The Water
| The limestone streams of central Pennsylvania
offer some the best trout fishing in the eastern US.
Streams are the shapers of the Appalachians,
little by little they move the mountains and they do it in the spring at
high water. |
 |
One of the best known streams in the area is
Spruce Creek. Other well known streams include Spring Creek, Penn's Creek,
Big Fishing Creek, Elk, and Pine Creek. The Little Juniata River,
"The Little J" can also be very kind.
These streams define the local fishing scene.
Although they are all limestoners each of them has something unique to
offer. Spruce Creek is well known for big fat fish and exclusive access.
While Penn's Creek is renowned for a monster Green Drake hatch in early
summer.
There are 117 miles of Class A trout water in
Centre county. Class A trout waters are parts of streams that
sustain populations of naturally reproducing trout. Class
A waters are not stocked.
Spring Creek is noted for its highly productive
waters and historic chemical pollution. In February 2002 the fish consumption
warning was lifted on Spring Creek and the urban tributary Slab Cabin Run.
The this will no doubt effect future harvest rules that will impact the
trout population but to what extent remains to be seen. In the past one
could not approach the stream without running into warning posters.
The posters explained that the fish contained dangerous levels of PCB and
Lead and should not be eaten. Pesticides Myrex and Kepone were also said
to be lurking at threatening levels. The fish consumption warning has been
in effect since 1981 and surly has played a part in shaping harvest policies
for Spring Creek. Under 2002 regulations individuals are allowed
to take fish from certain areas of the stream. The State's advice
is to limit consumption to one meal of fish per month if you are not pregnant
or a child under 75 pounds. I am going to keep letting them go and I urge
you to do the same.
The Hatches
When the spring hatches start up. Wow!
Get the right bug ( tie
it or buy it ) and get in the water!
The Grannom
caddis hatch is a sure winner. The trout are hungary and the fly is
easy to tie.
All the major hatches in this area will yield
great fishing. It's all a matter of how you go about working the hatch.
The trout are selective. They are used to being fished. The good thing
is that there are a lot of them. They're smart but there is usually one
or two dullards that will keep the average bear happy.
The Local Flavor
Opening day around here is a circus. People
are usually camped out along the streams the night before and the whole
family usually shows up. This is a true spectacle, it's like this on opening
weekend and usually the following weekend as well. When the siege subsides
the water opens up for worry free riffle to riffle wadding. However, the
well known hot spots are usually well occupied during any hatch.
There is a rather noticeable chasm between the
fishing folk in central PA. The folks who use bait are on one side
and the folks who use flies are on the other side. Each side despises
the other and are surprisingly vocal about it. For example, if you are
down on the water and you run into a couple of crank baiters and you have
a fly rod you might think about walking the other way because they might
just let you know what they think of snobs on their water. I guess
its a pride thing. There is a difference between being a fly fisher
and being a successful fisher and the difference involves bait or so I
have been notified.
Curt Miller Can't Fish
This bitter insult adorns the wall of the men's
restroom at a local bar.
You know that there is a strong fishing culture
here, cause thems fightin' words.
Books on PA Fly fishing
Trout Streams of Pennsylvania:
An Anglers Guide by Dwight Landis
Flyfisher's Guide To Pennsylvania
(Flyfisher's Guide Series) by Dave Wolf
Trout Unlimited's Guide to Pennsylvania
Limestone Streams by A. Joseph Armstrong
Mid-Atlantic Trout Streams and
Their Hatches by Charles R. Meck, et al
Penn's Creek River Journal by
Daniel Shields
