Appalachian Trail and trout fishing

[riversimple]

Good evening folks, this year I have some serious thoughts about taking on a portion of the trail. I'm doing a bit of research on the trail, my intentions are to begin at the Delaware water gap in P.A and move south from there. I'm curious if anyone on this board has ever hiked and fished the trail's waters or any other experience on the trail.

thanks,
Anthony

[Hardyreels]

Hi Anthony,

I have fished through parts of Maine and Tennessee and made use of tent sites and Bunk Houses along the trail. It was a very cool way to go fishing and always offered beautiful scenery where I was at. The trail is one of those things that if I had a chance to go back in life for a re-do, I would walk it from Springer Mtn. Georgia to the peak of Katahdin in Maine. For sure! I loved the terminus in Main so much I have hiked through Baxter Park from three different directions and climbed Katahdin all three times. I loved Maine!

Ard

[Rip Tide]

While normally hiking and fishing go together like coffee and doughnuts, long distance hiking is a bit different.
AT hiking is more about distance and making good time while carrying the minimal amount of weight. Fishing and fishing gear can only get in the way.

If you want to hike in somewhere and fish, that's a great idea. Hiking the AT and expecting to spend time fishing, probably not.

[ant]

What Rip said. You can hike there, and fish, just don't expect to get very far.

Also, last time I checked, PA law for hiking the AT on State land was weird. Essentially you could only hike one way and stay overnight. So you could have a 60 mile trip planned and stop and points A, B, and C and be legal. But if you wanted to hike back it would be illegal.

This was a number of years ago and may have changed by now, but it is something that you should look into.

[dhaynes]

Let me suggest an alternative. Begin your hike further south at Front Royal, Va. The AT follows the ridge line through Shenandoah National Park. The park has an extensive network of trails that will take you from the ridge down to lower levels and numerous streams. Best fishing will be at lower levels. Back county camping is permitted in the park. Contact the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club for excellent maps of the park. also search Amazon for books on Fly Fishing Virginia. Another good source for info would be Murray's Fly Shop in Edinburg, Va. MURRAY'S FLY FISHING SHOP, MURRAYS FLY SHOP, FLY FISHING EQUIPMENT, FLY FISHING GUIDE SERVICES, FLY FISHING SCHOOLS, Fly Shop.

[wt bash]

Another alternative is the section in NJ, your right there at the Flat Brook and numerous other creeks and streams. Plenty of wild or naturally reproducing brookies.

[bigspencer]

Think if you wanna get into some brooktrout in Maine.....
doing the "hike the AT in sections" -thing is the way to go. Best fishing up here, as in most places with trout(especially brooktrout)...in view of the trail-zone will be in May, June, and July...imho...hours according with temps.

$.01