10/24 Fishing Report
Another happy guest smiling like a kid on Christmas, 78 years young !
More Rain= More Fish .
The much-anticipated start of steelhead season is finally here; thanks to the recent rain, water levels have risen, and flows are ideal for fish to make their run upstream. Expect to find steelhead spreading throughout the major Lake Erie tributaries that make up the infamous Steelhead Alley over the coming days. With so many fish staging and being caught right off the beaches near our favorite tributaries, I’ve got high hopes for this weekend. The rain has set up perfect water conditions, and it’s shaping up to be one of those classic early season runs we wait for all year.
As the first good push of steelhead moves into the creeks, anglers are finding success using a variety of presentations. For those drifting bait, egg sacs and live minnows have been producing well in the lower stretches where the water still has some color. Fly anglers are doing just as well swinging streamers or drifting egg patterns under an indicator. With cooler temps setting in and steady flows, fish are spreading out — so don’t be afraid to cover water and explore beyond the usual access spots.
The key right now is adapting to the conditions. Early in the morning, darker patterns or natural baits tend to produce in the low light, while brighter eggs and flashy flies pick up more bites as the sun gets higher. The water’s still a little stained from the rain, 3x and 4x or 6- to 8-pound leaders seem to be the sweet spot for both strength and stealth.
**Exciting news! We now have a variety of steelhead and egg patterns available in our fly bins at Allegheny Outfitters!!
With the Allegheny River water temperatures settling into the 60s, the smallmouth bass are ramping up their feeding in anticipation of the winter slowdown. The fishing has been fantastic over the last couple of weeks, with plenty of quality fish being caught throughout the system.
The key has been focusing on areas with current breaks and deeper runs where baitfish are stacking up. Crayfish-imitating baits like tubes and jigs are producing consistent bites, while spinnerbaits and small crankbaits have been great for covering water. On calmer days, a soft plastic swimbait worked slowly along the bottom has been deadly. For the fly fisherman streamers that imitate local baitfish seems to work quite well. The top water bite isn’t dead yet so don’t leave your Boogle bugs or poppers at home just yet.
As the season pushes deeper into fall, expect those fish to start grouping up tighter and feeding in short, aggressive windows — especially during the warmest parts of the day. If you hit it right, it’s some of the most rewarding smallmouth fishing of the year. Last but definitely not least, live bait has always produced when all else has failed. Make sure to visit our Bait on the Fly bait cooler at Allegheny Outfitters for the freshest bait in town!
“The recent 40-degree nights are doing a great job of cooling down our local water temperatures, making this our favorite time of year for both fishing and guiding. The Allegheny and Clarion Rivers — two of our most popular tailwaters — are hitting their prime. These cooler conditions not only enhance the fishing we love, but they’re also crucial for the trout we chase, as fall marks the height of their spawning season.
There’s something special about this time of year — the mix of crisp mornings, fog lifting off the river, and brown trout glowing in their full spawning colors. Add in the backdrop of fiery autumn leaves, and it’s hard to imagine a better setting for a day on the water. The fish are active, aggressive, and feeding well before the winter slowdown. Streamer fishing has been productive, especially during low-light hours, while nymphing remains a solid choice through the midday bite.
This stretch of the season truly offers something for everyone, whether you’re swinging streamers for trout on the Clarion, chasing steelhead runs in the Erie tribs, or working a soft plastic through a deep pool on the Allegheny for smallmouth. Pennsylvania’s fall fishing is in full swing — and it’s one of those short windows you don’t want
**That being said if you notice spawning fish please leave them be !!
Steelhead Alley as of October 23rd, 2025, thanks to the recent rain, water levels have risen, and flows are ideal for fish to make their run upstream. Expect to find steelhead spreading throughout the major Lake Erie tributaries over the coming days. The days following a large rain event continue to be my favorite for targeting fresh lake run fish. We’re happy to announce we have a selection of egg patterns and various Steelhead flies available at Allegheny Outfitters. If you’re headed that way fishing and need a more current update, feel free to reach out!
Chapman Dam State Park is still producing some 4-6# Largemouth bass, but for the most part fishing here has significantly slowed down here.
The Kinzua Dam Tailwaters on both the Hemlock Rd and Route 59 sides has seen less fishing pressure in the last few weeks, the bait seems to be spreading out through the river, and the fish are following these migrations. Stick baits and live bait fishermen have been reporting quantities of sizeable fish being caught, quite possibly why the Night Crawlers have been flying out the door at Allegheny Outfitters.
The Allegheny River water temperatures are cooling but still a bit on the high side to safely target trout, although some trout are moving nearest the Kinzua Dam. The musky, walleye, and smallmouth seem to be eager to feed with the water now in the 60-degree range. Plenty of great fishing to be had on the entire river. ** Paying attention to productive water types and finding similar areas seems to be the name of the game. Minnows and Night Crawlers have been staedy with a variety of spinning lures and streamers producing consistently for the gear and fly anglers.
The East Branch of the Clarion River continues to be a popular choice when looking to fly fish and will continue to be throughout the fall and early months. Good numbers of fish are spread throughout and are easily caught.
Here’s a list of essential flies to pack if you’re planning a trip to Allegheny, Clarion, or the East Branch tailwater. All the flies mentioned can be found at Allegheny Outfitters in the Hatch Run Fly Fishing fly bin.
Glo-Bug #12-14 Nuke Egg #14 Y2k Egg Fly- #12 Frenchie Nymph - #12-18 a variety of both dark and light imitations. Lafontaine Sparkle Pupa - #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 Pats Rubber Legs - #6-10 Pink 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 here, as mentioned we now 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.