Little Lehigh first time report...

[acirig]

All,
Finally got out and fished the Little Lehigh last night (5/29) for first time and was really happy with the river. Nice little river with good definition. I timed my trip right as the Sulphurs were hatching but they came off very late (8:30pm). Fish were rising pretty steady though in spots and it was nice to see a Sulphur hatch like that.

I caught five nice browns and one rainbow nymphing. I had a bead head PT with a HE dropper. They all took the HE but I was mostly using the PT for weight anyway so the rig worked well.

I could not hook up with dry flies though I had one nice refusal. I had Sulphurs but most of the fish I saw rising were close to me on the banks and it was very tough (with low light) to get a good drift and see the fly. Oh well that's my excuse anyway and I am sticking to it!

Overall, a real nice little river. Will probably have to start hitting this more often since I am in the area regularly!

[BIGBOW]

I'll be in Jim Thorpe this weekend right on the Lehigh. Was wondering if I should fish in this area or take the short trip to the Little Lehigh. If anyone could share some input, it'd be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[beeber]

Bigbow,

If you're in Jim Thorpe then you are quite near the Lehigh River and it's tributaries. In my opinion, you're better off fishing there than making the drive to the Little Lehigh.

[Harry]

While in Jim Thorpe you could also fish the Pohopoco.


______________________
"Quit Wishing" "Go Fishing"

[beeber]

Yup, the Po is a good trib of the Lehigh.

[JeffK]

Another vote for the Lehigh. It's big water with big trout and temps should be OK. And it runs right through Jim Thorpe (although it s real nice up by FEW Dam). The Po is nearby and is a tailwater, so it can fish well if the weather and the Lehigh are hot. Sometimes the pool right where it hits the Lehigh can produce well when the Lehigh warms.

Another option if you want a nice hike is to hit one of the small streams in Hickory Run SP.

Little Lehigh (or any of the other Lehigh Valley limestoners) are fine choices, but you will spend more time driving and have to share the streams with more anglers, so why not fish closer to Jim Thorpe for more of a Pocono Mtn experience.

Bring caddis.

[Dizzy]

A quick note on the "big" Lehigh... we planned to fish it last night at Bowmanstown, but the water temp was 71° F and T-storms chased us away before things could cool off.

We need some rain... the river is as low as I have ever seen it right now.

[beeber]

Thanks for the update, Diz. I haven't been there in a few weeks. I don't know if this weekend is a whitewater release or not.

In that case, you may want to reconsider other options like the Little Lehigh. Macungie got over an inch of rain in last nights storm and that will color the water some. They still gotta eat.

[Dizzy]

Thanks for the update, Diz. I haven't been there in a few weeks. I don't know if this weekend is a whitewater release or not.

Last weekend (Memorial Day weekend) was a scheduled dam-release... I believe they release every other weekend throughout the summer/fall so the river should be OK this weekend as far as levels are concerned.

[BIGBOW]

Thanks guys. I'll be there for a concert and figured I'd do some fishing. I've hiked the falls at Lehigh Gorge many of times, but never had my rod to fish the river. This time its in the truck already... hopefully the weather permits and I can wet a line. Thanks again.