Central Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
Penns Creek Fishing Report: May 20, 2026
Penns Creek is fair today with 235 cfs at the primary gauge and morning, then watch storms and showers as the best window.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Morning, then watch storms and showers
- Best methods
- nymphs, dry flies, streamers
Quick Summary
Penns Creek is fishable with mixed conditions today. USGS showed 235 cfs and 2.09 feet at 8:00 AM, with the flow trend stable. Water temperature was Not reported by the gauge. Start with nymphs, then adjust to dry flies or streamers if fish show you a better lane or feeding level. Leave the water if thunder develops; open riffles and drift boats are poor places to wait out lightning.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair |
| Flow | 235 cfs at 8:00 AM |
| Gauge Height | 2.09 feet |
| Water Temp | Not reported |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable |
| Best Window | Morning, then watch storms and showers |
| Best Method | nymphs; dry flies; streamers |
| Wadeability | Good |
Weather
For Coburn, PA, the National Weather Service forecast says: Today: A chance of rain showers between 9am and 11am, then showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny. High near 77, with temperatures falling to around 71 in the afternoon. Northwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. No active NWS alerts were returned for the point check. 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. Clarity was not available from an official gauge during this check, so treat it as Not reported and verify it at the access before committing to a long float or wade plan.
Hatch Activity
Current hatch guidance is based on seasonal May patterns for this river system, current public report context where available, and today’s official gauge/weather check.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur | 14-16 | Key late-day mayfly when water stays cool |
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Best under clouds or rain |
| Caddis | 14-18 | Pupa and adults in riffles |
| March Brown | 10-12 | Worth carrying on bigger riffles |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Sulphur Comparadun | 14-16 | Match evening risers |
| Dry | March Brown Parachute | 10-12 | Prospect broken water |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail | 14-18 | Before mayflies emerge |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 14-16 | Fish riffle seams |
| Streamer | Sculpin | 4-8 | Low light or stained water |
Tactics
Start with nymphs in defined lanes and adjust weight, depth, 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 | 235 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.