Fishing the Mid Atlantic region and beyond for all manner of salt and fresh water species. We cover the lower Chesapeake Bay aboard the "Mikey D Fishing" in search of stripers, redfish, speckled trout, flounder, cobia and chase trout across the classic freestone and limestone streams of Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia.
I've been hanging out down at the Pavilion Hole for the last few days watching the water. Not much going on; a few March Browns and Sulphurs. Thought I saw a Green Drake Friday evening.
This evening went down around 7:00 PM. A hot day in Roulette; temps in the upper 80s. But it cooled off pretty quick, so I thought things might be ready to turn on.
Did not disappoint. A lot of midges coming off, as well as a few Sulphurs. But the trout were definitely looking up. Counted 42 rises in an hour. Got to see a few eats on Sulphurs which got trapped in the film. Cool to see, unless you're the bug.
Now, there are probably 5-6 fish in the hole, so it ain't Penns during the Green Drake hatch. But great to see the rises. Will be out there tomorrow with the fly rod.
Some solid action on the West Branch over the last week. Fish taken on spinners and flies. Warmer temps over the last week, but not much in the way of mayfly action. Did see a few March Browns come off at the Pavilion Hole last evening. This could be the week for some good dry fly action.
Water conditions on Fishing Creek were perfect. Water down a tad, but still holding a greenish tint and good flows. Actually wet waded one day; water temps were in the upper 50s, which felt good with air temps in the low-80s.
Flies du jour were black Wooly Buggers and the "Megg" (Mary's specially-tied egg pattern). That pattern is a day saver! (Sorry Elkfisher)
Some fish porn from the week's outings. All caught within a short walk up and downstream from the Pavilion Hole:
The run just downstream from us. Formerly called the "Beaver Hole." More like a lake now. But discovered it was full of 12-14 inch Rainbows. So am now calling it "Rainbow Paradise II." Meggs and Wooly Buggers slayed 'em.
Upstream from the Pavilion Hole. Fishy looking spot...
Which paid off with my first Golden of the year.
Fishing pressure behind the WBT has been non-existent. Maybe the locals think the stream is fished out. Then again... (note the Megg)
Friday afternoon at the Pavilion Hole. The Megg tore it up with 5 hookups, but I had a helluva time landing fish. Then I lost my egg in a tree. Figured that might be a sign that it was time to pack it in. But I tied on a black WB instead, and cast upstream against the rock ledge on the right side of the hole. This big boy slammed it almost as soon as it hit the water. If you're only gonna land one fish, this has got to be it.
Caught this fish a week and a half ago on a Joe's Fly. Appreciate the accommodation, Big Boy.
While the air temps are climbing, the salt water temps lag this time of year. That doesn't keep Mikey D Fishing from hitting a few ponds to "feel the tug". It doesn't hurt when a 4 - 5 pound bass is on the other end of the line. Hang in there, just a few weeks away from stripers, flounder, redfish!
Saturday, April 2nd, was opening day of Trout season, a much-anticipated rite of spring. All of the stocked streams are open to fishing (and taking, for those who relish the idea of a pellet-fed 10 inch Rainbow on the grill). Anglers with spinning rods and worm cans arrive at their favorite holes hours before the 8:00 AM official start to the season. If you want to know where the fish are on the Allegheny, the mobs around the bridges are a sure sign.
The day is as much about ritual as it is about fishing. Opening Day at the West Branch Tavern is held no less sacred. The morning began with a 6:00 AM wakeup to get the coffee going, pour some Bloody Marys, then head down to the pavilion to get the traditional campfire going. And it was needed on Saturday. Temps were in the high 30s. Although forecast to get into the 50s, the fire was welcome, and a signal to interlopers that the Mikey D Fishing team owned the Pavilion Hole.
Joining us for the weekend was childhood friend and long time "pro bono" client John Hupp. Surprisingly, John had never caught a fish behind the WBT, despite many previous outings. We were pretty confident that he'd at least enjoy a few hookups, as a good dozen or trout had been stocked in the stream a few weeks ago.
Water conditions were perfect. The creek was a bit low, but flows were good, and the water had a nice green tint. Skies started out cloudy, but by 9:00 or so the sun broke out.
After a hearty streamside breakfast, compliments of Mary, we readied ourselves for the magic moment. When the clock struck 8, lines went in the water.
After a long winter of little fishing, it took awhile to get in the groove. For the first couple of hours, we had many takes, but missed and lost fish. As the morning went on, though, our technique improved and we started landing fish. Mary's Egg, Mopp Fly, and black/purple Wooly Bugger patterns were killers. When the fish got wise to those flies, we changed things up a bit, throwing Green Weenies, red Squirmy Worms and San Juan Worms. Fishing picked back up, and we managed to increase our percentage of fish netted (and released) to 50 per cent. When we decided to call it an afternoon, we'd landed 7 fish, all Rainbows except one 10-inch Brownie. John took top honors with four fish landed.
That evening, again thanks to Mary, we celebrated our opening day victory with lambchops and risotto, followed by copious amounts of brown liquor and Perdomo cigars. Good weather and cooperative trout made for a great day on the west branch.
There was one sad aspect of the weekend. While John was bucking for "Trout Whisperer" status (he's got a ways to go), we couldn't help but note the absence the true Trout Whisperer. And so, we decided to film a short tribute as a shout out. Miss ya Bob!
Tight Lines,
Mikey D Fishing
Addendum: Yesterday Mary and I lit out for the upper Allegany for a couple of hours. With rain heading in the area, and temps in the 60s, it seemed a good time to wet a line. We hit the stream about 12:30, and worked our way downstream swinging Wooly Buggers. Heading down to a nice hole, I was wading through a long, slow, shallow pool (normally turns into frog water as the weather warms). But I noticed a couple of trout swimming around. A closer inspection and it tuned out there were a couple of dozen fish stacked up in the pool.
No reason to head any further downstream. For the next hour or so we threw just about everything in the fly box, and the fish took every fly that we threw. Again, we missed and lost a lot of fish. But we did manage to land about 10 stockies between us, all going between 10-12 inches.
Been awhile since I've felt the tug. Headed down to the Cape house for a few days. Weather was cool and rainy on Thursday, but the front moved out this morning, the sun came out, and it warmed up enough to hit the ponds on the nature preserve on Bay Creek.
Stopped by a bridge overlooking a section of the pond with room for a back cast. Immediately saw big bass swimming close to the shore. Threw a streamer at them for 30 minutes, but no takers. Then walked up on the bridge, saw a nice fish cruising by, dropped the fly right in front of its mouth, and ...
And within a few minutes...
First fish of the year. Good three pounder. Tossed the streamer at two fish hovering near the bank for another half hour, but they weren't interested. I'm thinking that the bass are in pre-spawn mode. May be a few weeks before things really heat up.
Bay temps are holding in the low 50s, and there are reports of slot Reds being caught in the inlets. Won't be long before we'll be chucking Dyne XLs and putting Redfish filets on the grill.
Well, not fishing, but as close as I've come to a trout since December.
Some photos from the Roulette Rod and Gun Club stocking on Fishing Creek today. Weather started out with temps in the high 50s and sunny skies. By noon showers moved into the area. Creek has been high and fast due to recent melt. In addition to stocking by PA Fish and Boat a couple of weeks ago, another 2200 Browns, Rainbows, and Goldens placed in spots along the west branch of Fishing Creek, (Including some nice holdovers from last year stocked behind the WBT)
Neighbor and farmer Dale Barney's grandson eliminated this predator early this morning.
Back to the stocking.
Beaver work along the creek. At least 12 inches in diameter!
Upcoming events:
March 26: Mentored youth fishing day. Kids under 16 fish for free with a licensed adult.
