Tiny Baetis mayflies are perhaps the most commonly encountered and imitated by anglers on all American trout streams due to their great abundance, widespread distribution, and trout-friendly emergence habits.
CaseyP on Jul 30, 2007July 30th, 2007, 1:47 pm EDT
the Little Juniata is worth visiting and big enough to have some water even if it's dry. There is camping near Baree, but i forget the name of the place. it's very close to some of the fishing. you're going to need to stick to large streams and rivers if we don't get any rain.
CaseyP is right on with the facts. Green Hills is the name of the place. Phone no . is 814 669 4000 ask for Annie or Butch.
JaD
They fasten red (crimson red) wool around a hook, and fix onto the wool two feathers which grow under a cock’s wattles, and which in colour are like wax.
Radcliffe's Fishing from the Earliest Times,
Martinlf on Jul 30, 2007July 30th, 2007, 4:33 pm EDT
Any of PA's spring creeks would be fishable, though they can be tough with low water. Penns may be too warm to fish if the weather's hot and dry. Where are you planning to visit?
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
Smallstream on Jul 30, 2007July 30th, 2007, 4:42 pm EDT
my advice is to hit spring creek in centre county if you are near there, it stays pretty cool in the summer, and the guys at flyfishers paradise in state college can put you in the right direction, also theres a couple of campgrounds in the area like black moshannon, Whipple dam, and penn roosevelt. plus the mountain streams always offer good fishing when the weather is hot
Martinlf on Jul 31, 2007July 31st, 2007, 7:19 am EDT
I'll second Smallstream's advice to contact the guys at Flyfisher's Paradise. The shop has a website and you can get the phone number there or email Steve with questions.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
JOHNW on Jul 31, 2007July 31st, 2007, 10:10 am EDT
OK so I'm going be a little bit of a spoiler here. Central PA is indeed as wonderful as it sounds however you have two other very "historical" regions in the state.
The Southern edge of the Pocons (including the Lehigh Valley) is good and boasts folks like Jim Liesenring as native sons. Then there is the Cumberland Valley which is probably one of the most historically significant areas of the state and not just for the role in fly fishing.
It really depends on what you want in terms of water.
JW
"old habits are hard to kill once you have gray in your beard" -Old Red Barn
Psyfly on Jul 31, 2007July 31st, 2007, 10:13 am EDT
We'll probable head to State College area. It's not far from us and we will continue exploring PA with additional trips. Spring Creek sounds like a good start.
"If I might be judge, God never did make a more calm,quiet, innocent recreation than angling" Isaac Walton
www.tierneysflies.com
SlateDrake9 on Aug 6, 2007August 6th, 2007, 2:48 pm EDT
Just returned from State College on Friday. All of the flyshop guys/guides suggested Spring Creek and Spring Creek only. All of the other usuals are very warm/low right now. Other than some specific areas on the Little J where springs enter, its bass water with high temps. Penn's is even warmer, not much water in Spruce.
I have heard from some reliable sources that the Yough river is fishing very well right now. It's a tailwater fishery with consistent flows and temps. Also lots of room to handle lots of fisherfolks. There are several camping areas on or right near the river, including one right at the dam.
Slate Drake
Fishing with bait is like swearing in church.
-- Slate Drake
Smallstream on Aug 6, 2007August 6th, 2007, 3:29 pm EDT
there also is fishing creek (limestone creek) which is about 20 minutes northeast of state college that supposedly stays even colder than spring creek, I have never fished it but I hear that it is hard to fish but very good.
LittleJ on Aug 7, 2007August 7th, 2007, 3:04 pm EDT
Fishing creek is always cold, but as of sun. it was very low. I know I said it on another post but it's worth repeating, if your planning on a trip to central pa you'll enjoy it much more if you wait till we have some water in the streams. Not trying to sound negative but we just haven't had any rain.
jeff
I would guess the Yough to be roughly 3-4hrs from State College. If you head there be very careful. I have never fished the river but have walked sections of the trail along it. Very cold water, lots of volume and boulders greased with owl snot. Real easy to get stuffed in a hole and never come up again.
Not to be a buzz kill just thought you should know.
JW
"old habits are hard to kill once you have gray in your beard" -Old Red Barn
SlateDrake9 on Aug 10, 2007August 10th, 2007, 1:11 pm EDT
Per Mapquest. State College to Confluence 2 hours 33 minutes
Wellsville, NY to Confluence 5 hours 19 minutes
Wellsville, NY to State College 3 hours 1 minute
JohnW's right about the Yough being difficult to wade in some places, but not all. As you get closer to Ohio Pyle it gets more and more difficult, but the closer you stay to the dam and cold water discharge, the easier it is to wade, generally. The dam releases more water on the weekends for rafters and kayakers, so go on a weekday if you can. In my opinion, some of the best fishing is from Ramcat Hollow up river. Good luck if you go.
Fishing with bait is like swearing in church.
-- Slate Drake