Tulpehocken Creek is an outstanding tailwater fishery located just outside of Reading, Pennsylvania. The bottom release dam discharges cool and fertile water from depths of up to 50 feet which keeps the Tulpehocken Creek cool enough for trout to survive. In fact, the trout in Tulpehocken Creek thrive in the almost 4 miles of water below the dam, with heavy brown and rainbow trout averaging between 12-14 inches. ...

The Tulpehocken Creek (the "Tully") is also influenced by two tributaries which help cool the lower stretches of the stream during the hottest summer months. Plum Creek enters the Tully just below Rebers Bridge providing cooling waters and, for small stream enthusiasts, an interesting diversion to the Tully during certain times of the year or when the Tully is not fishable due to high water. Cacoosing Creek provides an even greater boost of cooling water to the Tully beside the Paper Mill at the junction of Tulpehocken Road and Paper Mill Road. The Cacoosing adds a good volume of 55 to 60 degree water to the Tully and also can provide a fishing alternative if the Tully is running high. Tulpehocken Creek is float stocked with 3,000 brown and rainbow trout every fall & spring. These grow quickly in this fertile stream. Tully holdover brown and rainbow trout average 13 to 16 inches with a few over 18 inches. The Tulpehocken Creek is larger than most southeastern Pennsylvania streams with sections of the stream exceeding 120 feet wide. Wading on the Tully is generally pleasurable compared to most streams of this size. It’s important to check the flow rate from the dam before venturing to the stream. Caddis are the staple in the diet of the Tully inhabitants. A wide variety of Caddis species will attract even the largest brown and rainbow trout to the surface from May through October. Blue Winged Olives, Sulphurs, Light Cahills, and Tricos are the major mayfly attractions on the stream with Sulphurs and Tricos providing the most consistent activity. Some stoneflies are present on the Tully and can present surprisingly good subsurface fishing during March and April. Midges are always present on the stream and even offer dry fly fishing on sunny days throughout the winter. Terrestrials are also consistent producers during the summer and fall. The complete hatch chart for Tulpehocken Creek is available at this site and in our shop.