Penns Creek: 1st trip.

[ROVERT]

I don't tie many flies with more than three materials. The stonefly I use the most on Penns uses just one material that is tied to the hook, gold dubbing.

The dubbing is teased out and twisted for legs. Bronze Sharpie colors the top of the fly. Flexible uv resin makes the legs and tails stay where they should.

It is quick and effective, which is good considering how many are lost to the streambed.

 

[Duriensbane]

The main reason i decided to tie it up was based on his success on multiple streams with it, and so far it hasnt failed to land a fish for me on the 3 streams ive used it on. And while it does for the most part take the place of a stone fly, its more inline with an Iso then anything due to the tails and simulated gills. It is a pain to tie, ill openly admit that. But it does look good if you do it right.

 

[goose54cdd]

Hahaha! Thanks!

 

[Ewanflyfish]

I don't tie many flies with more than three materials. The stonefly I use the most on Penns uses just one material that is tied to the hook, gold dubbing.

The dubbing is teased out and twisted for legs. Bronze Sharpie colors the top of the fly. Flexible uv resin makes the legs and tails stay where they should.

It is quick and effective, which is good considering how many are lost to the streambed.

Cool fly! Can’t say I’ve ever seen a stonefly tied like that, but it looks great!

 

[goose54cdd]

Nice tie. Things don't have to be complicated. The fish don't care.

 

[Tabasco-Joe]

I always take a few streamers/buggers to Penns. Talleur's Savage Seducer has worked well for me there as well as a Krystal Wooly Bugger tied in copper. Also, a Black Nosed Dace

Seems the server does not like Talleur's first name.

 

[Broodstock]

I like the big ginger nymph also, and fish a variation of that pattern. I think any nymph with a two tone body, dark back and lighter belly is somewhat of a trigger for the fish.

 

[Gibbon]

That is a very unique stone fly. Very nice tie. Thanks for sharing.

 

[bugs4]

If you're fishing nymphs on Penns, you're going to lose a LOT of flies. I often fish a very simple pattern tied on a 12, 2XL hook that is just a few strands of Pheasant tail for tail fibers, a simple tannish fur body with most anything you can think of for a rib, a fairly pronounced thorax using the same dubbing as the body and a few turns of dark ginger hen hackle, tied "in-the-round" so to speak. Add a bead or a few turns of lead wire if you're so inclined. I think this pattern is suggestive of many of the insects that inhabit Penns and I've done rather well with it over the years. It takes a minimal amount of time to tie and isn't a big deal when you lose quite a few of them.

 

[Nocktavius]

If you're fishing nymphs on Penns, you're going to lose a LOT of flies. I often fish a very simple pattern tied on a 12, 2XL hook that is just a few strands of Pheasant tail for tail fibers, a simple tannish fur body with most anything you can think of for a rib, a fairly pronounced thorax using the same dubbing as the body and a few turns of dark ginger hen hackle, tied "in-the-round" so to speak. Add a bead or a few turns of lead wire if you're so inclined. I think this pattern is suggestive of many of the insects that inhabit Penns and I've done rather well with it over the years. It takes a minimal amount of time to tie and isn't a big deal when you lose quite a few of them.

Guide flies for the win. Show me a streamer bite where a Galloup articulated pattern is working and I’ll be successful with those same fish with a pair of wooly buggers.

Show me a fancy hares ear pattern with 10 different materials and I’ll show you a Walt’s or sexy Walt’s that works just as well. Show me a complicated dry fly like Harrop last chance and I’ll catch the same fish on a Puffy tied with CDC, a biot and some Antron. Would much rather have a whole box full of nymphs, streamers and dries to show for 6 hours of tying than a dozen fancy flies that I’m fishing scared to lose

 

[Worth723]

Guide flies for the win. Show me a streamer bite where a Galloup articulated pattern is working and I’ll be successful with those same fish with a pair of wooly buggers.

Show me a fancy hares ear pattern with 10 different materials and I’ll show you a Walt’s or sexy Walt’s that works just as well. Show me a complicated dry fly like Harrop last chance and I’ll catch the same fish on a Puffy tied with CDC, a biot and some Antron. Would much rather have a whole box full of nymphs, streamers and dries to show for 6 hours of tying than a dozen fancy flies that I’m fishing scared to lose

I’m on your boat. The nymph box that I’m preparing for this trip is filled with patterns that i could tie a dozen of in half an hour or less. My confidence fly is the Walt’s and sexy Walt’s.

 

[Worth723]

Hey everyone, I’m grateful for everyone’s responses.

I’ve been at the vice this weekend filling a nymph box for my Penns trip in April. It’s pretty easy to tell that I’m a Walt’s worm fan, and variations of it. Once this is filled out, I’ll work on some dry flies.

Can anyone speak on crayfish in the system, are they prevalent in the c&r section? Perhaps my trip in mid April is too soon in their molting cycle. My thinking is to have some crayfish colored jig streamers (black, olive as well) ready for possible high spring water should I need them.

Also, I’m big on celebratory food and a couple of beers post crawling off the water. Any recommendations on spots for a good sandwich/burger within the area before heading south to Huntingdon?

 

[ROVERT]

There are definitely crayfish.

I don't eat out much in the area. I've been to the Stonefly Cafe in Reedsville which was good but I think is closed for renovation. I think the Smitty's in Milroy also closed.

The Elk Creek Cafe in Millheim is the wrong direction if you're headed south unless you are fishing from the Coburn area.

I've also been to Cora's Creekside Tavern and the Wilderness Lodge which were ok.

The Lewistown CC is decent. I put a collared shirt on before I went there because the website says there's a dress code. I'm pretty sure there isn't.

Shy Bear in Lewistown is good.

I'd probably pick Shy Bear. It's the only one I've been to more than once in ten years of owning a place in Siglerville.

 

[riverwhy]

I would add a black bugger to that collection, and you should be good to go. Your stonefly looks a little more olive than the tan and brown I use but I am sure it will work. There are many crayfish in Penn's but I haven't tried them that much. I think I caught one on a Clouser Crayfish 2 years ago in April.
No experience with the food but I want to try Shy Bear in Lewistown. Picked up a couple of their beers at the Hershey Freshmarket and they were excellent. Good luck at Penn's, we will be up last weekend in March.

 

[Worth723]

I would add a black bugger to that collection, and you should be good to go. Your stonefly looks a little more olive than the tan and brown I use but I am sure it will work. There are many crayfish in Penn's but I haven't tried them that much. I think I caught one on a Clouser Crayfish 2 years ago in April.
No experience with the food but I want to try Shy Bear in Lewistown. Picked up a couple of their beers at the Hershey Freshmarket and they were excellent. Good luck at Penn's, we will be up last weekend in March.

The stones are tied with a yellow hares ear, the photo doesn’t do them service. I was thinking to hit the back with a brown sharpie for a two toned look.

 

[goose54cdd]

Hey everyone, I’m grateful for everyone’s responses.

I’ve been at the vice this weekend filling a nymph box for my Penns trip in April. It’s pretty easy to tell that I’m a Walt’s worm fan, and variations of it. Once this is filled out, I’ll work on some dry flies. View attachment 1641240559

Can anyone speak on crayfish in the system, are they prevalent in the c&r section? Perhaps my trip in mid April is too soon in their molting cycle. My thinking is to have some crayfish colored jig streamers (black, olive as well) ready for possible high spring water should I need them.

Also, I’m big on celebratory food and a couple of beers post crawling off the water. Any recommendations on spots for a good sandwich/burger within the area before heading south to Huntingdon?

Is it possible you can identify your flies? The top 2 are cased caddis and I see some blow torches. Just wondering.

 

[jifigz]

There are definitely crayfish.

I don't eat out much in the area. I've been to the Stonefly Cafe in Reedsville which was good but I think is closed for renovation. I think the Smitty's in Milroy also closed.

The Elk Creek Cafe in Millheim is the wrong direction if you're headed south unless you are fishing from the Coburn area.

I've also been to Cora's Creekside Tavern and the Wilderness Lodge which were ok.

The Lewistown CC is decent. I put a collared shirt on before I went there because the website says there's a dress code. I'm pretty sure there isn't.

Shy Bear in Lewistown is good.

I'd probably pick Shy Bear. It's the only one I've been to more than once in ten years of owning a place in Siglerville.

You own a place in Siglerville? That's awesome. You are just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Penns Creek. Dining options in Mifflin County suck. There is a new place, Pass the Dutchie, that people seem to be raving about. I haven't been there yet, though. It is in the Reedsville area I think. It is owned and operated by Quinton Wicks, a superb chef who also owns Revival Kitchen in Reedsville. Pass the Dutchie is a more "normal" dining experience.

 

[HopBack]

I would really add some wet flies. Some soft hackle that looks like a grannom. I also favor size 16-18 frenchie when I am having a tough time trying to entice the trout. It’s probably more the size than anything. Penns is full of large bugs and people often match that by throwing mops and pat’s rubber legs. Offering something in size 18 can really provide a stark contrast. I have a hard time wanting to do it on such a large stream but you will need them for any slower moving sections you may fish.

 

[mt_flyfisher]

You own a place in Siglerville? That's awesome. You are just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Penns Creek. Dining options in Mifflin County suck. There is a new place, Pass the Dutchie, that people seem to be raving about. I haven't been there yet, though. It is in the Reedsville area I think. It is owned and operated by Quinton Wicks, a superb chef who also owns Revival Kitchen in Reedsville. Pass the Dutchie is a more "normal" dining experience.

I looked up Pass the Dutchie on the Internet. It looks like it may be located where the Stonefly Cafe had been, right on Main Street at the intersection. I bet the food is excellent, but for what’s listed as $30-$50 for dinner, I’m pretty frugal when it comes to eating out, so I’d opt for an Italian sub at the OIP.

 

[jifigz]

I looked up Pass the Dutchue on the Internet. It looks like it may be located where the Stonefly Cafe had been, right on Main Street at the intersection. I bet the food is excellent, but for what’s listed as $30-$50 for dinner, I’m pretty frugal when it comes to eating out, so I’d opt for an Italian sub at the OIP.

Really? It's that expensive? I had no idea. I am frugal with my fishing excursions, too. In fact, I basically never go out to eat anywhere. I don't prefer to. I like avoiding people and society most of the time.