S7, Ep 36: Central PA Fishing Report with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop

Marvin Cash00:00:04

Hey, folks, it's Marvin Cash, the host of the Articulate Fly. We're back with another Central PA Fishing report with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College. George, how are you?

George Costa00:00:14

I am amazingly busy as always. Marvin, how are you?

Marvin Cash00:00:18

I'm. I'm living the dream and trying to stay out of trouble. And you know, it's good because it keeps the devil away from you.

George Costa00:00:24

It's true. It's true. He's always on my back. You got to brush him away.

Marvin Cash00:00:27

Yeah, but you were telling me you guys got whacked pretty good with some pretty nasty spring weather, right?

George Costa00:00:33

Yeah, we got some storms through here in Center County a couple days ago, and power was out at a good portion of the town here, but looks like it's coming back online. But we do have some more rain slated this weekend. For the next four or five days, looks like we're going to get a pretty good shot of rain here.So, yeah, we'll take it when we can get it, I guess.

Marvin Cash00:00:53

Yeah. So what have you been seeing and what are you going to see on the water after the rain?

George Costa00:00:58

Well, so bugs are definitely getting into full swing now. So we've got sulfur's popping up here and there. There's March browns, gray foxes, Quill Gordons, cancer.So we're definitely getting into peak dry fly season right now. Nymphing has been spectacular using all the usual suspects. Mayfly imitations, caddis pupa, things like that.So the fishing has been really good the past week, and it's just going to get better the next couple of weeks. The looks like we're going to get a fairly good shot. So I'm expecting a lot of the creeks to get up and off color.That might slow down the dry fly fishing a little bit. But streamer fishing might pick up with the off color, dirty water. So really depends on how much we get and where the rain hits.This week is not looking amazing. Looks like mostly showers, but there's going to be a couple thunderstorms that move through. So definitely keep an eye on the gauges.If you're coming up here, give the shop a call. Keep an eye on the weather because the next three, four days look like it's going to be damp.

Marvin Cash00:01:57

There you go. And what are you hearing from your smallmouth brethren?

George Costa00:02:02

Smallies post spawn. The guys have been said that it was. I'm sorry, pre spawn guys said it's been pretty good down there.Haven't been here at all too much, but they've been catching some big fish. Earlier in the month of April. I think the fish are just spawning right about now.So that smallmouth game should really, you know, settle down a little bit and pick up again at the end of May when fisher don't spawn it.

Marvin Cash00:02:25

There you go. And of course, I know you know you've got guides cranking, because we were talking when I told you it was going to be rainy for the next week.That's going to kind of gum up the works a little bit. But you got guide trips running. I guarantee you guys have got a ton of schools for, you know, helping people get better on the water this season.You want to share that with folks?

George Costa00:02:43

For sure. We've got a beginner's class coming up on the 18th. I've got some spots left for that.All of our other locations have lots of schools, lots of classes going on this time of year. Guides are still available, definitely.Like, give the shop a call and see what kind of availability we have, because we're pretty booked up for the next month or so. And don't forget that we've got cicadas coming up here in central Pennsylvania this year.So early June into mid June should be when it really starts cranking. It's going to be bedlam up here once those big bugs come up out of the ground. So make plans now for June. So that's going to be a really fun thing.

Marvin Cash00:03:18

Yeah, it's funny. I saw your Instagram reel. How long did it take you to pick up all the bugs you put on the floor?

George Costa00:03:24

About 30 seconds. About 30 seconds. No, it wasn't that bad.

Marvin Cash00:03:28

You're super fast. And you know, folks, we love questions on the articulate fly. You can email us or DM us on social media, Whatever's easiest for you.And if we use your question, we didn't get one this time, which makes George sad. I very sad. We don't like sad George. Sad George is not a pleasant George. But if we.

George Costa00:03:45

I'm always numbing. It'll be all right. I'll be okay. I'm going to get through this somehow.

Marvin Cash00:03:49

Yeah. BlackBerry brandy, right?

George Costa00:03:54

It's too hot for BlackBerry brandy now. It's definitely gin and tonic season.

Marvin Cash00:03:58

There you go. Well, I'll ask you your favorite gin next time. But if we use your question, I will send you some articulate flash swag.And when you're in a drawing for some cool stuff from the shop at the end of the season.And, George, before I let you return to retail bliss and maybe running the chainsaw a little bit or refilling the generator or whatever you need to do. You want to let folks know location, shop hours and all that kind of good stuff?

George Costa00:04:20

Absolutely. We're here. 23rd East College Avenue and State College Penns. We're open Monday through Saturday, 9 to 6, Sundays, 9 to 3.All of our stores are open very similar hours. So check out the website, tco fly fishing.com for all our classes, education, sales, upcoming travel trips and things like that.

Marvin Cash00:04:40

Well, there you go. Well, folks, as always, say you owe it to yourself to get out there and catch a few. Tight lines, everybody. Tight lines. George.

George Costa00:04:47

Take it easy, Mark.