From English Chalk Streams to PA Trout Streams. A struggling angler Looking for Advice!

[CotswoldChalkstreamer]

Note: This is kind of a longer more detailed version of my introduction post as I didn’t want to go into full detail there. Apologies if it’s in the wrong forum. Let me know if there’s a better section!


Hello guys,


I’m a UK and US citizen who’s spent my life going back between the two countries. I moved back to PA in September after two years in the UK, where i learned to fly fish on the Cotswolds chalk streams, mainly the Frome and Coln.

They’re small, clear, easily waded rivers with slower pools and obvious holding water. Many have upstream dry fly only rules and little public access. I’ve mostly fished dries and nymphs, with almost no streamer experience due to restrictions, although I prefer them anyway.

My parents live in Monroe County, so I spend weekends exploring nearby trout streams. I was excited about PA’s public access and bigger rivers, but I’ve struggled since returning.


Around Hickory Run, the small tannic streams leave me wondering where fish hold. Meanwhile, sections of the Brodhead and Bushkill have been too fast and difficult to wade.


I’m feeling like Goldilocks. The big water’s too big, the small water’s too small, and I can’t seem to find anything familiar!


After an unsuccessful Bushkill trip, I donated for a Resica Falls fishing pass to try further upstream. The receipt said my pass would follow, but nothing arrived, and multiple emails to the listed ranger have gone unanswered.


I’ve bought PA fishing books and spent nights researching, yet often end up back at the one creek where I’ve caught fish. Across five or six full-day outings, I’ve caught one wild brown and eight or nine stocked or holdover rainbows. Still no wild brook trout, despite several trips targeting them. I’d expected my experience with tricky English browns to translate better!


I’d appreciate advice on adapting chalk stream tactics and finding smaller, clear, slower to medium-flowing water around Monroe County, especially for wild brook trout.


My blue-lining attempts have led to inaccessible or practically unfishable streams. I’m used to England’s permission and day-ticket system, so figuring out legal access here is another challenge.


I’m not asking anyone to spot burn their favourite spots (although I wouldn’t be complaining if someone privately messaged me their secret spot where they regularly catch trophy brook trout!), but advice beyond “check the Class A list” or “go blue lining” would help.


How do you guys go about finding good, accessible trout water and identifying where fish might hold? I’ve tried books, apps and online maps, but I’m finding it hard to know how reliable some of the information is, especially when books might be outdated or don’t account for fish kills and changes in trout populations. Where do you go for more up-to-date, local knowledge? I’ve visited a couple of fly shops, but are there any other places to meet local anglers, ask questions in person or get advice on waters worth exploring? I’m still figuring out how to go about asking these questions without expecting people to give away their spots.


Thanks everyone, and tight lines!

 

[jifigz]

Look at that Natural Reproduction or Class A lists, find areas on public land, and go check them out. Or, check the stocking reports. That will be fishable water, and a lot of stocked streams are also wild trout streams.

Figuring out where trout hold isn't too hard. Look for current breaks, riffles, pools, some depth, etc. Just go fish. You'll figure it out.

Watch out for redds this time of year.

Edit: sorry. I didn't read your whole post. I see you said you wanted more than "check the class A list." PA has lots of water. Just go exploring. Set aside time, and taylor your expectations to the conditions. Right now, creeks are LOW!

 

[CinnamonJoe]

So, one thing to consider-

Hire a respected, knowledgeable guide specializing in what you're after to show you the ropes, get you on different waters. Not cheap, but a few sessions would undoubtedly help you crack the code.

Almost 20 yrs ago, I wanted to get into 'conventional' musky fishing. I read and watched everything I could on the topic, but still could not quite pull it off such that I felt I was making any headway. I finally broke down and hired a guide for a full day, and that was just what I needed. While we did not catch any monsters that day, we caught a few, and had lots of thrilling follows. Not long after that, I caught my 1st musky solo.

Another thing to keep in mind, this can be a tougher time of the year for this game. The learning curve can be steeper as fish are becoming sluggish in soon to be winter chilled waters, with less predictable insect activity. I do best from about now, til March, with a team of wets fished downstream and across in what might be called 'the traditional manner', or stripping a streamer through deep holes.

Joe

 

[ROVERT]

I've stood on a bridge in Bibury and watched trout in the Coln but have never fished it. Despite having spent lots of time in England, I've never done any trout fishing there.

One thing that comes to mind is that the trout you encounter blue lining are spooky. They can often be easily caught if they don't see you. If they see you, though, it's game over.

I fish the CV limestoners a bit. They'll be the closest thing we have to chalk streams. Those trout are spooky, too, but I'd say the blue line trout are spookier. Your presentation has to be from directly downstream in most instances.

I'm not sure I've ever fished in Monroe county so I can't give any specific advice but there is a lot of trout water in that area. @Kms has a good map. You can also use the PFBC's interactive trout map or try Trout Routes. Access is pretty easy to find in this state.

One thing to keep in mind is that we have lots of trout in PA but the wild fish are not push overs. There seems to be a general consensus with anglers from other areas, especially out west, that if you can consistently catch trout here you can do it anywhere trout call home.

You'll get it figured out. Don't let the learning curve get you down. When in doubt, high stick some heavily weighted nymphs deep in the pocket water. It's my least favorite way to fish but the best way to put fish in the net.

 

[TimMurphy]

Dear CotswoldChalkstreamer,

First and foremost, if your trips have been within the last few weeks there are several things that easily limit success. Those being low water, and the movement of trout into spawning mode.

Perspective is important. If you dropped me on the Coln River in England and said, "have at it, lad," I'd likely be clueless and frustrated.

There aren't many long flat pool sections in Pocono streams like you have in the UK. You need to look for depth changes and current seams to find deeper pockets where the fish are holding. Current breaks are important and you can see them by following foam lines. Fish hold adjacent to larger rocks or wood debris in the stream. Sight fishing in the Pocono streams is not common unless the fish are actively engaging in eating mayflies or caddis flies. You need to just nymph fish the holding lies much of the time.

You'll figure it out, I'm sure. Just be patient and fish methodically and things will come together.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[Millsertime]

In between streams in that area that'd I recommend are Pohopoco below beltzville dam, mcmichaels, lackawanna, and the lehigh (below dam) flows are very nice right now. They were even nicer before recent rain.