It’s funny that these two streams are mentioned in the same post, because they are #1 and #2 in terms of the most rugged, gnarly streams I have fished in PA. They’re steep, rough, remote, and just big enough that coupled with the gradient that they can be tricky to get across in spots in higher flows. Their water is tannic in color making it difficult to see the bottom even when the water’s “clear,” and they’re both in an area that is well known for having legitimate Rattlesnake and Black Bear populations. I’ve fished them, and would fish them again, but in all seriousness I would not fish either of these two alone, especially for the first time. If something were to happen to you in either of them it’s a nearly impossible trek out sideways…check out the topo map. It’s either walk up toward the headwaters or walk down to the mouth which isn’t necessarily easy either. Realistically, neither one of them can really be successfully done in a few hour, sneak away, type of outing. They are a whole day commitment type of deal.
I took a spill and submerged my waders on Stony on a 40 degree day with 40 degree water once, a couple miles from the vehicles. I had a partner with me, and other than being wet and cold I was ok, but if I was alone and snapped an ankle, I woulda been in big trouble. Funny side story about that day…we got back to the vehicles around dusk and drove home…the next morning my old beater Explorer did not start. Imagine if I got back to the truck at dusk, wet and cold in near freezing temps (still a couple miles from the main road mind you) and it didn’t start…that woulda been a problem.
Worth noting I guess, I am being 100% serious with this post and not necessarily trying to deter anyone from fishing them. Just do it smart. There’s only a handful of streams in PA I feel this way about, but these are two of them.
