Blue Stream Fly Fishing
Fly Fishing Report for:

Oil Creek - Rouseville - Pennsylvania

Hatch Chart - Best Access/Spots - Local Fish - About

Water Flow Chart

Using Water Flow Charts & Weather Reports: Begin with our water flow charts to grasp stream velocity and volume – look for stable or rising trends to pinpoint ideal fishing times. Learn to interpret sudden spikes or drops, which can indicate potential challenges. Next, consult our weather reports to understand ambient conditions. Pairing the two, you can anticipate fish behavior, choose the right gear, and select the best fishing spots. Use these tools together for a holistic approach to your next fishing adventure.

In-Depth Weather

Directions To Location

Hatch Chart

Month Hatch Time of Day Recommended Fly Sizes Popular Fly Patterns
January Midge All Day 18-22 Biot Midge Pupa, Zebra Midge
Blue Winged Olives Afternoon 18-20 Sparkle Dun, RS2
February Midge All Day 16-20 Biot Midge Pupa, Black Beauty
Blue Winged Olives Afternoon 18-20 Rusty Spinner, Pheasant Tail
March Caddis Afternoon 18-20 Elk Hair Caddis, Glass Bead Caddis Pupa
Little Black Stoneflies All Day 16-18 Black Stonefly Nymph, Darth Vader
April Light Hendricksons Afternoon 14-16 Hendrickson Nymph, Red Quill
Caddis Afternoon 14-16 Elk Hair Caddis, Mother's Day Caddis
May Sulphurs Evening 16-18 Sulphur Dun, Sulphur Emerger
Green Drakes Evening 8-10 Green Drake Dun, Coffin Fly Spinner
June Sulphurs Evening 16-18 Pheasant Tail, Sulphur Emerger
Isonychias Evening 12-14 Isonychia Nymph, Isonychia Dry
July Tricos Morning 20-24 Trico Spinner, Trico Dun
Tan Caddis Evening 16-18 Elk Hair Caddis, Henryville Special
August Tricos Morning 20-24 Trico Spinner, CDC Trico Dun
Blue Winged Olives Afternoon 18-20 BWO Sparkle Dun, RS2
September Isonychias Evening 12-14 Fox’s Poopah, Pheasant Tail
Blue Winged Olives Afternoon 18-20 BWO Comparadun, BWO Emerger
October Blue Winged Olives Afternoon 18-20 Bar Emerger BWO, BWO Cripple
Tan Caddis Evening 16-18 Godard Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis
November Blue Winged Olives Afternoon 18-20 Rusty Spinner, Parachute Adams
Midges All Day 20-24 Griffith's Gnats, Black Beauty
December Midges All Day 20-24 Zebra Midge, Biot Midge Pupa
Blue Winged Olives Afternoon 18-20 BWO Sparkle Dun, BWO Emerger

While we strive to ensure the precision of our hatch charts, some reflect broader river region insights. Through ongoing partnerships with local guides and fly shops, we’re committed to refining our data. Should you notice any inconsistencies or have feedback, we welcome you to reach out. 

Best Fishing Spots

Fly-fishing in the Oil Creek-Rouseville offers a phenomenal experience for angling enthusiasts. Here are the top spots:
  • Oil Creek State Park: Located in the heart of the Oil Creek Valley, this park is rich with natural beauty and fish like trout, bass, and pike.
  • Petroleum Center: Nestled within the park boundaries, it offers a peaceful spot with a variety of fish species to catch amidst serene natural surroundings.
  • Rouseville Bridge: An excellent locale with a bridge pool that hosts a large population of fish, making it an angler’s paradise.
  • Drake Well Museum area: This part of the Oil Creek provides an opportunity to fish and explore the earliest oil production history.
  • Columbia Farm: With easy access to the creek and an abundance of trout, it is a must-visit for all fly-fishing enthusiasts.
Remember, when fly-fishing, always respect nature and adhere to appropriate catch and release guidelines to help sustain the fish population in these waters.

Best Access Points

Oil Creek, flowing through Rouseville, is a haven for fly fishing enthusiasts. The best access points are:

  • Petros Lake: An easy access point where fly fishers can catch brook trout.
  • Boughtonville Road Bridge: A reliable spot throughout the season, mostly for brown trout.
  • Oil Creek State Park: This public area provides access to several excellent spots within its boundaries.
  • Rynd Farm Trailhead: A little more secluded and great for catching both brook and brown trout.

Please note local fishing regulations before you set out. Avoid fishing during spawning times to protect fish populations. The best fishing times are early morning and late evening. Practice catch-and-release to ensure future generations can enjoy this pastime.

Local Fish

  • Brown Trout: Probably the most common of all, this is one of the highly sought-after fish in Oil Creek State Park for fly fishing.
  • Rainbow Trout: This one offers beautiful colors and a vigorous fight that makes it highly desirable for the anglers.
  • Brook Trout: This fish species is native to Oil Creek and can be challenging to search which adds to the excitement of fly fishing.
  • Carp: This fish is found in several places in Oil Creek. It can be huge and gives a good fight when hooked, making them quite a catch.
  • Smallmouth Bass: This species is the preferred choice for many fly fishers due to its aggressive nature to bite hard on artificial flies.
  • Largemouth Bass: Another species of bass that’s quite popular for fly fishing on Oil Creek due to its large size and aggressive fighting spirit.
  • Walleye: The Walleye can grow to be quite large in Oil Creek and offers quite the challenge when fly fishing.
  • Northern Pike: The Northern Pike is a bigger, more aggressive fish that’s a favorite among fly fishers for its fast strikes and high-speed runs.

About The River

Every drop of oil has a tale to tell, and Oil Creek – Rouseville is a magnificent chapter in the chronicle of oil history. It began in the lush valleys of Pennsylvania, where the world’s first ever commercial oil well was struck on August 27, 1859. This ushered in a new era of energy and prosperity.

Edward Drake, an enterprising businessman, discovered oil at a depth of 69.5 feet, introducing the world to the immense possibilities of this precious black gold. Known fondly as Drake Well, this site kick-started the lucrative oil industry.

  • The town that burgeoned around Drake Well was named Rouseville, after a prominent oil producer and investor, Henry Rouse.
  • The Oil Creek flowing nearby was the primary transportation path for the fledgling industry, propelling wooden barges laden with barrels of crude oil.
  • Rouseville soon thrived, becoming a beacon of progress and innovation during the 1860s Oil Boom.

Though the oil wells eventually dwindled, the legacy of Oil Creek – Rouseville endures, reminding us of the humble origins of the mighty oil industry.

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