So Far, Mother Nature has been kind to us this winter…with a few days each week into the mid 30s to lower 40s, the Central PA’s streams have been fishing well. It’s good to see that the low water conditions we had this past summer had no noticeable impact on the trout populations.

For some reason, most anglers put their rods away in the winter and let them collect dust until spring arrives. A common misconception is that the fishing “slows down” when the hatches are over. For those of you that have spent time on the water when the snow flies, you know this isn’t always the case.
Because of the large spring influence in most of our local streams, water temperatures remain fairly steady during the cold season which lends itself to productive fishing throughout the winter months. Steady water temps combined with minimal fishing pressure make January thru March my favorite time of the year to fish.
I have spent the majority of my time recently on Penn’s and Fishing Creek. The water levels on Penn’s are great for this time of year and the fishing has been solid during the day with nymphs and streamers. Fish in the 12-15” range is the norm and a few each day over 15” is not uncommon. If you have never fished Penn’s Creek outside of the hatch season, you don’t know what you’re missing!
Most of the trout have been found in typical holding water and are aggressively taking well-presented nymphs and streamers. The larger fish haven’t been beat down with a fly line lately and some have come out of the woodwork to fall to small streamers and larger nymphs. The largest brown that I have seen in a few years on Fishing Creek fell to a Prince Nymph last week. In my last 4 outings, I have yet to see another angler. Go figure.

Dry flies in the snow? Now I have your attention! Warmer temperatures are in the forecast and hatches of Baetis will be appearing on all of our local waters. These small bugs will coat the surface and can provide some of the best dry fly fishing of the year. Even on days when the thermometer stays below forty degrees, good numbers of fish can be spotted sipping tiny midges in the slower pools of Spring and Big Fishing Creek.
Winter fishing can be as unpredictable as Pennsylvania’s winter weather. The fishing isn’t always this good! Regardless of the conditions, it offers the angler a chance to explore lesser known waters, brush up on technique, catch some fish, all with the good chance not to see someone else standing in your hip-pocket. See you on the stream!

Lance Wilt

Lance Wilt is a student at Lock Haven University and Guide for TCO Fly Shop. Lance literally grew up with a fly rod in his hands, and he knows more about trout and flies than most anglers twice his age. His favorite stream is Big Fishing Creek of Clinton County in which he knows that water intimately. He is our most versatile guide in that he is eager to chase ANYTHING that swims with his 5wt! Click here to send a message to Lance or to hire him for a day on the water!

Josh Day is a Central Pennsylvania native, Josh developed a passion for the outdoors at a young age. As a young boy, Josh sharpened his skills chasing brook trout in mountain streams during family camping trips. At the age of twelve he became an avid fly-fisher and fly tier. Educated at Lock Haven University with a degree in Outdoor Recreation Management, he spends much of his free time exploring the waters of Pennsylvania. With over 200 days a year on the water, Josh’s knowledge of Central Pennsylvania’s streams is first-rate. Click here to send a message to Josh or to hire him for a day on the water!