by Jim Hyland

Pine Creek is one of ’s day. Historical accounts of the area later in Blackwell. This section takes most scenic and historic water trails. describe huge pines and hemlocks, about six hours to complete, but it When not able to navigate the swift maybe 8 or 10 feet in diameter, and can be done much faster or slower waters by canoe, native peoples walked massive American chestnuts. The depending on the water level, boat an ancient footpath along the shore. commercial value of those trees types, paddling speed, stopping to Described as a “howling wilderness” by would bring signifi cant and some- fi sh, etc. There are state forest and early pioneers, the times devestating change to Pine private camping facilities in the area and lower valley still offer an amazing Creek’s shores. where paddlers can spend the night natural experience to paddlers. Water-powered sawmills began to along the creek and then paddle on While navigating Pine Creek, one appear as early as the 1790s, and scores to points downstream for one, two, can’t help but imagine what it must more steam-powered mills came and three or more days, depending on the have been like some 200 years ago, went with the various fl oods of the distance you want to travel and the given how spectacular it remains to- 1800s. Massive logs were muscled amount of exploring, fi shing or sight- into the creek and individually fl oated seeing you’d like to do. Contact the Pennsylvania to distant markets, while others were Tioga or Tiadaghton State forests for Offi cial Water Trails lashed into huge rafts that even had camping information. their own living quarters! In the past few years, “recreational” The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Wildlife abounded, too. Herds of kayaks have become popular among Commission is the sole agency elk grazed on the shores, and pan- river trippers. Still, plenty of tradi- that designates offi cial Pennsyl- thers prowled among the high rock tionalists prefer an open canoe (or vania water trails. However, in- outcrops. The pools were full of na- raft) for journeying with spouses, dividual trails and trail corridors tive brook trout, and American shad gear, etc. Sturdy paddles are a must are created and maintained by a seasonally migrated from the Atlantic. (plus a spare), and secured waterproof network of volunteers, property Like the shad, each year hundreds of gear bags prevent soaked or lost cloth- owners, civic groups and associa- people return to the creek to capture ing and equipment. Coast Guard-ap- tions. If you or your organization the profound experience of fl ow- proved life vests are mandatory for would like to create a water trail, ing with cold, clean mountain water all occupants, and wetsuits should be or if you’d like to nominate an downstream to the ocean. worn in springtime and fall when the existing water trail for recogni- water is cold. tion as an offi cial Pennsylvania Planning your trip If there is anything negative to be water trail, contact the Commis- Although Pine Creek can be pad- said about the experience of fl oating sion by calling 717-705-7800 or dled safely from Galeton, the Pine Pine Creek, surely it’s the slight hassle on the web at http://sites.state. Creek Water Trail begins at the Big of shuttling vehicles. Several boat and pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/in- Meadows Access Area near Anso- equipment rental businesses operate form.htm. Visit the water trail nia, Tioga County. Located closer to in the region that offer shuttle ser- pages on the Commission’s web where Pine Creek plunges south into vices for those renting equipment or site, www.fi sh.state.pa.us. the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, without the means of planting a shut- and having adequate public parking, tle vehicle downstream. A fun option it’s an appropriate place to begin. is to put a bicycle in your canoe and Most paddlers start their journey then ride it back upstream on the ad- at Ansonia, navigate the canyon, and jacent to reach then take out 17 spectacular miles your automobile. (article continued on page 17) 14 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2007 www.fi sh.state.pa.us d

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77°37'30" 77°30'00" 77°22'30" photos and maps-courtesy of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

www.fi sh.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2007 15 AIL

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77°30'00" 77°22'30" 77°15'00"

16 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2007 www.fi sh.state.pa.us Fishing glers are rock bass, suckers and carp, able to contribute very little to the Pine Creek supports a diverse fi sh- especially in the lower reaches. passions of paddlers. Heavy thun- ery that includes excellent trout fi sh- Consult the current Pennsylvania derstorms or tropical systems oc- ing in the upper stretches. The lower Fishing Summary regarding Pine Creek. casionally swell the creek enough to part of the creek (Waterville and Use extreme caution when wading. offer a few days of good late-summer downstream) affords an opportunity Pine Creek is very swift, slick and un- or fall paddling. to target warmwater species. The Fish expectedly deep in many places. By checking the USGS water lev- & Boat Commission manages Pine Note: Fishing information was com- el data for the gauge at Cedar Run Creek as approved trout water along piled by members of the Jersey Shore (http//pa.waterdata.usgs.gov), boat- the water trail from Ansonia to Water- Area High School Boating and Fly ers can view the creek’s current water ville. In fact, the Commission stocks Fishing Club. level. Readings between 2.5 and 3.5 trout starting at the Genesee Fork of feet are considered good, and below Pine Creek and ending at Waterville, Flow conditions 2 means that you may scrape the bot- an amazing 56.7 miles of stocked Depending on the type of craft you tom in some of the riffl es. As you stream. Pine Creek has more miles are paddling (rafts are slow, kayaks are head south, the Pine takes water from stocked with trout than any other fast) as well as the strength and pace , Cedar Run, Slate Run, stream in Pennsylvania. of the paddler, the mood of the creek, Little Pine and many smaller streams, Pine Creek also has two Delayed- etc., people are able to move down- so scraping is less likely the farther Harvest sections where special regula- stream at between 2 and more than 5 downstream you venture. Read the tions apply. The fi rst section is from miles per hour. To rush the trip is to water carefully. Ansonia (near Darling Run) to one waste it, because the scenery will beg mile downstream and ending near you to sit back and go with the fl ow. Emergencies the confl uence with Owassee Slide Save the lounging for lazier water, In an emergency, dial 911. Cell Hollow. A second Delayed-Harvest however, because a few sections in phone service is limited, or non- stretch is in Lycoming County from the gorge approach Class III, which existent, in the Pine Creek Gorge. the mouth of Slate Run to Naval Run, means that novice boaters need to Public telephones are located a reach of about 1.2 miles. stop, assess the situation and portage, at Ansonia, Blackwell, Slate Run, Pine Creek’s large size will chal- if necessary. Cammal, Waterville and Jersey lenge an angler’s skills. Light- to Pine Creek’s water levels usually Shore. medium-action spinning and bait- begin to drop in June, but Mother casting outfi ts are strongly suggest- Nature has the fi nal say. Normally Contacts ed. Fly-fi shing outfi ts of 5-weight by mid-August, the tens of millions • , 423 E. or more and 8 feet or longer are safe of trees in the forests of northcentral Central Avenue, South Williams- bets when fi shing what the “locals” Pennsylvania are in stiff competition port, PA 17702; (570) 327-3450; call “Big Pine.” for a late-summer drink. Raindrops www.dcnr.state.pa.us; fd12@ Although it holds large brown trout, falling from hit-or-miss thunder- state.pa.us. Pine Creek provides more of a warm- storms have little chance of passing • , One Ness- water fi shery below Waterville to the through the gauntlet of thirsty roots muck Lane, Wellsboro, PA 16901; mouth near Jersey Shore. However, and puckered soil. Consequently, the (570) 724-2868; www.dcnr.state. feisty smallmouth bass and walleyes watersheds of the Susquehanna are pa.us; [email protected]. can be caught • Lycoming County Visitor’s Bu- from the canyon reau, 210 William Street, William- to the mouth. sport, PA 17701; (570) 327-7700; Pine Creek of- 1-800-358-9900; www.vacation- fers some excel- pa.com; visitorinfo@williams- lent smallmouth port.org. bass fi shing in • Tioga County Visitor’s Bureau, the lower section. Historic Jail Annex, 114 Main Other species in Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901; 1- addition to trout 888-TIOGA28; (570) 724-0635; and bass that are www.visittiogapa.com; tiogapa@ targeted less fre- epix.net. quently by an-

www.fi sh.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2007 17