Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 31
The Pedaling Angler-
Heritage Rail Trail
by Derek Eberly
photos by the author
Fishing and bicycling in Pennsylvania are a natural
fit thanks to hundreds of miles of recycled railroad
passages that have been repurposed into multi-use trails
often known as Rail Trails. Many anglers are starting
to recognize the vast amount of river miles across
Pennsylvania that are readily available due to these easily
accessible, smooth, low grade trails. I have been fly fishing
for 20 years and adding a bicycle to my pack out has
opened new waters and saved countless tough days, where
pedaling a few extra miles has meant all the difference
between a rough day and a great day.
Because of Pennsylvania's geography and history, the
choices are seemingly endless for the pedaling angler to
explore new trails and waters. We are going to focus on
one segment of one such trail that runs south out of a
former revolutionary United States Capital and also carried
President Abraham Lincoln on his way to deliver the
Gettysburg Address. The York Heritage Rail Trail is steeped
in ties to early American culture and not only connects the
historic towns along its route but also the present to the
past while offering some excellent fishing along its way.
Starting at the Mason-Dixon line, the 10-foot wide trail
rolls through the lush pastoral valleys of southern York
www.fishandboat.com
This Brown Trout rolled a Woolly Bugger streamer pattern variant
on the first cast of the day.
County and picks up Old Mill Creek in New Freedom.
From there, the trail runs north and picks up the South
Branch Codorus Creek. Together, the Heritage Rail Trail
and South Branch Codorus Creek gently roll for 21 miles
along a low grade through meadows and villages on their
way to York. Parking access for the trail and creek can be
found at stops including Seven Valleys, Hanover Junction,
and just outside Glen Rock. The trail and creek are mostly
shaded along this section contributing to the quality of
this water and the pleasure of riding this trail. Shade is a
welcomed relief when temperatures rise in these valleys as
summer approaches.
The creek
The South Branch Codorus Creek is a stocked trout
fishery from just outside the town of Shrewsbury to its
confluence with Codorus Creek, just south of York. While
we visited the creek during trout season, it was towards
the end of May, and the creek was starting to warm up.
Even though we fished in the morning, we took the water
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * September/October 2020
31
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020
Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 5
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 6
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 8
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 10
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 12
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 17
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 18
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 30
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 31
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 32
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 33
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - Cover4
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