Little Lehigh River Key
River Report:
Water Flow Key:
Relating flows from the USGS gauging station on
the Little Lehigh near
50-100 Cubic feet per second
These are low flows that are usually experienced in the summer and early fall. The trout can become very wary. Good fly selection and presentations are a must. Long fine leaders are required to catch trout on the surface. Nymph fishing in the faster water can be very productive during low water. If there is a good hatch or spinner fall you can find incredible number of rising fish. When fishing during these low flows it is a good idea to fish during periods of low light or on cloudy days.
100-200 cubic feet per second *great water flows
These are my favorite flows for fishing the Little Lehigh. Any method that you choose to fish can be productive. This includes the use of streamers. I have had many a large trout chase my offering down when the flows were close to the 200 cfs range. You can still have great dry fly fishing on the edges of faster current and the tail outs of the longer pools. Also at these flows you will find that the trout will be more evenly distributed throughout the entire catch and released stretch. Nymph fishing with small midges is your best bet if you are looking to catch large numbers of trout.
200-250 cubic feet per second
These are higher than optimal flows. All of the same techniques used in the above paragraph will work. Streamers will take more fish at these higher flows. Fish larger sculpin type patterns. Use streamers such as Don’s Sculpin or the Zoo Cougar. These are two very effective patterns for this stretch of river. Nymph fishing is still ultra-productive. You can also use brighter flies such as egg patterns and San Juan Worms when the water is higher. You can still, at times, find fish rising on the edges and tail outs of pools.
250-300 cubic feet per second
This are considered high water. You can use larger brighter nymphs. Streamers are the top producer at this level. Fish the edges of the current with streamers. This is a time when you have a good chance of landing one of the monsters that this stretch of river holds.
300-400 cubic feet per second
This is extremely high water. Streamers are the only game. Fish the edges and try to catch few but larger trout.
400 cubic feet per second and more =
unfishable conditions