The spring like weather has the fishing heating up in many of our local rivers. The middle branch of the White Clay is giving up good numbers of fish on a consistent basis. The West Branch of the Octoraro is full of pig Rainbows and nice Browns. The East Branch of the Brandywine is fishing well, and many of our un-named wild streams are fishing well. This is one of the best times of the year for the Trout fisherman, as we transition from winter to spring. The fish become more active as do the bugs. All of these things coming together add up to some great fishing for the next 12 weeks. If ever there was a time to get out and fish, now is it!
With both of Pennsylvania's opening days as well as the Delaware opener happening within the next three weeks we will have more area to fish. With increased area comes increased angling pressure. I will encourage everyone to explore some of the open water after the "opening day" crowd disperses. Usually after the first week or two the bridge areas are clear of lawn chairs and sand spikes and much of the crowd is done for the year. Sure you will come across the occasional stringer or jar of Power Bait, but we are all out there fishing and having a good time and that is what it is all about. I have had some of my best fishing on open water after the crowds leave. Give one of these areas a try, i'll bet you will be glad you did.
Sunday Rick and I headed out to fish the late morning till dark. The plan was to drop me off at the top section so I could fish through. Rick then drove the truck around to the bottom section and fished up stream. we figured we would meet somewhere in the middle. I chose to fish streamers all day. Actually I fished the very fly we tied in the Smallmouth class the Wednesday before. I committed myself to fishing this fly all day no matter what happened. Well, I am glad to say I never had to second guess myself. The fly preformed great landing several stocked as well as a few wild fish.
With both of Pennsylvania's opening days as well as the Delaware opener happening within the next three weeks we will have more area to fish. With increased area comes increased angling pressure. I will encourage everyone to explore some of the open water after the "opening day" crowd disperses. Usually after the first week or two the bridge areas are clear of lawn chairs and sand spikes and much of the crowd is done for the year. Sure you will come across the occasional stringer or jar of Power Bait, but we are all out there fishing and having a good time and that is what it is all about. I have had some of my best fishing on open water after the crowds leave. Give one of these areas a try, i'll bet you will be glad you did.
Sunday Rick and I headed out to fish the late morning till dark. The plan was to drop me off at the top section so I could fish through. Rick then drove the truck around to the bottom section and fished up stream. we figured we would meet somewhere in the middle. I chose to fish streamers all day. Actually I fished the very fly we tied in the Smallmouth class the Wednesday before. I committed myself to fishing this fly all day no matter what happened. Well, I am glad to say I never had to second guess myself. The fly preformed great landing several stocked as well as a few wild fish.
Gary's "Albie" fly works well on Trout too!
You can actually see the yellow Albie fly in his jaw!
I met up with Rick about four hours after we split up. The streamer was the ticket as he was finding the fishing tough with a tandem rig of micro stones. It was a cloudy cold overcast day with the water temp getting barely above 41 degrees.
The highlight of the day was when we met two young local guys. We have talked to them in the past and after the usual stream side banter we continued fishing down and they went up. All of a sudden I heard a whooo hooo and then what sounded like someone dropping a slab or cord wood off of a 12' ladder into the water. I turned just in time to see a MASSIVE bow leap into the air in an effort to shake the fly loose. Angler and fish did battle for several minutes covering about 100 yards of river. I was the only one with a landing net and they asked if I would net it for them. Gladly I did, I didn't even mind going elbow deep on the now 40 degree water to do it. An awesome fish for sure. After snapping a few pictures the behemoth was released back to the water, hopefully to provide another angler with the thrill of the season.
(Marblehead note; Get a landing net!)
The highlight of the day was when we met two young local guys. We have talked to them in the past and after the usual stream side banter we continued fishing down and they went up. All of a sudden I heard a whooo hooo and then what sounded like someone dropping a slab or cord wood off of a 12' ladder into the water. I turned just in time to see a MASSIVE bow leap into the air in an effort to shake the fly loose. Angler and fish did battle for several minutes covering about 100 yards of river. I was the only one with a landing net and they asked if I would net it for them. Gladly I did, I didn't even mind going elbow deep on the now 40 degree water to do it. An awesome fish for sure. After snapping a few pictures the behemoth was released back to the water, hopefully to provide another angler with the thrill of the season.
(Marblehead note; Get a landing net!)
The net is 24" from the handle to the top of the hoop.
Happy dude, he was actually shaking and I don't think it was from the cold!
AWESOME!
"One Boot" Ed text me from the river on Sunday. He was on the West Branch of the Octoraro. The water was colder there as he reports water temp in the high thirties. The fishing was tough, but he did manage to bring a few fish to hand. I will bet this weekend would be great in the fly section. Warmer temps and pressure from up stream for the opening day crowd just may move some fish down to the FF section. Get out and give it a shot.
We have had several good reports from the middle branch of the White Clay. I would like to share this one with you. On Wednesday my phone's text alert kept going off. Well, it turns out that my brother was on the middle branch about mid afternoon. Now my bro is not a fly fisher, he prefers to chase Trout with ultra light spinning gear and in-line spinners or micro crank baits. An accomplished angler to say the least, I have seen him work a run with a spinner that would make a seasoned fly fisher jealous. He is artistry in motion on the water, spend a few minutes watching him fish and you will soon realize there is more to ultra light spin fishing than just cast and reel, MUCH more. Anyway he spend Wednesday and Thursday on the middle branch and had banner days on both outings. He did note a definite "turn on" time of about 1:00 in the afternoon. Here is one of the pictures he sent me. Good job bro, one of these days we will get a long rod in your hand.
We have had several good reports from the middle branch of the White Clay. I would like to share this one with you. On Wednesday my phone's text alert kept going off. Well, it turns out that my brother was on the middle branch about mid afternoon. Now my bro is not a fly fisher, he prefers to chase Trout with ultra light spinning gear and in-line spinners or micro crank baits. An accomplished angler to say the least, I have seen him work a run with a spinner that would make a seasoned fly fisher jealous. He is artistry in motion on the water, spend a few minutes watching him fish and you will soon realize there is more to ultra light spin fishing than just cast and reel, MUCH more. Anyway he spend Wednesday and Thursday on the middle branch and had banner days on both outings. He did note a definite "turn on" time of about 1:00 in the afternoon. Here is one of the pictures he sent me. Good job bro, one of these days we will get a long rod in your hand.
If you look real close you can see the spinner locked tightly in his mouth.
We are coming into the best time of the year for the Trout fisherman. Get out and fish!
Tight Lines...
Tight Lines...
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