06/16/2026
As the water temperatures warm up on the bigger water, Brookie streams in the headwaters will tend to stay cooler a little longer. If you're a dedicated trout angler, now is a great time to go chase Brook Trout! Here's a few tips to find success chasing PA's state fish:
FLIES: Keep it simple. Brook trout aren't picky, so a high-floating dry fly like an Elk Hair Caddis or a Stimulator can be a great option. Buoyant flies like these also give you the opportunity to fish a dry dropper and double your chances of success (although Brookies rarely refuse a single dry fly).
ROD: A 2-3 weight rod 6-8 feet in length is a great rod for throwing small dries and dry dropper rigs on little Brookie streams.
TIPPET/LEADER: A 7.5' 5x leader is perfect for making accurate casts in the tight water that Brook Trout live in. They aren't picky, so you'll rarely need to go smaller than 5x tippet.
As you head out into the Brookie streams, be sure to move slow and make deliberate casts. They aren't tippet or fly-shy, but they are human-shy, so staying behind them and watching your shadow is a must! Remember to bring your thermometer as well, because even though these streams tend to stay cooler, they can reach that 68 degree mark as Summer progresses.
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