Letort Spring Run, Cumberland County, Various July Dates 2023

[Letort]

Over the past month, I have probably visited the Letort about 10 times over the entire month of July, probably with 20 hours on the water. Water temps were 60* or below, which with the hot weather we had, was one of the reasons for my focus. I have lived within 10 minutes of sections of the Letort for 20 years, but only hit it on/off a few times. After 50 years of fly fishing, I decided to make a push on the Letort this summer.

I hit most sections of the stream and landed fish in the Heritage area as well as the open water. Caught them on the surface, but subsurface was more productive. I only saw three rise forms the entire month. Of course, I also saw no appreciable hatches. I still hope to hit early am to see if any tricos are out. I fished morning and late afternoon / evening mainly. Overcast and showery were most productive. Bright and sunny days just resulted in an improved tan.

At one point, I actually thought I had things figured out and was landing fish with enough frequency to make myself feel good. My hubris was rewarded by nary a take in the last two weeks. During the month, I have fallen through muskrat holes, been stuck in mud up to my knees (no, I was not wading), shared the water with muskrats and snapping turtles the size of pizza pans. I have cleaned enough vegetation off my hook to green up an acre of desert. I saw 18-20” brown finning in the current (with no way to get at him without lining him with the leader.) and scared enough 8-10” trout with clumsy approaches to make me question my sanity. Let alone the golden retreiver that wanted to see what I was doing and more ducks flushing out of prime water to make me want to take up waterfowl hunting.

What I came away with was a deeper sense of bonding with my fly fishing forefathers that came before me. I am guessing that they had days where they got skunked also. I am also very excited to explore the Letort through all the seasons and match wits with the streams best. Hopefully, i will win one or two of those matches.

 

[JeffP]

Thanks for the report! It's nice to see a report on someone spending a lot of time on a piece of water especially with a stream like the Letort that seems to hold so many mysteries. Having summers off, I always thought that would be a cool thing to do. However, I never seems to fish as much as I much as I hope too. One issue is always the heat. Whenever we talk about year round schools, I always say give me April, May, and October off! Based on your experience, were you satisfied that the Letort is doing ok?

 

[rancid waders]

I assure you that they had gotten skunked as well. Getting skunked seems to be the denominator in figuring out fishing problems

 

[Old Town]

It is very unfortunate that the Letort has gone down hill soo bad. Forty plus years ago there was a solid Sulphur hatch. Also good Tricos most of the summer. About 10-15 years ago there was a major decline in the fishing. Hatches became sparser and sparser. Many areas had limited vegations and very little cover for fish and insect life. I used to fish it 40 or 50 days plus a year. I think I fished it twice last year.
Early in the season I could take clients with basic casting abilities and catch trout. Many times there were Bwo's on the water and many smaller fish would be rissing. When there was no surface activity we would use testelated darter paterns and do well.
Perhaps your post will encourage me to take some time and explore it again.

 

[Roofin' Trouter]

Over the past month, I have probably visited the Letort about 10 times over the entire month of July, probably with 20 hours on the water. Water temps were 60* or below, which with the hot weather we had, was one of the reasons for my focus. I have lived within 10 minutes of sections of the Letort for 20 years, but only hit it on/off a few times. After 50 years of fly fishing, I decided to make a push on the Letort this summer.

I hit most sections of the stream and landed fish in the Heritage area as well as the open water. Caught them on the surface, but subsurface was more productive. I only saw three rise forms the entire month. Of course, I also saw no appreciable hatches. I still hope to hit early am to see if any tricos are out. I fished morning and late afternoon / evening mainly. Overcast and showery were most productive. Bright and sunny days just resulted in an improved tan.

At one point, I actually thought I had things figured out and was landing fish with enough frequency to make myself feel good. My hubris was rewarded by nary a take in the last two weeks. During the month, I have fallen through muskrat holes, been stuck in mud up to my knees (no, I was not wading), shared the water with muskrats and snapping turtles the size of pizza pans. I have cleaned enough vegetation off my hook to green up an acre of desert. I saw 18-20” brown finning in the current (with no way to get at him without lining him with the leader.) and scared enough 8-10” trout with clumsy approaches to make me question my sanity. Let alone the golden retreiver that wanted to see what I was doing and more ducks flushing out of prime water to make me want to take up waterfowl hunting.

What I came away with was a deeper sense of bonding with my fly fishing forefathers that came before me. I am guessing that they had days where they got skunked also. I am also very excited to explore the Letort through all the seasons and match wits with the streams best. Hopefully, i will win one or two of those matches.

Thanks for sharing. I have yet to cross Letort off the list but plan on giving it a try over the next year.Over the past few years I try to make a point to catch a few from a crick told to be "tough". Tough cricks have made me really helped me understand what "paying attention to detail" is.

 

[rancid waders]

I have been skunked at the meadow on several occasions, all part of it.

 

[Letort]

Thanks for the report! It's nice to see a report on someone spending a lot of time on a piece of water especially with a stream like the Letort that seems to hold so many mysteries. Having summers off, I always thought that would be a cool thing to do. However, I never seems to fish as much as I much as I hope too. One issue is always the heat. Whenever we talk about year round schools, I always say give me April, May, and October off! Based on your experience, were you satisfied that the Letort is doing ok?

I would say that the Letort is doing OK. I know the TU chapter is trying to knock out some invasive weed beds. Pleasantly surprised by the lack of litter, particularly in the Heritage area, given the nature / walking trail that runs along side of much of the stream. Cannot comment on the silt and soft stream bed, as that would be best judged over time. But the water is cold and clear.

 

[Dave_W]

Thanks for this.

I haven't hit Letort this summer, but used to spend many days there back in the 80s/90s.
Sounds like Letort is the same old same, especially the lack of rising fish, which is often a huge disappointment for first time Letort anglers who have been reading Marinaro et-al and expecting to see rising fish. The stream is tougher than the fish. . . and June/July is the worst due to the height of the grass.

I like a wading staff for almost all my fishing but it's especially helpful on Letort because you can probe the soft spots in the meadows. I've had my share of these mishaps. Once "Squaretail" (former forum member) had to help pull me up/out of one of those soft bank spots.

Good luck as you continue to fish Letort.

 

[JeremyW]

it might suffer from AG run-off like most of the watersheds...

 

[klingy]

The stream is definitely lower this year than usual. Many years in the summer the weed growth displaces the water up into the meadows. Definitely not the case right now. Groundwater levels are low across the valley.

Skunkings are part of the game on the Letort, but there are magical days to be had. There are some sections where the fish rise more than others, and usually in low light (daybreak is usually the best for me). There are days during the summer though when fish will crush terrestrials all day long. Just have to time it right.

 

[Bamboozle]

Do less walking and more watching and you will see rising fish.

If you are someone who watches for risers for a minute or two before moving on you will be disappointed at the Letort. If you have the patience to sit down, fire up a stogie or just watch for considerably longer you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I've said it my whole life, the Letort is best fished S-L-O-W-L-Y. There's a reason the "Regulars" put those benches along the stream... 😉

Also, while most folks know about the Trico appearances on the lower Letort, I've had action in the FFO (Former Limestone Springs/Heritage) section. If you know the spots where there is exposed gravel and maybe some rocks in the streambed, you may find small clusters of Trico spinners in the early morning.

 

[McSneek]

It’s been a long time since I fished it. I was having some success on ants in the section where the monuments are. There used to be a mailbox with a fishing journal in it that everyone would write an entry in. Was always a few rising fish in that section. I always say you should experience the Letort at least once and then target the many streams in PA that are far better fisheries.