Copyright 2009 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Big Springs Pennsylvania
The Southeastern section of the state of Pennsylvania
has some beautiful limestone spring creeks that provide
some very good trout fishing opportunities. There are
many, some popular and some rarely heard of. One of
the most famous ones is Big Springs located near the
little town of Newville. This is the 5th largest spring in
Pennsylvania. The upper part of this stream will give you
the shakes. The water is so clear that you can see
everything in it unless it is hidden under the grass. What
you mostly see are huge trout.
This was a popular brook trout stream during the
eighteenth century. It had not only had huge wild brook
trout, there were lots of them. The little town had several
hotels and was served by the Cumberland Valley
Railroad out of Harrisburg. From what I read about it, it
was a very popular stream in early American trout
fishing.
From 1972 until 2003, it had its own state fish hatchery
at the head of the stream. From what I read, the
hatchery caused many problems. The effluents from the
hatchery destroyed the wild trout population that made
the stream famous.
Fly fishing Big Spring Creek is fun knowing they now
have 350 pounds of brook trout per acre. Some of the
brook trout grow to large sizes. Some have been
measured upwards to 20 inches. The state
still stocks both rainbow and brown trout in some
sections of the stream. The brown trout reproduce to
some extent. I might mention that the stream is also fed
by some smaller springs downstream of the large one
that forms it. This helps keep the water cool for its entire
length.
Seasons:
The season is open from April 4 through Sept. 7.
Spring:
Spring is the best time for fly fishing Big Springs due to
the hatches that occur.
Summer:
Summer is a great time to fish because the water is
always cool.
Fly Fishing Guide to Big Springs
Like most spring creeks, Big Springs is not an easy
stream to fish. It has lots of large trout but the water is
crystal clear and catching trout takes some special
techniques that must be executed correctly. You must
stay hidden from the trout; you must use very light
leaders and tippet and you must make good
presentations.
(Click Here to Continue)
The Southeastern section of the state of Pennsylvania
has some beautiful limestone spring creeks that provide
some very good trout fishing opportunities. There are
many, some popular and some rarely heard of. One of
the most famous ones is Big Springs located near the
little town of Newville. This is the 5th largest spring in
Pennsylvania. The upper part of this stream will give you
the shakes. The water is so clear that you can see
everything in it unless it is hidden under the grass. What
you mostly see are huge trout.
This was a popular brook trout stream during the
eighteenth century. It had not only had huge wild brook
trout, there were lots of them. The little town had several
hotels and was served by the Cumberland Valley
Railroad out of Harrisburg. From what I read about it, it
was a very popular stream in early American trout
fishing.
From 1972 until 2003, it had its own state fish hatchery
at the head of the stream. From what I read, the
hatchery caused many problems. The effluents from the
hatchery destroyed the wild trout population that made
the stream famous.
Fly fishing Big Spring Creek is fun knowing they now
have 350 pounds of brook trout per acre. Some of the
brook trout grow to large sizes. Some have been
measured upwards to 20 inches. The state
still stocks both rainbow and brown trout in some
sections of the stream. The brown trout reproduce to
some extent. I might mention that the stream is also fed
by some smaller springs downstream of the large one
that forms it. This helps keep the water cool for its entire
length.
Seasons:
The season is open from April 4 through Sept. 7.
Spring:
Spring is the best time for fly fishing Big Springs due to
the hatches that occur.
Summer:
Summer is a great time to fish because the water is
always cool.
Fly Fishing Guide to Big Springs
Like most spring creeks, Big Springs is not an easy
stream to fish. It has lots of large trout but the water is
crystal clear and catching trout takes some special
techniques that must be executed correctly. You must
stay hidden from the trout; you must use very light
leaders and tippet and you must make good
presentations.
(Click Here to Continue)
| Type of Stream Spring Creek Species Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Brook Trout (Wild and Stocked) Size Medium Location Southeast Pennsylvania Nearest Towns Newville, Pennsylvania Season April 4-Sept. 7 Access: Easy Special Regulations "Heritage Trout Angling" Section (See Fishing Guide) Non-Resident License State of Pennsylvania Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart Coming Soon Fly Fishing Guide Hatches and Flies Fly Fishing Gear |
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Big Springs
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
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Photo Courtesy of David Knapp Photography
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