Penns Creek, Centre County 2_26_17

[BrooksAndHooks]

Stream was flowing in the low 200 cfs today, and had just the right hint of color. Was a cool morning around 30, warming up to around 38. Water temp was 40-42. Fished from 9-1, 1:30-4:30 @ Poe.

We landed 18 fish in the morning from about 9:30-12 they were very hot. Only landed one in the afternoon just before packing it up. At one point I was netting fish for my brother and immediately netting fish for my best friend, and then repeating the process, until they both hooked up at once. We only landed 3-4 fish around 10", the rest were in the 12-14" range, and 2 around 15-16 and one big shouldered male near 17". All caught on nymphs, everything from caddis, stoneflies, to anything else. Hottest patterns were all a green variation. A spotty hatch of small black stones but nothing substantial. The majority of the takes were soft and several I couldn't even feel on my syndicate, which is a very sensitive rod. Overall we had a blast, no one got skunked, and landed 19 fish between 4 of us which I consider a successful day on a stream like Penns in the winter. Fish were all over the place, and just not eating in the afternoon. Definitely worth the trip and wish it was closer for us to run up.

Tight lines,
Ryan

 

[3wt7X]

Great report!!! The central PA streams are starting to wake up a bit. I just have my fingers crossed that this year isn't one where all the hatches end up stacked on top of each other. It is still early yet, but low water and warmer temps can do that. Glad you got into some nice trout on Penns.

 

[Wild_Trouter]

I hit Penns as well on Friday but even higher up in the watershed from where you were. I caught eight total, with five coming on top (#22 Hi-Vis Griffith's Gnat, #22 Gray Midge Pupa fished in the film), and three on #10 Conehead Rusty Brown Leach. Fish averaged about 12-14" for me and were beautifully colored. I did see some LBS along with gray midges. Saw quite a few fish rising during the 11am-1pm time frame and then it was like someone hit the switch and then all was silent. I couldn't buy a hit or follow on anything after that.

 

[Dave_W]

Wild_Trouter wrote:
...then it was like someone hit the switch and then all was silent. I couldn't buy a hit or follow on anything after that.

Dang Penns Creek! 😎

Sounds like a great day. Whatever the downsides of the weather we're having lately, it has made for some decent fishing weather.
Folks are catching trout on dry flies - hard to believe we're still in Feb.

 

[BrooksAndHooks]

Thanks for the replies guys. Yes that was exactly the conditions we had, only 1 fish all afternoon. We only nymphed, but didn't see a single rise at all or I would have considered throwing some dries.

It definitely is odd, I caught a nice brown on a hopper the second week of February on a local, very small limestoner. I never thought I would say that. Didn't have much in the way of dries with me and was not anticipating it, but came upon 5 rising browns and watched them for a few moments, and figured I would throw them the tastiest fly I had to offer... The larger brown accepted the challenge.

get out there while the getting is good!

 

[boychick]

Good for you guys! Great report, thanks for sharing.