Dry fly fishing in October??

[krayfish2]

Thanks for all the replies! So while I'm with my daughter for a few days (she's at Lehigh Valley), it looks like I'll do some research on the Little Lehigh and maybe a few of the others that were named. And thanks for the restaurant suggestions, very helpful, and I do enjoy IPA's so will certainly be stopping at Shangy that was recommended.

Connecticut does have front plates. Littering is bad karma. And I've never had my stomach pumped😉

It seems like the consensus is to hit the Delaware system on my drive home. Did a very quick search and many options as well....West Branch, East Branch, Main, Upper, Beaverkill, etc. A little overwhelmed. Any thoughts would be appreciated and I'll start reading up on the Delaware. Assuming there are campgrounds and/or cheap motels for fly fisherpeople.

Would be great if there are still some tricos around early October. I just had a great morning today on the Farmington fishing size 24 Needhami on 6.5X tippet. I find it super rewarding to not just catch, but land an 18 inch trout on such small tackle. Thanks again everyone, much appreciated!!

Find water and cast. If you go to 6.5x tippet on the Catskill rivers, you should land about 7-10% of what you hook. 4-5x all day

 

[JohnPowers]

ISOs on the Delaware main and on your way there a stop at the MARTIN GUITAR factory and Museum in Bethlehem. Sweet little guitar for less than a grand, not a D-28 like mine, but unlike a fly rod it won’t be obsolete in a year.

 

[Chaz]

One year when fishing in October while I kept a record of numbers caught I doubled the number of fish caught for the year during October. I fished a lot that year, went from 500 caught to 1000 caught. So yes fishing is good in October, but be aware that trout , brookies in particular are beginning spawning activities during October. If you see spawning activity move on.
As for hatches there are BWO's nearly every day, there are caddis but they are spotty, always midges and small crane flies. There are still slate drakes on some streams during October, particularly Pine Creek in NC PA. but now many other mayflies.

 

[dryflyguy]

3 hatches I usually come across in October:

BWO's
Slate drakes
Caddis - usually #16 gray
I have hit October caddis on a few occasions, but that's been kinda rare.

Terrestrials still work at that time of year too

 

[mikephl]

Hi,
In the Allentown area, streams include the Little Lehigh, Saucon, Cedar, and some others. Here is a map of AP trout streams to identify other streams and special regs areas in the state: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/v...DbI8ryYM4&ll=40.85337581547979,-77.682781&z=8

For your trip back, you can go north on the PA turnpike to Hickory Run State Park (camping). Many streams are in the region, including Mud Run, Hickory Run, and some others within the park, plus the Lehigh River.

If you head west 2-1/2 hours, you'll be in the State College area. Bald Eagle State Park is near I-80 provides camping, plus access to some of PA's best trout streams, all within 30 min drive: Spring Creek, Penn's Creek, Fishing Creek, Bald Eagle Creek, and more.

Good luck and good luck to your daughter on her rotation.

 

[The_Sasquatch]

big yellow or orange stimies all day long. Fall is my favorite time for dries.

 

[Swattie87]

big yellow or orange stimies all day long. Fall is my favorite time for dries.

I don’t know what it is (pre-spawn gorging?), but once the weather starts to get out of the typical Summer hazy/hot/humid pattern, mid-September I’d say most years, I seem like I can start to get away with stuff with dries more than during the Spring and Summer. Sloppy drifts, big attractor patterns in low clear water, etc, seem to still catch fish in the Fall. My favorite time to be out too.

 

[The_Sasquatch]

I don’t know what it is (pre-spawn gorging?)

I've always attributed it to this

 

[MarkC]

There are very reliable olive hatches on the upper Delaware system starting in late September / October. Water needs to be on the low side and cool (in the 50's), If you need a coat, the hatch is probably on. The crowds of spring are gone and the trout become much easier to catch.

Mark C

 

[DGC]

Add Tricos and flying ants to your bug list. My best days have been on #20 and #22 olives. If venturing to central PA, Penns has camping and famous bug life.

 

[krayfish2]

There are very reliable olive hatches on the upper Delaware system starting in late September / October. Water needs to be on the low side and cool (in the 50's), If you need a coat, the hatch is probably on. The crowds of spring are gone and the trout become much easier to catch.

Mark C

I don't know about easier. Usually low, clear and the fish are spooky from the never ending summer onslaught. Don't forget the imaginary big releases that are to start 10/1

 

[hooker-of-men]

I don't know about easier. Usually low, clear and the fish are spooky from the never ending summer onslaught. Don't forget the imaginary big releases that are to start 10/1

Also, there's rain in the forecast for that week, so better bring the streamer box with those olives.

 

[HopperPlopper]

The streams have been covered so I'll cover some restaurants and other stuff:

The Spinnerstown Inn, the Brick Tavern Inn, the Jamison Public House and the Limeport Inn are all super close to where your daughter is staying. They are all locally owned and in historic buildings that were former inns.

If "Allentown Hospital" means the former Allentown Hospital on 17th Street & Chews Streets (now Lehigh Valley Hospital-17th Street) there are some nice places to eat and explore in the area known as the West End of Allentown. In addition, the nearby Allentown Farmer's Market at the "Fairgrounds," open Thursday - Saturday is one of the nicest anywhere.

If "Allentown Hospital" means the former Allentown Osteopathic Hospital at 18th & Hamilton Streets (now St. Luke's-Allentown Campus) I'd still explore the nearby West End as downtown Allentown leaves a bit to be desired.

If "Allentown Hospital" means the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest Campus at Cedar Crest Boulevard and I-78, take some time and explore the town of Emmaus.

Also, if you are a beer drinker you MUST pay a visit to Shangy in Emmaus. They have at LEAST 5,000 varieties of beer available by the case, 6-pack, individual cans & bottles and growlers and they sell slushees. They call themselves "Beer Heaven and the Beer Authority" and I would venture to guess you've never seen a place like it anywhere.

Finally related to fishing, it's within the real of possibilities that you could still find Trico activity on just about any of the local streams in the early morning.

Enjoy your visit!!

Try the lamb burger at Spinnerstown hotel, you won't be disappointed. Apologies for spot burning.

Find delicious local food to enjoy on the Main Menu of Spinnerstown Hotel

Our menu boasts a wide variety of dishes made with mostly local ingredients. Don't forget to browse our wine, ****tail, and beer menus as well.

spinnerstownhotel.com