Central Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
Penns Creek Fishing Report: May 21, 2026
Penns Creek is good today with 232 cfs at the primary gauge and morning, then adjust around showers, storms, and wind as the best window.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Morning, then adjust around showers, storms, and wind
- Best methods
- nymphs, dry flies, streamers
Quick Summary
Penns Creek is in a good fishing window today. USGS showed 232 cfs and 2.08 feet at 7:00 AM, with the flow trend stable. Water temperature was Not reported. Start with nymphs, then switch to dry flies or streamers if fish show you a better lane or feeding level. Re-check the gauge before changing sections because May flows can move during the day.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good |
| Flow | 232 cfs at 7:00 AM |
| Gauge Height | 2.08 feet |
| Water Temp | Not reported |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable |
| Best Window | Morning, then adjust around showers, storms, and wind |
| Best Method | nymphs; dry flies; streamers |
| Wadeability | Good |
Weather
For Coburn, PA, the National Weather Service forecast says: Today: A chance of rain before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth 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 hatch 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 late-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 | 232 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.