A Sunday In Central PA

The weather was perfect this past weekend to hit some of the C&R streams in central PA.  With temperatures not getting higher than 38 on average so far, the 56 degree days were more than welcomed.  The macros also took advantage of the warmer weather.  A black cloud of Blue Winged Olive's hovered above Spring Creek.  While the water was a bit colder, there was still a descent hatch of BWO's on Penn's Creek that my friend, Corbin, and I spotted on Sunday.  We also saw a couple Black Caddis' emerging from the very clear water.

Although the surge of the BWO hatch has came and went on Spring Creek, expect to see them hatching throughout the rest of March.  The Penn's Creek BWO hatch will continue to be gradual as the weather temperatures will drop again this week.  The water temps on Penn's are still pretty cold.  Much cooler, of course, than Spring Creek.  Hatches on Spring Creek are generally a couple weeks earlier due to the amount of springs that feed the stream, keeping the water temps generally a consistent temperature all year.

Corbin is a fly fisherman whereas I am a spin fisherman.  We both had good luck yesterday.  There were some trout that would occasionally feed on top, but the dry fly catch was not to be apart of our day.  Corbin's success came while nymphing.  I stuck to my usual guns; jerk baits.  I threw on a couple different patterns and shapes and caught fish on 3 out of the 4 lures I used.  Within the 4 hours we fished I was able to land 6 nice fish, and Corbin 3.

For the fly-fishermen:  Below are a couple fly charts.  Obviously the times and dates are relative to how the season is running.  Rain, sun, cooler/warmer temps, and clouds could easily affect the hatch patterns.  Regardless, these links should give you a good idea of what to use when headed out.

PAFlyFish.com Chart
Keystone Anglers Chart
Central PA Fly Fishing Chart





Land Them Safely...

Fly Fishing

Be sure to check out my buddy's blog, http://sulphursalvation.blogspot.com/, for all things fly fishing for trout!

Friday Fillet

Species: Largemouth Bass


I have never kept a largemouth bass to eat.  There's no reason why I never have, it's just the way I've been.  Even though I never have saved my catch of largemouth to cook I know plenty of fisherman who swear by their taste and ability to cook many different ways.  Honestly, I have never even thought of how I would even prepare a largemouth if for some reason I kept one.  This got me thinking and interested today, so all of you benefit today as my curiosity is peaked to the maximum!

Since today is March 1st, and pre-spawn conditions here in PA and the northeast region inch ever closer, you get a double bonus Friday Fillet.  Not only will you learn just how to properly fillet a largemouth but I have also picked out a video that will help you to cook in a way that is different from the usual batter and fry.  Enjoy!

The first two videos give you a detailed play by play of how to properly execute the perfect fillet.

Now here is an easy and cheap, but tasty, way to cook your catch.