Penns Creek Report

Details

Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 May 2013 13:42

I stopped by Penn's Creek in the Coburn area Tuesday evening and was surprised to see how good the stream looked.  To be sure, there was a hint of murk to the water, but the predominant color was limestone green.  The bottom was visible in about 18" of water,  and I would have been happy to fish nymphs if I had had more time.

Look for Sulphurs and March Browns to provide the bulk of the surface action.  On larger waters like Penn's Creek, the March Brown is almost an all-day occurrence.  It is unusual to see a ton of them on the surface at any one time, but if you watch carefully, there are normally one or two duns drifting down the top of long pools.  Since the March Brown is a sizeable (#10-12) morsel, it is worthwhile for even a good trout to sip the occasional dun.  Fishing a big comparadun to the water is an enjoyable and productive way to fish during the day for dry fly advocates.

Like any limestoner, nymphs are still the most productive way to pursue Penn's Creek outsized wild browns.  A Perla stone nymph is perhaps the best choice for pounding the heavy pockets. March Brown and Dark Sulphur Nymphs in addition to  Bead Head Green Weenies and Walt's Worms are not far behind in effectiveness.

Surface
Tan Caddis #14-16
Yellow and Orange Crane Fly #16 
March Brown #10-12 
Sulphur Dun #14
Sulphur Spinner #14

Subsurface
Dark Sulphur Nymph, #12-14
March Brown Nymph #10-12
Perla Stone  Nymph, #6-10
Bead Head Walt's Worm #12-16