Fishing Outlook & Conditions
Temp:
35°
Water Temp:
50
Tom Baltz/Endorsed Guide's Tip of the Week
> The REGULAR TROUT SEASON is still closed. All fishing in the Breeches is restricted to the C&R Area until the Opening Day, April 6, at 8 a.m. > If you fish the C&R area, think about using a wading staff. There is a lot of water in the Breeches right now. > We are in a shoulder season, a transition period, where the nymphs of early season hatches are putting on a growth spurt in preparation for the next phase of their lives. Fishing with flies that suggest them is key. Gold ribbed hare's ears, small stonefly nymphs, pheasant tail nymphs and flies like that are standards. Warmer days might be best. > A bit of color, bright collars and tails, can be very effective. As in Euro style nymphs. > Streamers (Woolly Buggers, Ed Shenk's White Minnow, Muddlers and variations, are go to flies on those days when trout are not taking nymphs. > If trout chase but won't quite grab when streamer fishing in cold water, try a slow roll technique with a front weighted streamer like a Woolly Bugger, Shenk white minnow, or similar. Attach a split shot of appropriate size to the leader directly in front of the hook eye. Slow rolling is very similar to tightline nymph fishing... > WATCH WHERE YOU PARK along the Breeches! Landowners are very touchy lately with the heavy pressure and a number of parking spots and stream reaches have been posted in the last year or so. > ALLENBERRY is OPEN! Anglers have been parking in the gravel lot at the bottom of the hill behind the Meadow Lodge. Check them out at www.allenberry.com or call (717) 258-3211 to see what the status of dining in and lodging are. Might also consider dropping a buck or two on a sandwich or beverage at some point to thank them for parking and access. > Parking access at the traditional spot, The Run, just downstream of Boiling Springs Lake is OPEN! If you go there, watch for the new traffic patterns. There is very limited parking off of Criswell Drive. Do not get creative with parking down there! There is room for maybe, three cars. Same goes for the rest of the Breeches. Almost all of the Breeches is private property and every year we are losing access to spots that have been open for many years. Fishing is allowed by the grace of the landowners.
Directions open in app
Water Flow Data
Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby
Tom Baltz5-Day Outlook as of 3/12/24
Weather Guy says we have some real spring-like weather on tap for the balance of the week, with afternoon highs in the mid to upper sixties, maybe more. Could get a bit damp on Friday and the weekend looks a little cooler. We just had another good rain event and are FINALLY out of any drought protocols. The Breeches is gushing water; it's been quite a while since I've seen this much flow, outside of a flood event! We are going into early spring fishing with the best water conditions in a long time. That said, using a wading staff is something to really consider. If you go down in this water, it will not be fun! Tightline nymphers will be in their glory now. Run some bead heads with maybe a second nymph or a little soft hackle wet fly on the dropper. Put some color in there too. Make sure your flies are getting down in the fast currents! As mentioned in "Tips" and "Techniques" young of the year baitfish, little fallfish, dace, and chubs are numerous now and may be the most available food source in the stream. Streamers such as Ed Shenk's white minnow or any variation of a white maribou in sizes 6-10 suggest these minnows quite well. Midges, maybe bwo's, can all be suggested with Zebra Midges, I.C.S.I. Midges, grey hackle flies like the No Name Midge and grey hackle/peacock. Fine tippets down to 6X, work best with these small flies. Anglers are asked to not be creative with parking along the Breeches! Almost all of the Breeches is private property, so all access is courtesy of the landowners. Contrary to what some anglers believe, the Yellow Breeches has not been adjudicated as being navigable. That means that any areas posted against trespass will mean "NO FISHING" by wading or otherwise, unless you want to be the test case. So, don't be that guy...If there is not obvious parking available perhaps looking for a different spot to fish is a good idea. While there are wild trout throughout the Yellow Breeches, some sections benefit greatly from supplemental stockings. For many years the Yellow Breeches Anglers have done an excellent job of stocking the C&R and other parts of the creek. If you fish the Breeches, you have likely caught some of their fish. Give something back and support them by joining the Club. Memberships are only $20 annually and are good for the calendar year. Send check to YBAC, Box 1, Boiling Springs, PA 17007-0001. Contributions to feed the fish are always welcome too. If you see anyone fishing bait or attempting to snag fish in the C&R area or elsewhere for that matter, take a pic and call Southcentral Region office at (717) 486-7087. For nefarious activity of a non-fishing nature call the Pennsylvania State Police at 717-243-4121. Enjoy the fishing and please be courteous to other anglers. And if you get into some fish show us a picture but please don't put the location on Facebook!! You don't wanna be a spot burner! General information is good! It always feels best when you earn it.
Techniques & Tips as of 3/12/24
> Streamers, jig style or conventional, are money flies right now. See "Tips of the Week". > Tightline nymphing techniques are effective in the right locations. Some of the best water for that is fast and deep. > Standard indicator nymphing is effective too. > Streamers also have their moments now. A basic selection will include a Muddler Minnow, Something white like Ed Shenk's great white minnow pattern, and a dark Woolly Bugger. > Midges, and possibly little blue wing olives, may be encountered at any time of the day. Flat water stretches of the stream are most likely to provide surface fishing opportunities.
Local Species Available Year Round in C&R Area (Prime: April - mid-November, mid-Jan.-March)
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Wild brown trout
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stocked rainbows and browns
Tom Baltz/Endorsed Guide's Recommended Fly Patterns
"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
Name: | Colors: | Size(s): |
---|---|---|
Woolly Bugger | black/olive | #6-10 |
Black Nose Dace | N/A | #6-10 |
Gold Bead Hare's Ear Nymph | N/A | #8-18 |
Elk Wing Caddis | Brown | #14-18 |
Baltz's ParaNymph | natural | #16-20 |
grey hackle peacock | N/A | #20-24 |
Bead Head American Pheasant Tail | N/A | #12-18 |
I Can See It Midge Fly | black, gray, olive | #18-24 |
Baltz's Iron X-Caddis | N/A | #14-16 |
Shenk's white minnow | white | #6, 8 |
Tom Baltz/Endorsed Guide's Recommended Gear
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Best Leader:
Super Strong Plus Leaders
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Best Tippet:
SuperStrong Plus Tippet in 30- and 100-meter spools
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Best Fly Fishing Rod:
4-Weight 8' 6" Fly Rod
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Best Floating Fly Line:
WF Trout Fly Line