Penns Creek Mifflin/Centre 4/14-4/15

I have also been suprised by the amount of people on Penns thus far compared to previous years. Even on a weekday, the parking lot above Weikert has been full by noon. I also have found a lot more trash than usual in the lot and along the trail.

This is a good and a bad thing, Good because other rivers I fish have had basically no crowds, Bad because more people = more pressure, trash, and higher risk of property owners raising a fit. Saw many cars parked in the "private property" lots who definitely were not supposed to be there
Was only a matter of time with all the YouTube influencers that seem to think blowing up these rivers is worth the social media clout. Go to the comments section of any of these and you’ll see at least 5 variants of “wow I’ve heard of XXX creek but didn’t know the fishing was so great, definitely have to check it out”. Well there’s 5 more people you now need to deal with.
 
As one of the property owners, it is becoming a problem. Several with excellent frontage are simply worn out by bad behavior, including bad behavior by a so-called professional guide service.

I was really surprised by the number of people fishing this weekend. It felt more like late May than mid April.
Bad behavior…….That’s exactly what concerns me. And once you loose property access it’s hard to get it back. Unfortunately, a few clowns can ruin it for those who are responsible and respectful.

I’ve been going up to Penns for a long time. I don’t remember seeing this many people from early April to now. I think Swattie was right, low favorable flows contribute to more anglers. Also, social media.
 
Was only a matter of time with all the YouTube influencers that seem to think blowing up these rivers is worth the social media clout. Go to the comments section of any of these and you’ll see at least 5 variants of “wow I’ve heard of XXX creek but didn’t know the fishing was so great, definitely have to check it out”. Well there’s 5 more people you now need to deal with.
I am definiely not a fan of the fly fishing youtubers with video titles such as "MASSIVE PB WILD Brown Trout from PENNS CREEK PA" or other variants. There's also just overall an increase in the amount of angling pressure in the state due to more people taking interest in it, which I largely contribute to social media and learning material available online which helps flatten the learning curve. Now, whether or not those commenters actually make it out to these streams is another story, in addition to that, the frequency at which they actually fish (most are probably at like 10 days per year total), and their skill level at which they can actually catch fish is another story.

There's just so much water available in PA that higher pressure on one stream in a given year often relieves others which lessens my concern over it. It almost feels like the Central PA "Big 4" have a cycle on which pressure is received year-to-year from my perspective. One year guys could be talking about some crazy grannom hatch on the J and anglers will focus their efforts there during the spring period for other hatches too. Not much that can be done other than us being good stewards of the resource, being advocates for our waters, and teaching new anglers proper technique for catching and safely releasing fish. We were all a new angler at once in a state with so many exciting opportunities!
 
Was only a matter of time with all the YouTube influencers that seem to think blowing up these rivers is worth the social media clout. Go to the comments section of any of these and you’ll see at least 5 variants of “wow I’ve heard of XXX creek but didn’t know the fishing was so great, definitely have to check it out”. Well there’s 5 more people you now need to deal with.
Exactly. A good friend asked a group hanging out in her yard to move along. As a 4th generation owner, she hates to be that way but it has gone from one or two quickly and respectfully crossing her land to get in the creek to groups using her yard like they own it. What happens when they each tell two friends about "this great spot to set up" ? She doesn't want to be chasing off 40-50 people a day.

I am already anxious about the 2023 green drake hatch. It was an absolute circus last year with vehicles lining the road.
 
Man, with all of this talk of everyone doing so well and us taking such a beating, I may just have to head back this weekend and try it out. There were some March Browns around that I saw but not many.

I guess I should have just stuck with tossing the Hendrickson parachutes more than I did. I was just having such a rough time maintaining confidence in a pattern or approach. Swinging the wets were the only thing getting looks at all for me and while it wasn't setting the world ablaze I had to keep with it.

Sometimes fishing is mental and I think it got the best of me on this trip. Penns is just a short drive from my home so I will be back soon.
Me too.
I didn't realize the creek was on fire, I'll have to check it out.
 
I am definiely not a fan of the fly fishing youtubers with video titles such as "MASSIVE PB WILD Brown Trout from PENNS CREEK PA" or other variants. There's also just overall an increase in the amount of angling pressure in the state due to more people taking interest in it, which I largely contribute to social media and learning material available online which helps flatten the learning curve. Now, whether or not those commenters actually make it out to these streams is another story, in addition to that, the frequency at which they actually fish (most are probably at like 10 days per year total), and their skill level at which they can actually catch fish is another story.

There's just so much water available in PA that higher pressure on one stream in a given year often relieves others which lessens my concern over it. It almost feels like the Central PA "Big 4" have a cycle on which pressure is received year-to-year from my perspective. One year guys could be talking about some crazy grannom hatch on the J and anglers will focus their efforts there during the spring period for other hatches too. Not much that can be done other than us being good stewards of the resource, being advocates for our waters, and teaching new anglers proper technique for catching and safely releasing fish. We were all a new angler at once in a state with so many exciting opportunities!
yeah those are certainly the worst offenders but I think any of the local YouTube FF sensations that “name names” are just as culpable for the increase in pressure and crowds. When they present exact flies, tactics, spots, accesses and water they’re really cheapening an experience that used to require a lot more effort and hard work to get good at and that sucks because the resulting generation of anglers are then less respectful of these beautiful surroundings than perhaps ever before.
 
yeah those are certainly the worst offenders but I think any of the local YouTube FF sensations that “name names” are just as culpable for the increase in pressure and crowds. When they present exact flies, tactics, spots, accesses and water they’re really cheapening an experience that used to require a lot more effort and hard work to get good at and that sucks because the resulting generation of anglers are then less respectful of these beautiful surroundings than perhaps ever before.
No way you can spot burn penns creek. It’s maybe the most well known trout streams on the eastern side of the U.S.

Despite the crowds, the three of us didn’t have to talk to anyone if we didn't want to and most of the time we had several hundred yards of stream all to ourselves. I never once felt crowded out despite the vehicles lining the stream side.

We also only fished public water sections but I’m sorry to hear about the abuse on private land.
 
I fished Penns, above the Weikert area yesterday morning 10:30-12:30. Caught 2 on wet flies, my own version which is basically a hares ear size 12. My intent was to get some takes on wets and I accomplished that. Probably saw a dozen or so fish rising in that period of time. Nice color to the water which I had hoped for. A bit windy though.
I was a bit surprised by the amount of anglers though. For a weekday, there were quite a few guys out.
Lastly, to the azzholes who left their 2 Miller lite beer cans and an empty water bottle laying on the bank of the creek, I picked it up for you! This is one of the private sections that still allow walk in fishing. People like you screw it up for the rest of us!
Thanks for picking up the trash. There's a sign at one access below Cherry Run noting that if the trash doesn't stop, the parking spot will get posted. There will always be jerks. The rest of us will have to pick up the slack. And their trash.
 
Thanks for picking up the trash. There's a sign at one access below Cherry Run noting that if the trash doesn't stop, the parking spot will get posted. There will always be jerks. The rest of us will have to pick up the slack. And their trash.
+1. Last year I found a big styrofoam cooler in the C&R full of empty natty light cans and drug it out. I would have been less offended it it was at least something decent like Genny Cream.
 
Or classy like Busch Light.
I think the only way to drink a Busch Light is to drive along a creek and throw it out the window. Whoever does that in the narrows on BFC should be in jail. Seems like I could pick up a 30 rack of empties walking back to the car every time...and I probably fish there a handful of times or more a month.
 
I fished it again today, and my first fish of the day, on top, was a nice sized STOCKED brook trout. He had to have moved a mile or more from where he was stocked just to take my fly!

Speaking of inconsiderate fishermen, I got pushed out of where I was fishing by 3 different guys today. What are the odds that one or more of them are members here? When there’s half a mile of open river, what’s the purpose of fishing 100‘ from someone? I don‘t remember that happening years back, and now it seems to be a daily occurrence there. Guys, it wasn’t crowded at all today, except where I was fishing.

So I got out the crowd, walked 3/4 miIe away, and stopped to sit on the bank and watch a fellow cast to several rising fish. He said he hadn’t fished Penns in 40 years. One of the risers was within casting distance downstream. First cast, beautiful brown, maybe 17” and fat. The guy said he caught the fish on a snowshoe rabbit emerger.

It was windy and raw today. But the MB’s didn’t mind. Gawd, those bugs are big! Anybody think a size 8 would be too big for them? My 14’s were much too small.

All in all another nice day on the river.
 
I fished it again today, and my first fish of the day, on top, was a nice sized STOCKED brook trout. He had to have moved a mile or more from where he was stocked just to take my fly!

Speaking of inconsiderate fishermen, I got pushed out of where I was fishing by 3 different guys today. What are the odds that one or more of them are members here? When there’s half a mile of open river, what’s the purpose of fishing 100‘ from someone? I don‘t remember that happening years back, and now it seems to be a daily occurrence there. Guys, it wasn’t crowded at all today, except where I was fishing.

So I got out the crowd, walked 3/4 miIe away, and stopped to sit on the bank and watch a fellow cast to several rising fish. He said he hadn’t fished Penns in 40 years. One of the risers was within casting distance downstream. First cast, beautiful brown, maybe 17” and fat. The guy said he caught the fish on a snowshoe rabbit emerger.

It was windy and raw today. But the MB’s didn’t mind. Gawd, those bugs are big! Anybody think a size 8 would be too big for them? My 14’s were much too small.

All in all another nice day on the river.
I will say that when we fished Friday and Saturday finding open water wasn't that much of a problem. We were staying in Poe Paddy and a 5 minute walk up the trail got us out of the crowded areas.

BUT when people did get near us, they REALLY got near us. I just shake my head anymore, it makes no sense.
 
+1. Last year I found a big styrofoam cooler in the C&R full of empty natty light cans and drug it out. I would have been less offended it it was at least something decent like Genny Cream.
When I drank (I no longer do....I had a pretty big problem) I drank about a 30 rack of Genny at least every day or two. I drank and respected all alcohol, fancy beers, liquors, good wine, but cheap beer gets no better than some Genesee Cream Ale.
 
+1. Last year I found a big styrofoam cooler in the C&R full of empty natty light cans and drug it out. I would have been less offended it it was at least something decent like Genny Cream.
I've seen people camp in the Catch and Release area, near "TheSplits." Camping is prohibited on PFBC property.
 
I've seen people camp in the Catch and Release area, near "TheSplits." Camping is prohibited on PFBC property.
The north side of the shore/forest is Bald Eagle State Forest and not PFBC property. If they were on that side camping is legal as long as they follow other DCNR guidelines.
 
I will say that when we fished Friday and Saturday finding open water wasn't that much of a problem. We were staying in Poe Paddy and a 5 minute walk up the trail got us out of the crowded areas.

BUT when people did get near us, they REALLY got near us. I just shake my head anymore, it makes no sense.
I've also seen a lot of this lately. I was fishing my way upstream on Saturday and a group of four walked up the bank from downstream. They got in the water right above me. I could have just about hit the closest with a cast.

On Sunday, I was working risers along a shaded bank. There weren't many risers. I'd catch one and then have to move upstream to the next. A guy came in above me and started fishing wets downstream.

There was plenty available water both days.
 
Camping is pretty common on the PFBC land, which I believe goes up to the rail trail on the north side. I see most people camping on the south side, however.
 
I stand corrected. The PFBC owns lands both on the north and south side of the creek according to OnX. My Bald Eagle Purple Lizard shows the PFBC lands and "project" waters totally on the south side I do believe.

Either way, anglers could legally walk a short distance and be off PFBC property and legally be on DCNR state forest land with a short walk on both the north and south sides. I am assuming ya'll see people camping right on the creek, however, which would be a "no-no" if camping is prohibited on PFBC land. Where can one find what is allowed and permissible on PFBC lands? I know hunting is permitted but have never looked into camping before. I am not saying I doubt you though, Troutbert.
 
I don't know what the PFBC allows as far as camping. I know the PGC does not allow it and have always assumed Fish and Boat likely had the same policy. I've seen a few anglers camp on SF land at Penns, though too close to the stream to be legal, but the vast majority are on PFBC property.
 
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