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Loyalhanna Creek, located in Southwestern Pennsylvania,
is a good, little trout fishery not far from Pittsburgh.
Located in Westmore County, this creek is a great place
to visit if you want to get away and enjoy the day fishing.
This creek also offers anglers a Delayed Harvest Artificial
Lures Only (DHALO) section.
The creek begins near Stahlstown, and follows SR
711 and SR 381 to the town of Ligonier. This section
of water is not of much interest to most fly fishers
until the creek reaches the town of Ligonier, where
the Delayed Harvest
Artificial Lures Only section begins. The DHALO
section runs for 1.5 miles, from SR 711 downstream
to SR 2045. Here, it is heavily stocked, and you can
easily access the creek by using SR 711, Route 30,
or SR 2045. This section is characterized by charming
riffles, runs, and deep pools. Usually, you'll find
the water very clear and slow moving whenever there
hasn't been much rain. The average width of the stream
in this part is 50 to 60 feet, and slightly larger
below the spot Mill Creek enters the DHALO section,
about midway downstream. |
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Below the DHALO section and down to the town of Kingston,
the creek offers some good fishing for both stocked and
holdover trout. Here, you'll find a few good pools which,
on occasion, offer anglers some large browns. Trees and
shrubs line the banks, but there is still plenty of room
for casting. The water generally runs a little stained,
especially after a hard rain. |
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Summer fishing in this part of the Loyalhanna is not
as productive as the upper end by the DHALO section.
Due to warmer water temperatures and the lack of good
holding water below Kingston, it's difficult to find
trout here. To access the creek between Ligonier and
the mouth where it enters the Conemaugh River, it's best
to use Route 30 and SR 981.
Hatches on Loyalhanna Creek are fairly good. You'll
find a decent supply of Mayflies, Stoneflies, and Caddis
to keep you busy throughout most of the spring and
early summer. If weather permits, and summer fishing
is good, Terrestrial patterns will work well. At times,
this is a thin, clear creek, so using fairly long,
light leaders will increase your odds. Nymphs and streamers
work well, especially when the water is off-color.
The Loyalhanna Creek in Southwestern Pennsylvania
is a good destination for a day trip of fishing or
to just get away from the busy city of Pittsburgh. |
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