The Northwoods Report

It's the dream of every fly angler to encounter the Green Drake hatch. When the first of these huge Mayflies appear, phones ring all over the state, and people drop whatever they're doing, grab their fly rods, and head for the streams. I've seen the Drakes, one or two at a time, but never been in the right place at the right time to see a serious hatch event; Until this year.

Fellow Club member Janice Egeland and I were lucky enough to be on Cedar Run in Tioga County the first week of June when the Coffin Flies were abundant. It was a stunning experience. There's a lovely slate rock pool, with a tributary coming in at its head over a knee-high waterfall; On one side of the pool, Queens Anne's Lace and Dame's Rocket were blooming profusely; On the other, hemlocks and rhodedendron draped picturesquely over the vertical slate cliff, and trout rose below. To complete this scene, Coffin Flies, almost luminous in the first shades of twilight, hovered and dipped by the dozen. It was so awesome, in the non-slang use of the word, that we could have stood there just looking and not fishing.

But we were both equipped with cameras AND fly rods. Janice stayed in the pool, admiring the show and duelling with the risers there; I went downstream, finding that the current was sweeping spent spinners down to the fish there, which were taking advantage of the big mouthfuls. A bushy white fly dead-drifted under a log was the ticket for wild brown trout. But dark came too soon, and the spinner fall tapered off. We left with the feeling that we'd witnessed something truly special, and vowing to come back the next evening.

The state Chamber of Commerce has dubbed the north-central region "The Pennsylvania Wilds", increasing interest in both preserving and visiting the area. I've been going up there since 1976, basing my explorations in the town of Oleona, Potter County. This fall I'm hosting the annual Trout Trip there, the last week in September. It's been my experience that the fishing that time of year is even better than now, without the competition of hatch-followers. Brook trout spawn in the tributaries, big browns run up from Kettle Creek State Park's lake, and there are fall stockings of rainbow trout in the bigger streams. 'Hoppers, attractors, and the ubiquitous caddis are the flies of the season.

Come experience this wonderful fishing for yourself, in our comfortable modern cabin in Oleona. It's a come-as-you-are, stay-as-long-as-you-like affair, only $30 a night. Fish alone or carpool with the gang; Wild-life watch, snooze, tie flies, or just relax on the porch. For novices, I'll be glad to mentor or guide.

The Pennsylvania Wilds have been my escape for thirty-one years, and will be my permanent home after retirement. Come see why, and fall in love with them yourself! Call 610-298-3436, or e-mail fishlady@usadatanet.net. Sign-ups end in early September, but space is limited, so reserve your place now!

--Rabbit Jensen--