SOUTH CENTRAL PA WINTERING
Our area trout streams fish well in the winter. The reason why is that the spring creeks continue to have a consistent water temperatures around 52 degrees during the month of November lasting well into Febuary. You may not get as many trout as you would find during the prime summer months, but you still can find large to average trout and trout rising to the few wintertime bugs that do hatch even when the air is well below 35 degrees. Trout can be taken on nymphs, streamers and “match the hatch” situations when they arise. Rising trout will most likely be found sipping to midges, BWO’s and little black stoneflies.
There are several very good limestone and limestone influenced streams to fish during winter also. These streams can be fished with nymphs, streamers and dry flies. A warm winter days will spark some hatches of midges, BWO’s and the occasional little black stonefly. These can be found on any of the waters that I will mention later. Best to have on hand a few of these dry flies just in case. I favor parachutes and compara-duns for the BWO’s in size 20’s. For midges, I have to have my Mike’s Midge pupa in #22 & #20, some Yonk Specials and Flashers in #22 & #20, Griffiths Gnat in #22 & #24, dark olive, gray and brown midges and CDC midges. A few #18 black CDC caddis will set you up if some trout are rising to stoneflies.
Nymph and streamer fishing is mostly what I do during the winter months. Many of the caddis and mayfly nymphs are tiny which make scuds very important. You can’t be without my Simple Shrimp in #14 & #18 and Shenk’s’ Cress bug in #14 & #16. These two are a must! My secondary flies consistent of pink and red san juans in sizes of #18 & #14, copper johns, Mike’s Sulphur and Baetis nymphs. Toss in a few pheasant tails and your favorite bead headed flies and you should be set.
I always keep streamers on hand. Streamers are a great way to lure the “big boys” especially the hungry browns that have finished spawning. With streamer most fishermen have their favorites and I do as well. I love Shenk’s’ sculpin, white minnows and my Big Eye rainbow. But I do carry woolly buggers and zonkers just in case.
My book, “Spring Creek Strategies”, goes into great detail explaining how to fish nymphs, dries and streamers on spring creeks and beyond. I write about the techniques and approach techniques needed to fool these wary trout. Would be a great winter read. And if you’re not familiar with the PA streams you can get a copy of my, “Keystone Fly Fishing” book which details all the PA streams.
During the winter, I will certainly be on the Falling Springs and Big Springs. As with most all these streams, the summer time crowds have disappeared. These two waters have always treated me well. Many times I may not even wade, skipping some areas to focus on some reachable riffles and undercut banks. Nymphs and streamers are the favorable way to fish Falling and Big Springs. Warm days will spark off some hatches of midges, BWO’s and stoneflies. Look for concentrated incest around bridges and brushy areas. These tiny bugs use these areas to keep warm. Streamers can be use to work over undercuts and what weedbeds still may be found.
The Yellow Breeches is another stream I fish year round. It is more of a limestone influenced freestone stream especially the upper end. So the area below the “run” at Allenberry fishes fine during winter with the chance of some late season midges and a few Febuary BWO’s to bring up some trout. This once crowded section is now only fished by a few serious fishermen. Be prepared to dress in layers. This water can be below 35 degrees in the winter. A thermometer will tall you if the fish will be sluggish. Around 36 degrees, I found that you really have to hit them on the head with your nymphs and toss out a bug streamer and fish it tight to the bottom. If the water gets much cooler, I head to the true spring creeks.
So, where does the Letort fall into play during winter fishing? Well, I will still fish the Letort without wading. I’m using streamers for those hungry brown trout.
I offer winter guiding on all the SCPA streams. I normally just keep them to ½ day trips. Best time to be out in the winter is 9AM to 10 AM starts and we fish as long as the fishing is good. If interested just give me a call or e-mail me. You can also book on GOGuide directly on the Precision Fly and Tackle web site.
