Lehigh River Presentation

[MACFLY]

At the Flyfishing Show last week, Joe Demarkis gave a presentation on the Lehigh River. Joe has been part of a group of folks trying to improve available coldwater storage at the Dam in Whitehaven as well as to modify releases to preserve more water later in the year. The dam is currently managed for flood control and recreational releases for whitewater rafting. His presentation covered the Lehigh itself with a good deal of information on river access points, fishing opportunities as well as the work they are conducting to make the Lehigh a better trout fishery for all to enjoy.

Joe also covered some great information on the fingerling stockings taking place by the commission in the last several years. The last sample showed that fingerling trout attained a growth rate of almost 9 inches in one year after stocking. Some of the photos of the fish posted were eye opening indeed.

According to the studies conducted, another 10 feet of water storage in the reservoir coupled with a 2 week delay in the beginning of releases early in the season would result in enough cold water to last through the summer season. This would be a terrific boon to the local economy and to flyfisherman in general if it could happen. Below is a link to the Lehigh Coldwater Fisheries Alliance (LCFA). They have a lot of great information on what is happening with the river. One item in particular is the upcoming meeting Feb 1st on the new flow plan.

http://thelehighriver.org/

 

[steeliejim902]

Screw the flyfishermen!:give-the-finger:

 

[MACFLY]

Screw the flyfishermen!:give-the-finger:

I think you are on the wrong site:looser:

 

[coolkyle]

People who live in that area should take a drive up to Roscoe and see what fly fishing can do for a local economy.

 

[MACFLY]

People who live in that area should take a drive up to Roscoe and see what fly fishing can do for a local economy.

Yeah I hear you Kyle. Watching the presentation it appears there are some significant numbers of trout in the river with very good growth rates. There are also no less than 8 tribs that can provide cool water and a thermal refuge. If they can keep the river cool enough there could be another option to consider.

 

[flyI4]

I wanted to see this presentation but missed it. Ive only wade fished over there ,but loved it and caught some beautiful fish my only issue with the place was I couldnt find a fly shop around the area to get some info on drift boat launches, stream info, ect. Is there a quality fly shop in the area?

 

[MACFLY]

I wanted to see this presentation but missed it. Ive only wade fished over there ,but loved it and caught some beautiful fish my only issue with the place was I couldnt find a fly shop around the area to get some info on drift boat launches, stream info, ect. Is there a quality fly shop in the area?

The guy that gave the presentation runs this shop and guide service. I have not fished with him so I cant comment on the quality but he gave a decent presentation and was obviously passionate about the river. The shop used to be called wilderness trekker but has since been changed to rivers flyfishing

Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Shop and Guide Service - Rivers is Your PA Fly Shop

 

[LehighRegular]

If anyone is interested we (LCFA) will be at the Philly FF Show in March. ANother presentation will be given but slightly different. More geared towards what is going on with the river and what should be done to improve releases for trout survival. Access will be discussed, bugs and fish porn will be shown too.

 

[MACFLY]

If anyone is interested we (LCFA) will be at the Philly FF Show in March. ANother presentation will be given but slightly different. More geared towards what is going on with the river and what should be done to improve releases for trout survival. Access will be discussed, bugs and fish porn will be shown too.

Thanks Lehigh

That was a similar presentation that Joe gave. It was less pure fishing and more about whats happening with the river. Hopefully you can get the water storage and release scheduel you are looking for. I have only fished the Lehigh a couple of times but want to do more exploring this year. Good Luck!!!

 

[LehighRegular]

The Philly show presentation will be a little more techy with regard to the Study that is ongoing. Hopefully we can share some stuff on the model runs, etc.

Glad you liked Joe's presentation.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

I got to see the presentation on the Lehigh at a Forks Of The Delaware TU meeting and it certainly was an eye opener and a very good presentation. The Trout population is growing there and with a little tlc it will become a destination trout fishery.

 

[jamiep]

Great article macfly. It does bring a very interesting debate to the table with regards to kyles point. Its amazing what fishing can do for a town. I hope they can figure it out and get it right.

 

[MACFLY]

Great article macfly. It does bring a very interesting debate to the table with regards to kyles point. Its amazing what fishing can do for a town. I hope they can figure it out and get it right.

Lets hope they get the water. The presenter mentioned a study done by Charlie Meck that indicated the amount of revenue flyfishing can bring to an area. It was a staggering amount so not sure how accurate it was. I hiked down into the gorge one spring day with may Lab in tow. Water was up a bit but there were a good number of fish rising within 10-20ft. Looked like a late Hendrickson hatch and I caught 6 before I had to hike out of there. My Lab kept jumping in and getting pushed downstream by the current

 

[coolkyle]

...the amount of revenue flyfishing can bring to an area. It was a staggering amount so not sure how accurate it was.

Trust me, you yuppie East Coast fucks bring revenue.

 

[MACFLY]

Trust me, you yuppie East Coast fucks bring revenue.

Hey I am no Yuppie:crap:

 

[Trouser Trout]

Hey I am no Yuppie:crap:

Does Pennsyltucky have any yuppies?

 

[MACFLY]

Does Pennsyltucky have any yuppies?

Only in Rittenhouse Square

 

[flyI4]

---------- Post added at 09:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 PM ----------

Trust me, you yuppie East Coast fucks bring revenue.

... Dont hate cause we get that cake

 

[coolkyle]

Macfly, I heard you were one of those $2000 stroller-pushing, man purse-wearin "Orvis Helios" guys. Maybe I'm wrong. Does PA border KY?

 

[MACFLY]

Macfly, I heard you were one of those $2000 stroller-pushing, man purse-wearin "Orvis Helios" guys. Maybe I'm wrong. Does PA border KY?

Its not a man purse its a messenger bag you heathin....listen If I have to explain Geography to you than we should just stop right here

 

[Trouser Trout]

Its not a man purse its a messenger bag you heathin....listen If I have to explain Geography to you than we should just stop right here

No it's a fag bag, and I'll bet yours is stunning..

 

[MACFLY]

No it's a fag bag, and I'll bet yours is stunning..

This coming from the little girl that cries at a musical..and yes it is stunning.. I had it bejeweled and everything

 

[Trouser Trout]

This coming from the little girl that cries at a musical..and yes it is stunning.. I had it bejeweled and everything

When sporting your bag, you would be acting more "dejeweled", regardless how bejeweled it may be. And the term bejeweled reminds me of the song, "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" from the play "Pal Joey". I cried at the end of that one as well.

 

[Crystal.Bugger]

Hello all. This is my first post. I hate to drag it back on topic, but the Lehigh has intrigued me, and I've been exploring it more over the last few years. I couldn't help but chime in.

I don't carry my camera often (or I often forget to take it out when I do :crap, but below are some photos from one of my outings last season in the gorge section. The photos really don't do this place justice. There were plenty of rising fish -- and surprisingly only a couple of others fishing. Water temp was still good at this point in the season. Definitely have to keep an eye on that as you get deeper into the season.

I'm eager to start scouting and fishing it more this year. I've had good luck finding strong hatches - hendricksons, olives, caddis, sulphurs, isos. So I can vouch for the fellow earlier in this thread that said he did well. He described what I've found to be a pretty typical outing. I've been exploring on foot, primarily from access points in the gorge area taking advantage of the easy foot or bike accessibility. I've talked with guys who have been floating below the gorge section with good success. Haven't seen many float the gorge, but imagine that would be a great way to go if you know how to handle your oars. I don't float so have only fished the immediate vicinity of the major access points down river from the gorge. I need to get a better handle on that water -- for that matter, the gorge section too since there's so much water to explore -- but I've done well there too. I'm sure I'll be hitting the river soon. I'll try to post some more photos when I do.

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[browntrout27]

The guy that gave the presentation runs this shop and guide service. I have not fished with him so I cant comment on the quality but he gave a decent presentation and was obviously passionate about the river. The shop used to be called wilderness trekker but has since been changed to rivers flyfishing

Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Shop and Guide Service - Rivers is Your PA Fly Shop

I have floated the Lehigh for a few years running with Joe and his guides. My next trip is scheduled for end of May. Very professional, knows the river, puts you on fish, and a great all around guy. I would definitely recommend him.