New to fly fishing as a whole and seeking advice.

[LanguageArtsGrade]

Hello! I want to start this post by stating that I have been only fishing for about 2-3 years so I apologize if I state something incorrectly.
This year I decided to get some fly fishing gear as I live next to two creeks that are known as some pretty good fly fishing streams. One of these creeks is the Yellow Breeches. My approach as for now is looking at the stream reports on the TCO website and some other ones to see what flies they recommend to throw in the breeches. When I get to the section near me, I normally just cast towards the opposite side of the creek and let the fly flow down until I recast. After 3/4 attempts at one spot, I move a little bit upstream. I have yet to catch anything here and am 100% sure its my fault and that my approach is likely very wrong. I was hoping that someone here can provide some insight on what to use, what I should do differently, etc.
Thank you in advance!

 

[CLSports]

That is a decent method of approach. Make sure you understand where the trout lie. It is quite possible as you move upstream, if you are still in the middle of the stream, you may be spooking fish and they swim upstream of you which would make them impossible to catch once you approach them again. Maybe try to get out of the water, walk up the bank to a nice looking run or lie and then get back in the water (if needed). Try to be stealthy especially with low, clear water or bright sun. Keep at it really, it is all about trial and error!

Understand mending your line too, or even casting at 10:00 upstream position from where you stand and not directly across from you. Mend as many times as needed to prevent any drag. Rinse and repeat. In 10 years you will finally figure it out! Kidding, sort of . . .

Read books, watch YouTube videos, learn as much as possible.

Right now is spawning time for Brown Trout, too. Be careful where you tread in the water. Do not step on any redds. Maybe wait a month or two before you get back out there again if you are not certain what to look for.

 

[Dr.J 1952]

What part of the Breeches are you fishing? Not all of the Breeches is stocked with or holds trout. I first fished the Breeches in 1977 so it’s hard to remember places they stock or the names of locations. There may not be any trout to catch where you are fishing. If you live in Mechanicsburg, you’re not far from Boiling Springs. Try the project water first. I always preferred the area from the Furnace Area at the parking lot down to the Allenberry Area. Try fishing faster water but don’t overlook slower deeper water. I’ve caught fish in a foot of water and places I didn’t expect fish to be. Sometimes there are fish right in front of you . Keep your eyes open for feeding or rising fish. Watch your drag and use longer tippets with 5x and lighter tippets. Don’t be afraid to use a strike indicator until you gain more experience .

 

[LanguageArtsGrade]

That is a decent method of approach. Make sure you understand where the trout lie. It is quite possible as you move upstream, if you are still in the middle of the stream, you may be spooking fish and they swim upstream of you which would make them impossible to catch once you approach them again. Maybe try to get out of the water, walk up the bank to a nice looking run or lie and then get back in the water (if needed). Try to be stealthy especially with low, clear water or bright sun. Keep at it really, it is all about trial and error!

Understand mending your line too, or even casting at 10:00 upstream position from where you stand and not directly across from you. Mend as many times as needed to prevent any drag. Rinse and repeat. In 10 years you will finally figure it out! Kidding, sort of . . .

Read books, watch YouTube videos, learn as much as possible.

Right now is spawning time for Brown Trout, too. Be careful where you tread in the water. Do not step on any redds. Maybe wait a month or two before you get back out there again if you are not certain what to look for.

I really appreciate your reply! I will definitely start trying to be more stealthy and will look further into mending my line. As for redds, I am careful as to avoid them. However, to be safe, I will likely stay out of the water when I am not casting in an area.

 

[LanguageArtsGrade]

What part of the Breeches are you fishing? Not all of the Breeches is stocked with or holds trout. I first fished the Breeches in 1977 so it’s hard to remember places they stock or the names of locations. There may not be any trout to catch where you are fishing. If you live in Mechanicsburg, you’re not far from Boiling Springs. Try the project water first. I always preferred the area from the Furnace Area at the parking lot down to the Allenberry Area. Try fishing faster water but don’t overlook slower deeper water. I’ve caught fish in a foot of water and places I didn’t expect fish to be. Sometimes there are fish right in front of you . Keep your eyes open for feeding or rising fish. Watch your drag and use longer tippets with 5x and lighter tippets. Don’t be afraid to use a strike indicator until you gain more experience .

Thank you for the reply! I have been fishing the part of the breeches next to Spanglers Mill Rd. Found it on google maps. Unsure if there are fish in the area or if I am just spooking em away haha. I will definitely look into the Boiling springs area and I just ordered a strike indicator.
I currently have a 5WT setup. I was recommended 4X tippet. Should I still replace it with 5X as per your recommendation?
Thank you for all the information! I really appreciate everyone replying.

 

[Kgregor12]

The yellow breeches hold over trout can be nuttier than squirrel turds in my experience. Keep at it and prosper my friend!

 

[LanguageArtsGrade]

The yellow breeches hold over trout can be nuttier than squirrel turds in my experience. Keep at it and prosper my friend!

I see. Will keep trying for sure. Thanks for the kind words!

 

[BruceC2C]

U will likely benefit from a half day guided trip with one of the TCO guides.
Not so much about catching fish on the day of your guide trip, but rather what u will LEARN from your guide that u can use fishing on your own.

 

[Duriensbane]

The Keystone Fly Fishing book is a god send for information. Central PA section was written by Mike Heck. The issue with the breeches right now is that the lower section was completely wiped out due to temps over the summer. But as you move up holdover, fall stockers and wilds do appear. You can look at the PFBC stocking site to see the top and bottom of stocked sections and the trout map can tell you want streams hold trout, section divisions and classifications. But take the classifications of lesser streams with a grain of salt as some lower class streams fish better then higher ones.

 

[Tigereye]

U will likely benefit from a half day guided trip with one of the TCO guides.
Not so much about catching fish on the day of your guide trip, but rather what u will LEARN from your guide that u can use fishing on your own.

THIS^^^^^^^^
Get the guide and don't worry about catching fish. Pick his brain and have him correct any mistake you make. That will take you further than having a 20 fish day and having no idea how or why you caught those fish.

 

[Bruno]

Learning an effective rain dance would be helpful. I have yet to master one.

 

[LanguageArtsGrade]

U will likely benefit from a half day guided trip with one of the TCO guides.
Not so much about catching fish on the day of your guide trip, but rather what u will LEARN from your guide that u can use fishing on your own.

Ah I see. Yes I have been looking at some guided trips that my friends and I can go on here in the coming weeks. Appreciate the reply!

 

[LanguageArtsGrade]

The Keystone Fly Fishing book is a god send for information. Central PA section was written by Mike Heck. The issue with the breeches right now is that the lower section was completely wiped out due to temps over the summer. But as you move up holdover, fall stockers and wilds do appear. You can look at the PFBC stocking site to see the top and bottom of stocked sections and the trout map can tell you want streams hold trout, section divisions and classifications. But take the classifications of lesser streams with a grain of salt as some lower class streams fish better then higher ones.

Ah I shall see if I can order this one online. Thank you so much for the information. Sad to hear the temps wiped out the lower section. Would I just look at where they stocked the trout and go downstream a little bits from there?

 

[Duriensbane]

Ah I shall see if I can order this one online. Thank you so much for the information. Sad to hear the temps wiped out the lower section. Would I just look at where they stocked the trout and go downstream a little bits from there?

with the lack of rain and low flows most of the fall stockers are pretty much hanging out where they were put in, since they have yet to gain the wild mind to move around for food, there is a little movement but not much. As said, the boiling springs section (around Allenberry) is the C/RAO and that did get stocked by i believe both the state and the TU in October, so there should be plenty in there, they just get hammered a lot. If you are looking for wilds, I personally would fish from the bridge above the C/RAO section going up stream. But included in that are the many streams in the area that hold trout. Just a matter of looking at resources (which are plenty here) and asking questions.

As for a guided trip, Mike Heck does guide services on pretty much every stream in central PA and if im correct he does have a few late fall winter slots open. And as far as i know he is very reasonable on price for a lot of the guides in the area, but don't take my word for it please, do your research and pick someone that fits your budget and desire.

 

[nymphingmaniac]

if I were sinking money on a guide I would wait for the water conditions to improve. In the meantime get out here and there and pick up on somethings so that you would be more able to process the advice during the short guiding window

 

[STONEMAN]

Sorry, but I now read suspect all new posters as AI. Still not sure here. But I like the idea of Neil or Alex from TCO taking an AI out for a guided trip!

 

[LanguageArtsGrade]

Sorry, but I now read suspect all new posters as AI. Still not sure here. But I like the idea of Neil or Alex from TCO taking an AI out for a guided trip!

I aint an AI but thats cool I guess..
What would someone even gain from having an AI on the forum pretending to be a beginner in fly fishing of all things?

 

[LanguageArtsGrade]

if I were sinking money on a guide I would wait for the water conditions to improve. In the meantime get out here and there and pick up on somethings so that you would be more able to process the advice during the short guiding window

Water conditions was one of my concerns since it hasn't properly rained here lately. Will definitely fish some more while waiting for conditions to improve. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Bamboozle]

LanguageArtsGrade:

As far as numbers go....

The Yellow Breeches is stocked by the PFBC from Route 233 to the mouth. All three sections (02, 03 & 04) received one pre-season and one in season stocking. I don't believe ANY received fall stockings in 2024. All three sections are also stocked by the Yellow Breeches Angler's Club but I have no idea of the frequency.

Despite poaching, as previously mentioned I would venture to guess all things being equal that Section 3, the Catch & Release Artificials Only stretch from the mouth of the Run below Children's Lake to below Allenberry is your best bet for fish IF there is enough water TO fish.

That being said, I don't often fish the Yellow Breeches in that area. However, when and if I do, especially if I am not anticipating hatches I will fish from the edges along the trail on the RR track side of the creek working downstream and swing a streamer under an indicator against the far side bank where the water is usually deeper.

By staying in the shallows near the bank, I figure I am spooking less fish. I make a few casts/swings and move a few yards down to the next likely looking spot. I like a stout tippet when I fish streamers so I would probably be fishing a 3X. I also like shorter leaders when doing the same so no longer than 7 foot.

A 5wt or 6wt is ideal for this kind of fishing and roll casts will probably be all you need and are helpful if you are close to the near bank.

If there is enough water to do this it is a great way to learn and get some practice, no guide or books required and maybe pick up a fish or two in the process. The streamer you use probably doesn't matter but I am usually throwing a black or olive Woolly Bugger.

Attractor nymph patterns like a Prince Nymph or a Pheasant Tail would be my next choices if nothing happens with a streamer. In the case of nymphs I'd probably go down to 4X, but I'm lazy, so maybe not unless nothing happens.

The only caveat is IF the water is very shallow and you are getting snagged quickly, you may want to avoid the use of beadhead or weighted flies and ADD weight to your leader IF needed if you come across a spot where you need to get down.

Good luck!!