Butternut Creek
Upper Butternut
Above the reservoir Butternut Creek is small water that provides great Trout habitat. The creek holds fish all the way to its headwaters near Rt. 80 but most find it to small to cast a fly rod until it crosses north under RT. 20. The addition of Cascade creek creates enough water and space to allow anglers the opportunity to cast.
From RT. 20 North to the Jamesville reservoir the stream is filled with deep pools and many riffles. Wild and stocked trout (predominatly browns) can be found the entire way although access can be difficult. Angler parking exists on Apulia Road and Weller Road. Access can also be found at the bridge and by parking at Jamesville beach and walking to the stream.
This is prime Nymph and Streamer water that gives up fish much larger than the stream size would suggest. Hatches are decent and dry fly fishing can be productive by throwing attractors when no bugs are actually hatching. The dowside to upper portions of Butternut are the numerous posted signs and fly hungry vegetation that seem to foil backcasts at every opportunity.
Roll casts and high sticking nymph techs are the most productive methods to take fish consistantly, but streamer fishing can be outstanding during high water. The angler who is willing walk up/down stream from parking areas will find stretches suitable for throwing drys. (Knocking on some doors will improve your odds of finding that secret beaver pond.)
Lower Butternut
The stream leaves the reservoir one of two way, over the top when water levels are high or by the county pump house when the water level dips below the lip of the dam. This creates a small thermal refuge as the pump house draws from the bottom of the reservoir. Butternut stays cool all the way through the canyon section and into the Butternut swamp providing excellent conditions for wild and stocked trout. A wider stream bed allows for worry free backcasts. The hatches can be fantastic for a modest sized stream. This is the section most favored by anglers as access is excellent. Angler parking exists at the dam and the 481 off ramp on Jamesville Road. However, parking in Jamesville or at the Fiddlers Green Park is the best way to fish this section as a cinder walking trail runs along the stream from just downstream of Rt. 171 to just above the falls.
The canyon section can be accessed from the Jamesville Road quarry pull-off and provides a great scenic backdrop to some of the streams best pools and runs.
