S6, Ep 143: Winter Fly Fishing and Holiday Prep with George Costa
In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash catches up with George Costa for the latest Central PA Fishing Report. As winter settles in, George shares his recent fishing adventures, including a chilly but exciting trip with Austin from Virginia Trophy Guides. Despite the cold and wind, the sight of big muskies made the trip memorable.
George provides a detailed update on the current conditions in Central Pennsylvania, highlighting the cold, windy weather and recent snowfall. He discusses river conditions, noting that while the water remains low and clear, upcoming precipitation could improve flows. Anglers are reminded to be cautious of spawning fish on redds and advised on effective nymphing strategies, including egg patterns and small mayfly imitations. Streamer fishing is also recommended, with post-spawn fish eager to chase.
The conversation shifts to the steelhead season, where recent rains have boosted activity on the Alley. George shares insights into the bustling holiday season at TCO Fly Shop, inviting listeners to explore their holiday gift guide and take advantage of sales and new products. He also highlights upcoming winter fly fishing classes and encourages anglers to reach out for travel advice.
Listeners are encouraged to submit their questions for a chance to win Articulate Fly swag and participate in a special drawing in early 2025. George wraps up by sharing the shop's location and inviting everyone to visit TCO Fly Shop in State College or any of their Pennsylvania locations.
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Marvin Cash
Hey, folks, it's Marvin Cash, the host of the Articulate Fly.
Marvin Cash
We're back with another Central PA Fishing report with George Costa.
Marvin Cash
George, how are you?
George Costa
I'm amazing as always.
George Costa
Marvin, how are you?
Marvin Cash
And as always, I'm just trying to stay out of trouble.
Marvin Cash
Did you have a great Thanksgiving?
George Costa
Yeah, it was lovely, thank you.
George Costa
Had some nice turkey.
George Costa
Spent some time with friends.
George Costa
It was quite a nice time.
Marvin Cash
Yeah.
Marvin Cash
And then you went down and fished with one of my homies.
George Costa
I did, yeah.
George Costa
We were down fishing with old Austin comrade with Virginia trophy guys this past weekend.
George Costa
We moved a couple of fish, which was nice, but it was pretty cold and windy down there this past weekend, so nothing in the net, but we saw some big old muskie.
Marvin Cash
Yeah.
Marvin Cash
Welcome to Virginia in the wintertime.
George Costa
Yeah.
George Costa
Yes, indeed.
Marvin Cash
Indeed.
Marvin Cash
So, you know, it's.
Marvin Cash
It's pretty darn cold where you are.
Marvin Cash
I know you didn't get the lake effect snow that everybody got kind of upstate, but are you seeing out on the water in Central pa?
George Costa
Well, it's cold and windy out here today.
George Costa
We had a little bit of snow overnight here in central Pennsylvania.
George Costa
Not too much here in the state college area.
George Costa
Inch and a half, maybe two inches.
George Costa
And we got a little more precipitation slated for early next week, which will be nice.
George Costa
So river conditions right now are still average, low and clear for the most part.
George Costa
I don't think the last night's snow is going to add too much, but next week we do have some showers slated for early, so hopefully that'll bump the flows a little bit.
George Costa
Still a lot of fish on reds.
George Costa
We're still seeing reds here and there.
George Costa
Most of the spawning is probably just getting wrapped up now, but we do see a lot of late spawners on a lot of our streams here.
George Costa
So still be wary for fish on reds.
George Costa
And where you're walking over those fresh eggs, you don't want to disturb them.
George Costa
Nymphing has been pretty solid from the guys coming in the shop here and us getting out on the water.
George Costa
You know, egg patterns are definitely going to work this time of year.
George Costa
Smaller mayfly imitations are working well.
George Costa
Streamers are moving fish.
George Costa
Just watch where you're throwing them.
George Costa
Make sure you're not throwing them over spawning fish.
George Costa
They're definitely moving fish.
George Costa
Those post spawn fish right now are going to be hungry.
George Costa
They're definitely going to want to chase a streamer on the dry fly front.
George Costa
I don't expect to see too much days that it's going to get up into the 40s from here until, you know, January February we're definitely see midges will definitely see olives and fish will rise to them sporadically.
George Costa
But we are in full winter mode right here, so postpone.
George Costa
Those fish are going to move to some deeper slots, deeper runs.
George Costa
Burwish streamer, get your nymphs down and we should have a fairly productive winter, as you know, with as long as the levels stay good and we get a little more precipitation.
Marvin Cash
Yeah, and speaking of precipitation, that little bit of rain before all the snow really got things fired up on the alley for the steelheaders too, right?
George Costa
Oh, yeah, for sure.
George Costa
Steelhead has been pretty good.
George Costa
They just got absolutely pounded up there with snow.
George Costa
Allen Erie.
George Costa
So I don't know anybody that's been out this past week since they got.
George Costa
I don't know how many feet of snow up there.
George Costa
But steelhead season is here.
George Costa
We got that big push of water late last week.
George Costa
Early.
George Costa
Well, yeah, about a week or so ago.
George Costa
And a lot of fish came in from what I heard.
George Costa
So steelhead has been pretty good up there.
Marvin Cash
Yeah.
Marvin Cash
And you know, with the late Thanksgiving, we have one less week to shop for Christmas.
Marvin Cash
So it must be crazy in the shop.
Marvin Cash
What have you got going on in the holiday shop in front where we got a bunch.
George Costa
We got our holiday gift guide up@tcoflyfishing.com.
George Costa
if anybody needs any ideas, check out our website.
George Costa
Click on that holiday gift guide.
George Costa
If you haven't seen it, you get to see old jovial me in a Santa Claus hat.
George Costa
So that's kind of fun.
George Costa
We got a bunch of sales.
George Costa
Everything's on the web.
George Costa
There's some really cool new product hitting the shelves in the next week or so.
George Costa
So keep your eyes peeled on our website and check out our sale page for all our good holiday deals.
Marvin Cash
Yeah.
Marvin Cash
And any classes tying events or warm destination travel you want to pimp.
George Costa
Yeah.
George Costa
Classes.
George Costa
We've got lots of classes in all of our shops.
George Costa
We've got a bunch of education going on this winter time.
George Costa
Classes.
George Costa
We've got a winter fly fishing class coming up with Sam Goldberg and Frank Landis.
George Costa
They're going to be doing that in January if you want to really learn how to fish in the winter and deal with these cold conditions.
George Costa
Those two guys know it really well and are going to get some really good pointers out there.
George Costa
So lots of classes in all of our shops tying events, travel stuff.
George Costa
Not too much going on right now that's not already booked up.
George Costa
But if you planning on doing any trips this winter and you want to get some advice or need Some places to go.
George Costa
Give anybody a call at any of the shops here at TCO and we'll be happy to get you lined up.
Marvin Cash
Got it.
Marvin Cash
And when is the Jager luge going to be installed?
Marvin Cash
By the cash register in the shop.
George Costa
When is the what gonna be the Jaeger luge?
George Costa
Oh, it's already here.
George Costa
I got that thing going right now, baby.
George Costa
We got.
George Costa
We got peppermint schnapps, peach schnapps, Jagermeister, BlackBerry brandy.
George Costa
All the winter delights are flowing right now.
George Costa
Man, it's 20, 25 degrees out there.
George Costa
We gotta stay warm somehow, Marv.
Marvin Cash
Well, there you go.
Marvin Cash
Cause you probably don't have a Tim Hortons close to you, do you?
George Costa
No, Ain't got no Tim Hortons around here.
George Costa
We don't even have a hojo.
Marvin Cash
Gotta have a Waffle House, right?
George Costa
We have the Waffle Shop here in State College.
Marvin Cash
And I bet that's like, pretentious with, like, two peas and an E, right?
George Costa
It is.
George Costa
It is indeed.
George Costa
A little more highfalutin than I want.
Marvin Cash
There you go.
Marvin Cash
Well, listen, folks, you know, we love questions on the articulate fly.
Marvin Cash
We didn't get one this time, which made George sad again.
Marvin Cash
And it is the holiday season.
Marvin Cash
We want our elves to be happy, Right?
George Costa
It's true.
Marvin Cash
Yeah.
Marvin Cash
And so, you know, folks, send the questions in, email me, DM me on social media, whatever is easiest for you.
Marvin Cash
And if we use your question, I will send you some articulate fly swag, and you'll be entered in a drawing for something cool from the shop in early 2025.
Marvin Cash
And George, before I let you go, I don't want to steal your thunder.
Marvin Cash
You want to let folks know where you're located and all your shop hours and all that kind of good stuff.
George Costa
Yeah, absolutely.
George Costa
Up here in State College, we're at 2030 East College Avenue.
George Costa
We've got all other five locations throughout Pennsylvania.
George Costa
Check us out on any of those locations and get us on the web at tcoflyfishing.
George Costa
Com.
Marvin Cash
Well, there you go, folks.
Marvin Cash
As I always say, yo to yourself to get out there and catch a few tight lines, everybody.
Marvin Cash
Tight lines.
Marvin Cash
George, Take it easy, Mark.
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