Spring Creek Conditions

[Kaz]

Just thought I would pass along conditions and a brief report for Spring Creek. Fished it yesterday and it was at prime level. That should hold true through the weekend. Limestone green to starting to clear at end of day. Water temp hit 42 in th p.m. Fishing was also very good with the normal prospects for limestoners this time of year: PT, Cress Bug, WWorm, and baetis nymph.

[AaronJasper]

I should have went there today. We froze our butts off pretty good in CT today.

[akasquirrel]

I was planning on going out to the little j at spruce creek but am wondering about going to spring now since the flow level at spruce seems to be a little bit high. I have never been there and dont know to much about fishing it. I saw the patterns kaz listed, but am curious as to what would be a good flow level to consider fishing it? any preference this weekend between the lj or spring?

[Esox_Hunter]

Heres the gauge you want to check on--- http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=01546500

Flows under 200cfs are fine for fishing SC, even though I highly doubt you will even come close to that level this weekend. We got a little bit of an accumulation of slush here in State College today and the forecast says maybe a couple inches of snow tomorrow so I doubt the levels will change much between now and the weekend. You will be greeted with average flows and fairly clear water on SC. There will be plenty of fish to catch there, but you won't encounter the same solitude as you would on the LJ. Kaz's fly pattern recommendations are staples on SC, the only thing I will add is to carry some small(16-20) egg patterns.

The LJ looks like it will be right on my "borderline" flow rate for the weekend. I won't fish it if it is over 400cfs. SC will certainly be fishable for the weekend, the LJ is questionable IMO. It is always nice to hit up some new water....

[Kaz]

akasquirrel: Just some thoughts.
I would say if this will be your first time fishing the J, you might want to look for levels in the 2.5 range. That may equate to what Esox_hunter recommended at 400 . You can fish it higher, 2.8 range , but knowing the river really helps at that level. Not saying you wouldn't find those spots, but you generally have to jump from spot to spot to have a good day with high levels.

Since I doubt it wil drop to 2.5 level, I would look at Srping Creek as that should be at a good level this weekend.

[SaboVT]

2nd that about little j, not a place to go for the first time if waters are high. I twisted my ankle there last year when I stepped in between 2 rocks, or should I say boulders. Took a couple months for it to get back to normal. It was a good thing I had upgraded from my old hodgman to some simms boots a few months before that or I think it would have been worse. I find Spring is easy to wade, even under higher flows.

[akasquirrel]

i think i was a little unclear the way i worded that...but i have fished the LJ a few times and know the spruce creek area well, however I have never fished Spring Creek and dont know to much about that one....we are most likey going to go to spring now since spruce is up around 500 cfs...so are there any particular areas that you would suggest, I am planning on going into the centre county fly fishing only area.

[Esox_Hunter]

Look at a map of SC; anywhere from Lemont down to the mouth in Milesburg is good water. The population of fish is strong throughout all of the creek mentioned above, find a pull off and have at it.

If you head to the FFO stretch aka the paradise, be aware there is no wading in that section. IMO it is a little overrated and it always draws more of a crowd than the rest of the creek. It is however a good starting point, if you go to the upper parking lot in the paradise and walk upstream about 100 yards you can wade again. There is a nice stretch of water above the paradise that goes on for a good while. Also the next several miles below the paradise offer some good fishing as well.

[akasquirrel]

oh ok thats all good info...thanks alot. I didnt know about not being able to wade there

[SirJohnny]

Regarding Spring Creek ....

Take I-99 to Shiloh Road Exit. If headed south on I-99 (from I-80), you will want to take a right turn
at the top of the exit ramp. Go about 3/4 mile down hill to the Benner Springs Hatchery (note: This is the other hatchery on Spring Creek and not Fisherman's Paradise). Anywhere along the stream in this locale is really, really top of the line fishing.

As a bonus, instead of making a right turn at the ramp, make a left. Stay on road 1 mile and there will be
a Sheetz store on right side (drinks, munchies, potty's). If you make a right turn on Route-26 there (at Sheetz store), about 1 mile on right side is Wall-Mart (can get PA License there).

Fisherman's Paradise (the fly shop) is about 1/2 mile past Wall-Mart on same side. Look for sign that says "Dale Summit" shops. Should be a "Long John Silvers" shop where you make the right hand turn off of Route-26. The fly shop sits in a small strip mall ontop of a hill. Note: They don't sell PA licenses at this particular fly shop.

TCO Outfitters is on the left side of the same road (Route-26) about 1 mile past Wall-Mart (just before the next Sheetz Store ... and just before you cross Spring Creek on Route-26).

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Another place to hit up Spring Creek would be just below Fisherman's Paradise (the state fish hatchery). Follow the road downstream from the Paradise until you cross Spring Creek again. About 1 mile. You will cross a relatively new concrete bridge. There is also a stream gage station just downstream of the bridge. Park along stream here. It's your choice ... fish either upstream or downstream. A 30 to 40 fish day of wild browns in this section is pretty common.

Please don't consider my advice hotspotting. Both flyshops will tell you the same information. You will definitely see people fishing both sections. Also, lots of fish commission parking lot signs if you head downstream.

Mandatory ... please take a camera and take lots of pictures and post them on the board for those of us stuck in cubicle land.

Hope this helps.

John Coxey
(Living in the winterland hell-hole known as Syracuse, NY ... about 15 degrees outside with blowing snow and 40 mph winds. Should have moved to Kansas).