stonycreek river
overview
40.02710 / -78.92053 The Stonycreek River begins its 46 mile northward journey at Pius Spring in Berlin, Somerset County and ends with its confluence with the Little Conemaugh River in Johnstown, Cambria County. Glessner’s Covered Bridge, on Covered Bridge Road near Shanksville, is an access point and also marks the demarcation point of the slower flatter water as it begins its steeper gradient more oxygenated flow through six miles of the difficult to traverse upper gorge.
Upstream of Glessner’s Bridge to the vicinity of Baltzer Bridge the river is stocked with adult trout by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC). From Glessner’s Bridge downstream to the village of Kantner, the Stonycreek is designated a fingerling trout only stocking section by the PFBC. Documented surveys have confirmed that the fingerling stockings have created a successful put and grow fishery in the upper gorge section. This entire upper section of the Stonycreek is classic freestone trout water characterized by countless runs, riffles and pools. It also is not for the faint of heart or the physically challenged.
STAY SAFE OUT THERE
Wading is treacherous and studded wading shoes and a wading staff are requirements. The uneven rocky stream bottom, steep sided banks and heavily forested terrain contain holdover trout that reside in the deep pools and dark watery recesses that abound for those able and willing to pursue them.
Downstream the lower gorge section can be accessed at the bridge crossing along Pompey Hill Road. Here the terrain and river is slightly less challenging and anglers can make their way upstream into the more remote area or downstream toward Stoystown and Kantner where the gradient begins to lessen and although trout are still present the river begins to transition into a more of a cool and warm water river as spring transitions into summer.
Trout and warmwater species such as smallmouth bass can be found in the river and can be accessed at towns such as Hooversville and Hollsopple and at Greenhouse Park where additional adult trout are often stocked by cooperative nurseries and sportsmen’s clubs.
CONSERVATION EFFORTS
This section of the river was virtually lifeless for over 100 years. However, monumental water quality improvement initiatives driven by local, state and federal agencies, non-profits and watershed groups have significantly minimized the historic abandoned mine drainage (AMD) pollution from the Stonycreek and its tributaries.
Today because of these resource conservation efforts even the lower river at Ferndale and into the city limits of Johnstown are fishable and anglers consistently catch a variety of gamefish including trout.
There are no special regulation sections on the Stonycreek and that coupled with remote water with limited access and parking locations in the upper reaches limit angling pressure. For those who are willing to venture onto the Stonycreek fly anglers will find that stoneflies and caddis flies predominate and imitations of these insects both in wet and dry versions often are the preferred patterns. In addition, in the spring and early summer mayfly hatches of Light and Yellow Cahills, Slate Drakes and on cloudy rainy days Blue Wing Olives also appear. Spin and bait anglers can and do have success as well.
ADDITIONAL READING
To learn more about the Stonycreek River and its angling potential visit the Mountain Laurel Chapter of Trout Unlimited at www.mltu.org to view the Guide to Fishing the Stonycreek River. Visit the Stonycreek-Conemaugh River Improvement Project (SCRIP) web site at www.scrippa.com for the publication entitled The Fisheries of the Stonycreek and Upper Conemaugh River Basin.
The Stonycreek is also profiled in the books Keystone Fly Fishing, Mid Atlantic Budget Angler by Ann McIntosh and the revised edition of Charlie Meck’s book Pennsylvania Trout Streams and Their Hatches.
Tributaries to the Stoncycreek, such as the stocked Quemahoning Creek tailwater below the Quemahoning Reservoir and the South Fork of Bens Creek, which encompasses both Class A wild trout and stocked trout water, are also very much worth exploring as are the nearby wild trout waters of Higgins Run and Soap Hollow Run.