I had planned to head up last week, but the rain and high water kept me away. I did make it up for some cicada fishing in Central PA, though. @dryflyguy happened to be in the area for the couple of days I was there. This year, water levels, clarity, and the weather in general have been pretty tough.
Both days were clear, sunny, humid, and extremely hot—air temps climbed into the low 90s by early afternoon. Water levels were above average too. Milesburg was at about 450 on 6/22, and Axemann was around 220 on 6/23. The water was off-color, and it stayed high and murky below Bellefonte. I found that the flow and clarity below Bellefonte made it tough to decide where and how to fish the stream.
Cicadas were everywhere along Spring Creek—buzzing in the trees and bushes, flying around, and a lot of dead ones showing up on the ground, which meant plenty were falling into the water. I fished Spring in the mornings, usually from around 10 to 12. I had the best luck in sections with softer water, especially at these levels. Bank fishing and shaded spots produced the best results. I rarely saw fish rising in the faster, deeper runs.
I missed quite a few fish and really wished I had brought a wider range of patterns to try. In general, smaller patterns seemed to work better. Often, I think the trout just missed their mark. I noticed this with a few natural cicadas floating by—trout would strike, but the bug would still be there after the splash. Could be my hook set was off too.
It was a surreal couple of days—blazing hot, cicadas buzzing everywhere, and thick vegetation. Felt like jungle fishing. I drank a ton of water and stood in 55-degree water, which wasn’t too bad.
Both days were clear, sunny, humid, and extremely hot—air temps climbed into the low 90s by early afternoon. Water levels were above average too. Milesburg was at about 450 on 6/22, and Axemann was around 220 on 6/23. The water was off-color, and it stayed high and murky below Bellefonte. I found that the flow and clarity below Bellefonte made it tough to decide where and how to fish the stream.
Cicadas were everywhere along Spring Creek—buzzing in the trees and bushes, flying around, and a lot of dead ones showing up on the ground, which meant plenty were falling into the water. I fished Spring in the mornings, usually from around 10 to 12. I had the best luck in sections with softer water, especially at these levels. Bank fishing and shaded spots produced the best results. I rarely saw fish rising in the faster, deeper runs.
I missed quite a few fish and really wished I had brought a wider range of patterns to try. In general, smaller patterns seemed to work better. Often, I think the trout just missed their mark. I noticed this with a few natural cicadas floating by—trout would strike, but the bug would still be there after the splash. Could be my hook set was off too.
It was a surreal couple of days—blazing hot, cicadas buzzing everywhere, and thick vegetation. Felt like jungle fishing. I drank a ton of water and stood in 55-degree water, which wasn’t too bad.
