| The 2.7
mile long section of Neshannock Creek between the old covered
bridge and mill dam in Volant is regulated under Pennsylvania's
Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only program. This program is
intended to maintain a high number of trout past the traditional
opening day and offers year-round fishing due to mandatory catch
and release for most of the year. Since the trout in Neshannock
are protected from being kept by the early season hordes of
fisherman, a good number fish remain in this area year-round. As
a result, many fish fish hold over from one year to the next
creating better opportunities for anglers to enjoy catching
above average sized trout. Although three trout of nine inches
in length or longer may kept from June 15th until Labor
Day, catch and release is practiced by the overwhelming majority
of anglers who use this area. Unlike many stocked streams, a high number of the
fish stocked here survive through the summer. However, in
extremely hot and dry summers, such as that of 2005, the number
of fish that hold-over will be significantly lower than in normal
years. Fish are stocked in both the spring and fall, however the
number stocked during the spring is much larger than that of the
fall stocking. Anglers occasionally catch small wild brown trout
fingerlings, however such fish are extremely rare. Small
holdover browns are also often confused with wild fish. The best fishing is from
the beginning of March to early July. Major hatches during this
time include black stoneflies, a variety of caddis, light cahills,
march browns, and several types of small mayflies. Attractor
flies such as egg patterns and San Juan worms will work well
after new fish are stocked, but more conservative patterns such
as hares ear and pheasant tail nymphs will also work well
since they will take both newly stocked and holdover fish.
Fishing usually becomes tougher as
insect activity wanes in late spring and early summer. Fish can
still be caught with nymphs, and good fishing can still be had
when when water conditions are good. Low clear water conditions
become common as summer approaches. This requires lighter
tippets and smaller flies. It is also a good idea to use less
weight and smaller indicators when nymphing. Small nymphs in size
16 and 18 are usually very effective although smaller nymphs may
occasionally be needed.
By early July, low and clear
conditions will be prevalent. Warmer night time temps will keep
the stream temperature in the mid to upper 60's and stream
temperatures will often reach the low seventies in the
afternoon. In these conditions, fishing will be best during the
morning and evening hours. Frequent thunderstorms usually help
to keep the water temperature low enough for trout survival and
decent fishing. A thermometer is a useful peace of equipment
since fishing usually slows once the water temperature reaches
about 70-72 degrees. These conditions will usually prevail until
the beginning of September. During a normal summer, rain and
cool spells will provide many periods of good fishing for die
hard anglers. In dry and hot summers, water temps may stay in
the 70's all day for several days at a time. It is best to leave
the fish alone when this happens.
When suitable conditions exist, fish can
be caught throughout the summer on nymphs and midges as small as
size 20 or 22. Elk hair caddis and comparaduns in size 16 and
smaller will often take rising fish. Dry and wet midge
imitations as small as size 24 can be very successful,
especially when sight fishing. Terrestrials such as ants and
beetles become more effective as summer drags on. Tricos will
appear in mid to late July in significant numbers, oddly enough,
the trout are unreceptive of the adults. Small size 22 or 24
nymphs can be very effective during a trico hatch.
The beginning of September usually
marks the return of consistently cool water temperature.
The small flies and terrestrials of summer will still be very
effective as the fish increase their feeding activity. In the
fall egg patterns will once again become a good choice due the
presence of freshly stocked fish and fish that are attempting to
spawn. Small egg patterns will continue to be successful
throughout winter, although a more careful presentation will be
needed once the new fish become accustomed to their
surroundings. Midges will work well during the winter when the
sun warms the water and creates mild conditions. Ice can be a
problem during the winter, as it may accumulate and stay on many sections of
the stream for weeks at a time. Slush and broken ice can also
make fishing impractical. However, during periods of ice free
water, fishing can be quite good.
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