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Spring Brook (also known as Flynn Brook) is a high-quality tributary of Upper Cattaraugus Creek. This is one of the better small trout streams in western New York and seemingly one of the least known. This spring-fed stream has cold, high-quality water; a bottom of cobble, gravel, and silt; and a mostly intact riparian corridor that, in some sections, almost looks manicured. Because this is a highly fertile stream, it can support a large number of trout, a few of which approach 16 inches. Nearly the entire stream is fishable, though the section upstream of Younger Road is quite small. Most of this stream is fishable all trout season, but from Youngers Road downstream to the beginning of the public fishing rights (PFR) section along Sullivan Road, summer flows can be low and the stream is impacted by adjacent agricultural practices.

Spring Brook supports a substantial population of wild brown trout and a smaller population of wild brook trout. A few wild rainbow trout are occasionally caught here, and these are probably migrants from Cattaraugus Creek. Upstream of Younger Road, the stream is about 5 to 8 feet wide and has a bottom of gravel, cobble, and rubble. Flowing through a mix of meadows and farmland, this is where you have the best chance of finding brook trout, though even here their numbers are low and the fish are generally small. Most of the fish captured in this section during the 2022 trout population survey, both browns and brookies, were small.

By the time the stream reaches the upper end of the PFR section along Sullivan Road, the size and number of fish, mostly browns, increase, probably due to better habitat for adult trout and more abundant bait fish. Numerous pools are found along the length of the stream down to its junction with Cattaraugus Creek, some of which are 2 to 3 feet deep, and numerous in-stream deposits of woody debris provide additional cover for adult trout, which are abundant.

One of the only downsides to fishing Spring Brook is the amount of silt present in many areas. This stream muddies up quickly as you wade through it (see photos), and it can take 15 to 20 minutes for the water to clear up. Working your way upstream is the only way to fish this stream.

The state has obtained 0.9 miles of PFRs along the section immediately above the stream's confluence with Cattaraugus Creek, immediately downstream of Allen Road (this section is shown on the DECinfo Locator map but not on the DEC’s PFR map provided under Links), and along Sullivan Road. (The map pin is located at the crossing of Sullivan Road.) Upstream of the Sullivan Road PFRs, the stream is posted but some landowners allow fishing on their property, but you must ask for permission first. In addition, the section between the Allen Road and Sullivan Road PFRs is not posted and has some very good trout habitat.

Location Map

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Photographs

Upstream of Younger Road, much of Spring Brook is a small meadow stream. Despite its small size and the total lack of a shading canopy along much of its length, this section of the stream remains cold through the summer due to flows from cold springs.

When Spring Brook reaches Youngers Road, it enters this culvert, and when the flow reaches the downstream side of the culvert, it falls about 8 inches onto rocks. This inhibits or precludes the movement of fish into the upper part of the stream, i.e., upstream of Youngers Road. This can adversely affect the stream's brook trout population, as most of their spawning appears to occur upstream of Youngers Road. Also, compare the water seen here to that in the next photo.

I took this photo just after the DEC crew electroshocked the area. Note how muddy the water has become. It took about 20 minutes for this water to clear up. This is a problem along most of the stream. If you are going to wade here while fishing, you need to work upstream.

This brook trout was captured by the DEC a short distance downstream of Youngers Road. This is a big brook trout for this stream or any other stream in western New York; most brookies found here are substantially smaller.

As you move downstream of Youngers Road, big pools such as seen here become more common, providing habitat for adult trout.

This brown trout was captured from a deep pool downstream of Youngers Road. There weren't many big fish in this section—this was the biggest fish captured from this section during the population survey—but there were enough fish to make spending some time here worthwhile.

A male ebony jewelwing damselfly warming itself along Spring Brook. The male has a metallic blue-green body and nearly opaque black wings; the female is a dull, coppery brown with smoky wings that have white spots near the tips. Fly fishermen/women take note: In the summer, these damselflies are abundant along this stream.

This is the upper end of the public fishing rights section along Sullivan Road. Although much of Spring Brook upstream of Sullivan Road consists of shallow runs, deep pools are formed by fallen trees and bends in the stream channel.

Spring Brook is one of the most picturesque streams in western New York. This section is located about 400 yards upstream of the crossing of Sullivan Road.

Downstream of Allen Road, Spring Brook looks less manicured than along Sullivan Road. Long runs feed deep pools full of snags and trout.

Whenever rippled water (foreground) feeds into flat water (background), you'll probably find a deep pool. This pool downstream of Allen Road was bigger and deeper than it looked and held a couple big trout.

This was the largest brown trout (15.9 inches) captured during the trout population survey performed here by the DEC in 2022. This fish was captured downstream of Allen Road.

Resource Map

See Location Map and DECinfo Locator Map (under Links).

Driving Directions

Access

Road Access:

The public fishing rights (PFR) section along Sullivan Road can be accessed at the indicated road crossing and by an anglers' footpath located about 1,500 feet further upstream. However, unless you like serious bushwhacking, ask the landowner whose property is adjacent to the footpath sign for permission to walk along the edge of their property. A short section of PFR is located immediately downstream of Allen Road. The PFR section on the lower end of the stream must be accessed from Cattaraugus Creek.

I've spoken to several property owners along this stream, and they are generally open to allowing fishing on their property. A polite request can give you access to some very productive waters.

Boat Launch Site(s):

None.

Weather

View current conditions at this location

Fishery Management

Management Category: Wild-Quality: From the confluence with Cattaraugus Creek upstream to Youngers Road, a distance of 3.6 miles.

Fish Species:

Brook Trout (wild)
Brown Trout (wild)
Rainbow Trout (wild)

Stocking Information: Not stocked.

Special Fishing Regulations: Wild-Quality fishing regulations apply. See New York State Inland Trout Stream Regulations.

NYS Inland Trout Stream Regulations - 2024

Spring Brook