Summer Time

We don't know about you but we've been very busy lately with some crazy stuff! We missed a blog first with computer problems and then when thunderstorms knocked out our internet so it's been a bit stressful here lately. We upgraded some computers in the office and what should have been an easy transition from old to new (I can hear you laughing...), was a nightmare. But, I think we're back on track now.

While we were pulling out our hair in the office, our guides kept doing what they do best and that is getting clients into fish. We've continued to have a very good season with lots of honorable-mention trout. Take a look at some of the photos below. The stream fished well and has been in great shape since March. Jim will fill us in on the details below.

Jim's Stream Report

It's mid June already and summertime fly fishing is here. Water flows and water temperatures have been awesome and so has the fishing. Early morning hours we are seeing some rising fish to leftover spinners from the night before, along with sporadic hatches of sulphurs, slate drakes and some caddis. Trout can be caught on dry flies using rusty spinners, sulphurs, caddis and cracklebacks.
Nymphing has been very productive in the early morning hours using a host of different nymphs. And it seems no two mornings are the same. One day small perdigon and pheasant tail nymphs will work very well and the next it's larger nymphs, sucker spawn, stone flies and mop flies. It's a game of changing flies, tippet size and how you present the fly.
Mid day we are still seeing feeding fish but with the bright afternoon sunlight the trout are a little more selective. I found switching to small soft hackle wet flies or sulphur emergers works very well. Tight lining or euro style nymphing in small riffles using small perdigon nymphs has been very effective during this time of day.

Mid day is a great time to fish the green inch worm. It's one of my favorite flies to fish and the trout are starting to love it. You can fish it a host of ways. Dry fly drop or hopper drop is one of the most popular ways to fish it. It works well indicator nymphing or euro nymphing. My favorite way is to sight fish it in slow moving pools.
Late afternoon and into the evening hours is the best time for dry fly action. Sulphurs is the main bug on the menu right now. If you are waiting for the sulphur hatch be sure to fish til almost dark. A lot of fly fishermen leave to early and miss the hatch. Here on fishing creek you can start seeing some flies around 8:30. With the heaviest part of hatch closer to 9:00 pm.
One nice thing about fly fishing in June is that fishing can be good from morning till dark. And you can use many different fly fishing techniques throughtout the day. You can fish a few hours before work or head over to the stream to catch the evening sulphur hatch right after supper.

 Spain is Open

Spain opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from most countries, including the United States, on June 7. Museums, restaurants, cafes, concert halls, and beaches are all open but without the crowds, at least for awhile. Sounds like a perfect time to plan a vacation to this beautiful country.

Thinking of Spain, we have a couple rooms open on our departure for September 14-22, 2021. This is an interesting combination of a seriously good fishing trip for the angler and seriously good tourist activities for the non anglers. Lovely small mountain atmosphere in the E. Pyrenees and close to lots of good fishing and sightseeing. Take a look at the itinerary and contact us or Kristene Fitzgerald at Frontiers (800-245-1950).

Bring on the tapas and the trout!

https://issuu.com/frontierstravel/docs/2021__becks_hosted_spain?fr=sMzA2OTE1NzY0MjA

Spring into Summer

Weren't we just talking about Quill Gordons and Hendricksons? Then the March Browns and caddis? It seems like spring no sooner gets started till it's summer! We had a cool wet early spring and while we didn't have really high water to speak of, we did have lots of cold nights and sluggish mornings on the stream when not much was happening and we had to coax the fish with streamers and nymphs until the water warmed in the afternoons. Then the March Browns appeared, nights warmed up and dry fly fishing kicked off.

Now here we are at Memorial Day with summer right around the corner. The stream has dropped from spring levels and is gin-clear, clarity has always been a trademark of Fishing Creek. March Brown spinners are appearing in the evening along with a few sulphurs. Seasons are changing again and now it's lovely to be on the stream at daylight and again for the last hour or two before dark. During the day we're fishing inch worms, beetles and other favorite terrestrials. Sometimes in the evening an angler can pick up shouts and cheers of a soccer or baseball game from the nearby athletic fields. Yes, summer is here.

But like spring, it won't last long and soon we'll be asking the same question of the Light Cahills and Slate Drakes. What happened to them? But, for now we are in full swing and trying to enjoy everyday that we can get on the water. We hope you're getting out to fish. It truly is a magical time of year.....and it goes so fast.

If you're a veteran, we thank you for your service and we remember the men and women who died while in the military service protecting our country. We spend time remembering those who lost their lives and could not come home, reflecting on their service and why we have the luxury and freedom that we enjoy today. We might consider how we can better support and safeguard their grieving families and loved ones who are left behind.

Happy Memorial Day to you and your family.

Leigh Perkins, who built Orvis, dies at 93

A true fly fishing pioneer. The man who transformed the Vermont-based Orvis  company into an international powerhouse.

https://www.benningtonbanner.com/local-news/leigh-perkins-who-turned-orvis-into-international-powerhouse-dead-at-93/article_1e61b1c6-b1eb-11eb-bb7f-773e9eb0684f.html

Guiding & Lessons Staying Strong

It's been a busy couple of weeks with guiding, lessons, and corporate groups. Lots of great fish have been caught by lots of happy anglers!

Fly Sale $12.00 dozen

Who puts flies on sale in peak season? We do. We are making room for our new patterns (poly fluffs and cdc thorax duns), so are offering our parachute duns, klinkhammers, low profile caddis, and tungsten orange butt nymphs at great savings.

This sale is not in the online store, but email and phone only. We want to talk about quantities and patterns, while supply lasts, and this is the quickest, easiest way. Do not email your credit card information. Give us a phone number and we will call you or send us your payment via Paypal to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We will match it to your email.

570-925-2392. Be prepared with:

1. Your name and address
2. A phone number where you can be reached
3. Quantities and patterns
4. PA residents must include 6% sales tax
5. Shipping is $5.00 for this special only. International rates are higher
6. Method of Payment. Credit Card or Paypal
7. Leave your order in a voicemail if we can not pick up the phone when you call. We will return your call if we have questions or are out of a pattern

These are beautifully tied flies, good patterns and at $12 a dozen is a great price. Call us today! 570-925-2392 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Parachute Duns: Little Blue Quills (16), Hendricksons (14), March Browns (12), BWO Cornuta (16), Sulphur (16/18), Light Cahill (14), Slate Drake (12), Mahogany (12).

Low Profile Caddis: Black, Tan, or Pale Green (14, 16).

Tungsten Orange Butt Nymphs: Great anchor or attractor nymph...and tungsten! (10, 12, 14).

Cast Around a Corner

RIO's 1-minute fly casting tips (your homework for this week)
This week’s RIO Fly Fishing Tip shows how to bend your fly line around a corner. This cast, known as a Positive Curve Cast, or a Shepherd's Crook Cast, is a great cast to have in your repertoire as it enables you cast to the side of a weed bed, and bend your fly line round to land in front of a fish (and not over the top of the weed bed) - just as it is shown in this video.

https://www.rioproducts.com/learn/cast-your-line-around-a-corner

Tying the Rusty Spinner

"The Rusty Spinner is one of those fly patterns that really needs no introduction," says Tim Flagler of this week's featured pattern. "Kind of like a Woolly Bugger or an Adam’s Parachute. It’s found in virtually every fly shop and catalog, and is, by far and away, one of the most effective flies that’s ever been, particularly for fishing at or after dark." Watch as Tim goes through the steps.
Tip: Little blue quills, Hendricksons, and March Brown spinners can all be matched by using a rusty (or red brown) spinner in appropriate sizes. Try a light dun wing of poly fluff for easy visibility.

 Tom Rosenbauer Helps Us Understand Mayflies

Tom needs no introduction to the fly fishing community. He has been the face of Orvis for many years and here he offers a short refresher on the stages of a mayfly and why they are important to the fly fisherman. We are knee-deep in the spring hatches and being able to recognize what the insects are doing will help us select the correct fly.
https://www.tu.org/blog/tom-rosenbauer-helps-us-understand-mayflies/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=informz&_zs=Hm9Cb&_zl=c4XQ2

This Week in Review

We're getting some fresh rain in the stream today and the March Browns are just now beginning to show. Peak season is approaching and may be here as we see Hendricksons, tan caddis, and March Browns on the water – often at the same time. It's an amazing time of year on a trout stream!
         

Spring Has Sprung!

All winter we waited, March arrived and with it a handful of warm days and anxious fishermen were on the water looking and hoping to see Quill Gordons and early black stones. But snow was still coming off the mountain and nights were in the 30s. Most of the fishing was dredging the bottom. April arrived and hopes shot sky high, the snow was gone but then came back. The water was too cold and the hatches sluggish. But as the days ticked by, nights grew warmer, water temperatures slowly rose and now we're celebrating with the start of good dry fly fishing. 

Tan caddis, Little Blue Quills, and Hendricksons are leading the march. With the longer, warmer days will come delightful evening spinner falls. We have new patterns for all of these flies in the store. Fly patterns are listed alphabetically, so be sure to browse the dry flies and nymphs & emergers. We're excited to see how well the poly fluff duns are doing. Barry says “Poly fluff flies are tied to catch fish – not just fishermen. They're buggy and they work”

As we continue to update the store, you will notice that we're changing the background color to gray for better fly detail and color. You'll see new patterns, photos, and tips for fishing the flies. 

It tis the season, as they say, and everyday is exciting, some more than others but that's how it goes, and the unknown is what keeps us going back to the river. We hope you're getting out. This spring season will pass quickly, so take advantage of it.

2 Rooms 2 Trips

It feels so good to be talking about trips again! Hopefully 2022 will be a busy year of hosting trips, but for now we are happy to be returning to Turneffe Flats, Belize, October 16-23, 2021, and Tres Valles, Argentina, December 4-11, 2021.

 We have one room at each lodge for either 2 anglers at double occupancy (shared room, shared boat), or a single angler at single occupancy. Although the itineraries are not showing current dates, please refer to the 2020 information on our web site. Except for dates and a slight price adjustment, information is correct. Contact us for further information. 

Guiding & Lessons

Looks like spring. The warm coats, hats & gloves are being replaced with rolled up sleeves and warm smiling faces.

Carbon Neutrality for Delta

We all want to make this world a better place for our children and future generations, but sometimes no matter what we do, it's seems too big a job. That doesn't mean that we stop trying. 

Along with individuals, there are small companies working hard to make a difference and Patagonia Clothing Company is way out in front,but it's nice to see a big, really big, corporation taking steps to literally change the way they operate in a positive, environmentally good way. Take a look at what Delta Airlines is doing. Let's hope it spreads!

Jim's Stream Report

It's been a busy week on the stream with guiding, and the fishing has been good. We are seeing caddis, blues quills and Hendericksons with hatches starting in early afternoon. Mother nature has been throwing us a curve ball with one nice spring day and the next day resembling winter with wind, rain and cold. 

Monday started out cold, but nymph fishing was good throughout the morning. Fly selection was pretty much the normal early spring flies such as pheasant tails, hare's ear, dead drifting small streamers and caddis emergers. The poly fluff caddis emerger has been my go to fly this spring. After lunch blue quills and Hendericksons were hatching and we had a nice afternoon of dry fly fishing with  several nice trout being brought to the net.

I had high expectations for more dry fly fishing on Tuesday especially since the weather was a lot nicer. Although we saw hatches starting just before noon, nothing really developed bug-wise. Late afternoon size 16 and 18 bead head euro nymphs were the flies of the day and of course the size 16 caddis emerger. All in all it’s spring time in Pennsylvania and snow flurries are in the forecast tonight and tomorrow morning. Last year at this time in a snow blizzard I saw an awesome Henderickson hatch. I'm anxious to see what tomorrow brings on the stream. The fish are hungry and it's a great time to be on the water.

-Jim Kukorlo

Fish For the Future

Some of our most formative experiences come from time on the river. Those lessons equip us to live a more meaningful life, one of responsibility to the natural resources that have given us so much. For many, fly fishing guides are the conduit through which those lessons are shared. Guides are the backbone of the fly fishing world, and their job goes far beyond showing someone how to fish. They are teachers, gurus, friends, and advocates for wild places.

European Style Nymphing?

Or high-sticking, as it's always been called around here, has never been my preferred style of fly fishing. Most of us, given a choice, would prefer a nice warm day with good water levels, flies hatching, fishing rising, and flies in your box that the fish want to eat. After all, isn't that what we all hope for when we get the opportunity to fish. 

Unfortunately, the days when we hit it perfectly are few and far between and maybe it wouldn't be such a “gift” if it happened more often.....or at least that's what they say. I'd like to test that theory. Early season here always means a little more water, cold water, and sporadic hatches. Once in awhile we might get a day like the one described above, but those days are more likely to happen in May and June, not April. So, this year I decided that I wanted to be come a better Euro nymph fishermen.

We've had a Sage ESN, 10' for a 3-weight in the rack for awhile waiting for one of us to be “moved” so out it came. Our guide, Tom Harris, set it up for me with a spool of 20 lb. amnesia and then 42” of 20 lb. chameleon to 42” of 12 lb. chameleon, followed with RIO's Two Tone Indicator Tippet to a barrel swivel and fluorocarbon from there to the flies.

A few years ago when we were in Slovenia we fished a similar style and I remember struggling to cast because it was all monofilament. I slowly got the drift and by the end of the week I had it worked out. My arm was killing me, but I was able to catch fish. However, I have to admit that our excellent guide, Tina Possnig, could see the fly and the fish and would would yell “strike” so I just waited to be told. I could see fish moving but could not tell which one had picked up the fly. She could.

Yesterday the water was a bit off-color, deeper, and faster than usual. There was no sight-fishing to be had so I had to rely on watching the two tone tippet. I had a #14 tungsten brass bead nymph as my point fly (bottom) and a lighter bead hare's ear in the top position. I again struggled with casting mono and decided that before I do this again I will have the RIO Technical Euro Nymph Shorty line because I think it will be easier to cast and therefore more accurate.

The hardest part for me was reading the drift and since the water was not clear, trying to determine if my depth was right. The two tone tippet is a life saver and I think the technique will come, but there is definitely a learning curve – but one that I like and am up for. I enjoy fishing two nymphs on a long leader with a strike indicator (up to a point), but this is more challenging and I like that. I can see where a tuck cast is a great cast to use, as Russ Miller describes in the RIO video along with other ESN tips. The fact that I can land a good fish in current on 5x fluorocarbon is a testament to the ESN's softer rod tip and I think the light tippet allows the flies to look more natural in the drift.

There is a lot to learn, but for me it's nice to do something besides watch an indicator. There's a lot more to think about and I'm pretty sure I'll be a better fisherman for it. I'll check back in in a week or two – unless the dry fly fishing takes off!

Cathy

Stream Report – April 15, 2021

 Early April fly fishing here on Fishing Creek has been very good with some really nice trout caught and a fair amount of action throughout the day. Each day we were seeing more and more insect activity including the early black stones, blue quills and Hendricksons. That was right up to last Sunday rain which brought the creek up and for the next few days a sinking tip line and Cathy’s super buggers brought several nice trout to the net. 
Water levels are dropping quickly and the stream is looking good again. In fact I spent the day today on the water with two fishing buddies and nymph fishing was slow in the morning, but very productive in the afternoon.
Blue quills were hatching from around noon on but we saw very few rising fish. Around three o'clock we saw more Hendericksons and a lot more rising fish. I switched to my dry fly rod and caught several nice trout on a Henderickson dun tied with the new polyfluff wing material. It was the first time I fished a dry fly tied with polyfluff and it’s the best wing material I’ve ever used. Polyfluff is water proof, very easy to see, casts well and is easy to tie flies with. I caught my first trout of the year on a dry fly plus several more before the hatch slowed down.
And so it begins! It was the first day of a decent Henderickson hatch and it will only get better as the days goes by. The weekend shows great promise for good dry fly fishing and it will continue right on into summer.
I hope to see you this spring on Fishing Creek. Here are some photos from this past week.

Jim Kukorlo

Stream/Fishing Report

Jim Kukorlo     April 8, 2021

Saturday, April 3rd, was the official opening day of trout season in Pennsylvania and for the most part it was very much the usual cold and windy day with cold water temperatures that we associate opening days in the past. The sun eventually came out in the afternoon making a nice day to be on the water. 
Fly fishing was slow in the morning but the afternoon sun took the chill out of the air and trout were a little more aggressive. Early black stone fly nymphs, sucker spawn and pheasant tail nymphs were the hot flies of the day.
Monday gave us sunshine and warmer temperatures and the fish were definitely more active and so were the insects. A few blue quills and a steady hatch of early black stones around mid day. Tuesday and Wednesday provided warmer temperatures and each day we saw more blue quills, black stone flies and a few Hendrickson duns with some rising fish around mid day. Water temperature on Wednesday rose to 53 degrees with some guys landing a few trout on dry flies.
Weather report for the remainder of the week and into the weekend promises air temperatures in the low 70s and warmer nights which will raise the water temperature. Hendericksons and blue quills start hatching when the water temperature reaches the mid 50s.
Everything is lining up to seeing more blue quills and Hendericksons hatching in the next few days. Some rain showers are in the forecast which sometimes help trigger the hatches. Looking back at photos and blog from last year, we saw heavy Hendericksons around April 11 th . It looks like we are on track to see the first major hatch of year very soon.
We still have days available in the guiding schedule for spring. Give the office a call to book a day or two with us for some early season fly fishing. 570-925-2392 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Questions Needed   

Along with Jim's Stream/Fishing Report, I think it would be fun to give him a question from our readers each week. You know, from a guide's point of view. Or maybe ask two of the guides and publish each view. I like that idea. But, I need your help. If you will send me the questions, I'll give them to two of the guides, Jim and one other, and we'll see what answers we get. The questions must pertain to fishing, other than that the sky's the limit. Examples: When do you use fluorocarbon? When to fish a soft hackle and when to fish a nymph? What is the difference between a soft hackle and an emerger? What fly floatant do you use? Ask away. Submit the questions through the Comments section of the blog, so make sure you are viewing it online and not from your email (see note at very top of blog each week.) Do it now so you don't forget.

The Spark

We are sharing this story from the Patagonia Clothing Company newsletter/blog. Told from the perspective of a biologist who, 22 years ago, abandoned civilization to follow whales. It is different from most scientific articles and really is more of a real life story than a scientific paper. You can't help but admire the biologist and there are times when we all wish we could do the same thing. In the end, it should influence us when we're shopping for dinner. Thank you Patagonia.

https://www.patagoniaprovisions.com/blogs/stories/the-spark?utm_source=em&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=040721_pro_TCL_future

Fishing Season in Pennsylvania opens this Saturday, April 3. For April Fool's Day, today, the weatherman gave us an inch of snow and night time temperatures in the 20s. That means that even if we get a warm sunny day Saturday, the water will be cold and the fish will be sitting on the bottom. With that thought in mind –

Here are a 10 Quick Tips for early spring fishing:

Early season fishing often makes us to think “out of the box” and to be open minded to making adjustments in our fishing style if we are to catch fish. The techniques from last fall may not work now if we have typical spring conditions of cold water temperatures, higher water levels, and lethargic fish.

1. Fish streamers using a heavier rod and a sink-tip line to get “in the zone” quicker. Using a lot of split shot on a floating line is hard to cast, hard to control, and it is not going to sink as quickly as a sinking line.  
2. Avoid false casting which will wick the water out of the fly. Keep it wet so it sinks quickly on the next cast. At the end of the drift strip in a little line while keeping the rod tip raised and roll cast while the standing line is close to the surface. Be careful, this of often when the fish will hit the fly.
3. Fish your flies deep and slow. Fish are lethargic in cold water and don't want to move fast or far to get a meal.
4. Try dead drifting streamers or nymphs – or both. Trail a nymph a couple feet behind the streamer and use a strike indicator. Slow down your cast and open the loop to prevent tangles or use a roll cast.
5. If the water is off color, try a black streamer or flies with a bit of dazzle to get the fish's attention.
6. Know where the fish are likely to hold in high, cold water. Look for seams, cut banks, deep pockets, boulders. In these conditions fish will look for “soft spots”, places where they can sit out the high water while expanding as little energy as possible. These are places where they won't be in normal flows – eddies, back sides of islands, side riffles that are normally too shallow to hold fish.
7. Switch from your streamer rod to a longer, softer nymph rod and swing wet flies or soft hackles. 10 to 11 foot rods for 3 and 4-weight lines are popular and effective for this type of “European style” nymphing. Start with a yarn or clear or cork strike indicator, a 9' 5X leader and a soft hackle, add 3 feet more of 5X, and a tungsten bead head PT (pheasant tail). Start at the head of a pool and cast across stream, give the cast a few seconds to sink, mend line upstream if needed to slow down the cast, and study the indicator. Keep the rod tip just high enough so that the leader is drifting freely with no tension. You want as little fly line on the water as possible to avoid tension. This works best when you can get fairly close to the fish. Beware, often the takes are light and gentle. Use a roll cast to prevent tangles. 
8. If you're getting stuck on the bottom, move the indicator closer to the fly. If you're using split shot, go lighter. If you're not ticking the bottom, move the indicator further back or add shot or use a heavier fly.
9. Don't hesitate to change flies or change the indicator type or position if you've gone a half hour with no hits. This goes for streamers as well as dry flies. Change, change, change.
10. Be patient – lower, warmer water is coming along with hatches and dry fly fishing.

Now, where did I put my longjohns!

Perfect From the Start

We haven't featured anything from Troutbitten lately and this is a great article about presentation and when the trout decides to reject or accept our fly. Gives us something to think about as we're mending our line and fooling around with the cast before it reaches the fish. Thank you, again, Domenick. You make us think.

https://troutbitten.com/2020/06/28/perfect-from-the-start/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=perfect_from_the_start&utm_term=2020-07-24

Guiding Season

We are about to kick off our guiding season. Jim was on the water for a couple half days this week and he saw Little Blue Quills and Early Black Stones. It's happening. Call soon to schedule a day or two with one of our guides. In the photo is Dave Lownder who fishes with us often.

Season Opener Fly Specials

Trout Season officially opens in Pennsylvania next Saturday, April 3. The water on our home stream is high at the moment, as it often is in the early season. We all long for the days of warm afternoons and hatches of Hendricksons, and we will get them, but April more often than not means nymphs and streamers. We have a number of fly selections that are perfect for the early season. Click through to the store for details and to order.

Pheasant Tails & Emergers   
Season Opener Nymph Special
Season Opener Ug Special
Squirmies & Buggers
Tungsten Bead Head Copper Nymph Selection
The Dirty Duo

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