Along the Stream
Two special-regulation areas on the Falling Spring Branch allow year-round angling for wild and stocked trout. In downtown Chambersburg, a 1.1-mile reach has delayed-harvest, artificial-lures-only regulations. This area is between Walker Road and the Fifth Avenue bridge on the downstream (northwesterly) end of town. The Falling Spring Chapter of Trout Unlimited (FSTU), with the support of the landowners along this reach, has done stream improvement work to create a variety of good holding water. The stretch has excellent hatches and steadily improving water quality.
To the southeast of town, along Falling Spring Road, 2.4 miles of classic meandering limestone spring creek has Heritage Trout regulations (barbless fly-fishing-only, catch-and-release). Access to this area is good, thanks to the efforts of local residents, the Falling Spring Greenway, Trout Unlimited, and other conservation organizations. It receives no stocking and holds beautiful wild brown and rainbow trout. Falling Spring rainbows are especially striking, with their brilliant deep red sides and white-tipped fins.
The lowest reach of the Heritage Trout water runs through the Geisel property just east of Falling Spring Road. This reach has deep holding water and dense weedbeds that hold large trout plus fast water at the upper reaches of Geisel's meadow, approaching Quarry Road, especially the falls underneath the bridge. Many anglers intimidated by the spring creek's slow, weedy currents enjoy fishing these faster runs.
Above Quarry Road the Quarry Meadow Project, which included establishing trails, planting trees, and fencing cattle away from the stream, improved access and reduced siltation in the stream. The deep pools in the lower reaches of the project hold many trout, and the middle and upper reaches have less holding water.
Near the next road crossing (Edwards Avenue) the Stenger property is one of the loveliest country settings on the stream. The Stengers have provided a small parking area for anglers. There are undercut banks and pools on this popular water. Immediately above Edwards Avenue a slow, weed-filled pool holds extremely wary trout. It's a good spot to test your ability to lay down a delicate cast with a dry fly or nymph.
Upstream, over two fence lines, is the lower meadow of the Skelly farm, which has the largest percentage of fast water on the stream. It is the most heavily pressured water with extremely wary trout. When this water is crowded with fishermen, the trout stay hidden, and wise anglers seek other stretches to fish. The Skelly farm ends at Garman Drive, the next road crossing.
Above Garman Drive a short picturesque meadow (the McKenzie property) has slow, weed-filled water that presents technical fishing challenges for experienced fishermen. It's the most difficult water to fish on Falling Spring, with trout that are nearly impossible to approach. A major improvement project completed in the summer of 1995 substantially increased the amount of available trout holding water on this reach.
At the top of McKenzie's Meadow, the stream crosses under Falling Spring Road and winds through the newly dedicated Greenway Meadow, which was saved from housing development by the Greenway Project. This is classic water full of weeds and deadfalls, undercut banks, bankside grasses, numerous shy trout and little cover for stalking fishermen to use. A hands-and-knees approach is sometimes necessary. At the top of Greenway Meadow the stream flows under a beautiful little stone-arch bridge at Springview Drive. A parking area there provides access to the stream and interpretive signs that tell the tale of the Falling Spring Branch and its champions.
Above the bridge Frey's Meadow offers a challenging flat, complete with a water wheel at the Frey's Falling Spring Inn. Falling Spring Road again crosses the stream on the Frey water, and above the crossing there is another meadow. The water in these Frey meadows is slow and weedy, tailor-made for expert dry-fly fishing from Springview Drive upstream to the end of the special-regulation Heritage Trout water at the Briar Lane bridge.
If You Go
Chambersburg is located roughly 50 miles southwest of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, along Interstate 81, at exit 6 (U.S. Route 30).
| ACCESS POINTS |
1. Chambersburg Access
2. Geisel Meadow
3. Quarry Meadow
4. Skelly Meadow
5. McKenzie Meadow
6. Greenway Meadow
7. Frey Meadow
|
Chambersburg offers a variety of lodging options ranging from a springside bed and breakfast (Falling Spring Inn) to major chains (Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn, Howard Johnson's). For more information on food, lodging, and other area attractions, contact the Cumberland Valley Visitor's Station, (717) 261-1200. The area is a gold mine for Civil War buffs and antique hunters.
The Chambersburg area also is close to other worthwhile fishing venues, including public stillwaters and small mountain streams that hold native brook trout as well as stocked trout.
Tactics
Knowledge and the patience to observe and learn are the most important traits a limestone spring-creek angler needs. Beyond these, superior casting skills and the right tackle are necessary for success.
Falling Spring (and other Cumberland Valley spring creeks) is the domain of the short fly rod. Local anglers frequenting the spring use 6- to 7-foot 2- to 4-weight rods. Ed Shenk is the valley's master of the short fly rod, and his influence is obvious. Short rods are more accurate for the close, precise casting often required, and they are easier to handle in tight cover.
Regardless of your rod choice, lighter lines (2- to 4-weight) work best for this fishing. I use low-visibility lines, because I'm convinced that they spook far fewer trout than white or brightly colored lines. Long leaders and fine tippets are the norm for dry-fly fishing on the stream's tricky currents. George Harvey's dry-fly leader formula makes a good 10- to 13-foot leader with tippets from 5X to 7X. A 9-foot leader tapered to 4X or 5X is sufficient for nymph and streamer fishing.
Whether you fish dry or wet flies, your casting position is important. You can wade most of Falling Spring, but you must study the varying currents and select the best casting position to achieve a natural drift. You should move slowly and cautiously. Plan your casts, both backward and forward, then execute them smoothly. Falling Spring trout simply do not tolerate mistakes. Make one mistake and the target fish is gone! Find another trout and try again. That is part of what makes fly fishing and Falling Spring so fascinating.
Unless you encounter a hatch, or it is prime terrestrial season, nymphing techniques work best because the major forage base is shrimp and cressbugs. Leave the Royal Wulffs and #8 stonefly nymphs at home. Match the predominant forage in size, shape, color, and motion.
Cressbugs drift helplessly when dislodged, while the shrimp are active swimmers. Study the habits of the mayflies present on the stream and be prepared to imitate their behavior. Flies should move in the water of their own accord. Flies with movement and sparkle fool more fish than hard, static, realistic flies.
During the winter of 1993-94 I developed Mark's Limestone Shrimp to imitate Falling Spring's freshwater shrimp. It has proved extremely effective on all of our limestone streams, and other waters, too. Both Mike and I continually experiment with new patterns and tying techniques to stay ahead of the wary, educated trout. Mike is especially fond of his Mike's Midge Pupa pattern.
With the continued care and support of anglers, landowners, and businessmen, the Falling Spring Branch has a bright future. We would not be surprised to see hatches to rival the best ever experienced on the stream. The trout are abundant and healthy, and the water quality is steadily improving in those areas where development had damaged the stream. We feel certain that Falling Spring will remain the jewel of the Cumberland Valley.
Mark Sturtevant is the outdoor columnist for the Public Opinion newspaper in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Michael Heck is a guide and streamside entomologist on Falling Spring and other area waters.
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