CotswoldChalkstreamer
New member
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!
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!
