Fly Fishing in Bowman’s Creek, PA
I can still remember the first time I fished Bowman Creek. I was six years old when my dad took me to the Fly Fishing Only stretch located in Wyoming County, Pa. I caught my first trout on a Black Wooly Worm that day and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Bowman Creek is a freestone stream that originates from Mountain Springs Lake, which is nestled in amongst the 2000+ ft. high North Mountain Range in Luzerne County. From there it eventually empties into the North Branch on the Susquehanna River in Wyoming County, some 26 miles away.
As Bowman’s flows down some 10 miles or so from its origin, you’ll come to the small town of Stull. From Stull downstream to the town of Eatonville is where Bowman’s Creek becomes heavily stocked. The Pa Fish and Boat Commission stock this section of Bowman Creek at least three times a year with mostly brook and brown trout. A daily limit of 5 trout with a minimum size of 7 inches may be harvested from opening day of trout fishing to Labor Day. Most of this section is a put-and-take fishery with exception of the 1 mile Catch and Release Fly Fishing Only stretch found in Wyoming County.
By far the best fishing on Bowman Creek comes from the Catch and Release Fly Fishing Stretch. This stretch starts at the bridge on S.R. 292 and ends at the confluence with Marsh Creek. This special regulation area has beautiful tree cover and is riddled with pocket water and pools. The size of the stream ranges from 25 ft. to 45 ft. across. Good fishing can usually be found from late March through November on this special regulation stretch, but the best fishing will be had in May and June when the super hatches are in full swing. Bowman Creek has an abundance of aquatic insects and the major hatches include the early black and brown stoneflies size 12 to 14, blue quills size 16 to 18, quill gordons size 12 to 14, hendricksons size 14, American grannoms size 12 to 14, march browns size 8 to 12, sulphur duns size 14 to 18, blue winged olives size 14 to 24, slate drakes size 10 to 12, and Tricos size 22-24.