1. Troutnut Forum
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2. Fly Fishing
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3. Pennsylvania Pickerel

Is there anyone that feels like an authority on summertime Pickerel fishing. While I currently fish the Martins Creek area for Trout I would like to get better at catching 'eating-sized' Pickerel, perch and Sunnies/Gills. I'd like to hear how you approach fishing for these, the type of flies you use and wether or not you use a boat. I'd like to start frequenting the northern Lehigh, Francis Walter res, Promised Land and Shahola.

I don’t know about Pennsylvania Pickerel but in NY in the summertime, pickerel run deeper so you can’t catch them on top. What I discovered last summer was that if you use a barrel swivel and a slip sinker with a big streamer fly you can catch em and hold your own with the spin fisherman !! Fish deeper in the summer !!

Hmmm. I bet they're the same type of pickerel that we have here,lol. I've always wanted to fish NY for Pickerel and Perch. Then this year I got the bright idea to take up fly fishing. Never thought I would but I love it. Would you be willing to describe how to setup and work the rig you mentioned.

Why sure! I was running about 6’ of either 1x or 2x leader up to the swivel and size of slip sinker varied depending upon water depth. Basically , I would cast out using open loops and wait about 15 seconds for the fly to sink and use a steady retrieve ; I also found that trolling with this setup was effective if you have the capability . Hope this helps

I see. How long of a leader from swivel to fly?

Is the Agway still open in Monticello? Used to stop there.

About 6’ no need for more IMHO

Yup it’s still there but not called agway anymore

The drive, while visiting Agway Stores is what introduced me to the northern Delaware and is partially to blame for making me want to learn fly fishing. I live very close to the Delaware in Easton.
Your Slipsinker Idea may help me with Smallies in large riffles on the Delaware.

Yup I’m sure it will but keep in mind that it’s much tougher to cast; keep your loops open and don’t cast as much, fish everything out to save your arm!!

Thanks, will do.