Fly Fishing Big Fishing Creek

The Narrows has two apparent sections: the river above and below Cherry Run. This smaller stream gives Big Fishing Creek a notable bump in water volume, especially when the river above Tylersville is not picking up much water from the mountains. There is not a notable difference in stream width between the two sections, as width varies largely with the local elevation, but there is a difference in flow and how pushy the water is. Big Fishing Creek in general is a difficult river to wade, as the bottom is rocky and slippery, but it’s even worse in the lower section where the flow is greater. Another key difference is that brook trout, some of a fairly good size, are present in the lower section, while there are very few above Cherry Run. 

Big Fishing Creek is characterized by thin riffles, heavy pocket water that leads into chutey runs, and long, technical flats. When nothing’s hatching, the flats are sparsely populated and incredibly difficult to fish. Your best bet at these times is the heavy pocket water or runs. However, when the bugs come out, the fish will quickly move out of the heavier water and you’ll see nothing but heads popping up in the flats. Everything here hold fish, depending on the day and the hour. 

Another key to success on Big Fishing Creek when you don’t seem to be having much luck is to just cover more water. When these fish are shut down and don’t want to eat, or are hiding under the rocks, you’ll have a nearly impossible time trying to convince them play ball. It’s best to search a larger area for a few active fish than tough it out, even in water that looks perfect. 

Hatches and Seasons on Big Fishing Creek

Big Fishing Creek is toughest in the early season in December to February. The water gets cold and the fish lock onto the bottom and won’t budge for much. This time of year you’ll have the best success in the deep pockets, glides, and big pools. It may take some walking between spots to find the right water, but it’s worth the effort. A few fish will hang around the more prevalent shallow runs and pockets, but they’ll be small and sparse. Eggs, worms, and stoneflies are the best bet this time of year, especially for bigger fish. 

Starting around March, the Narrows begins to show off what it really has to offer. The fishing kicks off blue winged olives that will bring up some nice sized, eager fish. They’ll continue through mid April, then a variety of quills, and, more importantly,  Hendricksons will take over. Hendricksons can be the best hatch of the year, as their the first big surface protein the fish see in the spring. After that you’ll find a variety of Caddis that will carry the dry fly fishing into May.

The sulphurs will start to pop off in early May, and by the middle of the month will bring pretty consistent dry fly fishing in the last hour of the day and first hour of the morning. You’ll also find brook trout rising basically all day in the flatter water. This is another hatch that will bring up the big Narrows fish when the bugs are heavy enough. The fishing creek sulfurs, at least the most important ones, are tend towards a size fourteen, and a pale yellow imitation will rarely be refused. The sulfurs will continue into June, but you can still raise a few fish on a sulfur dry into early July. 

In the Narrows in May, you’ll also find what is probably the second most popular green drake hatch in Pennsylvania. The drakes will pop off in the late afternoon through the evening, and the fish will gladly rise to them the entire time. A drake nymph will also catch plenty of fish, and some sizable ones, the hour or two proceeding the hatch through a bit after it gets going. This drake hatch is no secret, and Fishing Creek is not that big, so the crowds can definitely put a damper on the fun. I’ve also found that this hatch is more short lived than the hatch on Penn’s Creek, so you’ll have a harder time timing it right. 

There’s plenty of bugs around through July and August, though finding strong hatches is tougher than in the spring. Slate drakes and blue quills are two of the most important rom June to early July. There will usually be a fish or two rising in the morning to some tricos in July and August, but it’s not the most reliable hatch. In the same months and September, you can raise fish on terrestrials and other attractor flies, especially in the pocket water. I’ve found that on some off years, a substantial migration of fly ants makes its way through the narrows corridor in late August or September as well, and can make for some decent dry fly fishing and excellent nymphing if you come across it.