Lehigh River, Carbon County 4/15/26

[SBecker]

Figured I would start a new Lehigh spring season thread.

Was able to get on the water around 12:30. Put my boat in at Bowmanstown and floated to the Gap. Got off the water around 7. Air temps 83 degrees and water temps 63.

Started off as a fun float. Dropped my anchor at the launch, wind moved my boat just enough to push the anchor off the cement slab and allowed the boat to float 20ft off shore. Good refreshing dip on a hot day.

Was floating mostly by myself. If you ever rowed a drift boat and tried fishing while you are floating, its not an easy task. I landed 2 browns a solid smallie and a river chub. I hooked probably 10 trout while high sticking going through the riffles or tailouts, and just was not able to handle them and the oars at the same time. Plenty of caddis and Hendricksons. Fish were kinda on caddis on top with their splashy rises, but nothing real consistent. Early season Lehigh can be like that.

Son jumped on my boat at the Palmerton Horseshoe, after he finished baseball practice around 5. However, no real risers during the end of our float. He ended up nymphing and throwing streamers for a little with no success.

I am looking to use this thread to help build a hatch chart for the year. I am personally trying to create a new one for the Lehigh that can be shared out. Something with a little more accuracy then what presently can be found. If you would like to add to this thread I would appreciate it you could add the water temps and air temps and bugs you are seeing.

Example:

April 15th 2026
Air: 83 degrees
Water: 63 degrees
Location: Gorge,Middle (Jim Thorpe-Northampton),Lower(Northampton-Easton)
Bugs: Grannom Caddis, Hendrickson


If you decide to contribute, thank you!

 

[CLSports]

The water is up to 63 already? Wow. I would assume fish would be more active on top. My buddy floated it today. I will see what he reports.

 

[SBecker]

The water is up to 63 already? Wow. I would assume fish would be more active on top. My buddy floated it today. I will see what he reports.

Yeah, Got reports since Tuesday and Wednesday water temps of 63-64 around 4.

 

[Tigereye]

Ill be following closely. Sadly I will not be fishing until late next week. I wish you all well and will happily post reports for the upper middle section White Haven to Rockport. I just gotta get some time to fish.

 

[The Real Jun T]

I am in in! I've been rippin lips with the jerkbaits since March, guys!

 

[SBecker]

Temps hit 65.2 today.....

 

[Nocktavius]

Temps hit 65.2 today.....

oof, that’s rough. Lordville and Callicoon hit around the same temps up north this past week. Not great to have 90’s in April in conjunction with fairly low precip. Good to see things moderate starting tomorrow. I’m hoping to see a ton of rain over the next few weeks. I hope the people who complain about rain don’t get upset about that but I’d rather see a river full of healthy fish and less people in my way regardless.

 

[CLSports]

Buddy reported Caddis and Hendrickson's going good, but few risers as you reported. Only a few fish caught. I assume he floated mid-river.

 

[FollowTheBlueLines]

Fished the Lehigh for the first time yesterday downstream from Rockport access. I forgot to check the temp, but I did see a good amount of caddis coming off, as well as a few odd Hendricksons. Did not see any risers, all of the fish I caught took a PTN.

Side note: I need to get myself a wading staff before I go back there!

 

[wildtrout2]

Fished the Lehigh for the first time yesterday downstream from Rockport access.

Side note: I need to get myself a wading staff before I go back there!

It's a must on the Lehigh.

 

[SBecker]

Yesterday, no risers, boated 25-30 fish nymphing. Today, water was 58 and sluggish. However, 3:30 a blanket hatch of Hendricksons happened and the river lit up for about an hour. Pretty sure a few olives were mixed in.

 

[SBecker]

Yesterday, no risers, boated 25-30 fish nymphing. Today, water was 58 and sluggish. However, 3:30 a blanket hatch of Hendricksons happened and the river lit up for about an hour. Pretty sure a few olives were mixed in.

Edit: After talking to another guide who was on at the same time, they were Quill Gordons not Hendricksons.

 

[tjsingle]

Yesterday, no risers, boated 25-30 fish nymphing. Today, water was 58 and sluggish. However, 3:30 a blanket hatch of Hendricksons happened and the river lit up for about an hour. Pretty sure a few olives were mixed in.

When you are nymphing from the boat are you going double nymph indicator rig?

 

[SBecker]

When you are nymphing from the boat are you going double nymph indicator rig?

Me personally? I am Highsticking "euro" with two flies. Clients, usually an indicator with two flies unless I deem them capable of casting a mono rig and not falling out of the boat. lol My clients Saturday high sticked and really laid the wood on them. One normally fishes that way and another never had. By the end he was already invested in buying a new set up when he got off the river.

 

[tjsingle]

Me personally? I am Highsticking "euro" with two flies. Clients, usually an indicator with two flies unless I deem them capable of casting a mono rig and not falling out of the boat. lol My clients Saturday high sticked and really laid the wood on them. One normally fishes that way and another never had. By the end he was already invested in buying a new set up when he got off the river.

Nice yeah, sounds like tightlining is the way to go. Will have to give it a try next time I'm out on the river.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

April 20th 2026
Air: 34 to start, up to about 44 degrees, maybe
Water: 46 degrees
Location: Gorge
Bugs: Hendrickson or Quill duns midday. No risers.

I did my first river shakedown today, and it was far more than shaking off the cobwebs. There was snow on the rhodies in the morning, and I got sleeted on twice during my walks. Fish live in water not air though, so they did not get the memo that it was cold. I did not notice either since they were chewing from 7 AM to 11 AM. It slowed after 12 until some mayflies appeared.

I caught probably 15 browns, a couple in the high teens, most over 13 inches, and even two under 10 inches. I fished big bugs deep with a soft hackle on the dropper way up high, like over 24 inches.

I caught equal numbers on each until I noticed the duns sailing down river. Then I got a few on the swing before the wind kicked up and I decided I was sated for today. Awesome start!

 

[SBecker]

April 20th 2026
Air: 34 to start, up to about 44 degrees, maybe
Water: 46 degrees
Location: Gorge
Bugs: Hendrickson or Quill duns midday. No risers.

I did my first river shakedown today, and it was far more than shaking off the cobwebs. There was snow on the rhodies in the morning, and I got sleeted on twice during my walks. Fish live in water not air though, so they did not get the memo that it was cold. I did not notice either since they were chewing from 7 AM to 11 AM. It slowed after 12 until some mayflies appeared.

I caught probably 15 browns, a couple in the high teens, most over 13 inches, and even two under 10 inches. I fished big bugs deep with a soft hackle on the dropper way up high, like over 24 inches.

I caught equal numbers on each until I noticed the duns sailing down river. Then I got a few on the swing before the wind kicked up and I decided I was sated for today. Awesome start!

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Great Report, I appreciate you contributing to the thread. I spoke to another guide today and he said he had great action mid river on top. Blue Quills with Olives mixed in!

 

[Andrwhite610]

April 20th 2026
Air: 34 to start, up to about 44 degrees, maybe
Water: 46 degrees
Location: Gorge
Bugs: Hendrickson or Quill duns midday. No risers.

I did my first river shakedown today, and it was far more than shaking off the cobwebs. There was snow on the rhodies in the morning, and I got sleeted on twice during my walks. Fish live in water not air though, so they did not get the memo that it was cold. I did not notice either since they were chewing from 7 AM to 11 AM. It slowed after 12 until some mayflies appeared.

I caught probably 15 browns, a couple in the high teens, most over 13 inches, and even two under 10 inches. I fished big bugs deep with a soft hackle on the dropper way up high, like over 24 inches.

I caught equal numbers on each until I noticed the duns sailing down river. Then I got a few on the swing before the wind kicked up and I decided I was sated for today. Awesome start!

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Would you mind sharing photos of the “big bugs fished deep”? Would love some Lehigh nymph recommendations

 

[SBecker]

Would you mind sharing photos of the “big bugs fished deep”? Would love some Lehigh nymph recommendations

Lehigh Rubber Legs aka Turd aka Pat's Rubber Legs is the number one fly to fish on the Lehigh. Ask any of us locals, its what everyone has on as their point fly.

 

[wardman]

April 20th 2026
Air: 34 to start, up to about 44 degrees, maybe
Water: 46 degrees
Location: Gorge
Bugs: Hendrickson or Quill duns midday. No risers.

I did my first river shakedown today, and it was far more than shaking off the cobwebs. There was snow on the rhodies in the morning, and I got sleeted on twice during my walks. Fish live in water not air though, so they did not get the memo that it was cold. I did not notice either since they were chewing from 7 AM to 11 AM. It slowed after 12 until some mayflies appeared.

I caught probably 15 browns, a couple in the high teens, most over 13 inches, and even two under 10 inches. I fished big bugs deep with a soft hackle on the dropper way up high, like over 24 inches.

I caught equal numbers on each until I noticed the duns sailing down river. Then I got a few on the swing before the wind kicked up and I decided I was sated for today. Awesome start!

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Happy Birthday fishing trip!