Jason – Have you tried out the advice given to you in several previous similar threads, and mentioned again above here? Better to get out fishing, than sit inside typing. Especially with the excellent small stream fishing conditions much of the state is experiencing this Summer.
Again, it’s not my intent to offend you, but instead to sincerely help you…You’re not going to get very many (if any) responses that give up the names of specific small wild Trout streams to fish. On some level, recognize that it’s probably in poor taste and a breach of etiquette to ask for that kind of information, or expect folks to be willing to share it with someone they don’t know. Even if some posters might be willing to share that kind of information privately, they may be turned off from doing so by repeated requests from the same individual to share it publicly.
I’ll do you one better. As opposed to telling you a specific stream to fish, I’ll tell you my exact methodology for locating small wild Trout streams. I have fished hundreds of these types of streams, and have built an extensive database of good places to fish using this exact method. Some would likely argue that sharing this information even is too much. One prerequisite…If you live in Philadelphia, you must be willing to drive, period. At least 90 minutes, minimum. A 3 or 4 hour radius will greatly expand your possibilities even more so. If you can’t, or aren’t willing to do that, you’re going to struggle just based on the location where you live. Here goes:
1. Locate via some simple Googling, the following three lists published, and regularly updated by the PFBC: 1. Natural Reproduction List. 2. Class A Wild Trout List. 3. Wilderness Trout Streams List. They contain different information, and there is some overlap between them, but it is all useful. They all indicate the county the stream is in, so you can start as close to Philly as possible if you so choose.
2. (Optional, but not necessary. Good for a beginner with this method, but the more successful you get, you’ll find you’ll rely on these less.) Purchase a couple of PA stream guide books. Dwight Landis’s is very good, and my personal favorite, and there’s several other good options out there. Again, some simple Googling will head you in the right direction if you wish to purchase these. They all run about $20-$30.
3. Review the above mentioned lists and books and locate some streams in a given area that you think interest you. Cross reference those streams with a good mapping software. Google Maps works very well for this, and of course, is free. Are the streams on publicly owned land? What are the potential access points? Toggle between topographic and satellite views. Is the stream in a forested area, or is it running through folks’ back yards? How big is the stream? How steep does the terrain look? State and National Forest maps are available online for more information. Kudos to the PGC as they have recently updated and published detailed maps online of every single SGL tract in PA. They’re very useful for helping confirm access and parking locations for streams on SGL.
4. Since you’ll be making a decent drive for any of these outings, pick 3 or 4 potential streams in an area and head out to check them out. This way you have a couple back up plans if you get to a stream and find access problems, or another angler already there. Or if a stream just turns out to be a dud…that’ll happen.
5. Once you’ve fished a few of these streams and located a couple good ones, start to think about what they have in common. Then look for those similar characteristics in other areas using the lists, books, and maps. You’ll find you’ll quickly become pretty good at it. Before long, you’ll start working backwards…Looking at the maps first for good potential spots, then cross referencing with the lists and books…This is when you know you’ve figured it out.
Again, as long as you’re willing to make a bit of a drive from Philly, this WILL work, if you try it.
I'll also add #6...If you try this method, and see it works, don't fish any stream I plan to on the same day. Or if you do, make sure you don't get there before me.
