Lehigh River Fly Fishing

The Lehigh River begins high in the Pocono Mountains near the town of Gouldsboro and continues for 103 miles until it's confluence with the Delaware River at Easton. The Lehigh is the largest tributary to the Delaware and in colonial times it was actually called the West Branch of the Delaware River. For many years industry took it's toll on the ecosystem of the Lehigh River but thanks to environmental progress it has rebounded in a big way, the Lehigh currently benefits from a level of water quality not seen on this river for over 175 years.

Anyone who has ever fished the Mighty Lehigh can tell you that wading is no easy task. It takes a good understanding of what flow conditions are wadeable at which locations to make for safe wading. Still, cautious and strong waders can be treated with excellent trout fishing from April through June with the fishing picking up again in mid to late September and continuing well into November. Winter fishing is possible but highly discouraged as a slip into the Lehigh during the winter months could prove dangerous.

Most fishing is done with rods of 9' or longer, in line weights from 5wt to 7wt. Floating lines are most useful for all around fishing while some prefer sink tip lines for wet fly and streamer fishing. Leaders can range in length from 7' to 10' in sizes from 2X to 6X depending on the type of fishing that you'll be doing on any given day. A good reel with a smooth disc drag and 100yds of backing can be important if you hook into a Lehigh Lunker. An assortment of strike indicators and splitshot help to get your offerings in the strike zone and keep them there longer and floatant is often necessary to keep your flies aloft in the faster water. An assortment of attractor and general use flies such as Copper Johns, Wooly Buggers, Pheasant Tails, Royal Wullfs, CDC Caddis, Stimulators, Parachute Adams, etc. will work most of the time with a decent presentation but sometimes a more hatch specific pattern is necessary for consistent action.

Lehigh Gap Outfitters is the guide service of Rivers and guiding fly anglers is what we do. Our competent, courteous guides will help you to make the most of your day on the Lehigh whether you have chosen a full day or half day of wade or float fishing. Our guides spend more days on the Lehigh River than any other guide service and most of our guides spend more time on the river individually than the entire "guide staff" of other services. We live on the river. Our presence on the water day after day, week after week gives our guides an insight into hatch activity, fish movement, fishing trends, and water conditions on a level that cannot be matched.

Between our seven available drift boats and catarafts, experienced full-time guides, custom tied fly patterns, first class shore lunches, and reputation for being the best guide service in the area it's no wonder that so many of our clients return season after season hopes of bigger fish, thicker hatches, and the comfort of knowing that Lehigh Gap Outfitters is their guide service.

Drift boat fishing is unfamiliar territory for many East Coast anglers but it is the number one method of fishing the Lehigh River which acts more like a Western river than anything else here in the East. This river really is one of the best kept secrets of Eastern trout fishing and, "I had no idea that something like this was here!" is an exclamation that we hear frequently. Drift boat fishing is our specialty and we average 70 boats a month every May during the height of hatch activity with enormous March Browns making a spectacle of themselves mid month. Fishing is also very productive through June as the weather holds and presents daily Sulphur, BWO, and caddis hatches. Drift boat fishing also allows anglers to fish heavy nymph and streamer patterns in whitewater situations that would be too dangerous to wade fish. Hooking a fish of any respectable size in heavy water is usually a memorable fight. A drift boat trip with us is also an excellent way to introduce yourself to this kind of fishing especially if you're planning to drift out West or wherever else your fly fishing travels may take you.

Report Date: 9/4/06 Water Temp: 65 Water Conditions: Moderate Flow - A Little Color FEW Release: 340 CFS Report: The tribs are up a little right now making for easily floatable level despite a low dam discharge of 340 cfs. Finally the temps are dropping a little and easing up on the fish. Keep your eyes peeled for Slate Drakes, the nymphs and adults are easily matched with the LP Isonymph and Lehigh Unusual Slate Drake. Patterns: BWO #16-18, Copper Johns - #14-16 BH Prince Nymphs - #16-18 Lehigh Unusual PED - #6-10 Stonefly Nymphs - #10 LP Isonymph - #10 Lehigh Unusual Slate Drake Admin Log in to Edit Report

We can provide quality Orvis tackle for your float trip if necessary. We do not charge ridiculous rental fees for tackle but we do ask that you give us a good heads up so that we can make arrangenments.

Rods
Dry - An 8.5' or longer rod in 5wt or 6wt. Stiffer rods with a good backbone are favored over soft rods which make it difficult to handle wind and apply good pressure to a nice fish in bigger water.

Wet - An 8.5' or longer rod in 6wt or 7wt. Again, stiffer rods will handle the wind better and allow for more efficient mends.

Reels
Reels should be appropriately sized to allow for 150-200yds of backing. Runs into the backing are not that common on the Lehigh but we have had fish take us into the backing on occasion and we've had plenty of fish on bigger than the ones that did. Reels should also have a good smooth drag system capable of applying good drag pressure.

Lines
Floating - Most fishing situations on the river call for a floating line which when properly cleaned and/or dressed allow for easier mending and are also easier to pick up and cast.

Sinking - Sinking lines have their uses, especially for trying to dredge pigs up in deeper pools and runs but they will be a hassle in most of the river. A more practical rig uses mini sink tips which can be removed and replaced more easily and when combined with a split shot or two are a more flexible way to fish the whole river.

Leaders & Tippet
Lehigh trout are usually not spooky, at least in broken water, and as such we frequently use 4x for dries and nymphs and 3x for streamers. Nylon tippets are used more than Fluorocarbon, but the higher abrasion resistance of Flouro makes it ideal for nymphing. We will always recommend using the heaviest tippet possible given the conditions to increase your chances of landing these strong fish. Leaders of 7.5' to 10' are the most useful lengths.

The Other Stuff
Licenses are available for purchase from your guide, please advise us what kind license and what quantity you'll need. Breathable waders are recommended for early and late season trips and on rainy days. Depending on the weather, wet wading can start as early as mid May and continue until sometime in October. UNSTUDDED wading shoes with plain felts are required for drift boat trips, we will use a floor mat for anglers who show up with studs to help the angler from sliding around the boat but the best footing is with wading shoes with plain felts. Studded boots are recommended for wade trips. Raingear is recommended and a comfortable rain jacket can make a rainy day much more bearable. A wading staff is helpful if a wading opportunity presents itself. You are welcome to bring your own camera and all LGO guides carry digital cameras with them. Sunscreen and insect repellant are highly recommended.

Coming Soon

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FROM PHILADELPHIA AREA

• Take the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 476).

• Continue on the Northeast Extension to the Mahoning Valley Exit (Exit #74).

• Take Route 209 South after leaving the turnpike tollbooth.

• Continue on Route 209 South through Jim Thorpe to the intersection with Route 93.

• Turn right onto Route 93.

• Take the first left turn after turning onto Route 93 (very short distance) at Whitewater Rafting Adventures sign. Continue to metal gate on the right. Please limit your speed to 15 mph.

• Turn right at the metal gate and continue to the headquarters of Whitewater Rafting Adventures.

• You will meet your guides at Whitewater Rafting Adventures.


FROM LEHIGH VALLEY AREA

• Take the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 476).

• Continue on the Northeast Extension to the Mahoning Valley Exit (Exit #74).

• Take Route 209 South after leaving the turnpike tollbooth.

• Continue on Route 209 South through Jim Thorpe to the intersection with Route 93.

• Turn right onto Route 93.

• Take the first left turn after turning onto Route 93 (very short distance) at Whitewater Rafting Adventures sign. Continue to metal gate on the right. Please limit your speed to 15 mph.

• Turn right at the metal gate and continue to the headquarters of Whitewater Rafting Adventures.

• You will meet your guides at Whitewater Rafting Adventures.


FROM SCRANTON/WILKES BARRE AREA

• Take Interstate 476 South (Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike).

• Continue south on the Northeast Extension to the Mahoning Valley Exit (Exit #74).

• Take Route 209 South after leaving the turnpike tollbooth.

• Continue on Route 209 South into Jim Thorpe.

• Continue on Route 209 South through Jim Thorpe to the intersection with Route 93.

• Turn right onto Route 93.

• Take the first left turn after turning onto Route 93 (very short distance) at Whitewater Rafting Adventures sign. Continue to metal gate on the right. Please limit your speed to 15 mph.
• Turn right at the metal gate and continue to the headquarters of Whitewater Rafting Adventures.
• You will meet your guides at Whitewater Rafting Adventures.


FROM HARRISBURG AREA

• Take Interstate 81 North to Exit 37 (Hometown).
• Turn onto Route 54 East.

• Continue on Route 54 to Route 209 North into Nesquehoning.

• Continue on Route 209 North through Nesquehoning to the intersection with Route 93.

• Turn left onto Route 93.

• Take the first left turn after turning onto Route 93 (very short distance) at Whitewater Rafting Adventures sign. Continue to metal gate on the right. Please limit your speed to 15 mph.
• Turn right at the metal gate and continue to the headquarters of Whitewater Rafting Adventures.

• You will meet your guides at Whitewater Rafting Adventures.


FROM NEW YORK CITY AREA

ROUTE "A":

• Take Interstate I-78 through New Jersey to Pennsylvania Exit 15.

• Take Route 309 North to U.S. Route 22 West.
• Continue to Interstate 476 North (Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension).

• Leave the Turnpike at Exit #74 (Mahoning Valley, old exit number #34).

• Bear left as you leave the tollbooth to Route 209 South.
• Continue on Route 209 South through Jim Thorpe to the intersection with Route 93.

• Turn right onto Route 93.

• Take the first left turn after turning onto Route 93 (very short distance) at Whitewater Rafting Adventures sign. Continue to metal gate on the right. Please limit your speed to 15 mph.

• Turn right at the metal gate and continue to the headquarters of Whitewater Rafting Adventures.

• You will meet your guides at Whitewater Rafting Adventures.

ROUTE "B":

• Take Interstate 80 West to Pennsylvania Exit 284 (Blakeslee, old exit #43).
• Turn onto Route 115 South.
• Continue on Route 115 to Route 903.
• Turn onto Route 903 South and continue to intersection with Route 209.
• Turn onto Route 209 South to the intersection with Route 93.
• Turn right onto Route 93.
• Take the first left turn after turning onto Route 93 (very short distance) at Whitewater Rafting Adventures sign. Continue to metal gate on the right. Please limit your speed to 15 mph.
• Turn right at the metal gate and continue to the headquarters of Whitewater Rafting Adventures.
• You will meet your guides at Whitewater Rafting Adventures.

The Inn at Jim Thorpe	24 Broadway Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 innjt@ptd.net	800-329-259+9 Fax: 570-329-9145
Sweet Reflections Al & Jan Naclerio	574 Oak Grove Drive Lehighton, PA 18235 naclerio@ptd.net	570-386-5406
Riverdance B&B	540 North Street Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 Riverdance_BB@yahoo.com	888-325-2961 570-325-2961
The Gilded Cupid	40 West Broadway Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 gcupid@voicenet.com	570-325-5433
The Parsonage Alexandra Harpster	61 West Broadway Jim Thorpe, PA 18229	570-325-4462
Grassy Hill B&B Ralph & Carole Cortazzo	80 Carpenter Lane Palmerton, PA 18071	610-826-2290

Lehigh River Stocking Association - Please support this stocking association, they have made possible the fishery we have today.

Lehigh Coldwater Fishery Alliance - Please support our organization dedicated to the realization of a year round cold water fishery.

Army Corps of Engineers - Dam information, release information and schedules.

USGS - Realtime streamflow data.