Lehigh River (Lehigh Gorge & Tailwaters)
river in Pennsylvania
The Lehigh combines tailwater trout fishing below dams with action-packed warmwater sections—good for anglers targeting trout in spring and smallmouth in summer.
River flow last 30 days
What's working on Lehigh River
- 01Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) are actively hatching during overcast periods.
- 02October Caddis are emerging, drawing larger fish.
- 03Midge activity remains consistent subsurface.
- 04Focus on deeper pools, riffle seams, and structure due to lower flows.
- 05Use longer leaders and lighter tippets for wary fish, and slow, erratic retrieves for smallmouth with streamers.
Past reports week by week
10 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Hellgrammite Fly
Hellgrammites are a consistent food source on rocky smallmouth rivers year-round, making this a reliable subsurface pattern for bass and trout.
Mahogany Dun
Mahogany Duns (Paraleptophlebia) are a key fall mayfly hatch, offering dry fly opportunities for rising trout.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
A versatile streamer pattern that imitates leeches and baitfish, which are consistent food sources for predatory trout and smallmouth bass, especially in cooling fall waters.
October Caddis (Dry)
October Caddis are a significant fall hatch on freestone rivers, attracting larger trout and opportunistic smallmouth bass to the surface.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge
Midges are a consistent food source in all seasons, and a weighted midge pattern is always effective for subsurface feeding fish.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
Blue-Winged Olives are actively hatching in fall, providing excellent dry fly opportunities for selective trout.
Buy at AmazonClouser Minnow (Bass) (Chartreuse/White)
Effectively imitates baitfish, a primary food source for smallmouth bass and opportunistic trout in the Lehigh River.
Flashback Baetis Nymph
Baetis nymphs are active year-round and are a primary food source for trout, especially during fall BWO hatches.
Where to fish and who to ask
Francis E. Walter Dam Tailrace
Classic tailwater trout fishery below the dam with steady flows and good nymphing opportunities.
Lehigh Gorge State Park (Jim Thorpe)
Scenic gorge fishery offering pocket-water trout and runs ideal for streamer fishing.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Evening Hatch Flyfishing Shop
Ben Turpin Custom Rod Building and Guide Service
Dunkelbergers Sports Outfitter
The Fishing Room - Lost Goods and Gear
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Pennsylvania season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Best Budget Fly Fishing Combo Setups for Beginners
Expert guide to affordable fly fishing combos that won't break the bank but deliver quality performance for new anglers.
Quick answers
Common questions about Lehigh River (Lehigh Gorge & Tailwaters).
What flies work best on Lehigh River (Lehigh Gorge & Tailwaters)?
Our top scored fly patterns for Lehigh River (Lehigh Gorge & Tailwaters) right now are Hellgrammite Fly (80% confidence), Mahogany Dun (80% confidence), Woolly Bugger (Olive) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Lehigh River (Lehigh Gorge & Tailwaters)?
Lehigh River (Lehigh Gorge & Tailwaters) holds Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Lehigh River (Lehigh Gorge & Tailwaters)?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Lehigh River (Lehigh Gorge & Tailwaters) are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Lehigh River (Lehigh Gorge & Tailwaters) fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Lehigh River (Lehigh Gorge & Tailwaters) each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.