Little Lehigh, Lehigh County, 6/29/2009

[JeffS]

Fished waaaaaay outside the special reg section. I was below the entrance of the Parkway.

I was wet wading and would guess the water to be about 64 degrees. Flow was a bit up for this time of year, but clear. It is a great time to hit this stream.

Fish were everywhere. Nymphs, nymphs, nymphs! Just the basics BHHE, PT, and a PN. I hooked about 15 in the two hours I was out. Saw some sporadic rises, but didn't care since the bottom action was so good.

We need to help this stream...it can be much more than it is...

 

[afishinado]

JeffS wrote:
Fished waaaaaay outside the special reg section. I was below the entrance of the Parkway.

I hooked about 15 in the two hours I was out......

We need to help this stream...it can be much more than it is...

Sounds like some great fishing! I do agree that the LL could use some TLC though.

Jeff, what are your thoughts on stream improvements or better ways to manage the LL ?

 

[JeffS]

afish -
If I remember correctly, a visual assessment of the stream was performed about three years ago. This study highlights areas of concern and should be used as a tool to guide restoration efforts.

I also know the Parks Dept. was approached about establishing better riparian buffers along the stream. Some buffers have been allowed to grow while others have not.

In my opinion...more buffers should be established and trees (something other than willows) should be planted along the stream to provide an increased canopy. And get the bike/walking path away from the stream where feasible.

Many of the stream restoration efforts from the 70's are not performing like they should at this time or they have had a negative impact. If you take a walk below the red covered bridge a few gabions should be ripped out and new deflectors may provide a better benefit. In-stream boulder placement could also take place.

I believe discussions regarding removing the dam above the hatchery have started which would also be a benefit to the stream.

A few positive changes have occurred, but more would definitely not hurt.

 

[afishinado]

Jeff,

I've fished the LL in many of the sections for quite a while. It seems to me that the siltation problem in the stream has grown to epic proportions. I fished the last remaining Class A section of LL this season, where it crosses Rt 100. The streambed was covered with sledge. I would venture to saw a new survey would change the classification way down from a class A.

The Wild Cherry Lane FF area looks like the streambed is paved over. Stocked fish have replaced wild trout throughout most of the stream.

Only a guess on my part that the LL has fallen victim to widespread development.

I agree, better riparian buffers in the park would be a good place to start.

 

[JeffS]

Siltation in the stream seems to get noticeably worse each year.

The link below discusses a new issue threatening the LL which is the deepening of wells in the upper reaches of the stream for commercial water use. Census numbers from the article may also explain how development has impacted the stream. I would also add that the issues are not solely found within the main stem itself. Schaeffer Run, Swabia Creek and Leibert Creek, to some extent, seem to be contributing a lot of sediment.

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-5lca.6916066jun29,0,6886851.story

Put these issues together and it sounds overwhelming, but there are still things that can be done to improve the stream and its wild brown trout.

Starting in the lower reaches (I would say at the bridge above Martin Luther King Dr.) some basic stream work would greatly help and get the ball rolling.

A few trees, better buffers, boulder placement...as you move upstream a few dams can be reworked to reduce streambank erosion. I think simple steps such as these would help the stream and reverse some of the sediment deposition.

The LL has a TU chapter, a watershed association, a fly shop and the Wildlands Conservancy is on its banks and many know the number of fishermen that visit this stream on a weekly basis. These groups have partnered in the past to do some great work for the stream – it would be nice for them to do so again.

 

[JeffS]

Not sure if the link worked the first time. Sorry

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-5lca.6916066jun29,0,6886851.story

 

[afishinado]

Thanks for the info Jeff. I reposted the link for all to read.


LL Info