Northcentral Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
Pine Creek Fishing Report: May 18, 2026
Pine Creek is in a useful fishing window today.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon into evening
- Best methods
- nymphs, streamers, dry flies
Quick Summary
Pine Creek is in a useful fishing window today. USGS showed 1,070 cfs and 2.72 feet at 7:15 AM, with the flow trend falling. Water temperature was Not reported. Start with nymphs, 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 | 1,070 cfs at 7:15 AM |
| Gauge Height | 2.72 feet |
| Water Temp | Not reported |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling |
| Best Window | Late afternoon into evening |
| Best Method | nymphs; streamers; dry flies |
| Wadeability | Limited |
Weather
For Slate Run, PA, the National Weather Service forecast says: Today: Sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind 0 to 8 mph. 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 falling 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 | Look to evening flats and edges |
| Caddis | 14-18 | Pupa and adults along riffles |
| March Brown | 10-12 | Sporadic in broken water |
| Stonefly nymphs | 8-12 | Useful subsurface search pattern |
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 nymphs 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Creek at Cedar Run, PA | 1,070 cfs | Not reported | USGS 01548500 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS station 01548500 and the National Weather Service forecast for the Slate Run, 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.