Lehigh River (Rockport Access, Carbon County) 4/14/18

[bradtheflyfisherman]

Rolled out of bed at 11 AM...drove up to the Rockport access on the Lehigh River in the gorge. Fished from about 2 until 6 PM. Water temp got up into the high 40s. Fished downstream of Rockport, maybe a mile or so.

Did tight line nymphing the entire time, had a big brown or black stonefly on the bottom the entire time - girdle bug with a beadhead or heavier stonefly pattern. Had a few split shots on there as well. Switched between a sexy Walts worm, Caddis nymph, and a frenchie for the top fly. As per usual on the Lehigh, the fish annihilated the stonefly, and I caught nothing on the other flies. Fished a bunch of riffles that had likely been fished earlier in the day, lost a couple to some poor knots but caught a couple 12-15 inchers working my way up the big riffle.

Went down to the bend where the train tunnel enters the mountain on the other side of the river. Lost a two massive browns in some swift current, further down the bend pulled out another 14 incher, and then finally was able to land about a 18 incher...took me forever to get it in, jumped out of the net, and swam right back into the current and I had to fight it all over again.

Worked my way back up to where I lost the two larger fish, pulled out a nice 15 incher on my way out.

Major bug hatch from about 5:30 to 6 PM - looked like a lot of caddis. Didn't pay much attention though as no fish were rising whatsoever. Caught my last fish on the stonefly in the middle of the hatch. Lots of bugs over the water throughout the afternoon.

Pics below!

 

[vcregular]

Impressive. You fished hard and were rewarded. Its hard to tell with the pic size but that top fish looks like your prototype Lehigh River Brown Trout!! Love it.

A few of us fished downstream from you in the Glen Onoko to Lehighton area and moved a handful of fish underneath. Very few bugs - but toward 6pm the Hendricksons did get a few fish up. A variegated stone with a little black stone underneath with a lot of lead was the ticket. Olive buggers also moved a few - hooked and flashes. Water was 50-55f.

Never seen Glen Onoko as crowded as it was. Crawling with people.

 

[bradtheflyfisherman]

I have yet to catch a Lehigh brown trout under 12 inches...this river is STACKED. These fish fight so hard it is absurd.

Not many people out in the afternoon thankfully.

 

[afishinado]

Nice report!

Sometimes rolling out of bed at the crack of noon is the ticket!! Let the water warm up a bit and fish when the early birds are out of worms.

 

[troutbert]

Seems like very good fishing.

Are these fish PFBC stockies, grown up from PFBC fingerlings, stocked by the local club, wild trout, or...?

 

[afishinado]

troutbert wrote:
Seems like very good fishing.

Are these fish PFBC stockies, grown up from PFBC fingerlings, stocked by the local club, wild trout, or...?

^ all of the above!

There are some really nice trout in the Lehigh. I've never been able to figure out where they come from in the Lehigh.

The more the tribs get cleaned up, the better the main river will fish, and the more wild fish will be represented in the catch.

Here's a summary of some recent surveys by the PFBC:
PFBC Survey Lehigh

 

[Tigereye]

While I didn't fish due to some other priorities, I did stop at the trestle below 80 bridge and at tannery bridge to watch the action for a bit. One fly fisherman seemed to be doing quite well as I saw him catch about half dozen fish in the short time I was there, about 15-20 minutes. He appeared to be fishing wet flies and doing a slow hand or figure 8 retrieve, his pal above him while catching was not quite as successful. There was light caddis activity probably the little blacks but that is a guess. None of the 2 dozen or so bait fisherman had caught a fish while I watched.

 

[geebee]

wow great looking fish. i've seen the fish box pics from the guides on FB and they are handsome fish in there.

 

[timmyt]

Brad, do you know what the flows in the area you were fishing were? Thanks!

 

[Nymph-wristed]

Nice fish, brad. Two words: river fish!

 

[SurfCowboyXX]

I took one of the prettiest wild fish I've ever caught a bunch of miles downstream on Saturday on a Quill Gordon emerger. That river is so underrated.

 

[bradtheflyfisherman]

Brad, do you know what the flows in the area you were fishing were? Thanks!

Timmy - its tough to gauge, I think the closest USGS station is at the dam about 8 miles upstream. Shows a flat 400 CFS for the fishing release, so I'm going to estimate it was about 500 - 600 CFS when it reached Rockport? Honestly, I have no idea, water level was perfect though for fishing, little swift though in some spots, typical though for the Lehigh in the gorge section. It does make for tough wading, very slippery rocks and lots of drop-offs off big submerged boulders. Really contemplating getting a wading staff.

 

[timmyt]

Sorry i didnt realize it was a fishing release day, probably a bit of a silly question. I plan on taking a few trips up there in May so was trying to guage some safe wading because i have heard its tough to wade

Check out Pro Line wading staffs Brad. I have had one for years, they are really handy. Pro Line is about 25% of the cost of says a Simms model and works just as well.

Maybe i will see you on the Lehigh one day!

 

[vcregular]

The Corps pretty much every week day does post their 'plan' for the day as well as what the flow is at Rockport. There is no gage in Rockport but the Corps has a formula they use to determine.

https://www.facebook.com/fewalterdam

For frame of reference though - whatever the release is from the dam, the flow doubles by the time it gets to Lehighton. Anything less than 400cfs out of the dam is doable for wading. Above that - use a lot of caution. However even less than 400cfs from dam can still be difficult depending on how aggressive of a wader you are.

 

[bradtheflyfisherman]

Completely overlooked the fact that they gave Rockport CFS on their posts...but looks like another fishing release this weekend with good weather so I will be out and about around Rockport if anyone wants to do some fishing!

 

[GRP]

Brad, will most likely be up on Friday. Heading from Delaware, so will be mid-morning when I get there. I have floated the Lehigh but never waded, so would nice to meet up if you are there.

 

[bradtheflyfisherman]

Unfortunately, I work all day Friday, but will be there likely Saturday and Sunday unless some unforeseen events come up.

 

[geebee]

if you don't have a wading stick Brad, i hope you have at least a fishing PFD.

 

[Fly-Swatter]

BTFF: What time are you thinking of hitting the Lehigh on Saturday? I've fished some above and below Rockport, but never there. Your report motivated me to give it a try.

 

[bradtheflyfisherman]

Thankfully I have a fisherman's PFD, but would prefer a wading staff.

Fly-Swatter - I am thinking to be in the Rockport parking lot by 10 AM, Takes me about an hour and a half to get there, and might as well wait till it warms up a bit as it can get quite chilly in the gorge before the sun crests the ridges and warms things up. Working with Nymph-Wristed too about meeting him up there this weekend as well.