Moon Lake State Park

 Moon Lake State Park

With a cool calm morning yesterday I figured it would be a good maiden run of the new kayak.  I was told that Moon Lake had a good lily pad end, so I was hoping for some warm-water action.

The report was correct and the pads are where I pointed the Pelican towards.  Since it was my first time out with a purpose on the kayak I figured this would be a morning with its share of frustration. Managing the paddle, fly rod and anchor, getting in position to cast was full of a few tangles and cursing.  But I eventually started to settle into a rhythm of sorts. It's definitely not as comfortable as my Cumberland float tube. 

It wasn't too long before fish came to hand.  3 Bass on the day, a few bluegills and one nice crappie.  Had a few pickerel rushes that I pulled the fly away on in excitement. And missed quite a few hook sets while fussing with the new line management on the deck of the kayak.

 In review of the kayak.  it functions perfectly and as hoped for.  The tube is far more manageable with a fly rod.  And more comfortable. But for covering distance, the kayak wins hands-down.

7.5" wingspan

As an addition, I was lucky enough to come across a Cecropia Giant Silkworm Moth. An uncommon and beautiful specimen as well.

See you on the water

Calm Waters for May

 Waters have receded. Welcoming in May

We are back down to just about normal levels

Which is a good thing since we are in such close proximity.

See you all on the water!

April Went Out Kicking!

 

April showers did their best to remind us that nature is still in charge.  It went out kicking and in turn scrubbed the winters debris from the stream

By Sunday evening water levels were threatening and still climbing

After a few nervous checks on the water through the night, Monday morning showed a creek that was dropping. But it wasn't done doing its work yet.

20" diameter tree 150' tall

While looking over the mornings destruction, a tree came down off the bank about 100 yds upstream.  It was swept immediately downstream like it was nothing more than a sapling. 

 

Tuesday morning things were looking a little better and we were able to get an idea of what all had been reshaped.

Wednesday morning we are almost back to normal.  Looks like no real negative changes, with some depth added to the run.  I'll take it.

Hope everybody rode the storm out safely.

See you on the water.

Claret & Ginger....And Brown.

With an hour left of an 85 degree day, I was less optimistic than normal.  Expecting less activity due to the abnormal heat we were experiencing. I began the night with a dual nymph rig. Tying on a Squirrels Nest Drake as my bottom fly and a C2C on a dropper 12" up.

The Fish were there, but slowly to the take.  They were taking both flies equally with the largest bow choosing the SND. 

I worked the run pretty hard and pulled a few fish for my efforts.  Fairly slow as I had expected, but still a great night to be on the water.  As I worked my way down to the main pool, I began to notice a number of fish working.  The shadows were getting long with only about 30 minutes of prime light remaining.  I drifted the nymphs through the slot where the fish were feeding with no luck.  Not able to see what they were feeding on I decided to try a wet fly that I figured just may split the difference.  

Claret and Ginger

Hook:  #12 Standard Nymph

Thread:  Claret Danville 

Tail:  Dark Barred Ginger fibers (Hen Neck)

Abdomen:  Claret tying thread

Palmer:  Dark Barred Ginger (Gape Length)

Rib: Small Copper Wire

Hackle: Dark Barred Ginger (Gape Length x2)

Removing the indicator and clipping off the nymphs, I tied on a Claret and Ginger Wet.  It is a staple in my box wherever there is a steady March Brown hatch. I fish it as a classic wet, swinging it just below the surface. My first cast produced a roll, but I was too anxious and pulled it away.  My mind raced...I knew it!  Taking another step downstream I cast again and was rewarded with a large roll and take. Setting the hook to 3-4 heavy head shakes and an immediate run downstream, I was along for the ride. It took the remaining light to land it, putting the finishing touch on a great night. 

 

It was a joy setting the hook on a brown of this size on a classic wet fly swing.  A refreshing change of pace in the current world of Euro-Nymphs and lobbing heavy rigs.

See you on the water!

EASTER 2023

 

My Grand-Daughter Lillian's Easter artwork captures the hatch of the day.  I'm thinking a Green Weenie and Wooly-Worm should match it adequately. :)

While only 2 of my daughters were on hand this year, along with their fiances and the Grandson, we were able to have a very enjoyable holiday.

The Grandson with Pop Pop, watching the Hatches

We did get some fishing in. A beautiful rainbow on a clown egg rig Sunday morning, while under the direct supervision of Brook

Benjamin and Aunt Becky on their first meeting

A fat Bow on the Little Crappie Fly 

It's still unclear who stole the first scoop of the apple-crisp?

Brook probably knows the guilty party, but she's sworn to secrecy.

All-n-All, a Great holiday.  Family and a little fishing.  Hoping to have the whole crew for 2024.

See you on the water! 

PA Opening Day 2023

 

Opening Day 2023

The morning began with questionable weather.  Fortunately however, I stayed on the water throughout the rain.  Despite being slow early on with most of my time spent re-rigging, fumbling with numb fingers and donating more than my fair share of flies and fluorocarbon to the tree and rock gods.  Immediately following the last downpour, the skies brightened and the fish turned  on.

I opened the season with the Livingston Glass rod, expecting nymphing throughout the day.

 First fish of the day was a brown that I only glimpsed briefly before 3 to 4 heavy head shakes and slow reactions allowed him to snap off my fly. Then shortly after I fumbled and grumbled at myself for not reacting fast enough while tying on a new fly, I was rewarded with a fat 18" brown.  I felt a little better. 

Spotting the tell-tale orange glow of a Palomino, I opted to throw something at it and after a short while was able to bump it in the nose with a C2C nymph and it took it. Pali's are either the highlight or the scourge of PA fishermen, but I will say, at 21" and ample girth, it was like playing a Steelhead.  It was a blast, and I thank the glass rod for protecting my 5x tippet all the way to the net.

They are pretty, even if they are crowd magnets. But it's still swimming so somebody else can have fun as well.

The morning gave up another fat brown before my bones said it was time to get out of the waders.  Which was good timing because my crossing had increased  in flow and if it weren't for my wading staff waiting for me I would have arrived back wet for sure. 

Some observations.  The water was clear, and even after the rains it only slightly colored up.  I saw no hatch activity until just after lunch. The Early Brown Stones (Willow Fly), easily copied with a #14 2x long pattern, was more abundant than I have noticed in recent years. Which would explain why they took so well to the Squirrels Nest Drake. 

See you on the water

Spring Flybox Refills

Refilling the Spring Boxes

With opening day coming fast, it was time to add the winters tying to the boxes, and finish any tying needed for the beginning of the season.  Restocking is a reminder as well, of that patterns earned their keep last season, and which patterns are simply squatters in your box.

Starting with the LTD. Bins were empty.  Had a few in BWO, but none in Sulfur or March Browns left at all.

  The Briar Creek bin was empty.  As were a number of wet flies.  Last year was a great year for swinging tandem wets.

Partridge and Yellow

 Partridge and Burgundy

Olive Woody

On the Streamer side of the house, both the Little Crappie Fly and the Guinness Trout were empty. With several others down to  a few ragged soldiers remaining.

 Little Crappie Fly

Guinness Trout

Mohair Leech

Olive Little Pine

Golden Retriever

The nymph box took a hit as well.  A number of patterns were dry.  And many were down to a few left from winter fishing.

Olive Emerger

Sexy Walts

Amber Perdigon

Black Perdigon

Rainbow Warrior

Tan Caddis

Most of all is caught up, with a few new patterns I want to try yet to be tied. A few days remaining. :)  The Blog should remain active moving forward, and still working on my tying video setup.  It should be soon.  

See you on the water!