Lehigh River, Carbon County, 11/17/2017

[Nymph-wristed]

Gauge at Lehighton 2.55 (wade-able)
Water temp 44-45 mid-day (cold)
Sunny, windy (high gusts), mid 40's
Hatches – midges, a few #18 bwo’s

I fished about 10 AM to 2 PM on Friday in all that wind. Water looked great, a slight stain. I was rigged to throw a streamer, but with the cold front conditions, I made two casts and then switched to small nymphs under an indicator in order to manage my line in the wind. I found 3 bows, including a 17 incher that escaped his photo shoot when I stumbled on the VERY slippery round rocks (even with serious spikes—leaf litter decay on current-rolled rocks this time of year) and he must have already freed himself from barbless hooks while in the net. I am glad he swam and not me, as it was close! I also landed two very pretty browns with blue eye spots and all, but I will let you be the judge. Fish were in a 10 x 10 foot slightly slower pocket in a run, so they are approaching winter mode already. The rainbows acted a bit sluggish already but both browns jumped for me, so that was fun. Tungsten caddis and walt's worm accounted for 5, so a solid day.

 

[Tigereye]

Nice fish. You earned them in those conditions. Congrats. Always love to hear Lehigh reports. My home stream.

 

[AFISHN]

Nice report and good work.!!!!
I have a few more spots on the LR to show you in the Spring.
Good Thanksgiving to you n yours
tom

 

[DaveKile]

Wonderful report and thanks for sharing!

 

[Millsertime]

What section of LR did you fish?

 

[Nymph-wristed]

Thanks, guys! I fish a few areas, Millser, maybe 5 times a year. Anywhere from White Haven down to Walnutport, but usually Rockport and upstream. Today I was on the lower end of where I typically fish.

AFISHN is the guy who showed me around the lower end. He's an excellent chef too 😎

 

[Millsertime]

Just built a house in Blakeslee. This was the first year I didn't fish the LR but now I'm much closer. Maybe next year I'll meet up with you and/or Afish. I think I still have his cell.

I like to access via Drakes and Leslie best.

 

[vcregular]

The lehigh next spring should fish very well. The fishing this fall was pretty good and the fish will eat all winter long. No shortage of fish in the river this year.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

Millsertime wrote:
Just built a house in Blakeslee. This was the first year I didn't fish the LR but now I'm much closer. Maybe next year I'll meet up with you and/or Afish. I think I still have his cell.

I like to access via Drakes and Leslie best.

Sounds like a plan. I fish the Brodhead quite a bit too. Send me a PM anytime this spring.

 

[Mike]

The Rainbow probably did not put up much of a fight because of its relatively poor physical condition. Note the thin and narrow caudal
peduncle, which is characteristic of underweight trout. This fish most likely lost its condition during the summer heat. It most likely stopped or greatly reduced feeding. It is unlikely to survive the winter with such limited lipid supplies.

 

[Mike]

caudle peduncle - the naturally tapered body area just forward of the caudal (tail) fin but to the rear of the anal fin.

 

[afishinado]

Mike wrote:
caudle peduncle - the naturally tapered body area just forward of the caudal (tail) fin but to the rear of the anal fin.

Interesting.

 

[steveo]

Does anyone fish the Lehigh upstream of the dam? Are there any fish up there or is the water too warm? Also is there any open water or is most of it posted?

 

[afishinado]

steveo wrote:
Does anyone fish the Lehigh upstream of the dam? Are there any fish up there or is the water too warm? Also is there any open water or is most of it posted?

There are several open areas to access. It's heavily stocked early in the season, but there are wild fish. It does warm and the wild ones travel up the tribs in the summer.

 

[steveo]

Thanks afish!