Ohiopyle State Park offers no shortage of fun activities to entertain you and your family. Enjoy the park’s beauty from the treetops as you zipline through an obstacle course. Or, you could admire the scenery from your raft as you take on some of the best white water in Pennsylvania for a thrilling adventure. But whatever you do, make some time for Meadow Run.
Meadow Run is unique as a fly fishing locale; few trout streams offer two nature-made waterslides to cool off. But if you stick to the right sections of the creek, you might succeed in catching some trout.
The trout at Meadow Run are notoriously smart, so be sure to check out our guide before you visit so your experience can be successful and memorable.
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About Meadow Run
Fly fishing Meadow Run in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania
Meadow Run is a scenic stream in Ohiopyle State Park that eventually joins the Youghiogheny River. It is known for its awe-inspiring setting, as the surrounding foliage is particularly striking in the fall, and the moss-covered rocks dotting the banks offer year-round beauty.
In the deeper pools of the stream, you can find stocked trout (and perhaps some wild rainbows!). This stream is very popular with swimmers and tourists, so it might not be the best location to visit if you are craving some alone time. On the other hand, there are plenty of activities to keep a family busy if you are traveling with loved ones.
Meadow Run Map and Fishing Access Sites
Get Directions to the Fishing Access Points shown above with the DIY Fly Fishing Map
Best Places to Fish Meadow Run
The stream can be accessed from the Meadow Run Trail. Stick to the deeper pools, which are located below the famous waterslides. You will also see trout at Flat Rock, about a mile up from the pools.
Best Time to Fish Meadow Run
In the summer, the water temperature gets too warm to be hospitable to trout. The best time to fish is early morning or late evening, so the water temperature isn’t an issue.
The creek has a decent aquatic insect population. The most common hatches you will see are a variety of caddis, Hendrickson, March Brown, Green Drake, and Sulphurs. The trout here are known for being picky, so match the hatch when you visit.
Best Flies for Meadow Run
Here is a list of general fly pattern recommendations for Meadow Run:
- Little Blue Winged Olive (#18-24)
- Blue Quill (#16-18)
- Quill Gordon (#12-14)
- Hendrickson/Red Quill (#14-16)
- Grannom Caddis (#14-16)
- Apple Caddis (#14-16)
- Hare’s Ear Nymph (#12-18)
- Little Brown Stonefly (#14-16)
- Crane Flies (#12-18)
- Midges (#16-22)
- Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail (#12-18)
- Soft Hackle Hare’s Ear (#12-18)
- Rubber Legged Stoneflies (#8-12)
- Wooly Bugger (#6-10)
Gear Recommendations
A 9-foot 4-wt fly rod with a floating line is perfect for fishing dry flies and small nymphs on this stream. A tapered 9-foot leader, with tippet size 3X to 5X to match the flies you are throwing, is pretty standard.
Meadow Run Fishing Report
Area fly shops, guides, and websites that can provide a Meadow Run fly fishing report are listed below:
Fishing Regulations
Pennsylvania requires all anglers 16 and older to have a standard fishing license and a special permit for trout fishing, which can be obtained online or in most sporting goods stores in the state.
Meadow Run fishing regulations are available on the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website.
Trip Planning Tips
The nearest airport to Meadow Run is Pittsburgh International Airport, which is about an hour and a half away from Ohiopyle State Park. You can also travel to any major or municipal airport in Southwest Pennsylvania and arrive at your destination after a few hours of scenic driving.
Ohiopyle has its campground, so you won’t have to travel far at the end of a jam-packed day of adventure. Ohiopyle at Kentuck Campground offers more than 200 campsites. If you want a unique experience, the campground has rentable cabins and yurts.
Of course, you could need a break from all that quality time with nature. If you would rather stay indoors, Heritage Inn is a short drive from Ohiopyle State Park and has reasonable rates for clean rooms.
Whether you ride the water slides or keep fly fishing for hungry trout, visiting Meadow Run is a memorable experience. Bring the entire family, or bring your favorite rod.
Looking for more places to fish? Check out our DIY Guide to the Best Fly Fishing in Pennsylvania
Feature image by AllTrails
