Penns Creek Angler
Bruce Fisher
Article May 2007
If I had just one month of the year to fish for trout it would be the month of May and the place would be Penn’s Creek. The Gray Fox and March Browns dominate this time period but on occasion the Green Drakes make an appearance. These 3 flies alone would make a quality fishery but add Tan Caddis, Sulphurs, Crane Flies, Yellow and Black Stone Flies and the ingredients are perfect for spectacular fishing.
In just a few weeks the parking areas will be full and Penn’s will once again accommodate hundreds of anglers that visit her this time each year. During May you will see vehicles with license plates from almost every state in the country. It’s a testament to what has been accomplished and a reminder of those who worked so hard to give us what we have.
In my last article I alluded to some of the elder statesman of the creek knowing the flowers that bloom during certain hatches. I was fortunate enough to meet several people and I was given a gift that I would like to share with you. I’ll start with the plants and flowers of March, April and May. Coltsfoot is a flower that looks much like a dandelion and blooms about the time the Little Blue Winged Olive Dun is hatching (March 15th). Skunk Cabbage is a plant you may find sprouting when the Grannom Caddis hatch (April 15th). The Trout Lily usually coincides with the Blue Quill around April 17th. The Bloodroot is a plant that flowers about the time the Quill Gordon arrives on Penn’s Creek (April 17th). Wild Ginger is growing well when the Hendrickson is on the water and this year the hatch started April 18th. Redbud is a small tree that grows along clearings or roadsides and has a bean type flower the color of black a raspberry and flowers about the same time as the March Brown hatches (May 12th). Dutchman’s Breeches a bluish or Grayish green fern type plant that has flowers that look like britches hung on a clothesline so this is the time to look for the gray Fox and Ginger Quill (May 12th). That’s it for this month I’ll cover some more next month.
On a final note I took a walk up to Chimney Rock in Bald Eagle State Forest (take binoculars) this past month and was amazed at the view of the Spinning Wheel Hole in Jolly’s Grove. Since that time, I’ve learned there are 5 other spots called the spinning wheel on Penn’s Creek. I’ll have to investigate and report back later in the year.
I want to thank everyone that is supporting my new life at Penn’s Creek angler, I am truly grateful.
“Catch you later”
Bruce Fisher
© 2008