S7, Ep 49: Rain, Hatches and Cicadas: A Central PA Fishing Update with George Costa
In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash is joined by George Costa from TCO Fly Shop for the latest Central PA Fishing Report. The duo dives into the recent weather patterns, discussing the significant rainfall that has led to high water conditions in the region. With nearly seven inches of rain recorded in May, George shares insights on the current state of hatches, including the tail end of the drakes and the ongoing sulphur activity.
As the cicada season approaches, George emphasizes the excitement surrounding this unique event, which happens once every 17 years. He advises anglers to prepare with cicada patterns, suggesting that anything resembling black foam will be effective. George discusses the different sizes of cicadas and the importance of carrying a variety of patterns to accommodate both larger and smaller fish.
The conversation also highlights upcoming events at TCO Fly Shop, including a fishing tournament benefiting Clearwater Conservancy, encouraging listeners to participate. George wraps up by inviting questions from the audience, reminding everyone of the shop's hours and encouraging anglers to get out on the water.
This episode is packed with valuable tips and insights for anglers eager to make the most of the cicada hatch and enjoy the fishing opportunities in Central PA.
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Marvin Cash
Hey, folks, it's Marvin Cash, the host of the Articulate Fly. We're back with another Central PA Fishing report with George Costa, TCO Fly Shop. George, how are you?
George Costa
I am amazing as always. Marvin, how are you?
Marvin Cash
I'm delightful and just trying to stay out of trouble.
George Costa
Yeah.
Marvin Cash
So, you know, it's kind of funny. We were talking. There's a lot on the dance card. You had kind of funky rain and you've got cicadas.
George Costa
Yes. So it's been very wet May here in Central pa. We've had a lot of water.I think we were just talking about it this morning with one of the other guys at the other shops here. We got six and a half, almost seven inches of rain in May. So we got a ton of water that's about 5 or 6 inches more than we normally get.So the water has been high and it's been cool. So a lot of our hatches are kind of like slowed down and on the. We're on the tail end of the drakes now, which usually wrapped up a few days ago.But we've still got drakes on pens and they're still kind of going. All the hatches have been really good so far and nothing's really been super heavy. But we've had really long hatches.The sulfurs are still going strong. We'll get a few more weeks of them. So the water has been high, it's been off color. We do have a little more rain coming this weekend.We're supposed to get maybe another half an inch. So expect the levels to kind of come up and get a little off color and a little high again. It's been tough waiting.Everything this week has kind of come back into shape.So this week we got a good blast of warm weather and all the cicadas that have been kind of sitting in the trees, sitting in the bushes for the past two, three weeks are starting to move around. So we're just on the cusp of getting the cicadas really heavy.They're going to start buzzing around, they're going to start flying, they're going to start falling in the water. The next month should shape up to be really, really good with them.So if you're coming to Central PA right now and you don't have some cicada patterns on you, you are making a poor decision. They're going to be good in certain pockets. Don't expect to see them everywhere.Best course of action is to just get to a spot and listen if you hear them singing in the trees, then you know you're in the right spot. They're not going to be everywhere, but they will be on most of our local streams. So just kind of search around, you'll hear them.We're still kind of waiting to see where they're going to show up. I think the next few days is going to be the good tell as far as where to see them and where they're going to be heaviest.But it should be bedlam for the next month. It's going to be a really cool event. You know, once every 17 years we get this up here and the fishing is going to be stupid.So if you're not planning on traveling up to Central PA for this, you probably should find a day or two to come up here because it should be amazing.
Marvin Cash
Yeah. And do you have a favorite bug you like to fish the cicada hatch with?
George Costa
Anything that's going to be a piece of black foam and is going to sit on top is going to work. I really don't think these fish are going to get super specific on patterns.We've got some MFC patterns in a couple of umpqua patterns, you know, about a size 6 or an 8. There are three different sizes of these bugs.There's three subspecies coming off, so you're going to have about a size 6 and a size 8 cicada out there. Floating patterns are definitely going to be the most fun. But as the hatch progresses, a sunken cicada pattern for more selective fish.You know, in two, three weeks, these guys are going to have seen it all. The fish are going to have seen it all by then.And a sunken cicada pattern will definitely be a good choice as the fish get more and more selective as on them as the month progresses. So any sort of black, foamy orange thing is going to work good. You know, some smaller sizes and flies like maybe a size 8 or 10.Not a bad idea, especially when you're fishing for waters with let's say smaller trout.You know, a lot of those smaller fish are not going to get their mouths around the big size 6 cicada, but they might be able to grab the hook on a 10. So carry a variety of sizes, sixes, eights, maybe a couple of smaller tensions, couple of sunken patterns.You know, any sort of black foam with a little bit of orange on it is going to be. Is going to be good. It's going to work.
Marvin Cash
There you go. Anything special going on in the shop you want to share with folks?
George Costa
Oh, my shop's been pretty busy. Right now we've got our offense in tournament here in central Pennsylvania slated for next weekend. We've still got some openings for teams.So anybody that wants to come and do that sixth annual tournament, the benefits go to Clearwater Conservancy, which is great. We've got team openings left. It should be another great event with lots and lots of prizes and lots and lots of fun.Check out our website for we got a bunch of other events right now and all our other shops. So check out TCL fly fishing.com for all our events and happenings. Other than that, man, it's just been good fishing.And we know hopefully the water doesn't get too high. Month of June is. Should be really good up here.
Marvin Cash
Yeah, there you go. And you know, folks, we love questions. We haven't gotten a question the last couple times. It makes George sad and we don't like that.
George Costa
Brenner, where are you?
Marvin Cash
So you have Renner. You gotta like, you just like dropped off the face of the planet. In all fairness, he's in medical school.But you know, send us your questions, I'll hook you up with some swag. It's the only way to get enter in the drawing of the shop at the end of the season.And George, before I let you go, you want to let folks know shop hours and all that kind of good stuff.
George Costa
Absolutely. Here in State College, we're open 9 to 6 Monday through Saturday, 9 to 3 on Sundays. All our other stores are open similar hours.Get us on the web@tcofly fishing.com and we'll see you out on the water.
Marvin Cash
There you go, folks. And as I always say, this time of year you owe it to yourself to get out there and catch a few. Tight lines, everybody. Tight lines.
George Costa
George, take it easy, Mark.
