Wissahickon Creek.

The Wissahickon Creek Valley has a rather rich history.

Before European settlers arrived in the 1600s, the Lenni-Lenape Indian tribe fished the large sweeping holes and tumbling riffle sections of Wissahickon Creek, taking big native browns up over the steep banks of the creek valley to camp where a cherry-wood fire crackled. But those serene trips the Lenni-Lenapes took searching for the perfect brown were short lived due to the growing industrial atmosphere settlers brought with them from Europe.

By the 1800s, not only were there mills dotting the banks of the creek valley, but also many other industrial institutions such as taverns and roadhouses made accessible by the Wissahickon turnpike in the early 1800s (Friends of the Wissahickon).

Luckily the Fairmount Park Commission acquired 1,800 acres of the Wissahickon Valley in 1868 and most historic structures were left merely as dams or foundations (Friends of the Wissahickon)--many of which can be seen while fishing along the creek's 7-mile meander through Wissahickon Valley Park.


Paralleling the creek is Forbidden Drive, which was once the Wissahickon turnpike. No automobiles are allowed on the dirt path now, which provides great access to the creek throughout the entire park. On one of my Wissahickon excursions I fished by mountain bike, which is a great way to cover a lot of water as opposed to being on foot.

I have already experienced two hatches on the creek out of the 5 days I spent fishing it in early and mid-April. Small sulphurs matched up nicely for a dry, and any small beadheads (copper johns, pheseant tails, and hare's ear patterns) work well underneath the surface.

It's important to fish the Wissahickon early in the season because the water warms quickly. Many sections of the creek have a minimal canopy overhead and receive good exposure to sunlight, so finding deep holes and undercuts, as well as the fast riffles later in the season, will constantly be the most productive approach.

Aside from always being reminded of the beautiful landscape every time I fish the creek valley, I still haven't found that last Lenni-Lenape footprint hiding somewhere in the sandy creek bottom that I know has yet to wash away. Reminding me that fishing is a never ending endeavor.