July/August trout - what central PA streams stay cold?

[Slatyfork]

Hi everybody, somewhat new to the area. Have really only fished Penns. I really like to hopper fish in late summer at daybreak, but Penns is too warm. Any recommendations on central PA rivers that stay cold? Larger streams if possible. (Not really into brook trout fishing.) Thanks.

 

[GANGGREEN]

Pretty tough and there aren't many options. The lower end of Spring Creek stays cool and I'd presume Spruce Creek, maybe Logan Branch, maybe parts of the Little J (the portion with a large influx of spring water), etc.. I lived there in my younger years, but there are surely other guys on the forum with more information about those fisheries than I have.

 

[lycoflyfisher]

Bigger streams that stay reliably cold enough to fish are few and far between in Pa. Certain sections of penns may stay cooler than others, spring, the Little J and Big Fishing Creek may all be fishable depending on recent weather and precip patterns. In South central pa, the letort, big spring and parts of yellow breeches may be fishable as well depending on weather

 

[nymphingmaniac]

Pretty tough and there aren't many options. The lower end of Spring Creek stays cool and I'd presume Spruce Creek, maybe Logan Branch, maybe parts of the Little J (the portion with a large influx of spring water), etc.. I lived there in my younger years, but there are surely other guys on the forum with more information about those fisheries than I have.

this is a good list and add Fishing creek in Lamar. Caution on the J though because areas get warm.

 

[Slatyfork]

Thanks everybody. I appreciate the information.

 

[Dave_W]

Do some exploring with your thermometer.

Mornings after a nighttime thunderstorm can see significant temp drops and some good fishing (assuming, of course, that you have the time and flexibility for this). Big dry flies like hoppers or crickets do well in these conditions.

 

[nymphingmaniac]

Do some exploring with your thermometer.

Mornings after a nighttime thunderstorm can see significant temp drops and some good fishing (assuming, of course, that you have the time and flexibility for this). Big dry flies like hoppers or crickets do well in these conditions.

I apologize if this is like trolling, but this might be true of freestone streams. I have found after a thunderstorm the water temps can actually rise on limestone's or limestone influenced streams because you get greater influence from runoff versus groundwater. I guess it depends on the stream but I would hesitate to make assumptions and apply it to every stream