Neshanook creek winter fishing

[jtdubber]

Hello All,

Coming from Ohio I've only had the chance to fish creeks around Confluence so far in the spring and had a great experience.

I'm planning on making a trip to fish in the coming weeks, provided the weather and water cooperates. I was looking at the Neshanook creek right now to see new water and scout for the future. I'm going to stop into the fly shop in Volant to get some info.

How is the fishing in that area in the winter months? Should I be looking for non stocked creeks that may hold more fish this late in the season? I'm use to fishing for steelhead along Erie this time of year but looking to expand my horizons.

Any information is greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[PennKev]

Hello All,

Coming from Ohio I've only had the chance to fish creeks around Confluence so far in the spring and had a great experience.

Where are you driving from in Ohio?

I'm planning on making a trip to fish in the coming weeks, provided the weather and water cooperates. I was looking at the Neshanook creek right now to see new water and scout for the future. I'm going to stop into the fly shop in Volant to get some info.

The shop updates conditions daily, every morning on their facebook page, including a current picture of the creek.

The current conditions are crap and it looks like the weather is going to get pretty cold in the next week or so. Daytime highs below freezing and teens at night means there will be a lot of slush on the water and ice shelves will start to form at some point.

How is the fishing in that area in the winter months? Should I be looking for non stocked creeks that may hold more fish this late in the season? I'm use to fishing for steelhead along Erie this time of year but looking to expand my horizons.

Neshannock fishes fine when conditions are good during the winter. It's heavily stocked by the state, the fly shop, and TU. It gets stocked both in spring and fall in the DHALO/Keystone Select area, and that's where the fish are this time of year. Don't bother fishing outside of the special regs this time of year, you might find a few holdover fish in certain areas, but more than likely you'll just waste a bunch of time trying to find them.

You don't need to get crazy with flies. Basic nymphs, wooly buggers, and junk flies will get you some fish this time of year. The fish will get pickier as winter drags on and they get pounded by anglers. Just go smaller and more natural. You can sometimes hit a decent rise to midges or BWO's when conditions are right for it. There are tiny black stones throughout the colder months and larger black and brown stones as winter transitions to spring. Caddis hatches are pretty good in the spring.

If you want to get on wild fish consistently you will need to travel about an hour north east of Neshannock into Venango, Forrest, Warren, and eastern Crawford county. If high numbers of wild fish are important to you, just keep going east on I-80. You aren't going to find more fish or wild fish without driving a fair distance from Neshannock.

 

[jtdubber]

Where are you driving from in Ohio?

Just east of Kent , outside Rootstown.

The shop updates conditions daily, every morning on their facebook page, including a current picture of the creek.

The current conditions are crap and it looks like the weather is going to get pretty cold in the next week or so. Daytime highs below freezing and teens at night means there will be a lot of slush on the water and ice shelves will start to form at some point.

Neshannock fishes fine when conditions are good during the winter. It's heavily stocked by the state, the fly shop, and TU. It gets stocked both in spring and fall in the DHALO/Keystone Select area, and that's where the fish are this time of year. Don't bother fishing outside of the special regs this time of year, you might find a few holdover fish in certain areas, but more than likely you'll just waste a bunch of time trying to find them.

Thanks for that information. I've read similarly to what you said.

You don't need to get crazy with flies. Basic nymphs, wooly buggers, and junk flies will get you some fish this time of year. The fish will get pickier as winter drags on and they get pounded by anglers. Just go smaller and more natural. You can sometimes hit a decent rise to midges or BWO's when conditions are right for it. There are tiny black stones throughout the colder months and larger black and brown stones as winter transitions to spring. Caddis hatches are pretty good in the spring.

Good deal. I've been tying wooly buggers, pheasant tails and stoneflies. How small do you typically run those flies? Probably dictated by water conditions?

If you want to get on wild fish consistently you will need to travel about an hour north east of Neshannock into Venango, Forrest, Warren, and eastern Crawford county. If high numbers of wild fish are important to you, just keep going east on I-80. You aren't going to find more fish or wild fish without driving a fair distance from Neshannock.

I would really like to get into wild fish. The experience and learning the river are important to me. I'm not afraid to travel for good fishing though.

Thanks for all of your input!

 

[PennKev]

I fish a lot of #14's and 16's for nymphs but in clear conditions 18's and occasionally smaller are sometimes the best choice. Of course, for midges you'll be going small.

Don't overthink it. Usually the best way to get into fish is to change spots and fish moving water. The fish in the deeper, slower pools in the special regs areas get pounded by anglers.

 

[jtdubber]

I fish a lot of #14's and 16's for nymphs but in clear conditions 18's and occasionally smaller are sometimes the best choice. Of course, for midges you'll be going small.

Don't overthink it. Usually the best way to get into fish is to change spots and fish moving water. The fish in the deeper, slower pools in the special regs areas get pounded by anglers.

Good deal. I think sometimes with angling, and especially fly fishing it's easy to over think it and end up frustrated or disappointed.

Thanks for sharing some of your knowledge, I'm sure it's going to help me when I make the trip over.

 

[Cessicah]

I've fished Neshanock Creek a few times in the winter, and while it’s not as busy, you can still find some fish if the weather’s right. Water levels can get low, and the fish tend to be less active when it’s really cold, but if you're patient and hit the right spots, you can catch some decent ones. I've found the stocked areas tend to have a bit more action during this time, but I’ve also had luck on smaller, non-stocked creeks if you’re willing to hike a bit. The Volant fly shop’s a great stop—they usually have some good advice for where to focus depending on the conditions.

 

[jtdubber]

I've fished Neshanock Creek a few times in the winter, and while it’s not as busy, you can still find some fish if the weather’s right. Water levels can get low, and the fish tend to be less active when it’s really cold, but if you're patient and hit the right spots, you can catch some decent ones. I've found the stocked areas tend to have a bit more action during this time, but I’ve also had luck on smaller, non-stocked creeks if you’re willing to hike a bit. The Volant fly shop’s a great stop—they usually have some good advice for where to focus depending on the conditions.

Thanks for the info! I'm really looking to explore the unstocked creeks. I'd like to stay away from the masses as much as possible even if that means less fish. Definitely going to Volant fly shop.