Central Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
Penns Creek Fishing Report: May 18, 2026
Penns Creek is in a useful fishing window today.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Late afternoon into evening
- Best methods
- dry flies, nymphs, streamers
Quick Summary
Penns Creek is in a useful fishing window today. USGS showed 259 cfs and 2.16 feet at 7:00 AM, with the flow trend stable. Water temperature was Not reported. Start with dry flies, then watch for late-day mayfly, caddis, or midge activity where the water settles. With hot air temperatures forecast, carry a thermometer and stop targeting trout if afternoon water approaches 68 F.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good |
| Flow | 259 cfs at 7:00 AM |
| Gauge Height | 2.16 feet |
| Water Temp | Not reported |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable |
| Best Window | Late afternoon into evening |
| Best Method | dry flies; nymphs; streamers |
| Wadeability | Good |
Weather
For Coburn, PA, the National Weather Service forecast says: Today: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Sunny, with a high near 93. Southwest wind 0 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Plan around wind, changing light, and any showers or storms rather than assuming a full-day dry fly window.
River Notes
The best starting point is water that matches the current gauge: inside seams, protected banks, riffle drop-offs, and slower buckets rather than the heaviest current. A stable trend is worth watching through the day; if the hydrograph turns sharply upward, clarity and wade safety can change before hatch timing does. Missing field values are left as Not reported rather than filled from guesswork.
Hatch Activity
Current hatch guidance is based on seasonal May patterns for this river system, recent public report context where available, and today’s official gauge/weather check.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur | 14-16 | Evening spinner and dun activity possible |
| Caddis | 14-18 | Pupa before surface activity |
| March Brown | 10-12 | Sporadic larger mayfly |
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Cloudy periods |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Sulphur Comparadun | 14-16 | Use over steady risers |
| Dry | BWO Sparkle Dun | 18-22 | Match small olives in softer seams |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail | 14-18 | Mayfly nymph before hatches |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Swing or dead drift before activity |
| Streamer | Olive Sculpin | 4-8 | Use on banks if water has color or light is low |
Tactics
Start with dry flies in defined lanes and adjust weight or leader length before changing flies. If fish begin rising, simplify to a single dry or dry with an emerger/dropper and lengthen the leader. In bright or windy periods, return to subsurface presentations along protected banks and broken water. Re-check the gauge before wading new crossings, especially if the trend changes from stable or falling to rising.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penns Creek at Penns Creek, PA | 259 cfs | Not reported | USGS 01555000 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS station 01555000 and the National Weather Service forecast for the Coburn, PA area. This report is an original Custom FlyBox summary based on current official gauge and weather data, with local public conditions reports reviewed separately for hatch, access, and method context.