Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 14
CHEST CREEK,
Cambria County
by Ralph Scherder
photos by the author
Chest Creek rises just south of Bradley Junction, Cambria
County, and flows in a northerly direction for almost 40
miles before joining the West Branch Susquehanna River
near the town of Mahaffey, Clearfield County.
When most people think of this region of the state,
quality trout fishing is not typically the first thing that
comes to mind. Rather, this is the heart of Pennsylvania's
coal country, and with that distinction comes certain
drawbacks. History was not kind to many watersheds
throughout Pennsylvania, as trade-offs were often made for
the sake of progress, and this region was no exception.
According to the Cambria County Conservation
District, 66 tributaries flow into Chest Creek. Many of these
are unnamed little trickles, but many are also major water
sources. A large portion of these tributaries are impacted
by huge concentrations of metals, such as iron and
aluminum, that get into the water from acid mine drainage.
Remediation projects helped alleviate these effects in recent
years. As this area of the state continues to recover, the
fishing opportunities will improve.
The presence of native Brook Trout is often the baseline
used to assess water quality. That is good news for Chest
Creek, because Section 1 of the stream (approximately
3.87 miles), from its headwaters to an unnamed tributary
14
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * March/April 2020
Chest
Creek
CAMBRIA
COUNTY
in Bradley Junction, is designated as a Class A Wild Trout
stream, based on its Brook Trout population. From there
down to its confluence with the West Branch Susquehanna
River (approximately 34.2 miles), Chest Creek is stocked
with trout by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.
Section 3 is my favorite to fish and is managed
under Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only (DHALO)
regulations. This 2.5 miles of stream is also part of the
Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters program and receives
both spring and fall stockings. To access this stretch, take
Route 36 into the town of Patton and turn east onto River
Road. Parking is available at the numerous pull-offs along
River Road as well as at the bridge on SR 4022 at Thomas
Mills, which serves as the lower limit of the DHALO section.
What fascinates me most about Chest Creek is the variety
of fishing situations it presents. In some places, it has a
classic mountain stream appearance. In other places, it
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020
Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 5
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 6
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 9
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 10
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 12
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 13
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 14
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 15
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 16
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 17
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 18
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 19
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 20
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 21
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 22
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 23
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 25
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 26
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 28
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - Cover4
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