Intro | Quittapahilla | Donegal Spring | Yellow Creek | Mountain Creek | Stoney Creek | Clarks Creek | Codorus Creek | Other Streams

Codorus Creek
South of Harrisburg, near the town of Hanover, Codorus Creek is another tailwater stream that flows from the bottom of the dam at Lake Marburg (Codorus State Park). The stream's upper reaches are fishable year-round, and even during hot summers, the water temperature there rises barely above 60 degrees (F.), which creates a stable environment for a terrific fishery.

Once the stream reaches York, it becomes too polluted to sustain trout, but about three miles of water near the dam have good aquatic vegetation and hatches of Hendricksons in April, as well as Gray Fox, March Browns, and Light Cahills in May and early June. The best hatch is the Sulphur from early May to early June. As with most area streams, the Sulphur hatch usually begins at dusk, but if you fish the stream on a cloudy, overcast day or during a slight drizzle, you could enjoy a day-long hatch that brings the trout to the surface. Later in the year, the large browns will come out of their deep bankside cover to slash at weighted Woolly Buggers and other streamers.

The stream's 3.3 miles of selective-harvest, special-regulation water is from Route 3047 at Kraft Mill downstream to Route 116. To reach the special- regulation water, take Route 116 east from the square at Hanover. The road crosses the stream at the lower end of the special-regulation water.

Other Valley Alternatives
The Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws lists the special-regulation trout waters across the state. A few of the noteworthy streams within about an hour of the Cumberland Valley include Green Spring Creek near Newville in Cumberland County, Tulpehocken Creek near Reading in Berks County, the West Branch of Octoraro Creek near Quarryville in Lancaster County, and the East Branch of Antietam Creek near Chambersburg in Franklin County.

Another stream worth mentioning is the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River. The state puts trout in the stream's upper water and its larger tributaries, and browns now thrive in many areas of the main Frankstown Branch. The stream has good hatches of Sulphurs, caddis, and Light Cahills in May, White Flies in August, and Slate Drakes in September. A rails-to-trails project provides good public access near Williamsburg. Although the stream does not have special regulations, it is a long system with plenty of opportunities to walk away from crowds.

Many fly fishers dream of visiting the famed Cumberland Valley spring creeks. They look forward to the challenge of wary spring-creek trout in a classic setting. If you have an opportunity to fish the famous water, do it. The streams can give you memories to last a lifetime. If, however, crowded weekend conditions begin to spoil your trip, consider fishing one of the Cumberland Valley's alternatives. These streams can save the day with good fishing in less crowded conditions, and each is worth exploring in their own right.