Fishing Limestone Streams: A Complete Guide to Fishing These Unique Waters

Limestone streams present some of the most intriguing and challenging fly-fishing waters in mid-America, flowing through such storied fishing regions in Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and New York. Meck explains what limestone streams are, how they significantly differ from freestone streams, and why they are such an important part of the environment and the fishing experience.

Meck examines the common insects found in limestone streams, beginning with a useful hatch chart, and following with an in-depth discussion of some of the more important hatches,
including the trico, the blue-winged olive, the sulphur and pale morning dun, the green drake, as well as midges, scuds, and cress bugs.

He also discusses special tactics for fishing limestone streams, with advice on using a long fine leader with a fluorocarbon tippet, sinking the dun or spinner pattern, using a tandem rig or strike indicator, which patterns to carry to match any limestone hatch, the use of smaller patterns, fishing in poor weather, and catching the early hatch cycle.

He also discusses the flies the guides use, and why, and discusses the future of the limestone stream, addressing issues such as sedimentation and development. For any angler contemplating a journey to a limestone stream, this is a must.