The Often Overlooked Fly Fishing Only Section

        As winter begins to fade and hints of spring air spin through trees, trout fisherman around the state gear up for "Opening Day".  For me this day marks nothing but another opportunity to catch and release over 40 freshly stocked fish in one day. While many others plan to head out to the banks with a focus to fill their creels with food, I will let the fin-less trout swim back to their slow pools. In Pennsylvania many streams have a segment marked off as "Fly Fishing Only" or "Delayed Harvest Artificial Only" which is heavily stocked but often overlooked. As of late I have ventured to local fly fishing only sections with friends and family who are new to fly fishing. Today my good friend Dan and I went after school to the French Creek and managed to catch 29 fish in under two hours.

 

Here is Dan with his first trout on the fly.

        The fish (being freshly stocked) took flashy flies with enthusiasm. Flies like rainbow warriors and Flash-back Soft Hackle Hares Ear seemed to be effective but, the Squirmy Wormy could not be ignored.  With regular trout season opening in southeastern Pennsylvania on March 30th prepare your flashy flies and get ready to catch some fish!

        In general, insect activity sky rocketed. Clouds of midges could be seen flying near the banks and, many more popping off the surface of the water. Also caddis were seen skating across the waters surface in a attempt to spread their wings and fly. Some trout were seen rising to these insects. Little black stoneflys were also seen flying about. Keep an eye out for trout keying in on these bugs as this will indicate what flys and style of fishing will give you the best results! 

Good luck out there! - Rob Funk