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Big Bushkill Creek, located in the Poconos of Pennsylvania,
is a scenic and productive early-season trout stream.
The lower 12 miles of Big Bushkill are open for fishing,
and there is a Delayed
Harvest Fly Fishing Only stretch which is 6.1 miles;
On the Ressica Falls Scout Reservation property except
200 yards on each side of the falls. The river is well
stocked and you'll find holdover browns hiding along
some of the beautiful ledges that characterize this creek.
Numerous waterfalls also decorate the river, making it
a wonderful place to spend time on a spring afternoon.
The beautiful Resica Falls area is ideal for fishing
and hiking along the creek.
Above Route 402, there are a couple of parking areas
where you can gain access to the creek. These parking
spots can be found along Firestone Road, about a mile
and a half upstream from the Route 402 Bridge. Some
regulations apply here and registration is required
at the Boy Scout Headquarters. There is another parking
area just below the bridge, where there's a walking
path that follows the river a good distance downstream. |
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To get into certain parts of this section of river, some
hiking is required. Here, the creek is wider and more
open, making casting a little easier. At Route 209 Little
Bushkill Creek, which is a good trout fishery, dumps
into the Big Bushkill. Below Route 209 fishing can be
good, but this area isn't as popular as the upper stretches
of river.
Big Bushkill Creek is scenic, with some large pools
surrounded by ledges, pockets, and oxygenated runs.
Large pines line the banks, creating shade so the trout
feel at home. However, during the summer months, the
warmer river temperatures prevent good fishing. For
that reason, most people fish here into late May and
early June, and thereafter, seek more suitable water
temperatures on other rivers.
It's a great place early in the year, offering some
fine hatches such as Hendricksons, Olives, Caddis, and Cahills.
Stonefly nymphs and other generic nymphs work well
here. It's a good idea to fish nymphs along some of
the ledges or behind boulders where pockets are created.
If you strip streamers through some of the deep pools,
you may find the larger browns.
Before heading to the Big Bushkill, be sure to check
the angling regulations, since a few small areas are
closed to fishing and a special annual permit is required
for the Scout property. Traveling to the Big Bushkill
is definitely worth the trip, and it could easily become
one of your favorite early-season fishing spots in
Northeast Pennsylvania. |
