Central PA, 12/1: Little J, Spring Creek: Winter Wonderland
By the beginning of last week, we had plans for getting up to the Salmon River, but due to weather conditions, and the report for snow, snow, snow, we decided to shift our plans to another fishing paradise. I knew that whatever Aaron had in store, would be nothing short of an awesome outing. I've been anxious to fish PA for months now, especially after seeing the Spruce Creek/Little J video.
Early Saturday morning, we started at the little J for a few hours, catching a good number of browns and rainbows. Nothing huge, but we landed at least a few in the 18-19'' range (if not a hair bigger). Tons of smaller browns around the 10-12'' mark. I'm not going to lie to you gentlemen, it was cold (low 20's), but not cold enough! I was toasty in 6 layers from head to toe. Unfortunately, the first few hours of fishing were consumed with cracking the ice off the guides.
After noon or so, we headed to Spring Creek and had a great few hours there. We consistently caught bigger browns on the average (we got bigger fish at the Little J, but the average fish at S.C. was bigger). Flows were low, I believe Aaron said somewhere around 60 cfs. We hit up a few of Aaron's favorite spots, as he gave me guidance and first shot at some of the better pools. Then, shortly before departing we headed downstream, in hope to catch the "elusive" golden palomino trout. It's funny, these fish are so vibrant that you can see them from the road driving! There weren't many, but I was anxious to have a try at them. After a few minutes, I was able to get a good one, and after calling Aaron over from over 300 ft away, the fish popped off the fly about 4 feet away from me! ! ! That's alright, we still had a couple of minutes, so I had to tie up quickly, and go after another one. As luck and good fortune had it, I spotted two more, one of a really good size (bigger than the last one I had on), so I tried for him, and after about 15', I got him and continued to land this one! That's my bonus fish of the day. Actually, the two best fish were the first and the last of that day. Since the average fish in S.C. was about 10-14'', I didn't carry my net (that was the first time I ever thought that), and sure enough, I missed the first Palomino because of that. LESSON #1: CARRY YOUR DAMN NET EVERYWHERE. I was very lucky to have tailed the second one.
Bonus: I got to try "my new" Sage Z-Axis 9'9'' 5wt. rod today. It was a great rod, but I prefer the 10' version. Here's the back story: while cleaning off my guides, the top 3 inches of the rod just flicked off, as if a twig broke. I don't think it was the cold weather, but after asking Aaron and Torrey, it was probably due to a previous abrasion either from splitshot, or something else. So I used a Z-axis 9'6'' 4 wt. and it was also an incredible rod. I see why Aaron has taken such a liking to that 4 wt.
All in all, it was a really incredible day of fishing. All things tallied up, we must have caught about 115-125 fish yesterday. Flies that produced well were egg patterns, red midges, and s.j. worms. I saw a couple of lunkers there that promised me that they'd stay put until my next visit ;). . .
I'll have pics up soon (Torrey ;D).
Re: Central PA, 12/1: Little J, Spring Creek: Winter Wonderland
Sounds like you really enjoyed yourself. The last time I was there, I think we hooked every Palamino we saw, about 4 of them or so. It's kinda fun to be able to watch there every reaction to your fly. There's a place in CT with a bunch of them over 20", up to about 2 feet or so- and it's strictly catch & release. Learned a lot about nymphing and fishing in general by being able to watch them so easily.
Re: Central PA, 12/1: Little J, Spring Creek: Winter Wonderland
Yes Torrey, that's exactly how I feel. I was able to see EVERY single head movement of the Palomino. In fact, I had an indicator on, but my eyes were on his head the whole time. One slight motion towards the right, and I set the hook, thankfully, I timed it right. Luckily, fishing egg patterns serves as a visual training device too. When I couldn't see the fluorescent little "nugget", I knew it had been taken. They are extremely vibrant fish, beautiful in coloration.
Re: Central PA, 12/1: Little J, Spring Creek: Winter Wonderland
By the way, forgot to put in my original post a note about the stretch of water after the "confluence of Spruce Creek and the Little J". While walking/wading down to prime water on Saturday, Aaron and I were both in shock when we noticed the "Eye in the Sky" video monitors hanging from high posts all along the Espy stretch and beyond! Unbelievable. These video "SURVEILLANCE" cameras were oscillating/rotating devices that covered a lot of water. This must be new because Aaron said it was his first time seeing these. Also. . .almost EVERY tree is marked with a "no trespassing" metal plate. . .it's so absurd that it borders on pollution in my book.
It's funny to think that most of us love fishing not only for the tremendous fun it brings, but also to get away from the office, or work place environment. . .not any more if you're planning on fishing the Little J. Hopefully this won't persist.
Re: Central PA, 12/1: Little J, Spring Creek: Winter Wonderland
Excellent report, thanks.
I have caught 4 of those golden palomino trout in my lifetime, two from the Hammonassett River in Madison, CT and two fishing from shore in Cedar Lake, Chester, CT. I'm not sure if the state of CT stocks them anymore, but they were interesting specimens. They look exactly like a rainbow trout in profile, a little flatter and wider than a same-sized brown. It was really unusual to fish for something I could see so clearly from maybe 30 feet away, like a giant fluorescent beacon. I wonder what the ospreys think of those fish as prey? They must be easy to hunt!
Re: Central PA, 12/1: Little J, Spring Creek: Winter Wonderland
Ospreys & hawks hammer the fake goldens/Palominos! CT used to stock them, but about 25 years ago somebody went into the hatchery at night and netted all the brood stock out, and they never replaced them after that. The ones I've caught in CT were not stocked by the state, I haven't seen any state stocked Goldens since I was 17- they used to put a few big ones in the Farmington for Opening Day. People would pummel them- after a few hours they would move out of the way of everything drifting down to them! They were hard to catch from everybody constantly fishing for them, even later in the season. In the late Summer if the Farmington heated up a bit and went into the 70's, I could easily find the springs coming in- the Goldens would be sitting on the edges where they flowed in, and there would be quite a few browns clustered around them.
Re: Central PA, 12/1: Little J, Spring Creek: Winter Wonderland
golden dildos!!!! if i were a piscivorous bird, i'd be as happy as if someone stuck a 16 oz sirloin in front of me. I bet an osprey sees one of them clear as day from 300 feet up.
Re: Central PA, 12/1: Little J, Spring Creek: Winter Wonderland
Im still waiting for these pic's
Re: Central PA, 12/1: Little J, Spring Creek: Winter Wonderland
Cough up the fish porn Dave!
Re: Central PA, 12/1: Little J, Spring Creek: Winter Wonderland
No... it's my fault :o
Re: Central PA, 12/1: Little J, Spring Creek: Winter Wonderland
Re: Central PA, 12/1: Little J, Spring Creek: Winter Wonderland
Re: Central PA, 12/1: Little J, Spring Creek: Winter Wonderland
Nice Goldfish! Er, I mean Palamino Trout.... Lol.
Re: Central PA, 12/1: Little J, Spring Creek: Winter Wonderland
Thanks Aaron, I forgot how "golden" that Palomino was ;D!
That was a great day of fishing, and I look forward to more PA outings. I'm still in shock about the "eyes in the sky" at the Little J. Makes me feel like I'm being watched in a 7/11 by a camera for shoplifting.
Re: Central PA, 12/1: Little J, Spring Creek: Winter Wonderland
Nymphmeister, a trout is a trout. . .that one's in the books already. ;D
I hear Goldfish don't give up a good fight. . .maybe I'll try to catch one sometime in Central Park! :o
Re: Central PA, 12/1: Little J, Spring Creek: Winter Wonderland
One time when I fished Spring Creek with Aaron, we saw what looked like a Palamino, but it actually WAS a goldfish! It was after some major flooding, prob got washed out of someone's pond.
Re: Central PA, 12/1: Little J, Spring Creek: Winter Wonderland
I saw two big goldfish in the Farmington one time, right in Church Pool. They were probably put in intentionally.
