Big Bushkill Creek
Fly fishing in Pennsylvania · Intermediate · Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Target Species
Brown Trout, Brook Trout
About This Water
Monroe County Pocono stream with wild trout. Scenic gorges and waterfalls.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to the Poconos. As your guide, I’m excited to walk you through one of Pennsylvania’s most storied freestone gems: Big Bushkill Creek.
The Big Bushkill is a quintessential Pocono Mountain stream. Unlike the limestone spring creeks of Central PA, the Bushkill is a rugged, rocky, and highly oxygenated freestone system that offers a true wilderness feel despite its proximity to major East Coast hubs.
🎣 Location Overview
The Big Bushkill Creek winds through Monroe and Pike Counties, eventually emptying into the Delaware River. It is characterized by its tea-colored (tannin-stained) water, dramatic waterfalls, and classic "staircase" geology—alternating between deep plunge pools and fast-moving pocket water.
What makes this water special is the Resica Falls area. Historically managed by the Boy Scouts of America, this stretch offers some of the most scenic fly fishing in the Mid-Atlantic. The creek is surrounded by dense hemlock forests and rhododendron thickets, which provide shade and keep water temperatures cooler than many other regional streams. Anglers love it for its diversity; you can fish a technical dry fly to a rising fish in a flat pool and then move ten yards upstream to bounce nymphs through heavy pocket water.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
- Brown Trout: The "kings" of the Bushkill. You will find both wild browns in the upper reaches and holdover/stocked browns in the lower sections. They are notorious for hiding under undercut banks and behind large boulders.
- Brook Trout: Pennsylvania’s state fish. Wild brookies dominate the upper headwaters and the small, cold-water tributaries. They are opportunistic but wary; they require a stealthy approach and a delicate presentation.
Behavior: In the spring, fish are active in the riffles. As the sun gets high or the water warms in the summer, they retreat to the oxygenated "bubble lines" at the heads of pools or into the deep, dark slots near the falls.
📅 Best Times to Fish
- Spring (Mid-April – June): This is the "Golden Age" on the Bushkill. The hatches are prolific, and water levels are usually ideal.
- Summer (July – August): Focus on the early mornings (dawn until 10 AM) or the last hour of light. Note: Keep a thermometer on you. If water temps exceed 68°F, stop fishing to protect the trout.
- Fall (September – October): A fantastic time for brown trout as they become aggressive before spawning. The foliage in the Poconos makes this the most scenic time to be on the water.
Prime Conditions: Overcast days are your best friend here. The tannin-stained water can make fish feel bold under grey skies, leading to excellent streamer action.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Dry Flies
- Early Spring: Blue Winged Olives (BWO) #18-22, Quill Gordons #12-14, and Hendricksons #12-14.
- Late Spring/June: Sulfurs #14-18 and Gray Fox #12-14.
- Summer: Elk Hair Caddis #14-16 (brown and tan), and Terrestrials (Ants, Beetles, and Cricket patterns in #14-16).
Nymphs
- The Go-Tos: Pheasant Tail #14-18, Hare’s Ear #12-16, and Prince Nymphs.
- Stoneflies: Large Golden Stonefly nymphs #8-12 are very effective in the faster runs.
Streamers
- Wooly Buggers: Black or Olive #6-10.
- Muddler Minnows: Great for mimicking sculpins in the rocky crevices.
Presentation Tips
- High-Sticking/Euro Nymphing: Because the Bushkill is so rocky, traditional indicator nymphing can be frustrating with constant snags. "High-sticking" through the pockets keeps your line off the conflicting currents.
- The "Bushkill Twitch": When fishing a caddis dry, give it a tiny skate or twitch. The wild fish here often react to movement more than a dead drift.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The Resica Falls Access: Most anglers congregate right at the falls. For a better experience, hike a half-mile upstream or downstream. The fish see fewer flies and are much more willing to take a dry.
- Focus on the "Seams": In the heavy pocket water, look for where fast water meets slow water. A trout will sit in the slow water and dart into the fast water to grab food. If your fly isn't right on that seam, you won't get the hit.
- Stealth is Key: The water is often crystal clear. Wear earthy tones (no white hats!) and avoid "lining" the fish. Long, 9-to-12-foot leaders tapering to 5X or 6X are standard.
- Tributary Hopping: If the main stem is crowded or warm, explore the small feeder streams. These are the strongholds for wild Brook Trout.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access & Permits: Much of the Big Bushkill flows through the Resica Falls Scout Reservation. While they historically allow public fishing, they often require a specific "Fishing Permit" (purchasable at the camp office or local shops) in addition to your PA Fishing License. Always check current status as rules can change seasonally.
- Wading Safety: The rocks in the Bushkill are notoriously "greased" with algae. Felt soles and studs are highly recommended. A wading staff is a smart move near the deeper plunge pools.
- Regulations: Be sure to check the PA Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) website for current "Stocked Trout Water" vs. "Catch and Release" sections, as these designations determine when you can fish and what you can keep.
- Cell Service: It is spotty at best in the gorge. Download your maps before you head in.
Tight lines! The Big Bushkill is a place that rewards the patient angler who appreciates the beauty of the Pocono wilderness as much as the fish in the net.
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrickson Ephemerella subvaria | mayfly | April, May | Afternoon | #12-14 | Red Quill #12-14, Hendrickson Emerger #14, Pheasant Tail #12-14 |
| Grannom Caddis Brachycentrus | caddis | April, May | Morning/Afternoon | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis (Dark) #14-16, Peacock Caddis Larva #14-16, LaFontaine's Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-16 |
| Blue-Winged Olive Baetis | mayfly | April, May, September, October | Afternoon | #18-22 | BWO Sparkle Dun #18-22, RS2 #20-22, Pheasant Tail #18-22 |
| March Brown Maccaffertium vicarium | mayfly | May | Midday | #10-12 | March Brown American #10-12, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear #10-12 |
| Sulfur Ephemerella invaria/dorothea | mayfly | May, June | Evening | #14-18 | Sulfur Parachute #14-18, Sulfur Cripple #16, Frenchie #14-16 |
| Slate Drake Isonychia bicolor | mayfly | June, September | Afternoon/Evening | #10-14 | Isolynx #12, Zug Bug #10-12, Prince Nymph #10-14 |
| Light Cahill Stenacron interpunctatum | mayfly | June, July | Evening | #12-14 | Light Cahill #12-14, Cream Variant #14 |
| Ants and Beetles Formicidae / Coleoptera | terrestrial | July, August, September | All Day | #14-20 | Black Foam Ant #16-20, Crowe Beetle #14-16, Cinnamon Ant #16-18 |