8/22 Fishing Report
The good news is that the current outflow on the Allegheny River is 1960 CFS, which is an extremely safe flow for floating and wading. The bad news is that the water temperature is currently 74 degrees. For our local warm water species this is great, but for our local trout population anything above 68 degrees is quite stressful and sometimes lethal. Warmer water contains less dissolved oxygen, which is crucial for trout to recover after being caught.
*PLEASE DO OUR LOCAL TROUT A HUGE FAVOR AND WAIT TO TARGET THEM UNTIL THE WATER TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 68 DEGREES.
Once the waters warm locally and reach unsafe and unproductive temperatures for trout, our fishing and guiding efforts turn to the incredible bass fishing we have locally. Chapman Dam State Park is a beautiful park located just a short drive from Warren with a healthy population of Largemouth Bass. In my most recent experience the largest fish have been caught in the evening under a setting sun, although I’ve caught fish at all hours of the day. A Boogle Bug Popper in any color is likely the most exciting way to target Largemouth with fly fishing gear. Buzz Baits and Jigs have been strong producers on conventional gear.
The Allegheny River as well as most of its major tributaries support healthy populations of our favorite gamefish, The Smallmouth Bass. These ambush predators fight exceptionally hard, are easily found, and respond well to a wide variety of fishing tactics, numbers of willing fish also make smallmouth a kid friendly species.
Some of our favorite tactics include fly fishing topwater poppers, stripping streamer patterns, and my most favorite approach jig streamers. (Which we have available for purchase). If you’re fishing conventional spinning gear Senko’s fished with or without weight are a great starting point. Weedless Topwater Frogs and Mice fished around exposed structure are sure to be rewarded. Last but definitely not least a simple nightcrawler is a great way to catch a number of smallmouths. Make sure to visit our Bait on the Fly bait cooler at Allegheny Outfitters for the freshest bait in town!
If you have a fly-fishing itch that smallmouth wont scratch and prefer to catch trout, may i suggest a trip to the East Branch of the Clarion River. The East Branch Lake Dam is bottom release and water temperatures downstream are consistently 60 degrees or below. There’s good number of stocked rainbows and browns spread throughout this tailwater eager to take a well-presented fly.
Below is a list of must have flies if you’re considering a trip to The East Branch tailwater, all flies listed are available at Allegheny Outfitters in the Hatch Run Fly Fishing bin.
Green Weenie Nymph- #12 Frenchie Nymph - #12-18 a variety of both dark and light imitations. Holy Grail Nymph/ Caddis Emerger - #14-18 Olive and Tan. Stimulator Dry Fly - #8-10 Dry Dropper approach for picky trout. Sexy Walts Worm - #12-16 Pheasant Tail Nymph - # 12-18 Dark and Light imitations. Pats Rubber Legs - #6-10 Squirmy Worm - #12 Rainbow Warrior - #12-16
Hatch Run Fly Fishing has the flies, bait, and local knowledge to make your next visit to the area in and around the Allegheny National Forest a success. Text or call for up to date information 814-706-1958.
**The infamous Steelhead season is fast approaching, we will have a selection of flies for your Steelhead Alley needs. l will again be offering guided trips for steelhead as well as migratory browns covering the Lake Erie and Lake Ontario Tributaries.
5/21 Fishing Report
The early spring fishing has been quite productive, but not without its challenges. Fish are beginning to move out of their wintering lies and feeding accordingly, protein packed meals are currently the name of the game. The main challenge this time of year is the rain, just as the streams and rivers level out to optimal flows a rain event raises them to unfishable levels. Early season rain also fluctuates stream temperatures, if you’re in fishy water and not finding fish CHECK THE TEMPERATURE!
Our local stocked trout streams have received their annual stockings, with many at this point receiving their second. It would seem that these numbers have remained intact likely due to the high water has many anglers off the water. Based on our current Bait on the Fly bait sales, many anglers have been out trying their luck despite all of the rain.
Our guide season is in full swing, and we’ve been on the water with clients every weekend and fishing or exploring every spare minute in between. Having two tailwater fisheries a short drive from home is a true blessing, offering a much more stable and predictable flows.
That being said this may be our most productive early season fishing season to date if we were to strictly base our success on the number of 20 inch class fish that have made it to net.
It’s hard to imagine but with the thick of our bug activity/dry fly season just around the corner, as well as more stable and consistent water flows- the fishing will continue to improve. Below is a list of must have flies if youre planning on coming to Western Pennsylvania to fish.
Elk Hair Caddis Dry - #12-18 a variety of both dark and light imitations. Holy Grail Nymph/ Caddis Emerger - #14-18 Olive and Tan. Adams Dry Fly - #12-18 Standard as well as Parachute. Walts Worm - #12-16 Pheasant Tail Nymph - # 12-18 Dark and Light imitations. Pats Rubber Legs - #6-10 Squirmy Worm - #12 Rainbow Warrior - #12-16
Hatch Run Fly Fishing has the flies, bait, and local knowledge to make your next visit to the areas in and around the Allegheny National Forest a success. Text or Call for up to date information 814-706-1958. If your in need of fresh lively bait stop by our Bait on the Fly bait cooler at Allegheny Outfitters
