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Fishing
Creek - Clinton County, PA (Page 2 of 3)
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Continued (from Charles R. Meck - Pennsylvania Trout Streams and Thier Hatches - 2nd Edition):
Fishing Creek reminds me somewhat of teh Henry's Fork in Idaho because of the diversity and intensity of its hatches. The season begins almost immediately with the opening of trout season. First-day fisherman are often greeted with the Blue Quill, Quill Gordon and the Hendrickson. But this limestone stream doesn't pause after the early hatches, as so many Pennsylvania streams do. The third week of April produces a fantastic Black Caddis hatch that can be gratifying for the patient fly-fisherman. Durnig the hatch fish teh patter just under the surface. Trout sometimes swirl at teh wet fly and miss it. There are plenty of other caddis species on the stream. Check the stream bottom, and you'll see all types of Caddis larvae (Rhyacophila species) that measure 20 millimeters long. Many are bright green, and a green-bodied larval imatation on a size-10 hook works well.
The Sulphur begins early on Fishing Creek, almost the same day it first appears on the Little Juniata River. By May 13 or 14 the Sulphur is heaven enough to bring trout to the surface. This Sulphur has a distinct olive to its orange-yellow body. In my book, Meeting and Fishing the Hatches I indicated many times that the size of insects of the same species varies from stream to stream. The coloration of insects, especially mayflies, also varies from stream to stream. The Sulphur emerges from the Narrow downstream until mid- to late June.
Fishing Creek is probably best noted for its Green Drake hatch, which appears about a week alter than the one on Penns Creek. When the Drake appears in late afternoon and evening, any section of the Narrows is productive, and the trout seem to take the imitation more willingly than on Penns Creek. Fishing over the Drake during its peak emergence can be a three-hour event, and catching a dozen or more trout on the imitation is commonplace. As with Penns, however, when word gets out that the hatch is on, dozens of fly-fisherman show up for the spectacle and crowd much of the suitable fishing space. The March Brown and Sulphur emerge simultaneously with teh Green Drake, so if you miss the Drake hatch you will probably see one of the other two.
By mid-June Fishing Creek is still alive with insects. Yet to appear are several species of Blue Quills (Paraleptophlebia species), Slate Drakes, some Blue-Winged Olive Duns, Light Cahils, and a great hatch of Tricos beginning in mid-July. Tricos and Blue-Winged Olive Duns continue well into September. Dave Rothrock, of Jersey Shore, looks forward to the Slate Drake hatch on Fishing Creek. Dave's developed an excellent pattern for the nymph and finds it especially effective on this stream.
Fishing Creek is almost like three separate streams in its water conditions and hatches. Tricos, for example, don't appear on the upper section in the Narrows. They do, however, emerge from Mackeyville downstream, and for the patient late season angler the can be a boon. Green Drakes and Blue Quills are most prominent in the Narrows.
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