Nymphing the Little Juniata River, "GRANOMMS ON THE MENU!!"

Well, my day started slow, but Ryan's day started in high gear, maybe only downshifted for a little bit midday, then we were both back up in high gear in late afternoon and evening. Grannoms were on the menu, so that's what we served them. A dark peeking caddis, the Frenchie, a Hares Ear soft hackle and an olive perdigon were our successful patterns today. My struggles were a bunch of foul hookups and get offs, making my landing percentage down around 50%, but the other 50% I did land, were great Little J wild brownie specimens. Despite lower-than-average flows, the fish were hungry and cooperative.

[@Fishin-Ipps]

Love the Little J in spring time - early morning light and flies in the air. Good stuff, Scott and thanks for posting! Always learn something new in your videos

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hello brother! Yes, very hard to pick a favorite stream in Central PA this time of year. Hope everyone is having a fun season. Appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@Riverbugger]

Hey Scott excellent video. I got out last Monday and caught some beauties on the Owyhee River. Good to see you out having fun!!

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hi Brian! Great fishing out West too, perfect time of the year to be a fly fisherman. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@douglasrandall6737]

Another great Sunday afternoon spent fishing with Scott and nice video. Thank you so much my friend.

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hello Doug! Hope you’re enjoying the fishing too. Glad to bring you guys along. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@WildBlueDiscovery]

Sun shining, fish biting & Scott singing = good day! Losing them is frustrating though! Tightlines Scott!

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Ha! Hi Craig! I like that list, and it that order too. Yeah, you gotta be ok with losing some, they’re the ones you dream about. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@richsmidtke119]

Great to see you back on the J . This is a great video and thanks for sharing . Keep safe and God bless .

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Thanks Rich! Glad you enjoyed it. God bless you too.

[@lennavitsky4054]

Another hell of action filled day on channel SCOTT..best way to start my sundays..water looked really nice bud..thanks again for the show..take care

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Good morning Len! Hope you have a great Sunday. You’re welcome and my pleasure. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Scott! Love those Grannoms! Awesome day out there on the J. Got some big boys, as well. Enjoyed watching!

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Cory! My brother from another mother! 😅 Yessir, we had a great day, it was a little crowded in some spots but found some lone water with cooperative hungry fish. Love it when you hit it right. Appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@chuckgyeski4607]

Awesome fishing Scott !!! Thanks for the heads up on the private 👍🏼

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hello Chuck! You’re welcome and my pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@gen-nv3fe]

Have watched your videos,but after meeting you today it was a pleasure.he actually takes some time and talks to you.hope you made out well today in Benton!!!

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hi buddy! Yes, it was a pleasure to talk with you today, only got one brownie, a lot of caddis coming off, but no risers. Went to another stream and picked up seven, one Brookie, one rainbow and 5 brownies, all on a blue perdigon. Appreciate you watching and commenting. Good luck turkey hunting 👍🏻.

[@michaelcapurso]

Hey Scott - Nice looking water and fish. Good luck with the new reel. Looks like the weather was spot on perfect that day.

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hello Michael! Yes, it was perfect weather and wind. So far, very very pleased with the Sage Spectrum LT reel. Great drag and click sound. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@toddwilcox142]

Great video Scott. Some of those fish that got off early in the video reminded me of a guy dry fly fishing about a week ago with a hookless dry fly. He lost some as well before a very talented Fly Fisherman told him to check his hook. Ha. Ha This video was a perfect way to start my week ahead. Thank you.

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hey Todd! I kinda remember an incident like that too, ha! You should have an exciting week ahead. Be talking soon. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@scottlowe3355]

Great fish! And even better casts. That one was out there! I was hoping to catch a hatch this weekend but I wasn’t able to run into any rising fish. Bugs everywhere though. Thanks for posting Scott!

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Good morning Scott! Thank you brother! If you like the dry fly fishing, you’ll love next week’s video. Yeah, not much surface activity compared to the amount of bugs. Guess they were getting all they wanted underneath. Thanks for watching and commenting and God bless.

[@jeromedwojak918]

Enjoyed the video Scott, I know it was a challenge in the beginning. But I was glad it turned around for you. Made for a nice day on the water!

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hello Jerome! Patience and perseverance and optimism are vital in fly fishing. Whether it’s changes with flies, methods, locations, time of day, or types of water, you gotta believe things will get better, stay in the game! Glad you enjoyed it. Appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@snookmcdermott6894]

Great video Scott To bad you lost some big fish but you did land some nice browns I love watching you catching fish on dries Stay safe and keep those videos coming

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hi Snook! I’ll dream about the ones that got away, always bigger in my mind, ha! Yes, I love the dries too, you’ll really like next week’s video then. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@dalesheehan9404]

Hey Scott! Looked like a great day and some real nice fish once I saw them😎 . I was supposed to go up there last week but a front strut went in my car ,stayed local. Maybe I’ll see you on Pine heading up first and third week in May. Thanks for the video!

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hi Dale! Thank you very much! Yes, I’ll be up Pine around the 18th of May. Should be fishing great. If you see my truck, please stop by to chat. Appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@berks8260]

An atypical start For the master but a great comeback! Nice Day on the water....the water Looked pretty good.....

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hi Phil! Excellent water out in Central PA. You’re right, a very slow start, but was patient and able to regroup and changed our location and POOF, a whole different outcome. Gotta be able to make those audibles and reapproach the situation. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@uni_shadow164]

Wow Scott! A lot of lost fish in the beginning, then redemption! Some Nice Browns landed later. I have been catching rainbows on the Hiwassee here in Tennessee. I even caught a nice Smallmouth Bass in the 16/17 inch class on a Purple Duracell soft hackle. Believe it or not, he passed up Scott's Big Brown nymph for the Duracell! Hoping to hit the Tellico River early this week! Love the videos my friend and Nice new Sage Reel!

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hey Dave! Glad to hear you’re having fun down in TN. That smallmouth must’ve been on a diet, ha! I’m very very happy with the new reel. Appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@jonhart-dj7fn]

red wing blackbirds out ,, Scott that last one was fat nice spring day !

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hi Jon! Yes, a beautiful day for fishing. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@foxchaser21]

yo scott, great video from the little J. you broke that new reel in pretty good, landed some beauty's at that. very nice changeover from nymphing to drys, that brown took you for a ride, good job. jack and I gotta get out there some time soon. water levels looked decent, it's been really low around our area, this recent rain helped though a little bit. hopefully some rains come in as we approach May. headed to potter wed. night til sunday, hopefully things go well up there and water levels are decent. talk to you soon buddy.

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hi Mike! Thank you buddy! Hope you have a lot of fun up Potter. Yes, more rain is definitely needed. Sorry couldn’t get to the Hock yet. Appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@jeffditaranto3790]

Hey Scott i feel your pain with all the LDR's ( long distance release ) you had on this video . I was out last week for 3 days and averaged 10-12 per day with at least as many LDR's and missed takes on the swing it has to be the combination of barbless hooks and change of direction . Very frustrating indeed . Hard to beat the action though . I got my first and probably last double header a 10" smallmouth on my top fly a soft hackle and a 14 " rainbow on the bottem fly midge pupa . That smallmouth had the ride of his life and spent most of the fight dandling anout 2ft above the water 🤣 i got it on video . Both released unscathed . Anyway great video as always and like always i learn something new watching your video's . Many thanks for that . Keep em coming . I leave you with two words .... me you Brodhead . Well three words 😂

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Good morning Jeff! Yea, those LDRs can get s little annoying, especially if it’s on a bigger fish, Augh! But , it’s all good, back in the water where they want to be, to be targeted another day. The last two years I’ve had about 3 doubles but only landed one set, like you said, the fish caught on the top fly is hanging out of the water while trying to land the lower fish, tricky and funny. Appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

To everyone watching this video, at the second spot, please respect the landowners sign for no trespassing on his property, he contacted me about when I exited through his property at the end of the day, I denied it, totally wrong!! He showed me footage of me exiting where I shouldn’t have been, I apologized several times and stated it will never happen again. No fault of his , clearly posted from the outside, I’m not going to make any excuses for my wrong. Please enter where legal and stay within the water to fish legally. Please learn from my mistake or laziness.

[@aaronhartman1946]

Thank you Scott.

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Nice video!

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Thank you buddy! Glad you enjoyed it. Appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@arthururban8340]

i’m always amazed at the strike detection. very many times I can see the strike in your videos (and when I can’t I’ll slow down the vid to see if that helps me spot it). here I am thinking you have to have a slim sighter and light line to be able to see the takes but your style is evidence that technique is the big driver.

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hello Arthur! You are correct, line control and presentation are everything when nymphing, and you can have success with different methods, but which one works best for you, easiest to work with and versatile, able to switch from nymphing to dries in a minute or so. Glad you’re able to pick up on those strike detections. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@chasinbowsnbrowns3652]

Another good one Scott! A real nice river that has so many beautiful runs ! Yea, felt your pain as you lost quite a few ! I know you use barbless and are fighting the fish to perfection, but I wonder if the hook point selection would make a difference , maybe a upturned point would help, what’s your opinion? Again great work on that river, looks like a really fun day ! Tight lines buddy

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Thank you very much! Yes, I agree, that green fuzzy perdigon had a straight barbless hook, not an upturned point, which I think holds much better, and the competition style circle up points are even better. I don’t know if you’re from PA, but definitely worth a trip during steady flow times, in Spring or Fall. Appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@chasinbowsnbrowns3652]

About 270 miles away ! If I come , it’ll definitely be a stay over 👍

[@williamfoley6381]

I have never seen anyone tight line nymphing like you.

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hello William! Ha! Don’t know if that’s good or bad. Just doing my thang 😊. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@bobhammond8067]

Rough start.... but great ending!!!!

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Good morning Bob! Love those comeback days when patience and perseverance pays off. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@BIGJ3748]

Thanks Scott, Enjoyed it. Any idea why the Tully is so low?

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hi John! I really don’t know, I thought several weeks ago that they were filling up the lake, but now with this very long drought, I’m not sure what the reasoning is but it’s getting a little too scary close for low water and high temperatures, a bad combination. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@protopiper5567]

I know the Tulpehocken is low right but yesterday I was down by Rebers bridge and the creek had a ton of moss in it which made it difficult to nymph for me. Is it like that all over the creek? Also how do you transition from your fly line to tippet? Thanks Scott I’ve been learning a lot from your videos, it’s very much appreciated!

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hi buddy! This time of the year, every year, the dam cleans the 3 valves, when they do, for several days the water is just full of junk , moss and debris, stink for nymphing but it really puts the fish in a full time feeding mode, usually very good fishing. I don’t know IF that’s what’s going on, but it’s about that time. As for my leader, off my fly line I use a 50” Cutthroat Furled Leader Shorty, then off that I add 5ft of 4x Flouro then my tandem rig. If I want to go down to 5x, I’ll go 2.5ft if 4x Flouro then 2.5ft of 5x Flouro then my tandem rig. Hope that helps. Appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@seanp4038]

Another great video Scott! Question on your flies? Do you tie them with tungsten beads or brass?

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Thank you Sean! Always tungsten. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@DownstreamDownrange]

Just something about that medium speed rolling semi shallow riffly water….could fish it for days and days

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Dan the man! Honestly, don’t we just dream of riffs like that, full of hungry cooperative fish, that’s heaven on earth! Appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@westsidewil]

Scott, what would outfit would you recommend for a starter/beginner/moderately priced euro nymphing rig? I primarily fish the WB of the Delaware around Deposit. Any shop you’d recommend to try them out in person? Thanks.

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hi Will! Yes, go straight to the West Branch Anglers Pro Shop, they have a great inventory, I’m sure they can recommend a moderately priced starter outfit. I recommend calling them ahead and tell them what you’re looking for, so they can learn more about you and where you’re coming from. Check out their website and give them a call. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@timothyobrien9916]

Scott - beginner here - how do you keep your shot from sliding on you? How do you remove your shot? This has always been lost on me and a surprising dearth of that kinda info on the interwebs. Great vid as always.

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hi Tim! They do make forceps by Dr. Slick with a tiny pin in the jaws that help you open the splitshot, also honestly, I use my teeth, not recommended, but just saying. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@brucecohen8970]

Hey Scott, I've been following you for years. Could you please tell me the location you were at and suggest some other ones with public access?

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hi Bruce! I usually don’t give specifics on locations but literally, the J has so many access areas I couldn’t even list them if I tried, it’s roughly 28 miles of wild brown trout fishing. And most of the access areas are very visible, bridges, pull offs, right alongside Rt. 453, town of Spruce Creek, Tyrone, Barree and Alexandria. Just Google Map it and you’ll see roads that follow along the river. Once you’re in the water you can fish up and down to your hearts desire.

[@Pwrcritter]

Nice Scott! Are you using 5x mono tippet here still?

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Thank you buddy! Yes, 5x Flouro, if the water would’ve been a little dirty, I would’ve gone to 4x. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@Pwrcritter]

@@pawoodsnwater7551 Ok thanks! Still using 5x mono here. Only managed a couple. May switch to fluro for nymphing.

[@williamfoley6381]

I don’t ever see anyone out West euro or tight line fishing like you. I think it is the best way to go. Why do you think more people have not picked up on it? Or have they? Maybe the have and I haven’t seen it.

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hmmm! I can’t say, but I think out West, traditional nymphing is still the preferred method, other than in Utah around the Provo where Euro nymphing is definitely popular. But, honestly, it doesn’t matter, as long as we’re all having fun and practicing good catch and release. To each his own.

[@RGJR02]

How do you like that rod for tight lining?

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hi Rudy! Love it for nymphing and switching over to dries. If I was just going to nymph all day, I’d probably use my 10.5ft or 11ft rods, but the 10ft rod is the perfect balance for doing both. Appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@RGJR02]

What kind of tight lining are you doing? I noticed you have fly line . Just curious man. 👍👍

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

@@RGJR02 I don’t really do any true form of euro nymphing, I just do good old American nymphing that I’ve been doing since the ‘70s, I was always successful nymphing that I really never wanted to learn other ways. Over the years I have tweaked or refined my technique, for a couple years I tried sighters and indicators but I never thought they added to my usual results. My thought is, do what’s most comfortable and versatile and successful for you and keep practicing it, get proficient and confident with it, so you can handle all situations.

[@edmundbogdan2030]

Scott, I have watched MANY of your videos during the past several years, but I have never seen you hook and land TWO trout at the same time. I’m sure you have, but can you show me which video it was on?

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hello Edmund! I actually have it on my phone but not in a video, was out on Yellow Creek in the Winter when this happened, I can send it to your email if you’d like. I have actually hooked into several other doubles but one of the fish always got off before I could land both. In streams with good trout populations it’s not as uncommon as you would think, several guys have sent me videos over the years.

[@kippnovak9833]

Nice rod & reel...how much ???

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hi Kipp! The rod is 3 years old, I think it was around $850, the reel was bought on sale around $190. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@kippnovak9833]

@@pawoodsnwater7551 wow...I thought the reel would be more expensive...thanx for the reply...tight lines...

[@richsmidtke119]

Where are all the other fishermen ?

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Hey Rich! Just upstream in one spot we saw 8 trucks parked, gotta search out other water when that’s the case, and it worked out 👍🏻. Thanks for watching and commenting.