Young Womans Creek
Fly fishing in Pennsylvania · Intermediate · Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Target Species
Brook Trout, Brown Trout
About This Water
Scenic freestone in Sproul State Forest. Wild brook and brown trout in pristine setting.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to North Central Pennsylvania, home to some of the finest freestone trout fishing in the Eastern United States. As your guide, I’m excited to introduce you to Young Womans Creek.
Located in Clinton County, near the town of North Bend, Young Womans Creek is a quintessential "mountain" stream. It is a major tributary to the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and is widely regarded as one of the most scenic and productive wild trout fisheries in the Commonwealth.
🎣 Location Overview
Young Womans Creek is the crown jewel of the Sproul State Forest. What makes this water special is its wildness. Unlike the limestone spring creeks of Central PA (like Penns Creek), Young Womans is a high-gradient freestone stream. It flows through a steep, heavily forested canyon, which keeps the water cool even during the warmer months.
The stream is divided into the Main Stem, the Right Branch, and the Left Branch.
- The Right Branch is arguably the most famous section, designated as a "Catch and Release Only" area.
- The water is crystal clear, characterized by classic "pocket water," tumbling riffles, deep plunging pools, and large sandstone boulders. It offers a remote, backcountry experience where you are more likely to see a Black Bear or a Bald Eagle than another angler.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
- Wild Brook Trout: Pennsylvania’s state fish thrives in the upper reaches and the Right Branch. They are vibrant, aggressive, and opportunistic, but they are incredibly "spooky."
- Wild Brown Trout: Found throughout the system, particularly in the deeper pools of the Main Stem. These fish are cagier than the brookies and require precise presentations.
Behavior: Because the water is so clear, these fish have excellent vision. They hold in the "cushion" in front of boulders, in the deep slots of the riffles, and under the overhanging mountain laurel. During a hatch, they will move into the tail-outs of pools, but otherwise, they stay tight to cover.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Optimal Seasons
- Spring (Mid-April – Mid-June): This is the "Golden Era." The water levels are usually perfect, and the major hatches occur.
- Summer (July – August): Best for the upper reaches and the Right Branch where the canopy provides shade. Stick to early mornings.
- Fall (September – October): A spectacular time to be on the water. The Brookies are in their spawning colors, and the Brown Trout become aggressive as they prepare for their spawn.
Best Times of Day
- Spring: Mid-day to late afternoon as the water warms and bugs begin to pop.
- Summer: Dawn until 10:00 AM, and "Last Light" for the evening rise.
- Fall: Late morning through the afternoon.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Dry Flies:
- Spring: Quill Gordon (#14), Hendrickson (#12-14), March Brown (#10-12), and the iconic Grey Fox.
- Summer: Sulphurs (#16-18), Elk Hair Caddis (#14-16), and Terrestrials (Chernobyl Ants, Beetles, and Dave’s Hopper).
- Fall: Blue-Winged Olives (BWO) (#18-22) and Isonychia (#10-12).
- Nymphs: Pheasant Tail (#14-18), Hare’s Ear (#12-16), and Prince Nymphs. In the fast water, a heavy Stonefly nymph (#8-10) works well.
- Streamers: Wooly Buggers (Olive or Black) or small Sculpin patterns for the deeper holes.
Techniques
- Dry-Dropper: This is the most effective way to cover Young Womans Creek. Use a buoyant Elk Hair Caddis or a Hopper as your "indicator" and hang a small Pheasant Tail nymph 18-24 inches below it.
- Tight-Line Nymphing: In the high-gradient pocket water, keeping your fly line off the water is crucial to prevent drag caused by conflicting currents.
- Stealth Approach: This cannot be overstated. Wear drab clothing (camo or earth tones), stay low, and wade as little as possible. If you can see the fish, they have likely already seen you.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The Right Branch Rule: If you want the classic "PA Mountain" experience, head to the Catch and Release section on the Right Branch. The fish aren't huge (mostly 6-10 inches), but they are all wild and beautiful.
- Follow the Bubbles: In the deep pools, trout often sit right under the "bubble line" where the current brings the food. If you track your fly through the bubbles, you’re in the strike zone.
- The "Renovo Sandwich": After a day on the water, head into the nearby town of Renovo for a local meal. The community is very welcoming to anglers.
- Check Water Levels: Freestone streams react quickly to rain. Check the USGS gauges for the West Branch Susquehanna at Renovo; if it's spiking, Young Womans will be high and turbid.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Much of the creek is paralleled by Young Womans Creek Road. There are numerous pull-offs and forest service roads. However, the upper sections require a bit of hiking, which is where the best fishing usually is.
- Regulations:
- The Right Branch (from the mouth upstream to the confluence of Baldwin Branch) is Catch and Release Only.
- The Main Stem is generally under statewide regulations, but always check the current PFBC Summary Book as regulations can change annually.
- Safety: Cell service is almost non-existent in this canyon. Tell someone where you are going. This is also rattlesnake country—watch where you step when hiking through the rocks and brush during the summer.
- Permit: A valid Pennsylvania Fishing License and a Trout/Salmon permit are required for all anglers 16 and older.
Tight lines, and enjoy one of the most beautiful streams Pennsylvania has to offer!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue-Winged Olive Baetis / Pseudocloeon | mayfly | March, April, September, October | Mid-day/Afternoon | #18-22 | BWO Sparkle Dun #18-20, RS2 #20-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #18-22 |
| Blue Quill Paraleptophlebia adoptiva | mayfly | April | Early Afternoon | #16-18 | Blue Quill Dry #16-18, Dark Hendrickson Nymph #16-18 |
| Hendrickson Ephemerella subvaria | mayfly | April, May | Afternoon | #12-14 | Hendrickson Parachute #12-14, Red Quill #14, Hendrickson Emerger #12-14 |
| March Brown Maccaffertium vicarium | mayfly | May | Afternoon | #10-12 | March Brown Wet #10-12, March Brown Parachute #10-12, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear #10-12 |
| Sulphur Ephemerella invaria/dorothea | mayfly | May, June | Evening | #14-18 | Sulphur Parachute #14-18, Sulphur Snowshoe Emerger #16-18, Pheasant Tail #16-18 |
| Slate Drake Isonychia bicolor | mayfly | June, September | Late Afternoon/Evening | #10-12 | Iso Parachute #10-12, Zug Bug #10-12, Prince Nymph #10-14 |
| Grannom Caddis Brachycentrus | caddis | April, May | All Day | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis (Olive) #14-16, LaFontaine's Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-16, Holy Grail #14-16 |
| Terrestrials Formicidae / Coleoptera | terrestrial | July, August, September | Mid-day | #12-18 | Cinnamon Ant #16-18, Black Foam Beetle #14-16, Dave's Hopper #10-12 |