Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Spring Creeks

Limestone Waters

Nov. 2

Winter Fishing

Spring Creeks

See our articles on Spring Creek Fly Box and Tackle on this site.

Yellow Breeches:  Waters are in the 40-50s. Pressure is extremely heavy as usual. No major hatches but small caddis dries, small Cahills and Sulfurs (sizes 16-20) still bring the fish up. Small nymphs sizes 16-24 and midges also work.  Terrestrials: Ants, beetles and similar fare fished up against the banks are giving some angler's success. Try the Breeches at day break with streamers and larger flies for the best action.

Big Spring: Water cold as usual (48-50f). Fishing pressure light; fish extremely spooky; A few Sulfus in the evenings still coming off. 16-20; and in some other sections a couple Cahills. Blue Winged Olives size 18 are spotty on the sides of some streams.  There are some hoppers on the grasses but I haven't seen that many make it to the stream. Fur Ants size 16-20 in some stretches are also hot. Watch your shadow.  Fishing in Big Spring has changed; these are super scary fish now.

Green Spring: Temperature okay in the 50-60s depending where you fish.  Fishing pressure light; not much happening

Falling Spring: There is a fall hatch on this stream Paraleptophlebia in some sections.  The spinners are chocolate in body color size 14 The upper and best areas of the stream haven't had a good Trico in years.  Stream pressure is light but the brightness keeps these fish down just like the Letort.  So choose your time and weapons carefully. Streamers (size 12-14) and small nymphs.  Trout are spooky.  Try to find a trout on a feeding station and get below them.  The air is cold and there is not much protection on Falling Spring.  You are basically hunting trout this time of year. Baetis come off all year.  Look near the banks for sporadic risers.

The Letort: Tough as usual; fishing pressure light to moderate.  Go with sculpins and streamers early in the morning.  Once again later in the day look for feeding trout on a station.  Use small sulfur nymphs 16 and small pheasant tails size 18 for the Baetis nymphs.

Other Limestoners:     

Penns Creek: Moderate to low flows and with cooler waters. The fishing action is good with nymphs and streamers especially in the fly zone.  Dress warm...the winds and the cold water can be tough but some fish will hit. This is a good time to be fishing Penns.  Best patterns include Large Black Stoneflies, Large Acroneuria patterns (size 6 to 10); sulfur nymphs (size 14-16), blue winged olive nymphs (size 16-18) and a variety of soft hackles in sizes 14-18. Wooly Buggers, and maribous will move some larger fish this time of year also.