Spring Creek, Forest Co, 5-11-19

Prospector

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Jul 7, 2015
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Butler Co home, Forest Co camp
Time Fished: 3pm - 4pm

Weather Conditions: 66 degrees, Sunny

Water Conditions: 51 degrees, heavy flow and high, brown tint with 3-4 foot visibility

Insects: Tons of light colored midges, a few Caddis and mayfly

The heavy rains had wrecked all area streams but Spring Creek tends to clear up quicker than most, so I headed there. Only 2 vehicles were present with 2 middle aged fly fishers sitting in their vehicle waiting for 2 elder fly fishers who were still on the stream. Both groups told me they did not catch any fish. I took a quick look at the water and it was high and stained but I’ve had great days here in these water conditions on Spring. It seems to really turn on the browns. So I was excited about the prospects.

I tend to fish small weighted streamers here in these conditions (the fish run on the small side) and I’ve done it so many times I knew the lies and runs to work through to tell me if the fish were on. Well, I made one full pass through areas where I might have 30 strikes during these conditions and I had zero. I’m at a total loss to explain why. Whether the fish weren’t there, was the water too cold, did they fill up at night and earlier in the day and were not feeding, was I asking them to move up too high in the water column to take my streamer? All I know is I caught none and had not one strike.

I finished up and headed to the truck just as the elders were leaving the creek. The 4 of those guys made a quick plan and all jumped in the truck still clad in their waders and headed somewhere else. They at least had hope there were active fish elsewhere. I did the same except my destination was a little further away.

 
Interesting.

I was there on monday - the 6th. The lower section - from Halton up to the Big Run bridge.
Tan caddis were hatching nicely. Checked 3-4 nice holes.
Saw 0 rises. And two other fly fishermen I talked to there said the same.
It was a bright sunny day, but there were still some nice shaded runs that had no surface activity either. Very puzzling.

FWIW, tan caddis were also hatching well on a few other streams in the area - Bear and Millstone creeks. And nothing rising there either.

I ended up going to Oil creek. And finally finding some targets to cast to there
 
Dryflyguy,

That’s a great point about the sun. As I was casting to location after location where a strike was a near certainty, but none were coming, I was baffled but then remembered that the browns were active on previous trips when it was raining. I forgot to mention that thought in my report, but it was bright yesterday. I did fish several shaded areas which should have balanced that out a bit, but I agree that sunlight seemed to be a factor.
 
The water level on all 3 streams was at a nice level, and clear ( for once).
In spite of the bright mid day sun, still was very surprised by the lack of surface activity to a good hatch.
 
Covered some water upstream between Kelly Pines and the Rod & Gun Club hatchery on Saturday afternoon and can confirm the same as you both.

Bunch of midges, healthy numbers of tan caddis. Not a single rise.

Tan Caddis were even heavier on Tionesta at Blue Jay but also zero rises seen over about an hour.
 
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