Brookville Tailwater Fishing Report

          The past month showed us some very interesting weather to say the least. The temperatures have been at ridiculous lows. Since the first of January I have gotten over to Brookville maybe five times. The flows have been good; no super high or super low water. Water temperatures have been on the lower side, but manageable. The air temperatures have been crazy low though. There have been a couple times where I was fishing in negative degree wind chills. Nothing like clean out the icy guides after every ten casts! Not the best fishing experiences, but I had to get out. I would have to sit in the car every hour so I could just feel my hands enough to set the hook. Call me crazy but there's nothing better than fishing, no matter the conditions.

         

         I have been having most of my luck on three flies: orange eggs (sz. 14), big purple psycho princes (sz. 12), and small crystal buggers (sz. 12) all fished under an indicator. The fish have been very lethargic and need some enticement to move for a fly in these temps. Larger and brighter nymphs have been producing well, although it never hurts to throw some small midges deep in the runs.

Took an orange egg

        The large majority of the fish will be holding in deeper and slower runs and pools; there will always be some exceptions. Fishing deep and slow are the best tips I can give. Thoroughly fish the water. If a specific run or seam is looking fishy, as painful as it might be, stand there and run those nymphs through until you can't stand it. If nymphs aren't working or you just need to warm up and move a little more, throw on a streamer. Fish the deep water with lots of weight. Strip it at a slower rate than normal.

Streamers are fun to fish no matter the weather

          The next best piece of advice that I can give is dress warm! It seems pretty obvious, but it is crazy how cold one can get standing in the same spot while running a nymph through a run for 20 minutes. Make sure to stay on top of the ice on your guides as well. A rod can easily snap in cold weather while fighting a fish if the guides freeze. Unlike fishing in the spring, summer, or fall, I would not recommend getting up early and fishing day-break. Give it some time and get out starting at about eleven or noon to give the air and water some time to warm up. This will mean more "energetic" fish plus a better experience for the fisherman.

A nice 19" brown on a Magnum Prince

Tight Lines,

Alexander Helmicki