Spring Creek (Ithaca)
spring creek in New York
A textbook spring creek for technical dry-fly and nymph fishing near Cornell University and downtown Ithaca; dependable hatches and easy access make it a favorite for short trips.
What's working on Spring Creek
- 01Consistent hatches of Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) are expected, particularly on cooler, overcast afternoons.
- 02Midge activity remains a constant, providing a vital food source year-round.
- 03Caddis pupa and emerger patterns are a wise choice due to general fall entomology in similar systems.
- 04Larger Brown Trout become more aggressive in fall, actively targeting baitfish and eggs.
- 05Focus on riffles, runs, deeper pools, and undercut banks for holding fish.
What to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Olive Woolly Bugger
A versatile streamer, the Olive Woolly Bugger imitates leeches and baitfish, which are consistent food sources for predatory trout as water temperatures cool in the fall.
Blood Dot Egg
Fall is the peak egg-laying season for some trout species, and egg patterns are highly effective for opportunistic trout feeding on rogue eggs in the drift.
Buy at AmazonMidge Larva
Midge larvae are a foundational food source in nutrient-rich spring creeks, especially as water temperatures drop in fall, and are consistently available subsurface.
Buy at AmazonSoft Hackle Wet (Partridge & Orange)
Caddis pupae and emergers are active through the fall, and this wet fly pattern is excellent for swinging through runs to imitate them.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
Fall is a prime time for BWO hatches, especially on cooler, overcast days. This low-profile dry fly effectively imitates adult Baetis.
Buy at AmazonBaby Brown Trout
In fall, larger brown trout become more aggressive, actively targeting smaller baitfish and fry, making this streamer highly effective for enticing strikes.
Travis Hi-Vis BWO Para Emerger
BWO emergers are crucial during fall hatches, and this high-visibility pattern helps spot subtle takes from selective trout feeding in the film.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a consistent, year-round food source in limestone spring creeks like Spring Creek, and this weighted nymph effectively imitates midge pupae.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Ithaca Falls / Downtown Access
Convenient for quick sessions and known for consistent trout holding near the falls.
Triphammer Falls / Cornell Access
Urban access with concentrated trout in pools and tailouts below falls.
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New York season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Quick answers
Common questions about Spring Creek (Ithaca).
What flies work best on Spring Creek (Ithaca)?
Our top scored fly patterns for Spring Creek (Ithaca) right now are Olive Woolly Bugger (80% confidence), Scud (Pink/Orange) (80% confidence), Sow Bug (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Spring Creek (Ithaca)?
Spring Creek (Ithaca) holds Brown Trout, Brook Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Spring Creek (Ithaca) fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Spring Creek (Ithaca) each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.