I love this time of year, and North Central PA is now shining. Fall brings us so many vibrant colors. Change is in the air. It is just a shame that it gets dark at 6:00 p.m. — this totally dampens my outdoor activities. Fishing is my passion. It serves as my zen. I am doing my best to get out when I can. Yes. I am still coaching basketball. No. I wasn’t replaced. We have a few weeks until we start up officially. I need to make a few adjustments to my schedule to get in a few extra casts. There is a lot of talent returning.

I am looking forward to being back in the gym. These guys sure can play, and they make me look like I know what I am doing.

Believe it or not, this is my favorite time of year to throw a line. The landscapes are just splendid. The water is flowing. Pictures don’t do justice. I had the chance to sneak away for a few hours this Wednesday. I had to mow the lawn and replace the screen doors first. Chores. I live in Cogan Station, and my favorite stretch is only five minutes. I am there an awful lot. Okay. Maybe six nights a week in the summer. Now with everything going on. I am struggling to find the time.

Many blue-wing olives are still hatching. There isn’t much activity on top, but I will occasionally spot a few October caddis. I prefer to throw dry flies, but now I switch to nymphing. Nymphs are tiny aquatic insects that are still in their underwater stages. It is said that over 90 percent of a trout’s diet consists of the little critters. I believe that. These types of bugs are effective on a year-round basis. Despite their small size, trout focus on these insects because of their abundance.

I am still a bug chucking novice. I have only been at this full throttle since COVID. I still have a long way to go, but I am starting to understand it. My basic nymph setup consists of a 9-foot leader, and I add another 12 inches of tippet. At the very end, I tie my nymph. I have hundreds in my box, but I normally stick to five or six different presentations. Some folks will add another fly to the bend of the hook, but I normally stick with one bug. I tend to get tangled. I don’t do well with knots. A split shot is added when needed. I will use a small weight a few inches above my fly. The last step in a basic nymph rig is to find that lucky strike indicator. Again. I am still learning. I have yet to master the High Stick or Euro method.

The amount of weight I use will vary. A lot depends on the speed and depth of the water. The key here is to use enough weight to have your nymph bouncing along the bottom. Trout are now extremely sluggish, and they don’t need to work as hard. My placement of the strike indicator also depends, but as a general rule of thumb, it should be at one and a half times the depth. Always be sure that your presentation moves with the flow of the current. Your nymph should drift naturally. Drag free. Fish aren’t stupid.

Pay close attention to your elements. The water is now clear, and the fish will spook. Patience is so important. Throw a few casts upstream to practice. Think slow. Watch that indicator and focus on what happens. Get that nymph close to the floor. You should be able to tell the difference between a strike and brushing the bottom. When you see a sudden twitch or pause, simply raise your rod. There is no need to set the hook like Bill Dance or Jimmy Houston. It only requires a slight tug to hook ’em. This obviously takes time to master. Don’t get too excited and stay focused. Trust me.

The Delayed Harvest section near Powys Curve is my personal favorite. I fish this stretch year-round, and it provides some exceptional fishing opportunities. I managed to catch several healthy rainbows this Wednesday. I needed a little love. I stayed patient and found the right combination. The “Peeping Caddis” was on fire. These backyard bows were full of color. Catching fish is always a blast, especially when you are all alone. Throw in those beautiful surroundings, and I am itching to go back for more. Give nymphing a try, kids. You will be rewarded. Cheers.