A hatch chart for fly fishing on Lycoming Creek in Pennsylvania identifies the primary insect species that emerge throughout the fishing season.
Lycoming Creek is a fertile freestone stream known for its excellent hatches, particularly of mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies.
Below is a general hatch chart tailored to Lycoming Creek, organized by season. Note that exact timing can vary depending on weather, water temperature, and other environmental factors.
Lycoming Creek Hatch Chart
Early Spring (March – April)
- Blue-Winged Olives (Baetis)
- Size: 18-22
- Color: Olive, gray
- Time: Midday to afternoon, overcast days
- Patterns: Parachute Adams, RS2, Pheasant Tail Nymph
- Early Stoneflies
- Size: 12-14
- Color: Black, brown
- Time: Midday
- Patterns: Stonefly Nymph, Kaufmann’s Stone
- Quill Gordon
- Size: 12-14
- Color: Gray, olive
- Time: Midday
- Patterns: Quill Gordon Dry, Soft-Hackle Pheasant Tail
Late Spring (May – June)
- Hendrickson (Ephemerella subvaria)
- Size: 12-14
- Color: Pinkish-tan (dun), reddish-brown (spinner)
- Time: Afternoon to early evening
- Patterns: Comparadun, Sparkle Dun, CDC Emerger
- March Brown (Stenonema vicarium)
- Size: 10-12
- Color: Brown, tan
- Time: Midday to afternoon
- Patterns: March Brown Dry, Hare’s Ear Nymph
- Caddisflies (Various species)
- Size: 14-18
- Color: Tan, olive, brown
- Time: Evening
- Patterns: Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, CDC Caddis Emerger
- Sulphurs (Ephemerella dorothea)
- Size: 16-18
- Color: Pale yellow
- Time: Late afternoon to evening
- Patterns: Sulphur Comparadun, Sparkle Dun, Pheasant Tail Nymph
Summer (July – August)
- Tricos (Tricorythodes)
- Size: 20-24
- Color: Black (male), gray (female)
- Time: Early morning
- Patterns: Trico Spinner, Parachute Trico
- Terrestrials (Ants, Beetles, Grasshoppers)
- Size: 10-16
- Color: Black, brown, green
- Time: All day, especially on windy days
- Patterns: Foam Ant, Chernobyl Ant, Dave’s Hopper
- Light Cahill (Stenacron interpunctatum)
- Size: 12-14
- Color: Cream, tan
- Time: Evening
- Patterns: Light Cahill Dry, Hare’s Ear Nymph
Fall (September – October)
- Blue-Winged Olives (Baetis)
- Size: 18-22
- Color: Olive, gray
- Time: Midday to afternoon, overcast days
- Patterns: Parachute Adams, RS2, Pheasant Tail Nymph
- Isonychia (Slate Drake)
- Size: 10-12
- Color: Gray, black
- Time: Afternoon to evening
- Patterns: Isonychia Dry, Isonychia Nymph
- Caddisflies (Various species)
- Size: 14-18
- Color: Tan, olive, brown
- Time: Evening
- Patterns: Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, CDC Caddis Emerger
General Tips for Fishing Lycoming Creek
- Nymphing: Early in the season, nymphing is highly effective, especially with patterns like Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ears, and Stonefly Nymphs.
- Dry Flies: During hatches, match the hatch with appropriate dry fly patterns. Pay attention to spinner falls in the evening.
- Streamers: Streamer fishing can be productive year-round, especially during high water or when targeting larger trout.
- Terrestrials: In summer, don’t overlook terrestrial patterns, as they can be highly effective, particularly in overgrown sections of the creek.
This hatch chart should help you plan your fly selection for Lycoming Creek. Always check local fishing reports and talk to nearby fly shops for the most up-to-date information on hatches and conditions. Tight lines!
Looking for more information on fishing Lycoming Creek? Check out this DIY Guide to Fly Fishing Lycoming Creek.