Fishing Season: Year Round

East Fork White Water River - IN

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

49

Orvis Carmel's Tip of the Week

This time of year, nymphing will be your key to catching trout in the Brookville Tailwater. We like soft hackle hare's ears, sparkle soft hackles, our tactical line of nymphs and scuds/sow bugs. Keep your drift right on the seam of fast/slow water and make sure your bobber (yes, we said it) is attached to your leader at the proper depth! You'll want to fish the seam between fast/slow water to target feeding trout. The trout will hold in the slower water looking for food in the faster water.

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Map of East Fork White Water River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

5-Day Outlook as of 5/6/22

We learned last week that the USACE will be doing maintenance on the dam this spring/summer; they've admitted that the outflow during the construction will be questionable. The stocking of spring fish will not take place until late fall for Rainbow's, spring 2023 for the Brown's. If you can get out and fish, we recommend Higa's SOS, Orvis Zebra Midge or any midge style fly! Fishing the tailwater this week will be difficult, the USACE is controlling the release of water out of the lake. With the recent rains, we believe this will continue for most of the week. The outflow will vary a lot this week with the recent rain; make sure you check the gauge and be safe...we recently heard a report that the alarm did not go off and a wall of water came downstream. Luckily, the anglers were able to make it to the bank before the high water reached them.

Techniques & Tips as of 5/6/22

Nymphing is always a great technique to use at the tailwater! This time of year, we'll experience sporadic hatches offering up dry fly fishing opportunities. Don't be afraid to try a dry dropper set up! Streamers can be a game changer too, don't be afraid to throw a little meat at them!

Local Species Available Year Round

  • Fish Icon

    Brown and Rainbow Trout

Orvis Carmel's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Schroeder's Hi-Vis Hopper olive 18
Bank Beetle Black 20-22
Purple Haze purple 18-22
Micro Egg Red 18-22
Sow Bug cream 18-22
WD-40 Olive 16-18
Flashback Scud Wet Hare's Ear natutal 16-20
Woolly Bugger white 10-14
Stimulator Yellow 12-16
Midge White or Black 18-22

Schroeder's Hi-Vis Hopper

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Orvis Carmel's Recommended Gear

Description: About East Fork White Water River

Brookville as it is so called, is one of the few trout fisheries in the state of Indiana. While flows fluxuate constantly due to the dam built by the Army Corps of Engineers, you will get into large fish if you know where to look and how to fish it. The state stocks it yearly with Rainbow and Brown Trout, while this is a put and take fishery, most fly fishermen practice catch and release.

Nearest Airport:

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

Hatches:

Zebra/Midges (White and Black) Sow Bugs/scuds Caddis/Elk Wing Caddis Prince Nymphs Wooly Buggers (white) Parachute Adams

Best Time to Fish:

Early am or later in the pm

Best Stretch:

Dam to City Park

Best Access:

Fisherman's acess off Hwy 1 or Brookville City Park