Prospector
Well-known member
Time Fished: 630pm - 800pm
Weather Conditions: As I was driving to the creek a light drizzle started and air temp dropped from 57 to 51 degrees; Light rain
Water Conditions: 45 degrees, Flow was swift but with good visibility
Insects: none
After doing the math I realized I hadn’t fished The Branch for 32 years. My favorite streams up here were going to be slow fishing with the cold water temps so I chose to put them on hold until later in the week and take the short 11 minute drive to The Branch (an odd name for a stream).
It is a nice little stream with a good flow, some nice holes and a decent amount of logjams to protect the trout. I was fishing the lower end today but 32 years ago I was in the upper reaches. In it’s headwaters The Branch and 5 of its tribs (Coal Bed Run and 4 Unnamed Tribs) are recognized as Wild Trout Waters / Natural Reproduction. Some of you might find that interesting to check out some day.
As I arrived, the rain chased off the only person on the creek. So I had it to myself. I had 4 strikes on a small streamer and I caught 2 brook trout. Nothing major but nice way to finish the day.
Extra Tidbit
At 5pm I was headed back to camp after grabbing some supplies at the store, so I stopped at the East Hickory DHALO area to check the temperature. It was a disappointing 41 degrees, but a blue quill hatch was in full swing. They must have been busting at the nymph case, and just couldn’t wait any longer, to hatch at that water temperature. No rises. I watched for awhile and observed a blue quill riding the current past me every 7 to 15 seconds. There were also a ton of midges...greenish body. In smaller numbers I also observed sz 18 Black Stones, sz 18 golden stones, Quill Gordon spinners and a few larger duns floating past the size of Quill Gordons. I’m certain if the temp was above 52 there would have been rises based on the quantity of insects.
Weather Conditions: As I was driving to the creek a light drizzle started and air temp dropped from 57 to 51 degrees; Light rain
Water Conditions: 45 degrees, Flow was swift but with good visibility
Insects: none
After doing the math I realized I hadn’t fished The Branch for 32 years. My favorite streams up here were going to be slow fishing with the cold water temps so I chose to put them on hold until later in the week and take the short 11 minute drive to The Branch (an odd name for a stream).
It is a nice little stream with a good flow, some nice holes and a decent amount of logjams to protect the trout. I was fishing the lower end today but 32 years ago I was in the upper reaches. In it’s headwaters The Branch and 5 of its tribs (Coal Bed Run and 4 Unnamed Tribs) are recognized as Wild Trout Waters / Natural Reproduction. Some of you might find that interesting to check out some day.
As I arrived, the rain chased off the only person on the creek. So I had it to myself. I had 4 strikes on a small streamer and I caught 2 brook trout. Nothing major but nice way to finish the day.
Extra Tidbit
At 5pm I was headed back to camp after grabbing some supplies at the store, so I stopped at the East Hickory DHALO area to check the temperature. It was a disappointing 41 degrees, but a blue quill hatch was in full swing. They must have been busting at the nymph case, and just couldn’t wait any longer, to hatch at that water temperature. No rises. I watched for awhile and observed a blue quill riding the current past me every 7 to 15 seconds. There were also a ton of midges...greenish body. In smaller numbers I also observed sz 18 Black Stones, sz 18 golden stones, Quill Gordon spinners and a few larger duns floating past the size of Quill Gordons. I’m certain if the temp was above 52 there would have been rises based on the quantity of insects.
