A 7,000 cfs trout

[Mark Griffin]

Yesterday I headed to the Poconos to fish a Lehigh River trib. The water was clear, 56°, and at an ideal level. The weather and water conditions could not have been better. A dry fly after heavy rains has not been productive for me on this creek this year, so I cut to the chase and only used a beadhead copper john w/splitshot, or with a foam indi. I did ok landing a few wild browns, including two at 12" and 13". The creek appeared to be 3-4 feet higher after the Saturday rains, but I only saw one spot where the creek bed changed significantly.

I always fish the Lehigh River near this trib and usually catch something at high water by fishing some slow spots close to shore. But I've never tried it with the dam release at over 7,000 cfs. The speed of the current was amazing and the slow spots near shore were reduced to small pockets. I used a black wooly bugger w/splitshot and quickly got a bump. Then I had a hookup with a nice fish, but lost it. My next hit is when things got exciting. I was into a good fish with my 6.5 foot, two weight and if he got out into the current, I'd have to break him off quick. I leaned on the fish hard and would not allow him to take any line at all. By the time I landed this fat 14" brown, my hands were shaking.

I tried one other spot without a hit and decided one fish landed was enough in these risky conditions.

 

[BigBrownE]

7000 cfs trout

Mark

That is impressive catching those fish from the Lehigh at that level. Dont think I would even come with in a stones throw of that river when it is flowing like that.

Nice quality fish. Very cool pics.

Dean

 

[Mark Griffin]

Dean, I've fished those spots many times at high water and I know right where the fish set up and how much I can wade. And as Indiana Jones said, "Besides, you know what a cautious fellow I am."

 

[joeyd]

Hey mark you like to use a 2wt ? what model is it? .. I have a j austin forbes 3wt 6'6 . Also do you fish bead head nymphs with the 2wt. thanks.. nice pics

 

[Mark Griffin]

My two weight is the 6.5', Orvis One Ounce. I bought it nine years ago and lost it earlier this year then immediately got the same thing to replace it. I use it only on small streams and have no problem fishing small beadheads with it. Sometimes when fishing a trib I end up on the main river like that day, so I have no choice but to fish the little two weight. If that trib was still high, I would've chose my Orvis Tippet 7.5', three weight, which works great on the Lehigh River.

BTW, I've fished the Lehigh one day each of the last three weeks below White Haven and there's been lots of rising trout. I'm fishing there again tomorrow. There should be less bugs and rises, but the water is still holding at 50°, [fingers crossed]so I'm expecting some surface activity[/fingers crossed].

Edit: It looks like it's gonna be very windy today, so the Lehigh is out. Maybe tomorrow.

 

[boom2it]

Hummmm?? I'll have to try that section of river. My wife is from Mtn Top so we are up that way often. Is Hickory Run SP my best bet? Is it open year round?

 

[Mark Griffin]

The Lehigh River is stocked with no special regs section, it's only closed from March 1st to the opening day. It's a long walk to the river from anyplace in Hickory Run SP. You're better off getting to the river between White Haven and Tannery, or near the mouth of Black Creek below Tannery. It's also a great idea to attach your rod to a bike and use the Lehigh Gorge SP bike path.