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3. Penn's Creek Grannom in July?

Was on Penn's yesterday. A lot of small (#18)caddis cases (typical of Grannoms; tubular, 4-sided) on underside of rocks. Given the number of cases, I'd assume it's an important insect. Any idea what species this is? Thanks.

Steve-

There are (at least) 5 species of Brachycentrus present in PA, B. incanus, B. lateralis, B. nigrosoma, B. numerosus, and B. solomoni, so there are likely multiple Brachycentrus species present in Penns Creek. Having said that, my guess is that the majority of them would be B. numerosus (Dark Grannom).

Steve,

Grannoms are indeed important on Penn's, and as Roger suggests, multiple species are present in the watershed. Brachycentrus numerosus, lateralis, and solomoni (at least) are reported from that immediate area. In addition, 5 Micrasema spp. (Little Grannoms) are also reported, and some lepidostomatids build 4-sided cases that are sometimes mistaken for brachycentrids. B. numerosus was the species that fly-fishing writer Chas. Wetzel nicknamed the "Penn's Creek Caddisfly." The emergence of the important Brachycentrus species is a late April/early May event on Penn's.

Thanks guys. Have you had much success with a cased caddis pattern? Or should I just stick with pupal patterns for this type of caddis?

Pupal and adult patterns would certainly be the things to use during the emergence/egg-laying period, but some have success imitating the cased larvae in the early spring prior to emergence.

I guess I was just thinking of what to use during the middle of the day, when not much is going on. Thought a cased caddis might be an option.

There's often good reason that little is going on in the middle of the day in summer, but my suggestion--provided that water temps are not too high--would be to throw terrestrials (beetles, ants, hoppers) or small adult caddisfly patterns around shady bankside cover, or to seek fast-water areas to probe with "searching" nymph patterns. Although the cased larval Grannom imitations might work, I wouldn't expect them to perform much better than "generic" searching flies at this time of year. For something more specific, you might try Green Rockworm (Rhyacophila larvae) imitations, or small, fat, pale yellowish or pinkish larval imitations (to imitate drifting Glossosoma larvae that abandon their outgrown cases). Both imitations seem to have an "attractive" as well as imitative quality, and the tying can be very simple. You might want to try those in tandem, if you are into that sort of thing.

Hi Guys this is a most unusual July for Penns Creek. On a normal July day one would kick back and open a few, pepsi or coke bottles and snooze. I think I would throw stone flies and skip the Caddis till September. If you have to throw a Caddis then make it green or tan.

jaD--AKA Caddisman1

"I think I would throw stone flies and skip the Caddis till September."


I'll second that emotion. Especially given the "high water" year we are having. Just remember stones are multi year growth cycles so you can fish a pretty wide variety of sizes as long as you can get them down. As for patterns it can be any pattern you like as long as it is a woven stone ( or maybe thats just me).
JW

I had a stonefly on most of the day yesterday. Just didn't do as much with it as usual. I'm kinda still in that phase of "working on nymphing," even though it might not always be the best option. I'm a glutton for punishment too, going out in the middle of the day.

There's nothing wrong with "working on nymphing," Steve. However, if you need a break from the middle-of-the-day doldrums that you are experiencing on larger waters, many of the little headwaters and tribs fish great at this time of year. Some of the coldest ones actually fish better through the middle of the day than they do early in the morning or late in the evening, and water that is a little higher than normal often makes them even easier to fish. Just a thought, FWIW.

No doubt. The water temp was ~64F. Not too bad. But on its way up. I probably would've fished Cherry Run at some point. Just didn't have the time. Maybe tomorrow.

I agree with Lloyd.
Hard to beat a cool MT. stream on a hot afternoon. only thing better than that is hot buns from moms oven :)

jAD

OK, I can't believe that no one has suggested this yet, but try a sinking inchworm/green caddis imitation. Or a green weenie. I'll bet some fish can be caught on that fly almost anywhere in PA this time of year.

My bad: Gonzo did suggest a green caddis. But he didn't say "Green Weenie" perhaps due to his strong sense of decorum--which I don't have. So I'll say it again. Try a green weenie/green chenille inchworm.

yea. had the weenie on yesterday. no luck. was on big fishing creek instead. tough day again. i'm starting to convince myself that these fish are seeing the same patterns over and over again. it probably doesn't help that i've been showing up in the late afternoon. so many people fishing these places anymore. crazy.

Amazing. But BFC has a reputation for being very tough, as has Penns. You do earn every fish. Good luck.