Penns Creek Angler

Bruce Fisher

Article April 2008

I’m looking forward to fishing this spring just to see all the changes I’ll find in the creek. We didn’t have the ice jam of 2007 but we had a major flood and we’ll find some new holes and discover that many of our old spots have vanished. I can hardly wait to get out and scout the creek! Usually I fish the lower section of Penns Creek between Poe Paddy and Glen Iron. This is what I call my home water and I rarely stray far from these confines. The fishing can be complicated and humbling at times but I take comfort in knowing the fish are there.

I guess I’m slowing down a little because I find myself sitting on the bank longer watching the water for the things I didn’t notice when I was in a hurry. I like to look for the small dimple rises of large trout feeding against the bank. Then I ask myself why is that trout there and I keep looking. There could be a small bush or a log half in the water just up steam of the fish and food like ants and beetles fall from these objects when the wind blows. Or there could be an inchworm hatch that falls from the trees and when the wind picks. Hungry trout know what an inchworm looks like, how could they mistake that inch long bright green morsel of food. Sometimes when I’m looking at a spot I’ll see many rises in different locations but all in the same area and discover on further scrutiny its just one trout that’s prowling around and feeding in different places in the same general spot. Its nice to have a small pair of binoculars to observe fish on the far bank, sometimes you can even see what they are taking.

This spring Penns has been high and all of her secrets are still hidden below the high water. The fish are free to move around and we will find them in the most unlikely spots. The great joy of fishing is learning to read the water. The only way I know to achieve this goal is to spend time on the water. Keep your eyes open and you may see more than just a fish rise or a flash beneath the surface, you may find out “why” the fish is in a certain area.

While you are sitting there you may run across another angler and if you are lucky he or she may turn out to be a new friend, the kind that will last a lifetime. I’ve been fortunate enough to be offered valuable help on many occasions by people I don’t even know. Sometimes these meetings are very brief but some turn out to be lasting friendships. When I was 12 years old I was helped by a much older man, all he said was “kid fish a yellow stonefly” and he showed me a woven stonefly and said “they work”. I showed him my box of minimal flies and after looking at my box he reached into his box and pulled out a yellow and brown woven stonefly and said to take good care of it and crush the barb down. I have no idea who this man was but he was right yellow stoneflies work. Now when I see someone having problems I try to return the favor.

I try to share the water with other people and observe proper etiquette after all everyone comes to the creek for the same reason. While you are out there I hope you take the time to make a few new friends. Friendships and sharing are worth the effort they are simply wonderful.

I would be remiss not to mention the passing of Richey Snyder a fine Penns Creek fishermen and friend, he will surely be missed by many. His good nature and smile will remain in this world because he passed his qualities on to others.

When you get out on the creek this spring take some time and slow down, do more looking and less casting it will open a whole new world for you.   

“Catch you Later”

Bruce Fisher