Potter County Fishing Report (Delayed) - Three Times Almost Wasn't a Charm

Last Friday offered another great opportunity to do some small stream fishing.  Fellow TU "God's Country" chapter members Bob Volkmar and Frank Weeks and I decided to try Kettle Creek again.  This time, however, we decided to fish a section a few miles south from the town of Germania.

Weather was great for hanging out at the beach, but probably not the optimum to entice Brookies to take a dry.  Skies were clear, and temps moved into the mid to upper 70s as the day went on.  We parked at a bridge overlooking the creek along Rousch Road, rigged up, and got on the water around 8:30 or so.  Since three would have definitely been a crowd on this stream, Frank and Bob decided to fish upstream from the bridge, I would make my way downstream, and we'd return to the truck for lunch.  While my section of the stream showed potential in spots, it just didn't show the same characteristics as the upstream sections we fished a few weeks ago.  There were a few decent lies, but for the most part the creek consisted of long straightaways and flat bottoms, not particularly conducive to a meaningful Brook Trout experience.  I did manage one 6 incher, but that was it for nearly three hours.

I made my way back to the bridge, and since it was an hour or so before lunch, I headed upstream to see if I could intercept Bob and Frank.  When I caught up to them they had less to report.  Again, their section had some holding water, but no fish.  They didn't even see or spook a fish.

Over lunch we dwelled on the mystery, but decided that further exploration would be fruitless.  So we made a command decision to head upstream and fish some of the same water that was highlighted in the earlier two posts.  This time Frank and Bob started a little above the point where Slider Run (a very small tributary of Kettle) runs into Kettle Creek.  I decided to check out Slider Run.  As I started walking to the stream, though, I heard the recognizable sound of Bob yelling, and then loud voices between Bob and Frank.  Turns out that the vegetation on the banks was very high, concealing a big hole into which Bob inadvertently found himself.  For a moment I thought I might have to head back.  But the yelling stopped, so I assumed that all was well and continued to check out Slider Run.

Perhaps a couple of weeks ago the trib would have been worth fishing.  But not this day.  So I made my way back to the bridge, and decided to fish behind Frank and Bob.  Fortunately, this section of Kettle Creek bailed us out.  While the water was much lower in this stretch, there were plenty of lies for Brookies.  Better yet, there were trout in those lies.  Not big fish, mind you, probably 4-6 inches (although Bob got a nice fish that went about 10 inches), but trout that aggressively went after our hopper and hopper/dropper patterns, even gracing us with another chance or two when we missed the hookup.

A couple of hours leap-frogging the stream provided us a few fish to the hand and several misses, enough action to call the day a success.  For now we'll let the Brookies have a rest.  But with October and cooler weather just around the corner, I'm looking forward to a return to take another crack at these Kettle Creek gems.

Tight lines,
Mikey D Fishing

Chunking for Stripers in Mid August

Three weeks have passed since Capt Felker and Capt DiPaola witnessed tons of garbage and debris flowing south from the opening of several floodgates on the Conowingo Dam  record rainfall in July.  Mikey D Fishing can report that water clarity has mercifully improved.  While due caution is still the prudent way to cruise to the fishing spots, it was finally safe enough to wet some lines.

Accompanied by Bery Edmonston, Mikey D Fishing left the dock at 0730.  Although the sun was well above the horizon, we couldn't resist an opportunity to cast topwater plugs into the shallows along Hackett's Point in hopes of enticing a lurking striper.  Dozens of casts produced little so it was off to Podickery Point to set up for chunking.  Normally, chumming or chunking for stripers is futile by early August.  August is typically a transitional month, too early for topwater fishing and too late for bottom fishing.  Live lining and jigging are usually the only viable options this time of year.  But 2018 has not been a typical Chesapeake summer.

We set up amongst a small fleet of recreational and charter fishing boats in 32 feet of water.  Air temps were in the mid to upper 80s.  Surface water temps were in the low 80s.  Lines were in the water baited with soft crab and fresh alewife just prior to the start of the incoming tide.  Before the bait was soaked, we began to see the telltale tapping of the rod tips just before the baitrunner reels released line.  Bery landed the first of almost a dozen channel catfish.  The largest was over 24 inches and weighed in excess of 15 pounds.  The abundance of catfish is another consequence of the immense flush of freshwater in the mid Chesapeake Bay.  Fortunately, we managed to boat two stripers (22" and 19") mixed in with the catfish.

A great day on the water culminated with fillets in the bag!

One additional note about safety in light of a charter boat / sailboat collision a few days ago (See "The Capital", Aug 18).  Even in the best of conditions, captains and crew should always be vigilant when underway or at anchor.  Case in point, Bery Edmonston and Capt DiPaola watched with curiosity as a crew of two (grandfather and grandson) became fixated on weighing anchor and securing their gear as the tide steadily drew our vessels closer.  When it became apparent that action was necessary to avoid collision, Capt. DiPaola hailed the other boat before Mikey D Fishing came into contact.  The other vessel wanted to talk about their anchor struggles when Capt. DiPaola strongly recommended that they make way.  Fortunately, a bird nest of braided line and terminal tackle was the only casualty.  Situational Awareness is all to often a rare commodity!

Tight Lines,

Mikey D Fishing

Potter County Fishing Report: Return to Upper Kettle Creek

A month after "Trout Whisperer" Bob Volkmar guided Captain DiPaola on the upper reaches of Kettle Creek, you'd think the idea of returning in the late summer would be an exercise in futility.  But conditions signaled anything but that, when Bob, Bob's Lab "Blue", and I headed back to take another crack at the native brookies.

The persistent rains this summer have kept these gems of streams in excellent fishing condition. When we stepped in the water around 0830, air temps were in the high 60s under partly cloudy skies, with water temps between 58-60 degrees.  According to Bob, the water was higher than the previous month's outing.

I'll refer you to Capt. DiPaola's blog post a month back for details on this particular stream.  For the 3 1/2 hours that we spent on the water, Bob and I each caught around 8-10 fish.  A few were the 3-4 inch dinks that amazingly will take on a size 8 hopper, but we also caught a decent number of 5-6 inch brookies, with two going an easy 10 inches.  Since there was plenty of water, we fished together, alternating fishy-looking spots.  And for the most part, every spot that looked like good holding water held a fish or two.  As for flies, Bob fished with a hopper pattern, while I was using a foam hopper with a Rainbow Warrior dropper.  Interestingly, most of my hookups, including the two 10 inchers, were caught on the dropper.

Small stream fishing at its best; Potter County at its finest!

Tight Lines,
Mikey D Fishing

Potter County Fishing Report: Trout and the Dog Days of Summer

Catching a trout on the first cast usually means one of two things.  Either you're going to have a banner day, or your luck ran out with the first fish.

While the Allegheny is still high and moving fast (although showing good color), the tribs have benefited greatly from the recent rain events over the last two weeks.  So with clear skies this morning, the small streams beckoned.  I decided to broaden my Potter County portfolio by fishing Dingman Run, a small stream that empties into the Allegheny in Coudersport.  Access was fairly easy; a bridge just a short run up Dingman Run Road provided parking and easy access to the stream.

Like a fly-fishing "Minute Man," I normally keep the 3 wt. rigged with a hopper/pheasant tail dropper tandem.  Having broken my share of rods, it's probably not the smartest thing to do.  But then again it shortens the delay getting on the water; a decent trade off in my mind.

When  I got to the bridge around 9:30, air temps were creeping into the 70s.  The stream looked great; plenty of water and good flows.  The darkness under the bridge seemed like a place that a trout or two would be hanging out.

So with a short side cast I flung the tandem just under the bridge, and then fed line as the current took the flies further under the bridge.  Although it was hard seeing the hopper, I did see the splash, and a minute later brought a beautiful 12 inch Brookie to hand.  The trout had all the appearance of a native fish; colored up, perfect fins, and even a slightly kiped jaw.  Unfortunately, while fumbling for the camera, Mr. Brookie slipped off the hook and back under the bridge he went.

After a few more casts, I moved on downstream.  Dingman Run is classic small stream fishing.  No more than 15-20 feet wide, the stream has the characteristics of a mountain brook trout stream; narrow, with alternating riffles and pockets, undercut banks.  Water temps were in the low-60s, the stream kept cool by the canopy.  While these kinds of streams can be frustrating from a casting perspective, you really don't need to spend much time in any one spot.  Just move down (or up) stream, casting in likely holding areas.  If there's a fish holding, it'll more the likely eat the fly.  If not, just move to the next spot.

I moved about 100 yards down from the bridge, hitting some spot with no takers.  So it was looking like the first fish would be my last.  But then I got to a pool that just looked too fishy.

By this time I had somehow lost my dropper (probably on a tree branch), and my hopper was waterlogged, so I tied on a size 14 Humpy Adams.  I figured that if there were more Brookies, then an attractor should bring them to the surface.  Turned out to be the right call.  The next four casts all brought Brookies to the hand; three in the 4-5 inch range, and another dandy that went 10-11 inches.

Hindsight being 20-20, I should have just taken a break and let the hole relax, as I'm sure there were a few more fish in there.  But the stream beckoned, and so I fished down for the next hour and a half.  Despite finding a lot of great holding water, I couldn't manage a hit, let alone move a fish.  I probably covered a half mile of stream; the further downstream I went, the narrower it got.  By noon it was getting kind of hot, and it was a hike back to the truck.  And, since I hadn't seen a fish, it seemed like a good time to turn around.

On the way back home I stopped at the covered bridge in Coudersport, but three steps into the water and it was obvious that the current was just to fast for comfortable fishing.  A few more dry days and the big river will be in great shape.  Until then, though, the small streams beckon.

Tight Lines,
Mike D Fishing

Adjusting to the Conditions - Upper Chesapeake Stripers - July 28 2018

This entry was intended to be a prelude to Cobia fishing in the lower Chesapeake Bay.  However, when the Captain of your charter tells you that the fishing is not likely to be productive and the forecast includes severe thunderstorms, the wise angler heeds the advice.  The same approach of gathering all of the information at hand enabled Capt. Felker and Capt. DiPaola to limit out on stripers in less than 2 hours the day before.

The weekend fishing trip started as most do with a visit to Anglers to stock up on fresh alewife, soft crabs, and incidentals.  As locals, friends, and frequent customers we usually chat with the staff to see where the bite is and how that compares to other reports to formulate the best fishing plan.  Word was that stripers had been holding in large numbers in an area defined by Rock Hall north to Pooles island in the Upper Chesapeake.   Charlie and Mike Ebersberger of Anglers added that they had seen success near the bay bridge rock piles live lining with spot and chunking with soft crabs.  A plan to try some live lining on our way north to Rock Hall naturally came together.

On the western rock pile we were encouraged to see three charter boats tossing norfolk spot.  A swift current and only a few hits without takes on the chunking rods indicated it was time to head north.  The course to Swan Pt was punctuated by the heartbreaking sight of huge debris flows coming from the Susquehanna river and the Conowingo dam.  Mixed in with the flotsam were logs, barrels, tires, and other assorted trash.  It was a sad and hazardous spectacle.  The crew wondered aloud whether all of the good work to improve the health of the Bay would be for naught unless efforts are made to address the runoff from the Chesapeake's tributaries, particularly from our neighbors to the north.

After playing dodge ball with logs and trash we eventually spotted the charter fleet.  Dozens of boats were anchored in 12 - 15' of turbid 79 degree water.  With the anchor set, the two Captains wet four lines baited with soft crab and alewife.  Within minutes rod tips began to twitch.  Multiple fish to the boat followed.  At one point  two fish were hooked with a third rod getting hit.  A lot of action always equates to a lot of fun.  The bite remained consistently good until we had our limit of 4 keeper stripers in the 20" - 22" range.  While not record setting in size, they make for excellent table fare.  While the grilled cobia will have to wait, the plated stripers make an excellent substitute.

Tight Lines,

Mikey D Fishing

Kettle Creek Brookies - 06 July 2018 - Late Entry

A day prior to the famed Potter County Independence Day Extravaganza, hosted by the Felkers' and West Branch Tavern (see video tease below), Captain Felker arranged a day of native brook trout fishing for me.  Even better, I had the opportunity to fish under the tutelage of Potter County local and Trout Unlimited Chapter Secretary, Bob Volkmar.

Bob was accompanied as usual by his faithful fishing companion "Blue", a beautiful black lab.  The drive from West Branch Tavern to Kettle Creek took about an hour.  Several turns and switchbacks on dirt roads eventually ended at a small steam with crystal clear water.  Kettle Creek is rarely more than 10 feet across and often not more than ankle deep.  Covered with old growth spruce and hemlock, it is a perfect native brook trout hatchery.

It had been a couple of years since I worked water as skinny.  The last time I chased hungry brook trout in water like this was a day spent climbing boulders and rocks searching for 6" feeders in the upper Rappahannock.  Back on Kettle Creek, the temps were warm enough to wet wade.   Bob gently reminded me that stealth, precision, patience and recognition are critical in water like this.  I am more comfortable working across a stream or even down stream.  Bob is an expert at casting upstream, gently presenting the fly, with a knack of knowing where the trout are positioned.  The clip below shows Bob in action.  Note the need to remain offset to avoid spooking the fish.

Not long after setting out, we quickly found our rhythm with each of us taking turns at pockets, overhangs, holes, and drop-offs likely to hold fish.  In no time, we were both adding to the tally.  At 4" - 8", these brook trout won't make it as a trophy on the wall, but they do leave a lasting impression. 

Catching one requires the ability to identify a probable lair, softly landing a dry fly (we were using caddis, hoppers, and stimulators), and a light touch when setting the hook.  You usually only get one chance at each piece of water before the fish are wise to your presence. The fish are small, but they don't know it.  They engulf the fly when all of the elements come together.

A short break for lunch back at the vehicle and another hour of fishing rounded out the day.  Blue even managed to flush several grouse!   I am not sure what kind of hunting dog Blue is, but as a fishing dog he is top shelf.  He knew to remain behind us as we approached each casting spot.  It was a great day on the water, and the perfect initiation as a newly minted member of the Potter County "God's Country" TU Chapter.  Thanks Bob!


West Branch Tavern Independence Day Extravaganza!

Tight Lines,

Mikey D Fishing

Independence Day in the Land of Pleasant Living

I can think of few better ways to celebrate Independence Day than time on the Chesapeake honoring Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Crabs.  Accompanied by 1Lt Salt Life (son Joe) and his girlfriend Anna Windle, Captain DiPaola departed the dock with the sun already above the horizon at 0630.  Morning temperatures were breaking 80 as we turned the corner and entered Whitehall Bay.  Despite a light variable breeze, Captain DiPaola decided to set a course for more protected waters in the Severn River to avoid the slightest of chop in the water.

Captain DiPaola prepped the trot line the evening prior with a slight twist.  With the consensus that razor clams attract more crabs than chicken necks, half the line was baited with razor clams (2 - 4 to a bag) and half the line with chicken necks.

Back on the water, the crew worked together to carefully deploy the trot line in 10' of water just north of the Naval Academy bridge.  One of the keys to success when trot lining is to position the line with enough tension to ensure the line rolls across the "J" hook straight and true, with just enough slack that the crabs remain intent on their free meal hanging from snoods spaced 8' apart across 600' of line anchored on both ends.

Everyone took turns at the net.  Captain DiPaola demonstrated the scooping technique to avoid entangling net and line by keeping the wire net in the water column below the bait.  A smooth sweep of the net below the crab will incarcerate the crustacean as it releases the bait and dives away from Mikey D Fishing.  Though it has been a year since 1Lt Salt Life worked a trot line, he handled the task with ease.  Anna was a relative novice, but proved adept at scooping crabs in succession.  As the morning eased into midday, Mikey D Fishing was averaging 3 - 5 crabs per run.  A respectable rate of return that yielded 1/2 bushel of crabs.  The action was interrupted early in the morning when keeper sized stripers appeared at the surface like a marine version of the Rapture, ravenously attacking bay anchovies and small alewife.  It was one of the few times that I didn't have a rod in the boat.  Captain Felker would have seen to that.... Lesson Learned.

Ironically, the chicken necks proved 30 - 40% more productive than bags of razor clams.  Admittedly, the result was anecdotal so I intend to continue to soak both razor clams and chicken necks before coming to a definitive conclusion.

An Independence Day crab feast satisfied all in the late afternoon with fireworks by the Bay at dusk.  Family, friends, in the land of the free is not a bad way to celebrate our most important national holiday.

Tight Lines,

Mikey D Fishing