Fly Fishing Falling Spring Run. Mike Heck

      48 . Falling Spring run

       Location: South-central Pennsylvania, about a 1-hour ride from Harrisburg; a 2½-hour ride from Philadelphia; a 3-hour ride from Pittsburgh; and a 1½-hour ride from Washington, D.C. Full-service airports are available in all four cities.

      Falling Springs originates near the historic city of Chambersburg. Its crystal-clear waters flow through farmlands and grassy meadows outside of town. It winds and weaves its way through neighborhoods as it enters town. Once in town, it flows behind homes, through backyards, and eventually to its confluence with Conococheague Creek.

      Falling Springs is one of the finest wild trout fisheries in Pennsylvania. It is also one of the few limestone creeks known for its rainbow trout. The creek was once heavily

      stocked. Stocking was discontinued, and the stream now boasts an abundant population of wild trout. Falling Springs has both rainbow and brown trout. Most of the rainbows are found above town. In town, while rainbow numbers are increasing, there are currently more browns. Both rainbow and brown trout can grow to impressive lengths. They average between 9 and 14 inches. Smaller trout are plentiful. Much larger trout are encountered.

      The densest trout populations are found in the first 4 miles of the stream. This section is managed for fly fishing only and catch-and-release. Most of this stretch of stream flows through private property. It is, however, under a public easement program that

      allows access. Some of the meadows are owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

      Below here the creek enters Chambersburg. The area is much quieter than you would think. When fishing the stream in town, fly fishers would never guess that they are in busy Chambersburg. This 1.1-mile stretch of stream is

      managed for Delayed Harvest and holds a fair number of holdover and wild browns.