Logan Branch Update (08/06/2012)

The Logan Branch is arguably one of my favorite challenging streams to fish during the dog days of the summer.  The fisherman must take a completely stealthy approach to this river.  The high grass along most of the stream allows you to sneak along the bank but the trout still find a way to see you.  I think that is what I like most about this stream, it doesn't even seem like you are fishing in Central Pennsylvania.  Certain points of the stream are no wider then a rods length and other times it "opens up" to about 12 - 15 feet.  The tight cover, and precise casts necessary makes it feel like you are fishing a mountain stream.      

Another thing that I love about the Logan Branch is that it receives fairly low fishing pressure but it is enough that the fish have become very intelligent.  The combination of the challenge and the chance of hooking into a good fish is what makes this stream so fun to visit.  Below are a few pictures that I took on my recent trip to this gorgeous Central PA stream.    

Destination: State College, Penns Creek

As most of you know State College, Pennsylvania has been home to Kirk and I for twenty something years now. We have grown up fishing there and learned how to fly fish on our local streams. It wasn't until working (for a brief period) as a fishing guide there that I appreciated how far people were willing to travel to get a Central Pennsylvania trout on the end of their line.

This will be a multi-part series depicting several of our favorite streams the best hatches and the best time of the year to fish.

The first is Penns Creek. Penns Creek is located about 30 minutes East of State College with the easiest access being in the town of Coburn. Penns Creek is one of those rivers in our area that it would take many years to explore the whole river and it's intricacies. It has access points the are available to the angler entirely by dirt road, and not well maintained dirt roads... It has secret spots and spots a car cannot take you.

The best hatch on Penns Creek is assuredly the Green Drakes. This hatch brings people in from all over the country to hit the drakes just right. For that same reason this is not the best time to fish Penns Creek unless you want to fish with the crowds or fish entirely after dark. If I were to choose a time, I would head out to Penns Creek in Spring, March or April. Early March would be good, you could still hit some Hendrickson's possible see some early March Browns and some Grannom Caddisflies as well.

Helping us with this series is Patrick Williams. If you don't know Patrick, he was the president of the Penn State fly fishing club and has become a friend through fishing stories and shared experiences. He is a great fisherman, an innovative fly tier, and a skilled photographer. Here are a couple of fish from this year and the stories to go with them.

This brown was caught on Penns Creek on a day when there were a million bugs on the water. Sulpher, cahill, and large BWO spinners were floating everywhere, while small sulphers, orange cahills, light cahills, dark blue sedge, tan caddis and stoneflies were also buzzing around in the air. Fish were rising in some fast riffles, and while tempted to throw on a rusty spinner (spinners were easily the dominant food source on the water), I instead decided to go big or go home, and present a fly the fish would not be picky about. I had seen a couple large slate drake duns popping earlier in the day, and put on a #10 imitation. It took maybe 3 at most drifts over each rising fish to result in a take. This fish was feeding right at the head of the large riffle, and this take was the first rise I saw from it. I was actually casting to get a drift over a fish that was rising about 5 ft downstream of where this one was.

Again on Penns Creek, and again when there were tons of spinners, duns and caddis on the water, several fish were rising in a big pool. I tried the slate drake again, but with no takers. I switched to a rusty spinner, but again nothing. I was seeing a few giant stones (eastern cousin to the salmonfly, a legitimate #2 size fly) in the air as the evening light started fading. I had tied up a few patterns to imitate these monsters, and actually pulled a fairly large fish on one behind a boulder earlier in the day when prospecting as a dry-dropper. The fish apparently were keen on these slabs of protein at this time (about 8 pm), despite the fact that none were on the water. When this pattern drifted over the previously picky rising fish, they would literally roll on it. The only thing I could think to compare it to in PA was the first few days of the periodical cicada’s a couple years back. Many good fish were taken on this pattern, but sadly several either broke off (this pool is about 6’ deep with lots of boulders and wood on the bottom) or spit the hook on me. Luckily, this fatty didn’t, and you can see the #8 foam stonefly still in its mouth (the hook size is an 8, but the foam goes well beyond the bend of the hook extending out the back, the total length of this fly is about 2.5”).

I went to Penns several times to try to hit the drakes during the constant high water and scattered storms occurring during the hatch. These outings were made more interesting due to the fact that in late may I had broken all of my trout rods in a 48 hour period, which has to be some kind of record. Luckily, I was able to borrow one of the Penn State flyfishing club’s 8.5’ TFO rods for a substitute. One night I got there at about 7, walked far downstream from my car into the woods to a section of flat water which I hoped would still produce rising fish despite the milk chocolate consistency of the water. I got to my spot and rigged up and caught a few rising fish when clouds turned to rain, and then more rain. I forgot my rain jacket this day, but being wet didn’t bother me as long as I was catching fish. I then saw a flash followed by a loud crash of thunder when lightning struck the ridge just above where I was fishing. I decided that waving a 8.5’ graphite lightning rod while immersed in waist deep water was not the smartest idea, and decided to wait out the storm on the bank. The lightning got more frequent, and the rain started coming down harder, and by hard I mean God was breaking the seal all over me. I sat in a ditch and got pissed on for 45 minutes, and by the time the storm passed it was almost dark. I was soaked everywhere, including inside every inch of my waders, but hearing the slurping of fish once again taking green drake duns lifted my spirits. It turned dark and fish were still rising. I caught several but this one was the best of the night (the best that got in the net). All fish were taken on a 2XL #6 green drake dun.

Destination: Yellowstone National Park

Another one of our readers writes us today to share his favorite fly fishing destination: Yellowstone National Park. I had the luxury of spending some time out there myself and when you can get away from the crowds, the park is truly beautiful. The Gibbon River was one of the rivers I spent some time on and had an absolute blast on a tan caddisfly hatch. Well Caleb we appreciate you story and your adventure! I'm sure you had a great time out there and congratulations!! Cheers.

Hey Kirk and Brian,

My wife and I just got back this morning from our honeymoon to Yellowstone National Park. While fly fishing wasn't the main purpose of the trip, we ended up fishing together on the Gibbon and Lamar Rivers, respectively. While the Gibbon didn't yield anything, my wife Amy caught her first fish ever when we fished the Lamar! She was using a yellow stimulator with a caddis pupa dropper, and the cutthroat took the dropper. I was fishing downstream from her and heard her yell "I got a fish!" I put my rod down and went up to help her get it in the net - I didn't realize how big it was until I went to net it! To prove to her friends that it was actually her who got it, I took a picture of her holding the net and then one of the fish (both are attached). It really made my day to see her so excited about catching her first fish (and on the fly, to boot).

One evening Amy accommodated me by sitting on the bank reading while I fished at $3 Bridge on the Madison - the caddis were all over (brown, size 16 and black, size 18) and a few stoneflies were still in the air as well. I tied on a tan X-caddis with a caddis pupa dropper, and this rainbow took the X-caddis. It was a great night out in one of my favorite spots.

Anyway, just wanted to share those with you guys. Hope the fishing is good - tight lines!

Caleb

Destination: Ascension Bay, Mexico

The Mexican Yucatan Peninsula has been a destination for fisherman for a long time, but until recently fly fisherman have been relatively unaware of just how bountiful their sport fish are. Mexico is probably the location where you the angler have the best chance, right now, to go out and hit the grand slam. That is, go out in one single day and catch a bonefish, a permit, and a tarpon in an outing. That doesn't happen often but in Ascension Bay it can. You aren't going to jump the 150 pound mega tarpon like you would in the Atlantic Ocean during migration, but a 70 pound tarpon is still a hell of a good fight (a 10 pound tarpon would be a welcome challenge for me!)!

There is a lodge right in Punta Allen that has been getting great reviews from anglers as well as non fishing guests and that's not that easy to find right now in Mexico.. The name of the lodge is fitting, "Grand Slam," a title that many anglers search their whole life to obtain. Grand Slam hoists the title several times a year with all kinds of anglers.

Photo by Brian Grossenbacher

grand slam fishing

The area is best known for its permit population (shown in the picture to the right) and it is said to have schools of permit numbering in the 20's and solo permit similar in size to this 35 lb beast pictured here. 


All this talk about destination angling has gotten me excited... I'm thinking about putting a trip together to head down there late this Spring (mid-late May) ideally with about 6-8 other fisherman so let me know if you are interested! 

Yellow Dog Fishing

If you want to get more info on your own check out their site here!

 GRAND SLAM 

Destination: Iliamna, Alaska

Here is a short clip of some good Alaskan fishing memories over the last couple of years. From Bob Cusack's Alaska Lodge based out of Iliamna, Alaska focusing primarily on fishing the Copper River and the Gibraltor river. Remember if you even want any more info on any of our destinations just ask! You can comment on this post or comment us directly at flyfishingfiles1@gmail.com and we will work towards setting up your dream trip!!

 Alaskan Memories 

As a final reminder we are down to our last few hours to vote on our poll. Thanks for everyone who voted. 

Rack of lamb and a full house!

Campfire stories and a riverside bed

Big brute giving the stinkeye to the camera

Destination: Jackson Hole, WY

Eric Norman shares with us one of his favorite destinations! Jackson Hole, Wyoming. As you can tell from the photo this is one of the most beautiful fishing destinations in the United States. I have many great memories from the Snake River right outside of Grand Teton National Park. One includes a bath I took in Grand Teton lake... but that's a story for another day. For now enjoy the beautiful shot and backdrop Eric has shown us! 

Only two days left to voice your opinion on our poll! Tell us what you would like to see more of!

It's still a pleasure to read your blog and here is one of my favorite pics from around my favorite destination, Jackson Hole, Wy. Hoppers on the Snake River and BIG risers on Flat Creek = heaven out west. Talk with you soon,
Eric

Destination Fly Fishing

"The sun was setting on a beautiful summer day in Alaska at 11:30 pm as we were finally taking our gear off from a long but fruitful day of fishing. It was almost midnight, we were still fishing, and more importantly, it was still light out. We shared the day with numerous animals: rainbow trout, brown bears, and bald eagles to name a few. When looking back on it I just can't think of a trip more beautiful, this will always be a cherished memory for me."

Destination fly fishing has been a part of my life since I became a professional in this industry. I have worked in Alaska, Chile, and yes Central Pennsylvania as a fly fishing guide. I have fished in those places as well as many others, with and without guides. Yet, there are so many places I still wish to see and experience. Fly fishing is growing into more of a destination experience, secret spots are becoming less secret and because of that word is getting out and anglers are seeking the next great adventure. Whether it's chasing that trophy trout in Alaska or breaking a rod on a tarpon in the keys, the challenge is there and there for the taking. I look forward to the opportunity to check off my next item on the list and conquer my next challenge. But, fly fishing is so much more than that because it is not easy. The challenge is what makes us want more. Getting your ass kicked by a brute of a rainbow as he wraps your line around a submerged tree branch and proceeds to throw up the middle fin on his way down the river is the exact reason why we head out the next day to try it again. The biggest fish always get away for the same reason, if we landed every fish what would we have to catch tomorrow? 

Over the next couple of days I'll share with you some of my experiences from destination fishing (that you haven't heard!). As well as some trips I hope to take and some information on where I would go if I was planning those trips. If you have any questions about any of these locations or would like to know more about fishing a destination trip just ask! If we don't know we will try our best to get you in contact with someone who does. 

And don't forget to vote on our poll! Any feedback helps!