wgmiller
Well-known member
This is a report in response to this thread regarding fishing the Lehigh around White Haven.
I arrived on Friday and scouted out various locations to fish the river. The conditions were sunny and the water temp checked 58 F. I was monitoring the flows closely as I knew that would be a big factor in wading the river. The last report I checked showed the stream gauge below the dam reading in the area of 500 cfs, so I gave wading a shot.
What I found was a formidable river compared to the small limestone creek I'm used to fishing. The current was strong and wading was treacherous in many areas with slippery rocks. The access I found around the Tannery Road bridge was limited and I just didn't feel safe attempting to wade the river. I did see and speak with some other fly fishermen and they too were not having much luck in their efforts to 'get on some fish'.
This is a beautiful river that is 'filthy' with fish. I could see rising fish all over the place, but the issue was getting to them. The bulk of the fish seemed to be in the center channel of the river and short of a watercraft, reaching them was virtually impossible. I did see one drift boat with guys fly fishing and that appeared like the best way to tackle the river.
So in speaking with a few of the fly fishermen, they recommended Hickory Run SP which was just across the bridge from where I was staying. So I headed over and found a map of the park. I chose to fish Black Creek which is the first run as you enter the park from the west along Rt. 534. I knew nothing about this run other than the fact it was a freestoner that more than likely held brookies.
I fished for a bit on Friday and more in depth on Saturday. I checked the temp and it too was reading right around 57/58 F. I didn't see any rising fish and very minimal bug activity. The flow was strong and on Saturday the winds were whipping high above the park. We fished up to the confluence of Black Creek and Fourth Run and it was a beautiful hike. I didn't realize that Hickory Run SP had an 'active' black bear population, but did see several rock outcroppings that could have easily doubled as dens. :-o
As far as fish go, we got on a couple but I can't say we had one of those 'fifty fish' brookie days. The largest one I landed was a solid 11-12" by the tape markings on my rod. Quite honestly, of the other ones I tangled with, they all were long and slender like this. I also wasn't practicing extreme stealth fishing as this was my first venture wild brookie fishing. Sal, we need to hook up! :lol:
FWIW, the best access I found to the Lehigh in the Tannery area is where Black Creek dumps in. There are some old train bridge pilings at the river and this is probably the best wading spot. I saw a number of fishermen in this area on Friday, but unfortunately when I returned on Saturday, the wind was too much for my novice fly casting skills.
The Lehigh looking south from the Tannery Road bridge
Black Creek
Black Creek
Black Creek brookie
[color=FF3300]* Post edited due to incorrect stream name entered*[/color]
I arrived on Friday and scouted out various locations to fish the river. The conditions were sunny and the water temp checked 58 F. I was monitoring the flows closely as I knew that would be a big factor in wading the river. The last report I checked showed the stream gauge below the dam reading in the area of 500 cfs, so I gave wading a shot.
What I found was a formidable river compared to the small limestone creek I'm used to fishing. The current was strong and wading was treacherous in many areas with slippery rocks. The access I found around the Tannery Road bridge was limited and I just didn't feel safe attempting to wade the river. I did see and speak with some other fly fishermen and they too were not having much luck in their efforts to 'get on some fish'.
This is a beautiful river that is 'filthy' with fish. I could see rising fish all over the place, but the issue was getting to them. The bulk of the fish seemed to be in the center channel of the river and short of a watercraft, reaching them was virtually impossible. I did see one drift boat with guys fly fishing and that appeared like the best way to tackle the river.
So in speaking with a few of the fly fishermen, they recommended Hickory Run SP which was just across the bridge from where I was staying. So I headed over and found a map of the park. I chose to fish Black Creek which is the first run as you enter the park from the west along Rt. 534. I knew nothing about this run other than the fact it was a freestoner that more than likely held brookies.
I fished for a bit on Friday and more in depth on Saturday. I checked the temp and it too was reading right around 57/58 F. I didn't see any rising fish and very minimal bug activity. The flow was strong and on Saturday the winds were whipping high above the park. We fished up to the confluence of Black Creek and Fourth Run and it was a beautiful hike. I didn't realize that Hickory Run SP had an 'active' black bear population, but did see several rock outcroppings that could have easily doubled as dens. :-o
As far as fish go, we got on a couple but I can't say we had one of those 'fifty fish' brookie days. The largest one I landed was a solid 11-12" by the tape markings on my rod. Quite honestly, of the other ones I tangled with, they all were long and slender like this. I also wasn't practicing extreme stealth fishing as this was my first venture wild brookie fishing. Sal, we need to hook up! :lol:
FWIW, the best access I found to the Lehigh in the Tannery area is where Black Creek dumps in. There are some old train bridge pilings at the river and this is probably the best wading spot. I saw a number of fishermen in this area on Friday, but unfortunately when I returned on Saturday, the wind was too much for my novice fly casting skills.
The Lehigh looking south from the Tannery Road bridge
Black Creek
Black Creek
Black Creek brookie
[color=FF3300]* Post edited due to incorrect stream name entered*[/color]
