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Pennsylvania is a fly fishing paradise, with over 86,000 miles of streams and rivers, including over 15,000 miles of designated Wild Trout Water ¹. Whether you’re after wild brown trout, native brook trout, or steelhead from Lake Erie, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to cast a fly in the Keystone State.

But with so many options, how do you choose the best fishing flies to use in Pennsylvania creeks? The answer depends on several factors, such as the season, the water conditions, the insect hatches, and the fish behavior. In this blog post, we’ll give you some general guidelines and specific recommendations for some of the most popular and productive creeks in Pennsylvania.

General Guidelines for Choosing Flies

As a general rule, you want to match your fly to the natural food sources that the trout are feeding on. This means paying attention to the aquatic insects that hatch throughout the year, as well as other prey items such as minnows, crayfish, scuds, sowbugs, and terrestrial insects.

The best way to determine what the trout are eating is to observe the water surface and look for signs of rising fish. You can also use a seine net or a small aquarium net to collect some samples of the insects that are drifting in the current. Then, compare them to your fly box and choose the closest imitation in size, shape, and color.

Another factor to consider is the water clarity and depth. In clear and shallow water, you want to use smaller and more realistic flies that won’t spook the fish. In murky and deep water, you can use larger and more flashy flies that will attract attention and trigger strikes.

Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with different flies and techniques until you find what works best for you. Sometimes, the trout will surprise you with their preferences and behavior. The key is to be observant and adaptable.

Specific Recommendations for Pennsylvania Creeks

Now that we’ve covered some general principles for choosing flies, let’s look at some specific recommendations for some of the best creeks in Pennsylvania. These are based on the information we found online from various sources ² ³ ⁴ ⁵, but they are not exhaustive or definitive. You may find different flies work better for you depending on the conditions and your personal preference.

Penns Creek

Penns Creek is one of the most famous and challenging trout streams in Pennsylvania. It’s a large spring creek that flows through beautiful scenery and offers over 35 miles of public access. It’s home to wild brown trout that can grow over 20 inches long, as well as native brook trout in some sections.

Penns Creek is known for its prolific and diverse insect hatches, which can make the fishing both exciting and frustrating. You’ll need to match your fly to whatever is hatching at the time, which can vary from day to day and even hour to hour. Some of the most important hatches on Penns Creek are:

Blue-winged olives (BWO) – These small mayflies hatch throughout the year, but especially in spring and fall. They can range in size from #14 to #24. Use dry flies such as BWO Parachute or BWO Sparkle Dun to imitate the adults, or nymphs such as Pheasant Tail or RS2 to imitate the emergers.
Green drakes – These large mayflies hatch for about two or three weeks every year in late May or early June. They are a big enough meal to entice even the largest and most selective trout into a feeding frenzy. Use dry flies such as Green Drake Parachute or Green Drake Cripple to imitate the adults, or nymphs such as Green Drake Nymph or Hare’s Ear Nymph to imitate the nymphs.
Sulphurs – These yellow mayflies hatch from late May to early July. They can range in size from #14 to #18. Use dry flies such as Sulphur Parachute or Sulphur Comparadun to imitate the adults, or nymphs such as Sulphur Nymph or Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail to imitate the emergers.
Caddisflies – These insects hatch throughout the year, but especially in spring and summer. They can vary in color from tan to black, and in size from #10 to #20. Use dry flies such as Elk Hair Caddis or X Caddis to imitate the adults, or nymphs such as Caddis Larva or Caddis Pupa to imitate the larvae and pupae.
Terrestrials – These are insects that live on land, such as ants, beetles, grasshoppers, and crickets. They can fall into the water and become an easy meal for trout, especially in summer and fall. Use dry flies such as Ant Parachute, Beetle Foam, Hopper Foam, or Cricket Foam to imitate these insects.

Spring Creek

Spring Creek is another famous and challenging spring creek in Pennsylvania. It flows through the town of State College and offers over 16 miles of public access. It’s home to wild brown trout that can grow over 20 inches long, as well as some rainbow trout.

Spring Creek is also known for its abundant and diverse insect hatches, which can make the fishing both rewarding and difficult. You’ll need to match your fly to whatever is hatching at the time, which can change from day to day and even hour to hour. Some of the most important hatches on Spring Creek are:

Blue-winged olives (BWO) – These small mayflies hatch throughout the year, but especially in spring and fall. They can range in size from #14 to #24. Use dry flies such as BWO Parachute or BWO Sparkle Dun to imitate the adults, or nymphs such as Pheasant Tail or RS2 to imitate the emergers.
Sulphurs – These yellow mayflies hatch from late May to early July. They can range in size from #14 to #18. Use dry flies such as Sulphur Parachute or Sulphur Comparadun to imitate the adults, or nymphs such as Sulphur Nymph or Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail to imitate the emergers.
Caddisflies – These insects hatch throughout the year, but especially in spring and summer. They can vary in color from tan to black, and in size from #10 to #20. Use dry flies such as Elk Hair Caddis or X Caddis to imitate the adults, or nymphs such as Caddis Larva or Caddis Pupa to imitate the larvae and pupae.
Midges – These tiny insects hatch throughout the year, but especially in winter and early spring. They can range in size from #18 to #26. Use dry flies such as Griffith’s Gnat or Midge Cluster to imitate the adults, or nymphs such as Zebra Midge or WD-40 to imitate the larvae and pupae.
Scuds and sowbugs – These are small crustaceans that live in the weed beds and rocks of Spring Creek. They are a staple food source for trout all year round. They can range in size from #12 to #20. Use nymphs such as Scud Pink or Sowbug Gray to imitate these creatures.

Little Juniata River

The Little Juniata River is a freestone stream that flows through Huntingdon County and offers over 13 miles of public access. It’s home to wild brown trout that can grow over 20 inches long, as well as some rainbow trout.

The Little Juniata River is known for its scenic beauty and its excellent dry fly fishing. You’ll find plenty of insect hatches on this stream, which can make the fishing both fun and challenging. Some of the most important hatches on the Little Juniata River are:

Blue-winged olives (BWO) – These small mayflies hatch throughout the year, but especially in spring and fall. They can range in size from #14 to #24. Use dry flies such as BWO Parachute or BWO Sparkle Dun to imitate the adults, or nymphs such as Pheasant Tail or RS2 to imitate the emergers.
Sulphurs – These yellow mayflies hatch from late May to early July. They can range in size from #14 to #18. Use dry flies such as Sulphur Parachute or Sulphur Comparadun to imitate the adults, or nymphs such as Sulphur Nymph or Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail to imitate the emergers.
March browns – These large mayflies hatch from mid-May to mid-June. They can range in size from #10 to #14. Use dry flies such as March Brown Parachute or March Brown Cripple to imitate the adults, or nymphs such as March Brown Nymph or Hare’s Ear Nymph to imitate the nymphs.
Green drakes – These large mayflies hatch for about two weeks every year in late May or early June. They are a big enough meal to entice even the largest and most selective trout into a feeding frenzy. Use dry flies such as Green Drake

Parachute or Green Drake Cripple to imitate the adults, or nymphs such as Green Drake Nymph or Hare’s Ear Nymph to imitate the nymphs.

Terrestrials – These are insects that live on land, such as ants, beetles, grasshoppers, and crickets. They can fall into the water and become an easy meal for trout, especially in summer and fall. Use dry flies such as Ant Parachute, Beetle Foam, Hopper Foam, or Cricket Foam to imitate these insects.

Spruce Creek

Spruce Creek is another famous and challenging spring creek in Pennsylvania. It flows through private land near the town of Spruce Creek and offers only half a mile of public access near the confluence with the Little Juniata River. It’s home to wild brown trout that can grow over 20 inches long, as well as some rainbow trout and brook trout.

Spruce Creek is also known for its abundant and diverse insect hatches, which can make the fishing both rewarding and difficult. You’ll need to match your fly to whatever is hatching at the time, which can change from day to day and even hour to hour. Some of the most important hatches on Spruce Creek are:

Blue-winged olives (BWO) – These small mayflies hatch throughout the year, but especially in spring and fall. They can range in size from #14 to #24. Use dry flies such as BWO Parachute or BWO Sparkle Dun to imitate the adults, or nymphs such as Pheasant Tail or RS2 to imitate the emergers.
Sulphurs – These yellow mayflies hatch from late May to early July. They can range in size from #14 to #18. Use dry flies such as Sulphur Parachute or Sulphur Comparadun to imitate the adults, or nymphs such as Sulphur Nymph or Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail to imitate the emergers.
March browns – These large mayflies hatch from mid-May to mid-June. They can range in size from #10 to #14. Use dry flies such as March Brown Parachute or March Brown Cripple to imitate the adults, or nymphs such as March Brown Nymph or Hare’s Ear Nymph to imitate the nymphs.
Caddisflies – These insects hatch throughout the year, but especially in spring and summer. They can vary in color from tan to black, and in size from #10 to #20. Use dry flies such as Elk Hair Caddis or X Caddis to imitate the adults, or nymphs such as Caddis Larva or Caddis Pupa to imitate the larvae and pupae.
Scuds and sowbugs – These are small crustaceans that live in the weed beds and rocks of Spruce Creek. They are a staple food source for trout all year round. They can range in size from #12 to #20. Use nymphs such as Scud Pink or Sowbug Gray to imitate these creatures.

Other Creeks

There are many other creeks in Pennsylvania that offer excellent fly fishing opportunities for trout. Some of them are:

Big Fishing Creek – A limestone spring creek that flows through Clinton County and offers over 15 miles of public access. It’s home to wild brown trout that can grow over 20 inches long, as well as some rainbow trout and brook trout.
Slate Run – A freestone stream that flows through Tioga County and offers over 7 miles of public access. It’s home to wild brown trout that can grow over 20 inches long, as well as native brook trout.
Allegheny River – A large river that flows through several counties and offers over 100 miles of public access. It’s home to wild brown trout that can grow over 20 inches long, as well as rainbow trout, brook trout, and steelhead.
Kettle Creek – A freestone stream that flows through Potter County and offers over 30 miles of public access. It’s home to wild brown trout that can grow over 20 inches long, as well as native brook trout.

Conclusion

Pennsylvania creeks offer some of the best fly fishing for trout in the eastern United States. The key to success is matching your fly to the natural food sources that the trout are feeding on. This means paying attention to the season, the water conditions, the insect hatches, and the fish behavior.

We hope this blog post has given you some useful tips and recommendations for choosing the best fishing flies to use in Pennsylvania creeks. Remember, these are not the only flies that work, and you may find different flies work better for you depending on the situation. The best way to learn is to experiment and have fun.

Happy fishing!