Spring Creek, Centre County, 3-9-15

[BrooksAndHooks]

We fished 3 sections today. Water was very clear, typical for this time of year. Water temperature seemed to be fairly warm, but didn't get a reading. Was sunny (I actually got burnt in March, wow) with a light wind, with some gusts at times. Temp peaked around 45 degrees. We saw plenty of hatches, but I am not yet a professional at identifying them. Looked to be BWO to me. Saw lots of small green midges, sal bugs, green stick-larvae (can't remember proper name) and a few others in water and under rocks. Water levels seemed to be about normal, but this is the first time I have ever fished the stream. We did not have much luck, I didn't get a hit until 6:30 at night, which I missed, and then landed a nice brown. My friend has one large bow on early afternoon, brought it in, but snapped his line before he could get it up. Looked to be about 18" to me at most. He caught his on a green brown midge pattern I suggested after looking through his box. I fished a BWO emerger among other patterns, but only had luck with a pheasant tail.

I fished streamers for about half the day, then did mostly nymphs. We saw a ton of fish, and talked to several guys who were having good luck. Not sure what our issue was, but for the first time on the stream I enjoyed it. The creek itself is beautiful and the water was great. Hopefully next time we turn on to more fish.

 

[huntfish]

nice looking brown. gotta love spring creek.

i would suggest trying black zebra midges next time.

 

[BrooksAndHooks]

I through a black zebra midge for a while solo, as a dropper from an egg, and as part of a nymph dropper setup. No luck. Size 20s I believe. I was fishing with 7x tippet too, I dropped down because I thought I might be spooking the fish somehow. I'm really at a loss. I think the first stretch we fished was a dude, we didn't really see many fish other than a big school of suckers. That's where I fished the zebra midge the most, so looking back maybe I should have tried it some more on one of the other sections.

Definitely was a nice fish and nice stream, hopefully we have better luck next time. We were surprised there were a ton of people out on a monday, took us until 6 at night to finally find a spot to ourselves.

 

[BrooksAndHooks]

Here are a few more photos:

 

[huntfish]

anyone been to spring creek near bellefonte in the past day or two? whats the water looking like?

 

[J55tyger88]

BnH,
Those are great pics. I especially like the brown close up.

 

[pcray1231]

bnh,

If you were seeing BWO's, that makes sense as tis the season for them to start. Though if there was a decent hatch of them I'd be shocked if fish weren't rising. They can be real tough to see the rises for BWO's, and they usually are along the edges and current breaks. But some of my best days ever on Spring Creek were March while fishing BWO rises.

 

[BrooksAndHooks]

hunt, I would try to contact lv2nymph, he is a local, might be able to give you some info.

Thanks J55, the first was taken with my GoPro and second two with my old Iphone 4, haha. I was surprised how well that one turned out.

pcray,

I thought that made sense too, but not familiar with the stream either to know if they occur there. The hatch wasn't crazy but there were a few about. The section I saw the most was way down past bellefonte, current was moving pretty good so if they were rising, you are right I probably would have had trouble seeing them without looking. Thinking the 22s might have been a little small to be seen in the faster water, might try to tie some slightly bigger ones up, maybe 18s.

 

[nymphingmaniac]

i was on the houserville section (upper) this afternoon for two-three hours. The water is stained, but "fishable". Recorded a temp of 44 at 3PM. Nothing hatching (only a few scant midges in the air) and nothing rising. Caught a few on streamers and attractor nymphs. Average to below average sized fish. Quality fish were down.
Rain coming tonight and and still lots of snow to melt. It should be tough fishing until the middle of next week