Cross Fork Creek Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies and Gear: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
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 Towns
Crossfork
Season
Middle of April through February
Access:
Good
Non-Resident License
State of Pennsylvania
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
You can fish the Little Lehigh year-round and catch trout year-round.
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.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Cross Fork Creek is 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.
Fly Line:
We suggest either a 4 or 5 weight, floating fly line for most of the fly-fishing. Most all of your fishing is done using small flies. You may want a 6 weight line for larger nymphs and
streamers.
Fly Rod:
The fly rods should be nine feet in length with a medium fast to fast action.
Fly Reel:
The reel for either of the three rods should have a good drag. You don’t want to hang a
large brown trout on a reel with a lousy drag.
Leaders:
You should use at least a 7 1/2 foot leader. A twelve foot length may be a wise choice in
some situations. You should have them in sizes ranging from 0X for streamers, up to 6X for small dry flies.
Tippet:
You should carry extra tippet material in sizes ranging from 0X to 6X.
Waders:
You should not wade unless it is necessary to get the fly to places the trout may be feeding or hiding. We do suggest waders for this stream because there are places you will need them.
Wading Boots:
Felt soles would be our first choice. If you are concerned about the spread of Didymo, the new rubber soles may be your choice.
Flies:
We always recommend “Perfect Fly” Trout Flies. Our scud and sowbug imitations are the most realistic imitations commercially available. We have specific imitations of all aquatic
insects in all stages of life.