Copyright 2010 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Cross Fork Creek
Pennsylvania
Cross Fork Creek was a very good wild trout stream that
had a good population of brown trout and brook trout.
For a long time it was under the state of Pennsylvania's
Heritage Trout Water rules. The state's Heritage Rules
have since been changed to two other classifications -
"catch and release' and "catch and release fly fishing
only". That's just fine. The problem is the state accepted
the demands of some local business owners who wanted
the stream stocked because they thought it would
increase tourism and now it's a destroyed wild trout
stream. It's the best example I know of a state fishery
department disregarding all sound, reasonable
management practices and putting politics before
everything else. The state of Pennsylvania opened
Cross Fork Creek up to spin anglers using artificial
lures, including those with treble hooks. For the first time
in 23 years, they are now stocking it with rainbow trout.
I have long known of many other streams the state
stocks that shouldn't be, but this move shows how
decisions are made by the state regarding fishery
management.
We visited this stream before the change that occurred
in 2006 and caught several nice brown trout, including
one that was about 15 inches. I'm sure there's still some
wild trout there, but they will now have to complete with
the hatchery raised trout for food and territory.
Cross Fork Creek, a tributary of Kettle Creek, is a twenty
mile long freestone stream that stays cool all year. It has
several small tributary streams that add cool water and
have populations of native brook trout. The main stream
had a good population of native brook and wild browns
but I'm not sure of the current status since the stocking
begin. Fly fishing Cross Fork Creek will never be equal
to what it was at one time, unless the stocking is stopped.
Seasons:
The season is the general Pennsylvania trout season.
Spring:
Springtime is the best time for fly fishing Cross Fork
Creek due to the aquatic insect hatches.
Summer:
The fishing may slow down some in the hot summer but
it still remains good.
Fall:
Fall is the best time to catch the larger brown trout
Winter:
Wintertime can be tough but nice, warm days can still
produce trout if fished properly.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies
Pennsylvania
Cross Fork Creek was a very good wild trout stream that
had a good population of brown trout and brook trout.
For a long time it was under the state of Pennsylvania's
Heritage Trout Water rules. The state's Heritage Rules
have since been changed to two other classifications -
"catch and release' and "catch and release fly fishing
only". That's just fine. The problem is the state accepted
the demands of some local business owners who wanted
the stream stocked because they thought it would
increase tourism and now it's a destroyed wild trout
stream. It's the best example I know of a state fishery
department disregarding all sound, reasonable
management practices and putting politics before
everything else. The state of Pennsylvania opened
Cross Fork Creek up to spin anglers using artificial
lures, including those with treble hooks. For the first time
in 23 years, they are now stocking it with rainbow trout.
I have long known of many other streams the state
stocks that shouldn't be, but this move shows how
decisions are made by the state regarding fishery
management.
We visited this stream before the change that occurred
in 2006 and caught several nice brown trout, including
one that was about 15 inches. I'm sure there's still some
wild trout there, but they will now have to complete with
the hatchery raised trout for food and territory.
Cross Fork Creek, a tributary of Kettle Creek, is a twenty
mile long freestone stream that stays cool all year. It has
several small tributary streams that add cool water and
have populations of native brook trout. The main stream
had a good population of native brook and wild browns
but I'm not sure of the current status since the stocking
begin. Fly fishing Cross Fork Creek will never be equal
to what it was at one time, unless the stocking is stopped.
Seasons:
The season is the general Pennsylvania trout season.
Spring:
Springtime is the best time for fly fishing Cross Fork
Creek due to the aquatic insect hatches.
Summer:
The fishing may slow down some in the hot summer but
it still remains good.
Fall:
Fall is the best time to catch the larger brown trout
Winter:
Wintertime can be tough but nice, warm days can still
produce trout if fished properly.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies
| Type of Stream Freestone Species Brown Trout (Wild and stocked with holdovers) Brook Trout (Native and wild with holdovers) Rainbows (Stocked, maybe some holdovers) Size Small to medium Location North Central Pennsylvania Nearest Town Cross Fork Season Middle of April through February Access: Good Non-Resident License State of Pennsylvania Weather National Weather Service Link Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies |
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Cross Creek Pennsylvania
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Photo Courtesy of Stephen Lamb
| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |