Penns Creek Angler
Bruce Fisher
Article Aug 2007
Since moving to Millmont I’ve had so many projects and adventures! I’ve researched some of the spinning wheels (mills) on Penns Creek but don’t have enough information for a good article yet. So I’ll write something more along the lines of what I know best Penns Creek.
This year we saw great fishing from Mid-March until Mid June and then the drought and heat set in. After our heat wave and lack of rain July gave way to cool temperatures and some much needed but small amount of rain. I don’t think the rain had much of an effect on Penns except it stopped the creek level from falling any further. At any rate the fish are doing great as far as my limited time on the water reveals to me. The night water temperatures are falling to the low 60’s in the upper section of Penns Creek Gorge and this is helping the trout remain in good shape.
One thing I’ve noticed is the pike, bass and walleye are moving further up the creek this year. I had one trip last week and I caught several small mouth bass in the 14-17 inch range after dark. I didn’t know these fish were so active in creeks and rivers after sunset. I always knew they were active night feeders in lakes but not rivers.
At this time of year my time on the water has been centered on fishing big wet flies like size #2 Matuka’s, #4 Sculpin’s and a special pattern called a Black Window in size #4 on a 4 XL shank hook. I use two flies at a time and usually cast down and across the creek and slowly striping it back with slow pulls abut 4 inches in length. The fish like a broadside view of the fly and follow it down stream a short distance and take it on the swing. But sometimes you have to change things around and use a fast strip or no strip at all.
These Penns Creek fish can get fussy and a number of methods must be employed to find out what’s working on any given trip. Along with the Brown trout fishing I’ve found great Brook Trout fishing on many small brooks and tiny creeks that feed Penns. For me its not the size of the fish I catch but the enjoyment I get from being outdoors. This year I learned how important it is to be versatile, patient and try new creeks.
This past month I saw an adult Bald Eagle two times. I saw a mother Bear with two small cubs and many fawns along side their mothers. I saw the turtle nests along the railroad grade and it looks like there were several more than in previous years. I’ve also seen a good number of rattlesnakes this year with the dry weather. I’ve found it best to stay off the south facing hills to avoid contact with these critters. Please keep your dogs close to you and on a leash if you go hiking on the north side of the creek.
To sum things up Penns is in for a good year unless August is unusually hot and dry. After this cool weather leaves the story will play out. September is only a few weeks away and the Slate Drakes and Blue Winged Olives will begin to hatch and everything will fall back into its proper place. Penns Creek Angler will run weekly fly tying classes every Wed 6-9pm. I am looking for some of the elder statesmen of the creek to possibly show us new guys some of the patterns used in days past. I find it so interesting when someone comes in and shows me a fly his father or grandfather fished and asks me to make a few that match what he has. I recently came across the grandson of the man who invented the “Honey Bug” and that fly will be feature in one of the classes very soon.
“Catch you later”
Bruce Fisher
© 2008