I love this time of year as North Central PA is now shining. Fall brings us so many vibrant colors. Change is in the air. It is an absolute shame that it gets dark at 6:45 p.m. This totally dampens my outdoor activities. Fishing remains my passion. It serves as my zen. I am still doing my best to get out whenever I can. Our addition is 97.25% completed. My father is back in LA. I am no longer coaching basketball. But there are simply not enough hours in the day. I need to make a few adjustments to my schedule to get in a few extra casts.

Believe it or not, this is my favorite time to throw a line. Our landscapes are just splendid. The water is flowing. Pictures don’t do her justice. Oh, the many colors. I had the opportunity to sneak away. Actually, I had to mow the lawn and replace the screen doors first. We reside in Cogan Station, and my favorite stretch is only five minutes away. I am there quite a bit in the spring and summer. Sometimes, I stay out well past the setting sun. But now it is getting tougher. I am struggling to find the time.

A few blue-winged olives are still hatching. There isn’t much activity on top, but I will occasionally spot some sipping trout. I prefer to throw dry flies, but I now need to switch. Nymphing or sub-surface with a fly rod is not my forte. But I am starting to get the hang of it. Nymphs are tiny aquatic insects that are still in their underwater stage. It is said that 90% of a trout’s diet consists of these little bugs. I truly believe that. These types of critters are effective on a year-round basis. Despite their small size, trout focus on them because of their abundance.

I am still a novice, but some might think that I am a pro. Well, I fish an awful lot, and yes, I am getting better. But there is still so much to learn. A few of my friends have this nymphing thing down. They totally understand their surroundings and routinely catch fish. Most use what we call a high stick or the Euro method. I tend to keep it simple. I prefer a basic setup. I use my 9-foot, 5-weight, 9-foot tapered leader and 12 inches of 5X. I must have hundreds of nymphs, but I usually stick with four lucky patterns. I am a big fan of the peeping caddis. Some folks will add another bug to the bend of the hook, but I normally use one. A split shot is added when needed. I will use a small weight a few inches above. I still use an indicator to help detect a strike. Again. I am still learning. I don’t have much feel.

The amount of weight will vary. A lot depends on the depth and speed. The key is to use enough weight to have your nymph bouncing off the bottom. Easier said than done. Patience is a virtue. You will occasionally get snagged. Remember that it is so important to get your presentation in the ZONE. Trout are now somewhat sluggish. They don’t need to work as hard. Your nymph should drift naturally. Drag free. These fish are not stupid, and they have figured it out. My placement of my indicator also depends. I try to use one and a half times the average depth.

Pay close attention to those elements. The water is cold and clear, and the fish will easily spook. Throw a few casts upstream as practice. Again. Patience is so important. Think slow. Watch that indicator and focus on the drift. Try to get that nymph bouncing on the bottom. When you see a slight twitch or pause, simply raise your rod. You will eventually be able to tell the difference between a strike and a snag. There is no need to set the hook like Jimmy Houston. It only requires a slight tug. They will take time to master. Don’t get too excited, and stay focused.

Be ready for anything. Last week, I was doing some nymphing in the backyard. I stayed patient and found the right combination. I landed a few healthy rainbows. Nothing to brag about, but it was great to get out for some casts. I noticed a few that were rising. I saw that they were feeding on some tan October caddis. I switched immediately and had some success. These fish were full of color. I hooked into some gorgeous browns. I always carry some dry flies in my pack. You never know, kids. I love catching fish. Especially when you are all alone. You throw in these beautiful fall surroundings, and I am itching to go back for some more. Tight lines. Cheers.