The refrigerator hole was named for the unique man-made structure that provides cover for Tully trout. Hopefully the refrigerator which adorns our stream wasn't deposited by a newly converted fly fisherman that no longer kept the fish he caught and therefore no longer needed it. This section offers good fishing to Caddis, Sulphurs, Midges & Tricos.

The paper mill flats is where the locals go to get a quick gauge of stream activity. If the trout of the paper mill flats are not rising, many anglers pull out their strike indicators and expect to prospect with caddis pupa and beadheads. This is rarely the case however, the trout in the paper mill flats are usually rising even in the dead of winter. Bank stabilization of this stretch is the current focus of our TU chapter. Erosion in just the last 10 years has sent 15 feet of bank downstream and threatens the walking path within the Berks County Park system. In addition to siltation downstream, this erosion has widened the stream significantly and much of this stretch is only ankle deep. Significant warming occurs in this section in the mid summer months. The Tulpehocken Chapter of TU could use your help in this and other upcoming projects. Please contact us and we will connect you to the appropriate chapter members coordinating these projects.

Just below the paper mill flats the Cacoosing Creek enters the Tully with a burst of 55-60 degree water and helps to form the paper mill pool. Some of the largest trout caught on the Tully are found in this pool near a bridge abutment and in the riffle where the Cacoosing enters the stream. Parking access is found at the junction of Paper Mill Road and Tulpehocken Road across from the paper mill. Fishing in this stretch can also be productive year round with dry fly and subsurface patters. Beadhead Caddis, Caddis pupa, Sulphur nymphs, and small Black Stonefly nymphs are consistent subsurface producers. Caddis adult and emerger patters are effective hatch matching patterns in addition to good Cranefly, Sulphur, Light Cahill, Yellow Drake, and Midge fishing at different times throughout the year.

The Van Reed Road overpass, better and affectionately know as "the road to nowhere", provides good parking and stream access. Alternating riffles and pools provide good cover and harbor excellent caddis and Trico populations. Unfortunately one of the pools in this stretch has become know as the poachers hole. Please practice and advocate catch and release on this and all streams that can support year round fisheries. Any unlawful activity should be reported to the fish commission. An easy way to do this is by taking down the license plate number of violators vehicles and submitting the information to the local enforcement agent. A series of slower pools and gentle riffles leads from the road to nowhere to the Red Bridge pool which marks the end of the special regulation area of the Tully. This is a very picturesque section of the stream marked by the long wooden Red Covered Bridge that gives this stretch it’s name. The first Caddis hatches of the year appear in this section of the stream. This stretch also produces consistent Cranefly, Sulphur, Light Cahill, and Yellow Drake fishing and seems to be improving every year. A parking area is located just below the Red Bridge and also contains a picnic area, a pavilion, and rest rooms.

Two additional miles of unregulated fishing is available below the Red Bridge. Fishing can be good in the early season in this open stretch but warms significantly during the summer forcing most trout upstream or to hold near the few springs feeding the stream in this stretch. Large smallmouth bass are also caught in this area of the stream.