Lehigh Gorge State Park (Jim Thorpe)on Lehigh River (Lehigh Gorge & Tailwaters)
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.
What to tie on at Lehigh Gorge State Park (Jim Thorpe)
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
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 the most consistent food source in the Lehigh tailwaters during February. A black or red version mimics the larvae and pupae active in the substrate year-round.
Buy at AmazonLittle Black Stonefly nymph
February is the peak season for early winter stoneflies in Pennsylvania. These nymphs are active and moving toward the banks to crawl out and hatch.
Tungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
The Lehigh is a high-volume river; a heavy stonefly nymph is required to reach the bottom in the deep gorge sections and serves as an excellent anchor for a two-fly rig.
Buy at AmazonPine Squirrel Leech (Olive)
Small leech patterns like this effectively mimic sluggish baitfish and annelids in cold water, enticing strikes from larger, lethargic trout in early spring.
Black Woolly Bugger
A slow-stripped or dead-drifted black streamer imitates leeches and sculpins which are active even in near-freezing water. It is a high-searching pattern for larger trout and smallmouth bass.
Pennsylvania season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Fly shops nearby
Local flies, current advice and guided trips.