Me and My clients have been spending a lot of time on the Brodhead and it's tributaries, between 191 and Stroudsburg, in the last week. Fishing has been superb but very challenging. The water is running at spring lows and is currently gin clear. Stealth approaches are your best bet to get into some very solid fishing and fish.
Days have been a mix of indicator and float fishing the larger holes and casting over sized dries to the pockets and through the riffles. A sporadic mix of large stoneflies and Slake drakes have been making for great action on large Stimulators and slate drake patterns. Don't be afraid to fish obnoxious foam dries, as these patterns have the power to pull fish off the bottom for a chance at a large easy meal. The low water has significantly reduced the drift and even the wild browns seem to know they have to pounce on anything floating by before on of its under educated stocked brother jump on it.
Fly fishing has been best early mornings and toward the evening leaving most of the day to consider other ways of getting fish on your line. Many of my clients are choosing to use centerpin reels and float to present baits and nymphs at a stealthy distance. Light leaders in the 7x or 2lb test have been a considerable advantage over heavier lines. As well as small light wire hooks. Not only are these hooks less visible but do to their lightness they not impair the action of the bait or fly.
The best new of the week is that we finally got some rainfall, not nearly as much at we need. But it did add some water the local streams and fishing today and tomorrow should be excellent.
Expect good fishing for the next month or so on the smaller, and we still have some dates available for 4 hr and 8hr guided trips. Vist www.riverrunsrods.com for contact information and services available