...

I think we all go through a period where all we want to use is a fly rod and we forsake all other forms of fishing for a while, but then we realize we can love and use all sorts of fishing tactics again, not just those tactics that use the fly rod.

Dear jifigz,

I hit BFC on weekend over thirty years ago. Friday evening was good, and Saturday was good too with the fly rod. Saturday night a turd floating thunderstorm rolled in and the creek was lapping at the top of its banks Sunday morning.

I said. "It's artificials only," and tied on a Rapala. I had a Sunday like the round of golf the preacher had in "Caddyshack", minus getting struck by lightning. Neither myself nor my brother could believe it, but it was very real.

Spinning rods are my American Express Card, I never leave home without them. 😉

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

I don't want to speak for Tim because I could be wrong, but I think he was implying that he would fish those on a spinning rod...

I think we all go through a period where all we want to use is a fly rod and we forsake all other forms of fishing for a while, but then we realize we can love and use all sorts of fishing tactics again, not just those tactics that use the fly rod.

yes - ned rigs on light spinning gear is almost the same as my jig streamers on a mono rig, with easier line management but less sensitivity. I picked up the spin rod earlier this spring on the Allegheny and forgot how much I liked it.

Wish I could be there this weekend, have fun, tight lines and enjoy!

 

From what I see central PA is supposed to get a dawn till dusk true soaker on Tuesday. In total, 1.5" plus or minus a half inch. After that through the weekend is cloudy, occasional drizzle type deal, but not amounting to much.

I will take the cloudy drizzly weather during fishing anytime. Its the soaker that precedes it, on top of already high water, that we have to contend with. Expecting perfect fishing weather, but high water levels, looking at rainfall totals wednesday to figure out what got missed..

I will have a light 10 year old with me. No way I'm letting him brave the likes of Penns when its up and moving like that. I had my hopes up for Spring, its tailor made for him.. Still do have my hopes up, but worried. He's gonna love the whole experience either way, he is passable with a fly rod but has never got into a dry fly hatch situation. Its been nymphing bigger streams and dry flies for brookies so far for him. Casting instructor types feel free to take him lawn casting, break him of bad habits now because this kid will work and work at it and I don't see him quitting..

 

Penns Creek Angler has good daily reports on their FB page. Penns for most people will be a "no-go" this weekend. Spring will be doable. Lots of water in the region, so I'm looking to explore some new "green lines" and natural repro water. I'll also be catching a PSU baseball game Saturday and perhaps tasting some wine as well. It ain't all fishin' for me these days!

 

Penns Creek Angler has good daily reports on their FB page. Penns for most people will be a "no-go" this weekend. Spring will be doable. Lots of water in the region, so I'm looking to explore some new "green lines" and natural repro water. I'll also be catching a PSU baseball game Saturday and perhaps tasting some wine as well. It ain't all fishin' for me these days!

Thanks for that. Here’s their latest from today:

Penn’s Creek Angler Fly Shop Weikert, Pa. 17885. The Hatches don’t stop because of High Water. As a matter of fact, they Intensify!

Over the past 5 days I’ve seen blizzard hatches of Grey Fox, March Browns, Craneflies, Caddis, Stoneflies and Olives. I watched 500 Swallow absolutely destroy an Olive hatch the other day. Last evening I sat by the creek and Stoneflies were everywhere, they are an important food source for edge feeding trout in higher water. (fish your nymphs close to the edge) Stoneflies crawl out of the creek to hatch, the trout know this and wait there for them. These are the pictures I’ve posted over the past several days. Yes, these are old pictures I don’t need any more on my computer. That Stonefly took 55 minutes to emerge from its exoskeleton and become an adult.

I’d fish today for sure, yes, the water is higher, its 1290cfs and falling, the color is just right to edge fish. If you are on the South side of the creek, you will be looking for right bends and if you are on the north side of the creek, you’ll look for left bends. Fish the soft water after the bend! No, I am NOT pushing people to come here in this high water, but it is fishable. (again stoneflies) I had a nice day yesterday.

For the new folks that don’t have experience fishing Penn’s Creek 300-700cfs are normal flows, 700-1000cfs is fishable but don’t try to cross the creek, 1000-1500cfs is good for anglers that have a lot of experience, my boots would not get wet if I fished with flows above 700cfs.

People with physical limitations should be very careful above the 700cfs level. I would not travel long distances to get here to fish above the 700cfs level. Penn’s is a tough creek, if you can fish Penn’s successfully you can fish anywhere in the world.

I don’t know what more to say other than if you don’t learn to fish higher water you will miss lots of opportunities. It looks like this is going to be another higher water year.

All the Best!
Bruce