The bluebird sky and temperature in the upper thirties convinced me to leave work early today for Oak Orchard River.  A friend of mine (Norm) was already fishing the river and he invited me to join him prospecting a popular run.  He was chucking a large chartreuse pattern to dredge up steelhead.  I opted to put on a sink tip and fish streamers, slowly on  the bottom.  I fished an 8′ section of T-14 and knotted a white zonker w/ a chartreuse bead head as a pattern.  I took the lower half of the pool and felt a familiar tug within ten minutes.  Soon, I victoriously hoisted a foot long horny head sucker out of the water.  Not exactly what I expected as both the sucker and I looked surprised.  Still, any fish in the winter beats a sharp stick in your eyes!

After some time I hiked upstream and crossed well above of the pool.  I wanted to fish the other side of this popular run and really plumb the trough of the pool.  After another thirty minutes, I felt a solid tug and enjoyed the fight of a hefty steelhead.  This fish was foul hooked and I barely admired the beauty, before a prompt release.  I continued to fish a variety of streamers (purple/white/olive) for another hour with no success.  I really enjoy fishing streamers, especially for active fish.  As nobody around us appeared to be hooking up, I couldn’t say that these fish were active in any way.  In fact, reports indicate that things were slow on Oak Orchard today.  Sometimes, bottom bouncing is your best bet, especially with lethargic fish.  Finally, I re-rigged and switched to a dark stonefly w/ a petite chartreuse head.  On my second cast, I hooked a nice 24″, well proportioned brown.  After the brown, I fished another hour and couldn’t buy a fish.  As much as I enjoy fishing streamers, I think that tiny, natural stonefly patterns might have been the most productive ticket today.  Overall, a beautiful day, nice to fish with a friend, swans keeping us company and a great way to start the weekend.

Saturday, March 6th, I’m presenting  (Kayak Fly Fishing and 1,000 Bass and Pike) and tying flies at the Fly Tying Symposium http://www.jprossflyrods.com/staff/ffaa/index.php in Utica.  This is a great event for kids, stop by if you are in the area!