George Costa
Manager | Guide | TCO Fly Shop State College
For over five years, George has joined us every two weeks to give us the latest conditions update for Central Pennsylvania trout streams, answer listener questions and share upcoming events at TCO Fly Shop.
Formed in 1990, TCO Fly Shop is the largest, most complete Fly Fishing Outfitter in the US. TCO (Tulpehocken Creek Outfitters) was named after one of the finest tailwater fisheries in the East, the Tulpehocken Creek.
With 5 retail locations and a significant eCommerce business, TCO Fly Shop offers the widest selection of the best products available in the Fly Fishing industry. TCO is committed to providing superior customer service. Our goal is to provide each client the same excellent experience whether that experience is online, in any of our shops, on the stream with our guides, or at any of our educational events. We continue to grow based on a winning mix of quality products, service excellence and passion for education.
51
July 10, 2026
S8, Ep 51: Summer Stream Insights: George Costa on Conditions, Patterns and Upcoming Events
Episode OverviewIn this Central PA Fishing Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, for a real-time midsummer conditions update. A cooler, wetter stretch of weather has replaced the previous week's heat, giving Central Pennsylvania's limestone streams a welcome break heading into the weekend.Costa reports that Spring Creek, Penns Creek and Fishing Creek are all running a little above ave...
Guest: George Costa
47
June 27, 2026
S8, Ep 47: Central PA Fishing Forecast: George Costa's Summer Stream Insights
Episode OverviewGeorge Costa, manager at TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, joins host Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast for the latest Central PA Fishing Report as early summer conditions take hold across the region's limestone streams. Recorded in late June with the calendar almost at July, this report catches Central PA at an important seasonal juncture: stream temperatures have been favorable in the low 60s following a recent shot of rain, but a warming tren...
Guest: George Costa
42
June 12, 2026
S8, Ep 42: Exploring Terrestrials and Summer Patterns: George Costa's Fishing Forecast
Episode OverviewIn this Central PA Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa, manager at TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, for a timely early-summer conditions and hatch update. The season is at a pivotal transition: the dominant spring hatches are winding down, the summer hatch calendar is coming online and terrestrial season is officially starting — all critical intelligence for anglers planning Central PA trout outings over the weeks a...
Guest: George Costa
35
May 22, 2026
S8, Ep 35: From Sulphurs to Drakes: George Costa's Essential Fishing Report for Central PA
Episode OverviewThis Central PA Fishing Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast finds host Marvin Cash checking in with George Costa, manager at TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, for a late-spring conditions update across Central PA's limestone streams. Recorded in late May ahead of Memorial Day weekend, the report captures one of the most productive dry fly windows of the year: sulphurs, March browns and Drakes are all in play simultaneously, and Costa is emphatic that t...
Guest: George Costa
30
May 2, 2026
S8, Ep 30: Central PA Chronicles: George Costa's Guide to Spring Fishing Conditions and Techniques
Episode OverviewIn this Central PA Fishing Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa, manager at TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, for a real-time spring conditions update. With prime season fully underway, Costa delivers an encouraging picture across Central PA's limestone stream corridor: water levels are running near seasonal averages, a minor push of off-color water on the Juniata is clearing, and the hatch activity is firin...
Guest: George Costa
26
April 17, 2026
S8, Ep 26: Hatches and Happenings: George Costa's Guide to Spring Fishing in Central PA
Episode OverviewThis fly fishing podcast field report features George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, delivering the latest Central PA fishing conditions as spring hatches hit full stride. Recorded in mid-to-late April, the report captures a dynamic moment in the season — warm temperatures pushing hatches early, water levels running slightly below seasonal norms and sulphurs poised to come online within a week to ten days. George covers active hatches across Spring Cree...
Guest: George Costa
19
March 21, 2026
S8, Ep 19: Spring Fever: George Costa on Central PA's Fishing Conditions and Upcoming Hatches
Episode OverviewThis fly fishing podcast episode delivers a timely early spring conditions update from Central Pennsylvania, featuring George Costa, Shop Manager at TCO Fly Shop in State College. George reports on improving but variable conditions across the region's premier trout waters — Spring Creek, Penns Creek, Fishing Creek and the Juniata — as the season teeters between winter's last grip and the first genuine hatch activity of the year. Water levels are running near average for the t...
Guest: George Costa
17
March 7, 2026
S8, Ep 17: Spring Awakening: George Costa on Central PA Fishing and Upcoming Hatches
Episode OverviewThe Articulate Fly's Central PA Fishing Report returns with George Costa, manager at TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, delivering a timely early spring conditions update for central Pennsylvania's trout waters. This episode captures the region at a pivotal seasonal inflection point: after a long cold winter, rising water temperatures and the first notable olive hatches signal the transition from winter holding patterns to active spring feeding. Spring Creek, Penns ...
Guest: George Costa
11
Feb. 20, 2026
S8, Ep 11: Snow Melt and Spring Awakening: Central PA Fishing Report with George Costa
Episode OverviewIn this Central PA Fishing Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania for a late-winter conditions update. George covers current water levels and clarity across several iconic Centre County streams — including the Juniata River, Spring Creek, Fishing Creek and Penns Creek — as heavy snowmelt pushes flows up and drops visibility. Despite the off-color, elevated conditions, George...
Guest: George Costa
4
Jan. 16, 2026
S8, Ep 4: Chilly Waters and Crafty Flies: A New Year Fishing Report with George Costa
Episode OverviewIn this first Central Pennsylvania Fishing Report of 2026 on The Articulate Fly podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa for a winter conditions update across the region's premier trout waters. George breaks down the technical nymphing and streamer tactics that are producing fish in low, clear flows as cold temperatures settle into central Pennsylvania. With snow in the forecast and a significant cold snap ahead, George covers current conditions on the Juniata Ri...
Guest: George Costa
106
Dec. 21, 2025
S7, Ep 106: Last Minute Gifts and Winter Tips: George Costa's Holiday Fishing Insights
The Articulate Fly wraps up 2025 with the final Central PA Fishing Report featuring George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College.In this fly fishing podcast episode, George breaks down post-spawn winter trout behavior and current conditions across Central Pennsylvania's streams as anglers navigate the holiday season. With streams running low and clear following recent rain and snowmelt, George explains why deep nymphing is producing the best results right now, targeting winter lies where ...
Guest: George Costa
97
Nov. 14, 2025
S7, Ep 97: The Winter Transition: George Costa's Tips for Central PA Anglers
Join The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast for a timely Central Pennsylvania Fishing Report with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College.As late fall transitions into winter, George breaks down current conditions across Central PA's streams and provides essential guidance for navigating spawning season responsibly. With rivers running low and clear, he shares proven techniques including nymphing with smaller mayfly patterns, deploying egg patterns in deeper runs and timing your stream...
Guest: George Costa
94
Oct. 31, 2025
S7, Ep 94: Rain Dance Revelations: George Costa on Central PA's Fishing Forecast
Join The Articulate Fly's latest Central PA Fishing Report as host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College for critical fall fishing updates.With much-needed rain finally arriving in central Pennsylvania, George breaks down how the changing water conditions are transforming local trout streams. Streamer fishing is heating up as flows increase and water gains color, creating ideal conditions for aggressive fall trout. George reports consistent olive hatches ...
Guest: George Costa
89
Oct. 17, 2025
S7, Ep 89: Fall Fishing Forecast: George Costa's Insights on Low Water and Seasonal Strategies
The Articulate Fly delivers timely central Pennsylvania fishing insights with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College, covering the transition into fall conditions across the region.As water levels drop and the first frost arrives, Costa breaks down technical nymphing strategies that are producing results in low, clear water—emphasizing 6-7x tippet and precise presentations during limited afternoon bite windows.Anglers will learn why small flies and long leaders are outperforming...
Guest: George Costa
86
Oct. 3, 2025
S7, Ep 86: Navigating Fall Waters: George Costa's Tips for Low and Clear Conditions
Join host Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast for a timely Central Pennsylvania Fishing Report with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College.With low, clear water conditions dominating Central PA streams, George breaks down the technical adjustments anglers need to make right now—long leaders, lighter tippets and smaller flies are essential for success. Learn which patterns are producing in these challenging conditions, from terrestrial dry droppers with hoppers, beetl...
Guest: George Costa
81
Sept. 20, 2025
S7, Ep 81: Embracing the Transition: Fall Fishing Strategies and Events in Central PA with George Costa
The Articulate Fly brings you the latest Central PA Fishing Report with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College, delivering essential insights for technical fall fishing conditions.Costa breaks down current stream conditions across Central Pennsylvania, where low, clear water and steady stream temperatures are creating challenging but rewarding fishing opportunities for skilled anglers.Learn how to adapt your approach for technical fishing situations using long, light leaders and...
Guest: George Costa
77
Sept. 5, 2025
S7, Ep 77: Fall Fishing Forecast: Navigating Low Water and Technical Tactics with George Costa
Join The Articulate Fly's latest fishing report as host Marvin Cash connects with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College for essential Central Pennsylvania fishing insights.Costa breaks down current fishing conditions across the region, where low and clear water demands technical approaches and finesse tactics. Learn why dry dropper techniques are producing consistent results, with small Chubby Chernobyls or hoppers paired with tiny ant patterns proving especially effective in these...
Guest: George Costa
70
Aug. 8, 2025
S7, Ep 70: The Dog Days of Summer: Trico Tactics in Central PA with George Costa
The Articulate Fly fishing podcast brings you essential Central Pennsylvania fishing insights with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College.As summer fishing conditions settle into their seasonal patterns, Costa reports above-average flows throughout Central PA despite recent dry spells, creating excellent opportunities for technical summer fishing.Listeners discover prime Trico hatch timing on Spring Creek, along with proven terrestrial fishing strategies using Chubby Chernobyls,...
Guest: George Costa
62
July 11, 2025
S7, Ep 62: Summer Stream Strategies: Central PA Fishing Insights with George Costa
In this Central Pennsylvania Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly fishing podcast, Marvin Cash connects with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College for essential summer fishing intelligence.With water levels slightly above seasonal norms and afternoon temperatures pushing into the high 60s, Costa emphasizes the critical importance of temperature monitoring and strategic timing. While the cicada emergence is wrapping up, trout continue attacking cicada patterns as they chase the la...
Guest: George Costa