Pine Creek, located in north-central Pennsylvania, is a renowned trout stream known for its scenic beauty and excellent fly fishing opportunities.
The creek features a variety of hatches throughout the year, including mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, and terrestrials.
Below is a hatch chart for Pine Creek to help you plan your fly fishing trips:
Pine Creek Hatch Chart
March
- Blue Quill (Paraleptophlebia)
- Time: Midday to afternoon
- Fly Patterns: #16-18 Blue Quill, Parachute Adams, CDC Emerger
- Early Stoneflies
- Time: Midday
- Fly Patterns: #10-12 Black Stonefly, Early Brown Stonefly
- Little Black Caddis
- Time: Afternoon
- Fly Patterns: #16-18 Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, CDC Caddis
April
- Hendrickson (Ephemerella subvaria)
- Time: Midday to early evening
- Fly Patterns: #12-14 Hendrickson Dry, Comparadun, Pheasant Tail Nymph
- Quill Gordon (Epeorus pleuralis)
- Time: Midday
- Fly Patterns: #12-14 Quill Gordon Dry, Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail
- Grannom Caddis (Brachycentrus)
- Time: Afternoon
- Fly Patterns: #14-16 Grannom Caddis, Sparkle Pupa, Elk Hair Caddis
May
- March Brown (Maccaffertium vicarium)
- Time: Midday to afternoon
- Fly Patterns: #10-12 March Brown Dry, March Brown Nymph, Pheasant Tail
- Green Drake (Ephemera guttulata)
- Time: Evening
- Fly Patterns: #8-10 Green Drake Dry, Green Drake Emerger, Cripple
- Gray Fox (Stenonema fuscum)
- Time: Midday
- Fly Patterns: #12-14 Gray Fox Dry, Comparadun, Rusty Spinner
- Sulphur (Ephemerella dorothea)
- Time: Late afternoon to evening
- Fly Patterns: #16-18 Sulphur Dry, Parachute Sulphur, Pheasant Tail Nymph
June
- Sulphur (Ephemerella dorothea)
- Time: Late afternoon to evening
- Fly Patterns: #16-18 Sulphur Dry, Comparadun, CDC Emerger
- Light Cahill (Stenonema ithaca)
- Time: Evening
- Fly Patterns: #12-14 Light Cahill Dry, Light Cahill Nymph
- Caddis (Various species)
- Time: Afternoon to evening
- Fly Patterns: #14-18 Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, Sparkle Pupa
July
- Trico (Tricorythodes)
- Time: Early morning
- Fly Patterns: #20-24 Trico Spinner, Parachute Trico, CDC Trico
- Terrestrials (Ants, Beetles, Hoppers)
- Time: All day
- Fly Patterns: #10-16 Foam Ants, Beetles, Chernobyl Ant, Dave’s Hopper
August
- Trico (Tricorythodes)
- Time: Early morning
- Fly Patterns: #20-24 Trico Spinner, Parachute Trico, CDC Trico
- Terrestrials (Ants, Beetles, Hoppers)
- Time: All day
- Fly Patterns: #10-16 Foam Ants, Beetles, Chernobyl Ant, Dave’s Hopper
September
- Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis)
- Time: Midday to afternoon
- Fly Patterns: #18-22 BWO Dry, Parachute BWO, Pheasant Tail Nymph
- Slate Drake (Isonychia)
- Time: Evening
- Fly Patterns: #10-12 Slate Drake Dry, Isonychia Nymph
October
- Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis)
- Time: Midday to afternoon
- Fly Patterns: #18-22 BWO Dry, Parachute BWO, Pheasant Tail Nymph
- October Caddis (Dicosmoecus)
- Time: Afternoon to evening
- Fly Patterns: #8-10 October Caddis Dry, October Caddis Pupa
November
- Midges
- Time: Midday
- Fly Patterns: #18-24 Griffith’s Gnat, Zebra Midge, WD-40
December-February
- Midges
- Time: Midday
- Fly Patterns: #18-24 Griffith’s Gnat, Zebra Midge, WD-40
Additional Notes for Pine Creek
- Terrestrials: During the summer months, terrestrials like ants, beetles, and grasshoppers are highly effective, especially in the slower sections of the creek.
- Nymphing: When hatches are not active, nymphing with patterns like Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ears, and Stonefly nymphs can be very productive.
- Stream Conditions: Pine Creek is a freestone stream, so water levels and clarity can vary significantly with rainfall. Check local conditions before heading out.
- Access Points: Popular access points include Ansonia, Blackwell, and the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon area. Be sure to follow local regulations and respect private property.
This hatch chart and resource list should help you make the most of your fly fishing adventures on Pine Creek. Tight lines!
Looking for more information on fishing Pine Creek? Check out this DIY Guide to Fly Fishing Pine Creek.