PA Wilds \ Pine Creek \ NC PA Trip

mute

mute

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Ill be camping out a few nights in the tiadaghton state forest area near Cammal in early June. Looking for maybe a little something different then most people who go to experience that area exclusively. Im not too interested in Pine Creek itsself as im venturing to understand its a marginal fishery at best with temps that get too hot in the summer to sustain its own wild trout population. While i may stand in that larger river to catch a few stockies to say i did, Im also not too interested in what seems to be the overstimulated Cedar and Slate watersheds either. Id rather venture into some more remote watersheds to exclusively have a higher probability of solitude and be alone. Now i can tell im surrounded by tons of blue lines that feed Pine creek. However the majority, outside of the two mentioned above seem to be pretty small. And while im not opposed to hitting a 10 foot wide brookie stream, id rather spend the limited days covering bigger water opportunities. Im more interested in something smaller then Pine Creek but not really any smaller then Slate or Cedar. If anyone has any freebie recommendations or hints feel free to respond or PM me.
 
Every trib to pine around you has wild trout. Pick one thats of size to be an interest and check it out. Since it seems like you arent familiar with the area, you may like a night of dry fly action on pine. Its big water that not many other regions of the state can compare too.

Slate and cedar are unique in the size and abundance of wild trout, there are not many streams in the state that truly compare. Look for longer tributaries of pine and you should have some fun.
 
The mileage of streams in the Pine Creek watershed that is wider than 10 feet is very high. It would take years to fish it all.
 
bikerfish said:
I wouldn't dismiss Cedar or Slate, I've had great days on both, seeing no other fishermen. Just have to hike and get from the easy access points. You can't go wrong with any water in that area, lots of beautiful streams and fish.
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+1 If you are out there and don't at least see Slate Run, you are missing a beauty and a great workout 😉
 
Aside from the occasional kayak/canoe hatch, you can find some solitude downstream and upstream of the hotspots (like the stretch) - if you are there on a non-holiday weekday. If you hit a good hatch or spinner fall on the main stem, you may find yourself doing more than standing in the creek catching stockers.
 
To be clear, i'm definitely not too good to fish Slate and Cedar. They look to be more of the size of streams im looking for. But also clearly the most popular and hit hardest in that area. I only got two nights up there and its my first time. So looking to really capitalize on day light hours available to put towards the watersheds where the juice is worth the squeeze. I do put in the effort researching. Like anywhere new I'm trying to explore it starts with what the stream classifications available in the area even look like, then to deeper elevation interpretations, hike efforts, and how to access said waterway. Along with diving into street view and basically driving the roads virtually to know exactly what pull off\vehicle access looks like. Life's too short Imo to be spending even 20 minutes circling around an area trying to find how or where to park to access a watershed you know is in the vicinity because you saw it on a map. I plan it ALL out from my couch with a achievable gameplan with a near certain successful outcome before any gas is even wasted.

To that point however the majority of tribs enterping Pine in the Cammal area on average look to be 1-2mi long. With Cedar and Slate being the exception. In my experience if you want a watershed to be atleast 2 lanes wide you should be looking for something at least 3mi in length.
 
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I’ve been wanting to try the lower section of cedar. After the bridge access, it’s tight and fish are spooky. Flows should be good and fish should be occupied with feeding rather than a mid summer slump spook-fest. I think early June, most anglers are chasing their favorite hatches on their home waters or big 3 known streams. Slate is an exception because for a tributary, it’s big and so are the fish, and anglers know that lol.

Maybe I’m just naive, but I would feel good about Cedar. I think the juice is worth the squeeze if you take that terrifying mountain road around the bend and then hike downstream and fish up to your car, if it can be done. That’s something to experience if you ask me haha. PA has been blowing my mind the 3 years or so I’ve been here. But always have a backup plan. I think there is a trib up there that has mine damage so just know before you go.
 
There are multiple tribs in very close proximity to cammal that are longer than 3 miles and have sizeable watersheds. One is either a long drive or you wade across pine creek. You certainly wont get Google street view on it nor many of the streams you describe wanting to fish.
 
I fished that area over Memorial Day Weekend for many years and Slate, Cedar and upper Kettle were always in the mix.

I think I saw one or two fisherman TOTAL over 15 years over a MUCH more crowded weekend and quickly learned, not every parked car represents an angler or two. There is a WHOLE lot of hiking and camping going on as well.

Kettle, Pine, Little Pine, West Branch of Pine, Lower Cross Fork and other stocked sections are a different story...
 
Agree. I think that's the case in a lot of areas. I try to figure what someone might be doing by the type of vehicle, and if it's got any stickers. I find more often than not, a fisherman has some sort of truck, or SUV, but not always. Sometimes, I'll be as brazen as to give a quick peek inside to give me a better idea. 😉
 
wildtrout2 said:
Agree. I think that's the case in a lot of areas. I try to figure what someone might be doing by the type of vehicle, and if it's got any stickers. I find more often than not, a fisherman has some sort of truck, or SUV, but not always. Sometimes, I'll be as brazen as to give a quick peek inside to give me a better idea. 😉
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I'll go on the record as I never fret if I see Subaru Outbacks, a Prius or old Volvo wagons parked along a stream because they belong to bird watchers or day hikers...

If they have a "Coexist" or pro-PETA sticker on the back, the smell of pot may be in the air but never, fish frying in a skillet...
 
wildtrout2 said:
Agree. I think that's the case in a lot of areas. I try to figure what someone might be doing by the type of vehicle, and if it's got any stickers. I find more often than not, a fisherman has some sort of truck, or SUV, but not always. Sometimes, I'll be as brazen as to give a quick peek inside to give me a better idea. 😉
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Hahaha! Now I know I’m not the only one.. man that was funny!
 
Bamboozle said:
I'll go on the record as I never fret if I see Subaru Outbacks... parked along a stream because they belong to bird watchers or day hikers...
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After 4Runners, I think Outbacks are likely the most common vehicle among fly fishermen, at least in PA. That's my observation anyway. Sure, I see more pickups than Outbacks but I don't see more Tacomas than Outbacks or more Silverados than Outbacks, etc, etc.

Everyone knows what demographic is most likely to drive an Outback. Fly anglers may be second.
 
ROVERT said:
After 4Runners, I think Outbacks are likely the most common vehicle among fly fishermen, at least in PA. That's my observation anyway. Sure, I see more pickups than Outbacks but I don't see more Tacomas than Outbacks or more Silverados than Outbacks, etc, etc.

Everyone knows what demographic is most likely to drive an Outback. Fly anglers may be second.
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If you see my 4Runner in the pull out, just keep moving along...
 
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