I agree with Alpa that the Lehigh is not world class, for several reasons..... at least not yet. The biggest reason is the absence of a significant population of large wild trout. Wild trout are the key to making any fishery be considered a "blue ribbon" or "world class" fishery. I might even consider fingerling grown ups as getting close.
Unfortunately at the moment, the Lehigh needs to be sustained by stocking. If it weren't for the LRSA's stocking policies (and now the PFBC is finally jumping on board too) there would be a very limited fishery. And all the work going on with the Army Corps, PFBC and DCNR to improve this fishery, would be futile or even possible with out anglers coming to fish this river.
Alpa, there are a few picky fish in this river. But agree, the vast majority aren't that picky. Definitely not like Upper D standards. There might be other reasons the Lehigh's fish aren't picky either, besideds being stockies. Stockies can get picky too after they have been in the river a while. Regardless, this makes the river very enjoyable for many angling skill levels. However, I don't consider catching trout as the goal of my outting....they are just the bonus. I feel fly fishing has a lot more to it than that.
Well hopefully everything goes well for you guys.
