Penns/poe camping this weekend. What would you do?

[Andrwhite610]

Was hoping to finally get some fishing serenity this weekend at Poe Paddy. Totes are packed rods are tubed, lists are checked and now the usgs cfs forecast has rained on my parade. Sure I could go target so tributaries(which Ive researched none) but the draw for Poe is the ability to camp and walk right out to the river. Also looks like rescheduling is out of the question since the sites are pretty booked out. I’m not concerned with getting wet but it looks like a blowout. Plan to arrive mid day Saturday and leave Monday morning. Any advice from those of you experienced with rain effects on Penns would be appreciated.

 

[troutbert]

I would go. I've camped there and didn't even fish and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Also, you can "research" the tribs with a free state forest map and a fly rod.

 

[bdhoover77]

If you can’t reschedule, go and see what conditions you are presented with. If nothing else, take some streamers and fish the edges.

 

[Swattie87]

Depends on how much you like camping in the rain and/or how good your gear is at dealing with it. If you’ve got a good waterproof tent and a good tarp or awning set up to keep you dry and give you a dry space to cook and hang out, I’d still go. If you can’t keep you and your gear dry, camping in the rain stinks. I’ll admit that. If you go, fish Penns if/until it starts to blow out and then fish some small streams. Or just camp.

No way to know what the stream is gonna do in response to the rain until you get much closer to the rain starting. Like 12 hours or less before.

 

[Andrwhite610]

If you can’t reschedule, go and see what conditions you are presented with. If nothing else, take some streamers and fish the edges.

I guess going and see what happens beats doing nothing and fishing the same old crick on Sunday.

 

[Andrwhite610]

Depends on how much you like camping in the rain and/or how good your gear is at dealing with it. If you’ve got a good waterproof tent and a good tarp or awning set up to keep you dry and give you a dry space to cook and hang out, I’d still go. If you can’t keep you and your gear dry, camping in the rain stinks. I’ll admit that. If you go, fish Penns if/until it starts to blow out and then fish some small streams. Or just camp.

No way to know what the stream is gonna do in response to the rain until you get much closer to the rain starting. Like 12 hours or less before.

I got a decent kelty tent but I’ve never tested it in the rain. Also have a EZ up and a few tarps and a bunch of totes. Also I sleep on a cot so I’ll be off the ground.

 

[jifigz]

I agree. Go. Maybe the predicted forecast won't happen, and Penns won't get blown, and if it does, go find somewhere else to fish. Camping is always fun in my opinion, even in rainy weather.

 

[mszoke1802]

I'd 100% go this weekend. forecasts aren't always correct. and hell if it does rain go explore smaller creeks. a weekend at poe is better than any weekend on the couch at home.

 

[Andrwhite610]

Thanks yall gonna stick to the plan.

 

[jifigz]

And while it may not be what you want, regardless of the amount of rain there will be still bodies of water fishable there. Fish Poe Lake, 7 Mtns Boy Scout Pond, or Colyer lake.

 

[Broodstock]

I would go, penns is lower than the median daily stat flow (600) by about 200 CFS. They are calling for less than 3/4" (0.7") rain from friday-sunday, with the bulk falling during the day saturday. Penns will for sure rise - but how much, no one can tell. FWIW - the forecasts almost always over predict CFS. Farm fields have been plowed and it has been dry - so with this much rain it might get a little color. I bet Saturday on the rising water, in the rain - fishing will be fantastic. That's almost perfect conditions. Try to leave early, get there early sat am. Leave fri night and car camp if you have to. Monday it might come back down a bit also. Sunday will likely be high, fish streamers in the soft water. Fish still have to eat.

 

[lycoflyfisher]

Not saying I recommend it, but I caught fish in Penns last year on cicadas at 2000cfs near weikert. Fishing streamers along the edge can be very fun

 

[Broodstock]

Not saying I recommend it, but I caught fish in Penns last year on cicadas at 2000cfs near weikert. Fishing streamers along the edge can be very fun

I was going to say this - a lot of people trying to fish Cicadas last year on Penns would have been happy with 1500CFS when their only option was to fish it over 2K 🙂

 

[lycoflyfisher]

I was going to say this - a lot of people trying to fish Cicadas last year on Penns would have been happy with 1500CFS when their only option was to fish it over 2K 🙂

It was juneteenth penns was finally below 2k. Heavy rain overnight appeared to stay north of penns basin via radar, usgs gauge said 1700 and dropping at 5am. So I hit the road for daylight action and found chocolate milk on the rise. When i got back in cell service the gauge was at 2200

 

[Nocktavius]

Didn’t even know forecast USGS was even a thing. How the hell could they possibly know. Just go fish and if it rains get out there ASAP and fish the bump. You’ll probably catch so many trout that you’ll be satisfied for the whole trip. Then go hit either the local tribs (there are at least 3 of them within stumbling distance of Poe Paddy) or go try another limestoner that might not have gotten hit so hard. Quick trip to the top of the mountain to get service and reassess.

Penns was getting a little low for my liking before this projected rain event. I think it’s at its absolute best around 600 cfs and fishes just fine at 900-1100 provided it’s not chocolate brown. You should have March browns and Grey Foxes which, while not cicadas, are a pretty damn good sized meal

 

[rustbeltwilds]

Plenty of lesser known streams criks runs etc to try your luck.....throw big n swing for the fence

 

[Shawn_H]

It’s already been said but I bet the fishing on Saturday will be real good. Penn’s tend to rise and fall slowly plus it looks like an all day light rain type event. Might be just fine on Sunday. Tent camping in the rain isn’t the best but I’d go.

 

[mtelesha]

Camping in the rain suggestions.

1) Don't put a tarp under your tent. It will just collect the rain and put it under your tent floor. I see this all the time. If you want you can put a tent ground cover as long as it is an inch shorter than your tent.
2) Get a big tarp and rope it over your tent BUT not touching your tent. Learn some knots and have plenty of rope. All the best tents fail when it is a soaking rain.... Well mine don't but they cost a TON! I could have a Helios easily...
3) Put your cloth in garbage bags so they stay dry.
4) Make sure your bedding is in a garbage bag till you go to sleep.
5) Grab a rug and put it at your entrance and exit.
6) Cooking - Make it super simple. I make my food at home and reheat it when I am winter or rain camping.
7) Make sure you have rain gear, Jacket, Pants, Hat and Shoes....

 

[jifigz]

As an avid camper, I agree with the not putting a tarp under your tent. I see that all the time, and it's really stupid. You can put one under, but it cannot stick out beyond the edges of the tent. It needs to be smaller than your tent's footprint.

Putting a big tarp under and having it stick out from underneath is such a bad rookie mistake.

Ropes and knots are super cool and very useful. I agree. Learn knots.

 

[CinnamonJoe]

I always seem to learn something on a trip like this: even if it reinforces already held knowledge, like 'being wet and camping is no bueno'. Fishing tribs or other nearby mountain streams-as has been suggested that are less affected by the rainfall-sounds like a way to make lemonade, if you find yourself with a sack of lemons this weekend!

I don't say that to discourage you, just more for you to be prepared and ready if the wet forecast, and high flows come to pass.

In all seriousness, I have gone camping and toughed it out, in what some might call miserable conditions while fishing and hunting, but only for so long. Know your limits, your kit/gear's limits. Hypotheremia is bad news. We don't need to be on the news. No shame in pulling into a motel or cabin for a night or two to get warm and dry.

Joe