Cross Fork, Potter County, 9/5/11
- Thread starter Twofly
- Start date
The_Sasquatch
Well-known member
Replied, Jack. I probably should have clarified that "in that area" means "in the same county". Its about 35 miles from Cross Fork. I never notice the drive 'cause when I'm up there, what's a 35 mile drive!? I'm more than willing to help make this happen though, and am willing to reserve the camp!
The other option would be to camp at some place like Ole Bull State Park. Its a REALLY nice park w/ great facilities right along the Kettle Creek. 8 miles from Cross Fork. VERY affordable too, if memory serves me correct.
The other option would be to camp at some place like Ole Bull State Park. Its a REALLY nice park w/ great facilities right along the Kettle Creek. 8 miles from Cross Fork. VERY affordable too, if memory serves me correct.
jpittman80
Member
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2009
- Messages
- 82
I have said this before I have a place in Cross Fork on the Kettle I'm up about every other weekend I would love to help in any way I can.
Justin
Justin
The_Sasquatch
Well-known member
yo! Awesome! You got any info on QG hatches?
Hi, I am a beginner fly angler and I spent this weekend fishing Cross Fork, Kettle Creek, and some other small streams in the area. Actually a better description of what I did is hiking up the middle of a stream while waving a stick around in the air, since I didn't catch anything the whole time. Temp in Cross Fork at midday was around 61 and Kettle Creek was mid 60's. Those fish must have seen me coming a mile away in spite of my best efforts at being sneaky. That whole area is beautiful and I had a great time but would have had a better time if I caught a few.
Brent
Brent
The_Sasquatch
Well-known member
Part of the problem is you hiked up the middle of the stream! You gots to hide in the brush.
I'm really excited about this. I LOVE that area. I cut my teeth fly fishing there, and I've been going up there as long as I could walk.
As per lodging, my vote goes to either Ole Bull State Park or Justin's camp, simply 'cause of distance to Cross Fork. My offer, however, still stands. Just know we'll be doin' some driving.
Concerning the issue of finding reliable info about teh QG hatch, would Phil over at the Kettle Creek Tackle Shop be able to offer us reliable info on this? I always enjoy that store and talking to Phil, but I never went to him w/ specifics about a hatch and timing, etc.
I'm really excited about this. I LOVE that area. I cut my teeth fly fishing there, and I've been going up there as long as I could walk.
As per lodging, my vote goes to either Ole Bull State Park or Justin's camp, simply 'cause of distance to Cross Fork. My offer, however, still stands. Just know we'll be doin' some driving.
Concerning the issue of finding reliable info about teh QG hatch, would Phil over at the Kettle Creek Tackle Shop be able to offer us reliable info on this? I always enjoy that store and talking to Phil, but I never went to him w/ specifics about a hatch and timing, etc.
gutcutter
Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2010
- Messages
- 427
Ole Bull State Park is pretty much packed during QG time.
I make my reservation for 2 sites in January each year for the last weekend of April (Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat) and rarely can I get two sites next to each other, I'm talking camper sites, not tent sites.
I know that it is worse (tougher to get sites) around opening day.
I make my reservation for 2 sites in January each year for the last weekend of April (Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat) and rarely can I get two sites next to each other, I'm talking camper sites, not tent sites.
I know that it is worse (tougher to get sites) around opening day.
pcray1231
Well-known member
Just a heads up, Cherry Springs isn't that far north of there, we're talking 15 minutes between the two. It's a star gazers "dark sky" park, but the campground part is separate from the observing field. And so long as your careful to avoid the 2 star parties per year, there's almost always lots of sites available.
It's also a better location IMO. You still got the Kettle watershed close, but you're also better situated for the 1st Fork/East Fork, upper Allegheny, and W. Br. Pine drainages. It's right on the high point that separates those drainages, like a quadruple divide in the heart of Potter County trout country.
Might not be the best place to hold a large get together. But if sites fill up its a fine overflow alternate.
It's also a better location IMO. You still got the Kettle watershed close, but you're also better situated for the 1st Fork/East Fork, upper Allegheny, and W. Br. Pine drainages. It's right on the high point that separates those drainages, like a quadruple divide in the heart of Potter County trout country.
Might not be the best place to hold a large get together. But if sites fill up its a fine overflow alternate.
The_Sasquatch
Well-known member
No! You can't attend!
No, seriously. The more the merrier, right? Come on over!
Pat, great idea about Cherry Springs. Great campground, less packed. My camp is in Potato City and I'm still open to using it; if the distance isn't too bad for people.
No, seriously. The more the merrier, right? Come on over!
Pat, great idea about Cherry Springs. Great campground, less packed. My camp is in Potato City and I'm still open to using it; if the distance isn't too bad for people.
The_Sasquatch
Well-known member
Yeah I agree. Just trying to build a selection of possibilities.
I love the idea of Cherry Spring though. Really nice area.
I love the idea of Cherry Spring though. Really nice area.
pcray1231
Well-known member
It's been a while since I've camped at Cherry Springs, but I used to do it often. So forgive me, something may have changed. But while none of this is a major hassle, there were some special considerations as it's not your typical state park. Here's some of what I remember.
1. Campsites are NOT reservable. First come, first served. That said, miss the major weekends (see below) and it's not crowded, lots of times I was the only one there.
2. It is tents only. No trailers or RV sites here.
There are 3 major events every year, and the place gets PACKED, we're talking thousands, it looks like the lots outside a PSU game. 2 star parties (cherry springs star party, and black forest star party), and the woodsmen's show. The woodsmen's show is in August. One of the star parties is in the fall, one in the spring, I think. Both always fall on a new moon weekend. So look up the dates of those and make sure to avoid em, and if the dates aren't posted yet, look at a moon chart and if you avoid new moons, all is well.
The campgrounds are across the road from the observing field, adjacent to the landing strip for the airport. On the observing field, no white lights. In the campground, they allow fires and lanterns and such. However, you're still not far from the observing field. So just to keep the peace, better to not run one of those super bright lanterns all night or something.
The bathrooms are on the observing field side of the road. So at night, either get a red filter for your flashlight or turn it off as you get close (there are red area lights around the restrooms). And if you drive in after dark, just make sure not to point the headlights towards the observing field. If I came back after dark, I think I just parked in a lot at the edge of the park and walked back to the site to avoid the disruption of my headlights. It wasn't that far, a hundred yards or something.
It is ideally situated for fishermen if you value having a lot of options. Kind of like the Jam was this year. It's not right next to anything, but it is centrally located so that in 15-30 minutes, you have a TON of options.
1. Campsites are NOT reservable. First come, first served. That said, miss the major weekends (see below) and it's not crowded, lots of times I was the only one there.
2. It is tents only. No trailers or RV sites here.
There are 3 major events every year, and the place gets PACKED, we're talking thousands, it looks like the lots outside a PSU game. 2 star parties (cherry springs star party, and black forest star party), and the woodsmen's show. The woodsmen's show is in August. One of the star parties is in the fall, one in the spring, I think. Both always fall on a new moon weekend. So look up the dates of those and make sure to avoid em, and if the dates aren't posted yet, look at a moon chart and if you avoid new moons, all is well.
The campgrounds are across the road from the observing field, adjacent to the landing strip for the airport. On the observing field, no white lights. In the campground, they allow fires and lanterns and such. However, you're still not far from the observing field. So just to keep the peace, better to not run one of those super bright lanterns all night or something.
The bathrooms are on the observing field side of the road. So at night, either get a red filter for your flashlight or turn it off as you get close (there are red area lights around the restrooms). And if you drive in after dark, just make sure not to point the headlights towards the observing field. If I came back after dark, I think I just parked in a lot at the edge of the park and walked back to the site to avoid the disruption of my headlights. It wasn't that far, a hundred yards or something.
It is ideally situated for fishermen if you value having a lot of options. Kind of like the Jam was this year. It's not right next to anything, but it is centrally located so that in 15-30 minutes, you have a TON of options.
The_Sasquatch
Well-known member
And if there's nothing at Cherry Spring, my cabin is right at the top center of that map, along rt 6. Maybe I'll make a 4 day weekend out of it and I can help snag some campsites on Friday or whatever.
Lots of time to plan this out. Worst case scenario: We meet at Cherry Spring, they don't have the room, we move it to my camp.
Lots of time to plan this out. Worst case scenario: We meet at Cherry Spring, they don't have the room, we move it to my camp.
pcray1231
Well-known member
To belabor Jack's point, see below. By the way, can't tell from this map, but it is at a 4 way. Obviously it's on route 44 which can take you up to route 6 and the Allegheny, or down to Kettle. But there is the E. Fork road which follows the E. Fork to 872, and the W. Br. Road which follows the W. Branch towards Galeton. There's also a road that gets you to 872 farther up the 1st Fork, where the Y is there.
