S6, Ep 149: Central PA Fishing Report: Winter Strategies and Stream Choices

Hey folks, it's Marvin Cash, the host of the Articulate Fly.

We're back with our final Central PA fishing report of the year with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College.

George, how are you?

I'm amazing as always.

Marvin, how are you?

I'm curious, did anyone come in after our last report looking for the Jaeger luge?

They did and we had quite a party.

It was a hootenanny, shall we say.

There you go.

So, you know, you're kind of, you know, getting into the teeth of wintertime in Central pa.

Where are you seeing on the water?

Well, the water definitely with the snow we had earlier in the week and rain and the snow melt water temps are low.

They have definitely dropped down quite a bit.

So you know, just about everything other than where some springs are popping up is in the low to mid-40s right now.

So what we're seeing is a lot of fish make that transition into that slower, deeper water.

We're pretty much in post spawn right now.

There's maybe a handful of fish here and there still spawning, but the majority of them are done still.

Be mindful of redds.

Don't walk on those fresh eggs.

But fish definitely have transitioned to that slower water.

So slow and low with nymphs has really been the ticket lately.

Fish are moving for streamers.

So everything around here right now is average or above little J Pens Fishing creek definitely have good color springs running a little lower and a little.

So streamers have been definitely moving.

Fish weather coming up.

We've got another cold snap coming over this weekend here going into the holidays.

So if you're going to get out on the water, bundle up, maybe run some of those Euro rods or mono rigs just to keep the ice off the guides and fish slow, deep and you know, take your time and really pick apart that water because fish are not moving that much to grab stuff.

Yeah, and you were telling me too that kind of this cold blast is kind of wrecked the, the fishing on Steelhead Alley a little bit.

Yeah, we got some reports yesterday from one of our guys that's up there steelheading all the time that it's been a hot mess up there.

There's been ice, snow been blown out.

So steelhead fishing has been sporting in the past week or so and hopefully they get it cleared up there a little bit and guys can get out and fish for those steelhead.

But it's not been amazing from what I've heard up there on the alley.

Just conditions have been rough.

Yeah, got a Question for you, too, from Daniel.

And, you know, being in the cradle of Pennsylvania fly fishing in Central pa, you got a lot of options.

And so Daniel wanted to kind of get your thoughts on, like, how do you pick streams when there's so many to choose from?

Ooh, option anxiety.

I like that.

That happens a lot.

I mean, there's so much water up here, and there's better water.

There's great water.

It really depends on what you're after.

Some of the streams that are more productive, they will often, you know, give you the numbers of fish.

Some of the streams that are not as productive will sometimes give you better size fish.

So it really depends on what you're after.

If you want to, you know, get a couple of fish, you're gonna head over to Spring Creek.

If you want a chance at getting, you know, a bigger fish, you might head over to Penn's or some of the other streams around here.

So, I mean, picking the water, I mean, there's.

There's really, you know, picking the best spot comes from experience.

It comes from coming in the shop and asking.

For the most part, most of our streams fish pretty much the same condition.

You know, there's not.

It's not like we're 100 miles away from one stream or another.

If, you know, it rains on pens, odds are it's probably going to have rained on Spring and J2 for the most part.

So really, I mean, picking a stream, you know, just, you got to get out and you got to see what you like.

Some people prefer those numbers of fish, some people prefer looking for those bigger ones.

Best way to do it is just kind of get out and do it.

Really isn't a good answer that other than just get out, experience it, you know, find what you like, and go for it.

Yeah.

Is it true, too, that the more stuff you buy in a fly shop, the better information you get?

100%.

And if there's BlackBerry Brandy involved, you get the good information.

Yeah, we'll see.

So, Daniel, now you got the complete hookup package, right there it is, yeah.

And you know, folks, as I always say, we love questions on the articulate fly.

You can email me or DM me on social media, whatever is easiest for you.

And if we use your question, I will send you some articulate fly swag, an interview in a drawing.

And we're actually going to draw for the 2024 questions on the next fishing report, which will be in the middle of January, 2025, folks.

So stay tuned.

And you know, George, before I let you Go.

I'm sure that you're in the home stretch of the holiday season at tco.

You want to let folks know shop hours, locations, specials, classes, and all that kind of good stuff?

Absolutely.

All of our shops have a ton of classes coming up for the winter season.

So check out our website, tco fly fishing.com under the Education class tab.

And if you're looking to brush up on any tying skills or anything like that, sign up for one of our classes.

We still got a bunch of good stuff on sale.

We got a couple more sales coming up in the next couple of weeks, so keep an eye on that on our website.

Here in State College, we're open 9 to 6 Monday through Saturday, 9 to 3 on Sunday.

All of our stores will be closed for Christmas Day, New Year's day.

And check out any of our locations elsewhere as well.

We'll see out on the water soon.

Yeah, there you go.

And is it true that your nunchuck skills class is full?

Ooh, I didn't know I was teaching one.

I better brush up.

Yeah, you know, absolutely.

You have to brush up, dude.

It's always a great day when I get to work in Napoleon Dynamite.

That's true.

Well, listen, folks, as I always say, you owe it to yourself to get on the water.

But I also want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Merry Christmas.

And Happy New Year, George.

Thanks, Marvin.

Happy holidays to everybody out there.

Tight lines, everybody.