Top 10 Trout Fishing In The Northeast (Page 2)
New York: Esopus Creek
This 65-mile long creek is a tributary of the Hudson River that drains the
east central basin of New York’s Catskill Mountains. Due to the extremely
cold-water flows found here year round, the wild rainbow trout population
in this river actually outnumbers the browns, making it very unique for a
northeastern river. It is considered by many anglers to be one of the most
productive wild trout streams in the region. The fish aren’t extremely large,
averaging just 10-12 inches, but the extreme numbers of them are truly
remarkable. The fast moving pocket water of this freestone creek makes
it an excellent nymph and wet fly fishery. Standards like Prince Nymphs
and Royal Coachman wet flies will get the job done, but don’t overlook the
significance of dries. Blue Winged Olives and Blue Quills provide for some
early season dry fly activity, but the Isonychia hatch that typically starts in
June, is one of the creeks best. This creek is one of the finest examples of
Mother Nature hard at work.
New York: West Branch Delaware River
Flowing thru a mountainous area of New York in the Western Catskills,
this 43-mile long river, may be one of the best wild trout fisheries in the
northeast, and possibly one of the best in the world. To most fly fisherman,
the heart of the river begins at Cannonsville Dam, where a cold-water
release provides plenty of food keeping trout growing year round. Primarily
known as a brown trout fishery, a few brook and rainbows can also be
found. The average fish runs 14-16 inches in length, but lunkers of over 24
have been landed here as well. Early in the year, a variety of stonefly and
mayfly hatches get trout looking up, but the Hendrickson hatch that occurs
in late April, really gets these fish going crazy. By the end of May, Brown
and Green Drakes cover the river, and fishing can be truly epic! Don’t
think for a second though that this makes fishing easy. These fish are well
educated and will test even the most experienced of fly fishers.
Pennsylvania: Fishing Creek
Know to the locals as “Big Fishing Creek,” this limestone can be found
in central PA’s Clinton County. Originating in the town of Tylersville, it
stretches for approximately 20 miles to the northeast, before emptying into
Bald Eagle Creek in Mill Hall. Being heavily shaded, and with an abundant
spring tributary system, this creek is considered one of the states finest wild
brown and native brook trout fisheries. Brown trout will average 10 inches,
but fish up to 18 are not out of the question here. A section known as the
“Narrows,” is where Joe Humphreys once caught a state record brown trout.
It measured 34 inches long and weighed 16 pounds. With good hatches
of Green Drakes, Hendricksons, Sulphurs, and Tricos, combined with the
highest wild brown trout biomass in the state, this creek is one of the best the
northeast has to offer.
Pennsylvania: Penns Creek
Named after the founder of the state, William Penn, this tributary of the
Susquehanna River is located in central PA. The creek itself is 67 miles
long, making it Pennsylvania’s longest limestone stream, but only the
upper half stays cool enough thru the summer months to hold a sustainable
population of trout. Bubbling up from a cave just outside of State College,
this creek flows 13 miles to the town of Coburn, where two other limestone
creeks, Elk and Pine, join it. From this point downstream, nearly every
species of caddis, mayfly, and stonefly that exists in the northeast can be
found here, creating a hatch matching paradise. Penns Creek is literally
world famous for its Green Drake hatch that occurs in late May and early
June. If you have never experienced one, than this is the place to do it.
Wild brown trout here average 12-14 inches, and fish in the 16-inch range
are common. Trophy sized fish of over 20 inches have been known to eat
large streamers at night. This creek is truly magical, and should be on every
anglers bucket list of places to fish.
Vermont: Battenkill River
Rising from cold, underground springs in the Green Mountains,
this 65 mile long river is home to some of the most educated trout in all of
the land. Not only are these wild, stream-bred fish, but on any given day,
you can find an employee from the nearby Orvis Company testing out their
latest products. By the time a fish has grown to 10 inches, it has seen every
fly known to man, and has been fished for by some of the worlds finest
anglers. Wild brown and brook trout dominate this river, with the average
fish being 12 inches in length. 16 -18 inch fish are quite common, and 20
plus inch fish are not out of the question. Due to the year round cold flow
of water, you can find hatches here that don’t exist on other rivers. Blue
Quills, Hendricksons, and Red Quills will appear in mid to late spring, while
Golden Drakes and Sulphurs keep anglers occupied in the summer. With
absolutely amazing scenery, and spectacular year round hatches, any serious
fly fisherman will want to check this river out.