A 15″ wild brown is thankful that he was caught and then quickly released Wednesday afternoon. The only car in the lot was mine, how’s that for pressure? The lucky angler was new to fishing moving water and his longest cast, including a 10 ft 7x leader was about 20 feet. The fish was in a fast shallow riffle about shin deep and made a bold move downstream after picking up a #14 caddis larvae pattern. I’ll have a nice pic up as soon as I figure out this camera… The water is cool at 49 F and slightly off color- just a hint of green- as the reservoir is still turning over . Flows are low at 55 CFs and fish are in fast riffles and slots. Try attractor nymphs sized #14-18 in the fast water and #8-10 streamers on a dead drift through the pools and log jams.If you’d like to try dries, start with a cream midge in a #20 and fish from Falls RD. upstream.

The river is a little cooler at 50 F and is still low and clear. Fish are taking midges and midge emergers in corners and back-eddies from mid-day on. Nymphing in the AM is a great way to start the day and #12-14 prince nymphs have been working fine. Smaller nymphs, such as #16-18 pheasant tails are worth a try. Streamers have accounted for a few fish over 16″ in the past week. A slow to no strip retrieve is the best way to move big fish around undercuts and logs.

Note: Want to catch a Rainbow? Give Falls RD upstream a look and fish the fastest water you can find.

The river is still nice and low, 54 F and has a great Fall look to it-the reservoir is turning over so the river water has a slight milky cast to it…Lots of rainbows have been eager to take small nymphs in the riffles above Falls rd. Browns have been midging in the shadows from Masemore downstream to York Rd. Leaves are starting to fall but not enough are on the water yet to disrupt dry fly fishing.

Note: This 23″ brown demands respect-and yes, It does swim in the Gunpowder…