Posted on May 22 2025
It was another difficult day to be on the river. High temp of 49 with a light all day drizzle, with a wind from the SE that really was no factor. We left the Lordville Estate about 1:30 in hopes of at least finding some olives. Stopped at every place where we could view the river. Drove up the PA side stopping two places on the BR and then all the way up the WB without seeing a single rise or bug, until we drove along the road above the Stilesville DEC parking area where we saw not one, but two fish rise.
Chatted with two gentlemen walking back down the road to their car who said there were bugs yesterday but none today. Stopped at the Troutfitter to buy tippet and flotant, (did absolutely no mewling), and then headed back to the fishing camp. The car said it was still 49 degrees and we were ready to call it a day, don't know why, but I drove down to the river for one last look, and there were bugs on the water and fish rising everywhere.
The fishing - We spent from 5:00 until 7:00 casting at rising fish with the water covered with March Browns, Gray Foxes, sulfers, and tiny olives. In two hours we hooked ten fish, landed six, and had an impressive number come up to let us know that the either the fly, or the cast just wasn't quite up to snuff. Those two hours more than saved the day.
The fishing - It is what it is. The forecast for the next ten days show one partly cloudy day, nine days of rain, with the high temperatures to be in the low sixties. As of today the rivers are not rising, the bugs want to hatch, the fish are eating. If it were me, I'd come. The streams may blow out, or it might get too cold for the bugs to hatch, or too windy for the spinners to fall, but it may be just good enough, (like this afternoon), that you are glad you are here, and if you don't come, for sure you will miss it.
There is no shame in the bench of reflection, only redemption.
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The shame of the bench of reflection,
Or to take flyrods against a river of trout,
And by opposing catch them
Angler119’-P.S. -Nice take on the “Bard”.Cool. Also wanted to point out we did a lot of driving and looking from the CFFM down to below the Acid Factory on the BK. No bugs, no rising fish until we got lucky later on the Willow. Tough day
Angler119’-Glad to hear You and your SC friend found rising fish and had a successful afternoon. That’s great . Fished the Willow/BK. Drizzle, heavier showers and cold( real feel-36 yuck)Did manage some 8”ers on March brown emergers, around 1:00.my friend , JimG picked up a 15” brown. Heavy rain.Thought about packing it in. Checked out one more spot on the Willow at3:30. Got into a very good MB and baetis hatch in the heavier rain. Fish were no interested in the MB but were taking the olives. I landed my best fish of the year-a fat 19” brown and Jim got an 18”er. Cold, wet but happy , we left for home at 6. A fun day. Ed
Glad someone found rising fish. I arrived at about 5. In 2 hours I saw. One rise on the WB below Deposit. Blind casting produced nothing. Repositioned to the BR. Still no rises, but got 2 small fish, a brown and a brookie to keep the skunked off.
A119 great way to pull one out!! I did see one fish rise all afternoon and had another good day of practice casting. When the weather cooperates I should be ready.
Good save!!!