A hatch chart for fly fishing on Penns Creek in Pennsylvania identifies the major insect species that emerge throughout the year, as well as their approximate timing.
Penns Creek is known for its prolific hatches, particularly of mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies.
Below is a general hatch chart for Penns Creek:
Penns Creek Hatch Chart
March
- Blue Quill (Paraleptophlebia)
- Time: Midday to afternoon
- Fly Patterns: #16-18 Blue Quill, Parachute Adams, CDC Emerger
- Early Stoneflies
- Time: Midday
- Fly Patterns: #10-12 Black Stonefly, Early Brown Stonefly
- Little Black Caddis
- Time: Afternoon
- Fly Patterns: #16-18 Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, CDC Caddis
April
- Hendrickson (Ephemerella subvaria)
- Time: Midday to early evening
- Fly Patterns: #12-14 Hendrickson Dry, Comparadun, Pheasant Tail Nymph
- Quill Gordon (Epeorus pleuralis)
- Time: Midday
- Fly Patterns: #12-14 Quill Gordon Dry, Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail
- Grannom Caddis (Brachycentrus)
- Time: Afternoon
- Fly Patterns: #14-16 Grannom Caddis, Sparkle Pupa, Elk Hair Caddis
May
- March Brown (Maccaffertium vicarium)
- Time: Midday to afternoon
- Fly Patterns: #10-12 March Brown Dry, March Brown Nymph, Pheasant Tail
- Green Drake (Ephemera guttulata)
- Time: Evening
- Fly Patterns: #8-10 Green Drake Dry, Green Drake Emerger, Cripple
- Gray Fox (Stenonema fuscum)
- Time: Midday
- Fly Patterns: #12-14 Gray Fox Dry, Comparadun, Rusty Spinner
- Sulphur (Ephemerella dorothea)
- Time: Late afternoon to evening
- Fly Patterns: #16-18 Sulphur Dry, Parachute Sulphur, Pheasant Tail Nymph
June
- Sulphur (Ephemerella dorothea)
- Time: Late afternoon to evening
- Fly Patterns: #16-18 Sulphur Dry, Comparadun, CDC Emerger
- Light Cahill (Stenonema ithaca)
- Time: Evening
- Fly Patterns: #12-14 Light Cahill Dry, Light Cahill Nymph
- Caddis (Various species)
- Time: Afternoon to evening
- Fly Patterns: #14-18 Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, Sparkle Pupa
July
- Trico (Tricorythodes)
- Time: Early morning
- Fly Patterns: #20-24 Trico Spinner, Parachute Trico, CDC Trico
- Terrestrials (Ants, Beetles, Hoppers)
- Time: All day
- Fly Patterns: #10-16 Foam Ants, Beetles, Chernobyl Ant, Dave’s Hopper
August
- Trico (Tricorythodes)
- Time: Early morning
- Fly Patterns: #20-24 Trico Spinner, Parachute Trico, CDC Trico
- Terrestrials (Ants, Beetles, Hoppers)
- Time: All day
- Fly Patterns: #10-16 Foam Ants, Beetles, Chernobyl Ant, Dave’s Hopper
September
- Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis)
- Time: Midday to afternoon
- Fly Patterns: #18-22 BWO Dry, Parachute BWO, Pheasant Tail Nymph
- Slate Drake (Isonychia)
- Time: Evening
- Fly Patterns: #10-12 Slate Drake Dry, Isonychia Nymph
October
- Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis)
- Time: Midday to afternoon
- Fly Patterns: #18-22 BWO Dry, Parachute BWO, Pheasant Tail Nymph
- October Caddis (Dicosmoecus)
- Time: Afternoon to evening
- Fly Patterns: #8-10 October Caddis Dry, October Caddis Pupa
November
- Midges
- Time: Midday
- Fly Patterns: #18-24 Griffith’s Gnat, Zebra Midge, WD-40
December-February
- Midges
- Time: Midday
- Fly Patterns: #18-24 Griffith’s Gnat, Zebra Midge, WD-40
Notes:
- Timing: Hatch times can vary depending on weather, water temperature, and stream conditions. Always check local reports or talk to fly shops for real-time updates.
- Fly Sizes: Carry a range of sizes for each pattern, as insects can vary in size depending on conditions.
- Terrestrials: During summer months, terrestrials like ants, beetles, and grasshoppers become a significant food source for trout.
- Nymphing: When hatches are not active, nymphing with patterns like Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ears, and Stonefly nymphs can be highly effective.
Penns Creek is a world-class trout stream, so be prepared for challenging but rewarding fishing. Tight lines!
Looking for more information on fishing Penns Creek? Check out this DIY Guide to Fly Fishing Penns Creek.