Busy Days, Big Numbers

The hatch season is upon us!  Blue Wing Olives have been spotted on Fishing Creek, Penns Creek, The Little Juniata River, and Spring Creek.  An increase in bug activity has a direct correlation with an increase in angler activity.  This means that our wild brown trout are once again seeing numerous poor casts, bad drifts, and terrible wading.  This is a perfect recipe for a slow day on the water if you are fishing behind one or more anglers that executes any of these “non-fishy” qualities.

There is a way to combat the crowds and turn a busy day into a big number day on any of our local waterways.  First, you have to account for the resource we have located in Central PA.  In anyone of the streams you will fish with the Spruce Creek Fly Co Guides there is a possibility to be fishing over 1,400-3,700 fish per linear mile depending on the stream.  With that stated, SLOW DOWN!  Most anglers fish the water too quickly and do not cover every piece of water adequately.  Cover the water until you think you have fished every possible spot a fish could hold and then take fifty more casts.  Second, I would let the said “non-fishy” angler or anglers get some significant distance upstream from you.  As they fish through the water they will spook most of the fish in the “sexy water”.  By slowing down your pace and letting the upstream anglers set water speed records.  The fish they are spooking will be settling back down and begin to feed actively again by the time you have an opportunity to present a well placed fly to them.  The third and final recommendation would be to fish all of the water.  Most anglers fish the water that looks the “best” to fish.  What this really translates into is the easiest water they can find to fish.  Have an arsenal at your disposal so that you can fish every piece of water and leave no feeding fish untouched.  Have your leader set up to handle everything from an indicator rig to a dry dropper rig.  By having an arsenal of tools you are only increasing your chances at success.   Fish a rig that is dictated by the water type.  For example, fish an indicator in deep heavy water and fish a dry dropper in shallow water.  A 10′ Harvey Leader will handle all of these applications well.  As the fish from the “sexy water” get stepped on again and again by clumsy anglers they will move to near by feeding lies that give them less of a chance of being disturbed.  Could be deeper water or shallower water.  Either way by fishing all of the water you are increasing your chances of finding fish that are not disturbed by other anglers.

So when you pull into Benner Springs on Spring Creek next time and see a full parking lot, do not let the thought of it being too “busy” cross your mind.  Find a spot you can get in the water, take into account how many fish are actually in the stream, take your time, and fish all of the water!  If you do this you can turn the busiest days on our public water into very successful outings.

Below is a link for George Harvey’s Slack Leaders formulas:

George Harvey Modified Slack Leader(Rise Form Studio)

Tight Lines,

Bill Steudler

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