Docsflies - Archives (May 2008)

24-26May08 - I fished PA's Kettle and Cross Fork creeks. The long Memorial Day weekend proved to be warmer than the previous week. Temperatures reached the mid 80's and were far from the sleet seen earlier in the week. The temperature change sparked an emergence of Eastern Tent caterpillars. Fish were already filled on caterpillars or uninterested in them as several floated over fish untouched. The previous week's cold temperatures resulted in fish slow to rise and few hatches early in the trip. By the 25-26th, predominate hatches on Kettle creek included drakes (in slower pool water) and golden stoneflies (in faster riffle water). Cross Fork creek produced a large hatch of small brownish winged mayflies, approximately size 18. I didn't want to put-down fish to catch a mayfly so the specific species is unknown. A classic Catskill style, size 18 Blue Quill did very well fished over this hatch.

A conglomerate of hatches were sporadically emerging in the region, but again, drakes and yellow sallies dominated. The Catskill style mayflies proved to be more effective over low-profile flies. I fished from Kettle Creek Lodge down to Leidy's Bridge and the Brook Trout management section off Rauch Road. Most fish were caught on dry flies, a few on nymphs and caddis. Rod selection included 3-5 weight rods for most fishing and a 6 weight for the Leidy's area.