Any Big Ones?

[wildtrout2]

I think chasing really big browns in marginal water is pretty much a nitch, much like chasing natives on small, remote mountain freestone streams, which I prefer. To each their own.

 

[Kgregor12]

I think chasing really big browns in marginal water is pretty much a nitch, much like chasing natives on small, remote mountain freestone streams, which I prefer. To each their own.

Agreed wholeheartedly. Either way you will avoid worrying about finding parking in Poe Paddy

 

[jifigz]

Agreed wholeheartedly. Either way you will avoid worrying about finding parking in Poe Paddy

Yeah, but there is a time and a place for finding parking a Poe Paddy, too. Penns should not be overlooked for a fantastic fly fishing experience.

With that said, I go to Penns about once a year, and I live close-by.

 

[Swattie87]

Agreed wholeheartedly. Either way you will avoid worrying about finding parking in Poe Paddy

Penns. So frigid right now.

 

[Kgregor12]

Yeah, but there is a time and a place for finding parking a Poe Paddy, too. Penns should not be overlooked for a fantastic fly fishing experience.

With that said, I go to Penns about once a year, and I live close-by.

I go 1-3 times a year. The most interesting thing about that stream though is not the potential to catch a 20” brown. Its the Bug life, the wildness of it, the streams large size, and lately most of all what’s been happening with the brookies there for me.

 

[jifigz]

I go 1-3 times a year. The most interesting thing about that stream though is not the potential to catch a 20” brown. Its the Bug life, the wildness of it, the streams large size, and lately most of all what’s been happening with the brookies there for me.

For sure. If you like fishing to hatches and figuring it out, there is not better stream than Penns. There are 20" fish in Penns and the Little J. There are just better streams to find 20" fish more consistently than those two streams.

I'd rather catch a 15" fish out a small stream where there are no anglers than a 20" fish out of Penns where there are many people. I like escaping people. I view fly fishing and exploring as an adventure. That is my "niche" in the hobby.

 

[Kgregor12]

For sure. If you like fishing to hatches and figuring it out, there is not better stream than Penns. There are 20" fish in Penns and the Little J. There are just better streams to find 20" fish more consistently than those two streams.

I'd rather catch a 15" fish out a small stream where there are no anglers than a 20" fish out of Penns where there are many people. I like escaping people. I view fly fishing and exploring as an adventure. That is my "niche" in the hobby.

Agreed I prioritize that as well

 

[wildtrout2]

I'd rather catch a 15" fish out a small stream where there are no anglers than a 20" fish out of Penns where there are many people.

I agree.

 

[jifigz]

I agree.

I know that you do. 🙂

 

[Kgregor12]

as we get closer to Christmas the big ones will move downstream. Dauphin Narrows in the Susky comes to mind as a place you could fish 180 days a year for a couple years of your life and catch a big one eventually. I have heard of big fish come out of the susky up north but not down here. Has anyone heard of one being caught there? Clarks, Sherman’s, stony, Juanita all dump quite close together there.

 

[Swattie87]

I’ve seen the rogue Brown in the size range we’re talking about here caught as far downstream in the Susky as just above the Holtwood Dam by Bass anglers. Usually in Winter or very early Spring. They’re in the river (at certain times of year) for its whole length probably, but it’s a literal needle in a haystack. You could fish your whole life to catch a fish like that out of a river like the Susky.

That’s also not the approach I’ve taken to locate the limited number of these fish I’ve run into.

I also haven’t had much luck trying to locate them in limestone systems either with one slight exception that I clearly won’t mention here. Though I agree, that’s a possible viable approach…trying to find them in the more marginal locations. I’ve tried the Connie in certain locations, and I’ve caught wild Browns, but they’ve just been of the typical size curve you’d expect in areas that have wild Browns. Lots of 8-12” fish, and a 15”er is a good one.

 

[Kgregor12]

I’ve seen the rogue Brown in the size range we’re talking about here caught as far downstream in the Susky as just above the Holtwood Dam by Bass anglers. Usually in Winter or very early Spring. They’re in the river for its whole length probably, but it’s a literal needle in a haystack. You could fish your whole life to catch a fish like that out of a river like the Susky.

That’s also not the approach I’ve taken to locate the limited number of these fish I’ve run into.

I also haven’t had much luck trying to locate them in limestone systems either, though, I agree that’s a possible viable approach…trying to find them in the more marginal locations. I’ve tried the Connie in certain locations, and I’ve caught wild Browns, but they’ve just been of the typical size curve you’d expect in areas that have wild Browns. Lots of 8-12” fish, and a 15”er is a good one.

Yea that doesn’t surprise me about holtwood every stream south of rt 30 in york county has reproduction. Its totally a needle in a haystack i was thinking more bass tournament guys actually more so than anyone targeting them. In summer those limestone areas adjacent to larger waterways are money, they stack up in feeders or focal springs in larger waterways. Yea Connie has some famous spots for the big ones. I have fished it a few times but never put in my time there to fully investigate those specific spots.

 

[Swattie87]

Yea that doesn’t surprise me about holtwood every stream south of rt 30 in york county has reproduction. Its totally a needle in a haystack i was thinking more bass tournament guys actually more so than anyone targeting them. In summer those limestone areas adjacent to larger waterways are money, they stack up in feeders or focal springs in larger waterways. Yea Connie has some famous spots for the big ones. I have fished it a few times but never put in my time there to fully investigate those specific spots.

Totally. Those lower Susky Browns are 100% bycatch. Nobody is actually targeting them specifically. Chuck a 6 inch fly, or big jerk bait and reel in whatever eats it.

 

[Kgregor12]

I’ve seen the rogue Brown in the size range we’re talking about here caught as far downstream in the Susky as just above the Holtwood Dam by Bass anglers. Usually in Winter or very early Spring. They’re in the river (at certain times of year) for its whole length probably, but it’s a literal needle in a haystack. You could fish your whole life to catch a fish like that out of a river like the Susky.

That’s also not the approach I’ve taken to locate the limited number of these fish I’ve run into.

I also haven’t had much luck trying to locate them in limestone systems either with one slight exception that I clearly won’t mention here. Though I agree, that’s a possible viable approach…trying to find them in the more marginal locations. I’ve tried the Connie in certain locations, and I’ve caught wild Browns, but they’ve just been of the typical size curve you’d expect in areas that have wild Browns. Lots of 8-12” fish, and a 15”er is a good one.

Some Harrisburg Fishing Club got a picture of a 30” Brown out of the Connie they harvested in the paper and it all but started world war 3 in the CV.

 

[jifigz]

it’s a literal needle in a haystack.

Swattie, I like a lot of what you say, but it actually isn't literally a needle in a haystack. It is figuratively a needle in a haystack.

Now that I've inserted my two cents with some English wise-assery, I'll see myself out of the conversation.

 

[Kgregor12]

Swattie, I like a lot of what you say, but it actually isn't literally a needle in a haystack. It is figuratively a needle in a haystack.

Now that I've inserted my two cents with some English wise-assery, I'll see myself out of the conversation.

 

[Swattie87]

Swattie, I like a lot of what you say, but it actually isn't literally a needle in a haystack. It is figuratively a needle in a haystack.

Now that I've inserted my two cents with some English wise-assery, I'll see myself out of the conversation.

You’re right. 😜

 

[Brown71]

Some Harrisburg Fishing Club got a picture of a 30” Brown out of the Connie they harvested in the paper and it all but started world war 3 in the CV.

Interesting. Why did it start ww3 if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[laurelhighlander]

I have plenty pics, but will not post on any forum. If need be, send me your cell number and I’d be happy to text you a few. Or Do a little research on here and find my posts from years ago and there is a few pics of several 30” fish we caught locally.

I wasn't doubting you, I just enjoy pics of big fish, but I understand you already posted them once, I will check the logs

 

[Kgregor12]

Interesting. Why did it start ww3 if you don’t mind me asking?

I heard that a bunch of people got mad they kept the 30 inch brown out of the connie