Suggestions please

[sstasiak]

Hey guys

I'm finally able to get out this weekend for something other than the local small WTS thing and I'm hoping someone can give me some good suggestions on where to go. I'd like to check out some new water, maybe in PA. I'd like to keep the drive up to an hour and a half each way....coming from the meadowlands area. Here's what I've been looking at:

Lackawanna River
Lackawaxen River
Hickory Run
Mud Run
Brodhead Creek

Are any of these within the hour and a half drive time?

 

[dcabarle]

Hey guys

I'm finally able to get out this weekend for something other than the local small WTS thing and I'm hoping someone can give me some good suggestions on where to go. I'd like to check out some new water, maybe in PA. I'd like to keep the drive up to an hour and a half each way....coming from the meadowlands area. Here's what I've been looking at:

Lackawanna River
Lackawaxen River
Hickory Run
Mud Run
Brodhead Creek

Are any of these within the hour and a half drive time?

How about the Farmington. That's probably 2hrs but what's a 1/2 an hour.

 

[JeffK]

The Housatonic is 30 minutes closer than the Farmington and it should be OK temps by now and I like it better than the Farmington. Houstatonic is bigger, more scenic and less crowded, but the Farmington is a tailwater with more reliable cold water.

The Brodhead is just past the Delaware Water Gap bridge.

The Hickory Run State park streams are about 30 minutes west on 80 from the Water Gap.

The Lackawanna is about 50 minutes from the Water Gap north via 380.

The Lackawaxen is 30 minutes past Port Jervis - I'm not sure how you would get there.

 

[Fly Tier]

How about the Farmington. That's probably 2hrs but what's a 1/2 an hour.

The farmingtonquot....
very reliable, lots of fish. Fish very tiny flies. 24+ and up

 

[JW1970]

Lackawanna River - running EXTREMELY low and conditions aren't so good. Probably out of your travel distance range too.

Lackawaxen River - could be interesting. Check to make sure PPL isn't planning releases though or you'll be sol with high water. Definitely the biggest water of what you've listed. Might be pushing your travel distance range.

Hickory Run/Mud Run/Lehigh River - of the choices, these would be my choice. You can hit all three in the same general area. I'd actually check out the Lehigh in that area first (especially if you want big water). Look for tricos in the AM and isos later in the day. Caddis or olives could appear as well. Hickory Run, Hayes Creek and Mud Run would be fun small streams if you want to hike around a bit. Be prepared for midges amongst other things there. Check to see if they are planning whitewater releases from FEW. That might put a damper on fishing the Lehigh.

Brodhead Creek - been spotty but might be worth a shot anywhere from Analomink down to Rt. 80. Another option in the Brodhead area is the McMichaels. Most of it is private though so probably the best bet is the DHA section. Both are well within your travel range.

All-in-all just like NY, northeastern PA has been fishing slow all summer. I'd bet you'd do better fishing your WTS streams in NJ, especially with temps finally cooling down.

 

[JeffK]

Just looked it up - Whitewater Releases for the Lehigh are 9/16-17 and 9/30-10/1. This weekend looks tough.

Another trip might be to the Lehigh Valley limestoners - can hit the Saucon (closest one to NJ on 78), Little Lehigh, Cedar, Monocacy, and Bushkill (closest to NJ on Rte 22) in a big loop.

 

[AKSkim]

There is a little known creek called; POHOPOCO CREEK.

It is a tail water that holds some nice brook trout. If you go there at this time of year you just may have the place to yourself.

If I was heading in that direction, that is the first stop I would make.

Good luck.

As always, looking for good small creeks that hold small brook trout.

AK Skim

 

[sstasiak]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I decided on fishing in Hickory Run State Park. I've been thinking about fishing it since the spring, and it gives me a few different options to fish while there.

 

[JeffK]

Hickory Run Area is a good pick. The Lehigh is still an option even with the boaters. They all put in at White Haven, so from FEW Dam to White Haven will be less crowded. The water will be ripping though (usually around 1000 cfs). I used to be a big white water guy and I would always catch a few at White Haven waiting for others to set the shuttle, so they do bite in the high water. So if you feel like a little big water between the small creeks, the Lehigh will be nearby.

The Pohopoco isn't all that far from Hickory Run either if you need a tailwater for variety. The big pool at its mouth can hold some good fish.

Don't forget to bring small bead head pheasant tails. It is BWO season and the nymphs commonly work better than the dries.

 

[sstasiak]

Hickory Run Area is a good pick. The Lehigh is still an option even with the boaters. They all put in at White Haven, so from FEW Dam to White Haven will be less crowded. The water will be ripping though (usually around 1000 cfs). I used to be a big white water guy and I would always catch a few at White Haven waiting for others to set the shuttle, so they do bite in the high water. So if you feel like a little big water between the small creeks, the Lehigh will be nearby.

The Pohopoco isn't all that far from Hickory Run either if you need a tailwater for variety. The big pool at its mouth can hold some good fish.

Don't forget to bring small bead head pheasant tails. It is BWO season and the nymphs commonly work better than the dries.

Thanks Jeff

I'll be sure to bring plenty of nymphs. My plan was to work terrestrials since I've had great luck with them on the local WTS's. Maybe I'll throw a dropper on.

Where is the Pohopoco....can't find too much info on it.

 

[JW1970]

ESPN Outdoors - PENNSYLVANIA (May 2004): Tackle brushy section for good Pohopoco trout fishing

Pennsylvania State Parks - Beltzville - PA DCNR

The tailwater is below Beltzville Lake. That's where you're most likely interested in fishing. The stream above the lake is primarily private and posted.

 

[sstasiak]

ESPN Outdoors - PENNSYLVANIA (May 2004): Tackle brushy section for good Pohopoco trout fishing

Pennsylvania State Parks - Beltzville - PA DCNR

The tailwater is below Beltzville Lake. That's where you're most likely interested in fishing. The stream above the lake is primarily private and posted.

Hey JW

Sorry about the "groan"....I clicked the wrong button on accident. In the ESPN article there's a sentence that says "The stream is in private hands, but I've been able to attain permission with a polite request. "

Does this mean the entire stretch of class A water is private? It doesn't specify which section is private.

 

[JeffK]

The Pohopoco is in the Lehighton area - it goes from Beltzville Dam for a few miles until it hits the Lehigh in Parryville and is a tailwater that is part of the same water supply network as the upper Delaware system. From Hickory Run, head to Jim Thorpe and then go to Lehighton and cross the Lehigh. Then get a map and sort of follow it for the Pohopoco - it is sort of confusing in the area since the major roads and local roads cross in funny ways. Easier to find spots are near the dam. Just downstream from where it crosses Rte 248 there is a hole at the mouth where larger fish can cruise in from the Lehigh when it gets warm.

 

[Andre]

I was at hickory run last week and water was very low, not many fish around. If it rains tonight might help. Lehigh at the route 80 bridge is a good choice after they shut the water down. If it were me I would hit Toms Creek and Little Bushkill both off of 209 as they have more water as of last week and Toms creek is just plain beautiful with big wild fish.

 

[Scott]

Hey JW

Sorry about the "groan"....I clicked the wrong button on accident. In the ESPN article there's a sentence that says "The stream is in private hands, but I've been able to attain permission with a polite request. "

Does this mean the entire stretch of class A water is private? It doesn't specify which section is private.

There is a link that appears to "remove thanks" after thanks are given. I can only assume there is a "remove groan" link as well. If not, I'm sure Dennis can help if you ask.