Big Spring, PA Stream Report

Thanks to Josh Reider for the stream report and pictures from Big Spring: Fly fishing the ditch at Big Springs is a completely different game, there is virtually no flow, the water is gin clear, and it embodies the idea of sight-fishing. It is a rewarding and fun time. I have been fishing it the past couple of weeks attempting to catch one of the 20 plus inch rainbow that you can see cruising the channel. I have not had the luck to land one yet but have landed lots of brook and rainbow trout. The most productive way of fishing is to nymph a …

Read more

Fly Fishing in Northern Italy

Thanks to Werner Mueller for the photos and stream report from the Passer River, Alto Adige in Northern Italy: Theaux, Hope you are well. Per our discussion a couple of weeks ago I am including a couple of images in regard to my fishing trip to Alto Adige in Northern Italy this past September. The Passer river section I fished is 10 KM of fly fishing only . You will need a fishing license for Italy 30 EU/10 years validity and a daily license fee of 20 EU . The water is club owned and extremely well maintained. There is one guide- daily rate EU …

Read more

First Dry Fly Caught Trout on Homewaters

The Gunpowder River is flowing at 42 Cfs is 52 F and clear. BWO’s have been accounting for wild fish in the flats and tailouts, small streamers like Grey Ghosts are still tricking fish in the log jams and over leaf piles. Nymphing remains challenging, if only because the likelihood of snagging leaves with weighted flies remains high. So try smaller pheasant tails in the #16-18 range are small enough to keep you out of trouble and still find a few fish. Now is the time to explore the area outside of the catch and release section. Remember that the Gunpowder has 18 miles of …

Read more

Low Water and Wild Trout in November

The Gunpowder River is gin clear, flowing at 40 Cfs, and is 54 to 57 degrees F throughout the catch and release section. Hatches are winding down. Warmer water temps in the afternoons have allowed a few cream midges and a Blue Winged olive or three to lift off. Warmer water temperatures this week from the drop in flow and mild evenings have resulted in more active wild fish. Unweighted streamers are a good way to cover water around the log jams. Small terrestrials-especially beetles are still accounting for a few fish. In low water, try to approach fish especially along the edges of riffles …

Read more

Dry Fly Fishing on the Gunpowder River

The Gunpowder River is clear and flowing at 82 Cfs and is 56 degrees F. With ideal flows and water temps in the mid to high 50’s wild fish are looking up. Fur ants and low water caddis have been effective this week. Long light leaders are still making a difference out there. Nymphing is getting a bit tough with lots of leaves about. Thanks to Kerrie for joining me on the stream in mid-September and giving me the OK to post some feedback and pictures from our trip. Theaux, Thanks again for guiding me yesterday.I had an absolute blast and learned a lot. Please …

Read more

When One Wild Fish is Sometimes Enough

The Gunpowder is flowing at 104 CFS is clear and 56 to 58F. With River flows and water temps up, wild fish don’t have nearly as long to study flies and they will be snapping at well presented dries. For now, plan on ditching the 7 and 8x and enjoy fishing some more reasonable ( 9 ft 4 and 5x) leaders and tippet (5x and 6x) for now. Larger hopper patterns and heavy streamers will account for a number of fish at these flows. Nymphing with some shot and a double nymph rig-like a copper John followed by a small hare’s ear will do the …

Read more