Solo PA Trip

[maxdg99]

Hey all! Looking to make my first solo PA trip from Northeast Ohio for wild browns this upcoming weekend (5/29-5/31), and I have a couple of questions for anyone kind enough to share their opinion.

First off, would central PA be my best bet for success with wild browns or are there areas in Western PA that are closer to Cleveland that would work? Not looking for anyone to spot burn, just looking for some general guidance.

If I do make the trek out to central PA, I think I'd like to fish the Little J & Spring Creek, but I'm a little worried about the current flows on the Little J which are around 800cfs as I type this. Will the flows come down enough for safe wading by Saturday?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[dudemanspecial]

Central PA is probably your best bet if you want the most options for wild browns and want to minimize any stocked trout that are mixed in. I implore you to familiarize yourself with the PFBC maps if you haven't yet, you may find some closer options that intrigue you.

Experience

experience.arcgis.com

I would think the little J will be fishable this weekend. Many folks consider it fishable around 500, personally I like it to be 400 or less.

 

[TheDuke44]

If you're set on wild browns, definitely get out to Central PA. Like dudeman said above - definitely spend some time looking over the PFBC maps.

Flows can be crazy this time of year and liable to change in an instant, so definitely make note of some smaller streams nearby that can provide you some good backup options for browns & brookies if you find the little J isn't so little.

 

[tjsingle]

Central PA is a good move, its prime time so to speak. Plenty of water to explore, even when there is high water on the big name streams.

While there are plenty of places to fish west of Central PA, you probably would only save an hour or so on your drive if you went to State College.