Blue Lining for Wild Trout on the Fly in Pennsylvania
by John Harrington, Jr.
General Guidelines for Blue Lines
Although Pennsylvania has nearly 100,000 miles of rivers and streams, it can certainly be difficult to find places to fish that aren’t already well known. Especially by those that share a passion for getting outside and wetting a line. A crowded stream can be disconcerting for those who are seeking some fresh air, sunshine and solitude.
This is where blue lining comes in handy. You might be thinking, what are blue lines or what is blue lining? Blue lines refer to the tiny blue lines that represent streams, creeks, and tributaries on a map. These are places that many people will not go through the trouble to explore. Blue lining is simply the act of fishing in those spots. They’re often inconvenient to access (for example, requiring a long hike in and back), have little to no cell reception, and are trial and error; some hold fish, others do not. In cases where they do hold fish, you’re typically encountering tiny native brook trout and wild browns. Although they’re not the biggest fish you’ll ever catch, they’re absolute spectacles. Those who have managed to find the spots that hold them stay tight lipped about them, and for good reason.
Where to Begin with Blue Lining
First things first. You’re going to want to look on a map and see what’s around you. Check for a few decent looking spots that are in striking distance, are on public land, and can be safely accessed. Oftentimes the best spots aren’t going to be written about on the internet; you’re going to have to go check them out yourself and see how it goes. It’s a high risk, high reward endeavor. If you’re not having any luck with your first few spots, you may need to drive a little further away. The more remote, the higher the elevation, the better the results usually are.
If I am going to a new spot for the first time, I like to fish with someone else. See if you can go with a friend or a family member. It’s fun to explore together and it’s generally safer if you’re unfamiliar with the terrain and surroundings. Plus, it makes for some awesome memories when you find a good one, and gives you somewhere to look forward to visiting again.
The Right Rod & Reel Combo for Brookie Fishing
Joe Humphreys is known for saying you should use the longest rod you can get away with. When you’re blue lining, you’re all but certain going to be going through some brush. Just imagine being surrounded by tree limbs and rhododendrons. They’re equal parts beautiful and inconveniently placed. So I advise that you err on the side of caution and bring a shorter rod that’s going to keep it enjoyable when you’re casting and while you’re traveling around.
TIP: If you’re going to do this type of fishing, learn how to bow and arrow cast. This is a nifty technique that you can use to accurately place your fly when you’re working within a tight window.
A long rod may help in certain scenarios, but a shorter rod is really all you need for wild and native trout. Anywhere between 7 and 8.5 feet is what I usually bring, and a 3 weight is perfect. Sometimes it’s nice to toss some bigger terrestrials or dry flies, and having a 3 instead of a 2 gives you a little more umph to get the flies where you want them. This is especially convenient if you are fishing a dry dropper rig.
My favorite rod of choice is a fiberglass. You’re not really chasing giants on tiny water, so you’re not exactly getting head shakes. But it’s fun to feel every little movement that the fish makes when you manage to hook up with one.
As for your reel, it’s not going to make or break your outing. It’s really just serving the purpose of holding your fly line. Very rarely will you have a ton of fly line outside of your rod tip. Just go for a reel that has capacity for your line and balances well with your rod and you’ll be in the ballgame.
What Flies Should Be in Your Box?
The beauty of blue lining is that you can keep it super simple. Just bring one small box with some essential flies in sizes 14-18. In the spring, have some caddis and stimulator patterns. If it’s summer time, bring some terrestrials. Parachute patterns like the Parachute Adams are another great choice, especially for the dry dropper. They are easy to spot and imitate a bunch of things. Don’t overthink it, if it looks buggy it will hunt.
When it comes to remote fishing locations, you’re typically targeting fish that don’t see people or artificial flies all that often. They see protein, and they get after it. The most important things you need to focus on are staying stealthy to avoid spooking them, getting an accurate and delicate upstream presentation, and achieving a natural drift. If you’re using a dry dropper rig, the water is typically gin clear and the fish are looking up, so your dropper doesn’t need to be super deep. Experiment, but you only really need a few inches below your dry and you’ll be hooking up on and below the surface.
Special Gear and Other Considerations
If you’re going to be out for a long period of time, you may want to bring a backpack. One of my favorite options is a collapsable roll top pack that is super light but can fit all the essentials - like food and plenty of water. It’s helpful to find one that can fit a rod tube on the side, so you can keep your rod broken down and hike until you’re ready to fish.
If it’s the warmer weather months, it’s a great opportunity to wet wade. You can either bring some wading boots and neoprene socks, or find some specialized, quick dry boots that are good for both submerging in water and hiking.
Check the weather. There will usually be sun, so don’t forget polarized shades. If there’s potential that it is going to rain, throw a rain jacket in your bag so you have it just in case. Sun screen may not be needed if you’re under heavy tree cover, but it’s not a bad idea. I don’t really like suntan lotion or bug spray, but I know a lot of people who do.
A collapsible wading staff can also be super helpful, especially if you are going up and down steep inclines. It can only help, not hurt, when you’re on uneven/sketchy terrain.
When you get back from your excursion, check for ticks. Especially in the spring, summer, and fall. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had them climbing all over me when I get back from an outing. Another good reason to go with friends, so they can tell you whether you need to freak out, and help you pull them off.
Lastly, don’t forget to look around and soak it all in. That’s what it’s all about. I hope you found this helpful and that you enjoy your time on the water!