S7, Ep 81: Embracing the Transition: Fall Fishing Strategies and Events in Central PA with George Costa

EPISODE SUMMARY

Guest: George Costa - Guide/Shop Manager at TCO Fly Shop (State College, Pennsylvania)

In this episode: Central Pennsylvania fishing expert George Costa shares current conditions and technical strategies for late summer low-water fishing. Topics include terrestrial patterns, technical presentations and seasonal transition strategies.

Key fishing techniques covered:

• Long, light leader presentations for technical conditions
• Terrestrial pattern fishing with hoppers, ants and beetles
• Early morning and evening tactical approaches
• Ninja-style stealth positioning in clear water
• October Caddis emergence timing and strategies

Location focus: Central Pennsylvania limestone and spring creek systems

Target species: Wild and stocked trout in Central PA waters

Equipment discussed: Long light leaders, lighter tippet, terrestrial fly patterns (hoppers, ants, beetles), trico patterns

Key questions answered:

• How to fish low, clear water conditions effectively
• When to use terrestrial patterns for best results
• What stealth techniques work in technical situations

Best for: Intermediate to advanced anglers interested in technical low-water strategies and Central Pennsylvania regional conditions

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 and State College. George, how are you?

George Costa00:00:13

I'm amazing as always. Marvin, how are you?

Marvin Cash00:00:15

And as always, I'm just trying to stay out of trouble.And we were, we were chatting before we started recording and looks like maybe in about five or six days you're going to kind of start to slide into that fall, cool off and maybe get a little rain.

George Costa00:00:27

Yeah, I hope so. I mean the weather has been pretty seasonal out here. It's been cool nights which has been great.Got a little bit of warm up the past couple days here up into the high 70s, low 80s, but temps have been good at night stream temps have been holding steady. Haven't seen too much to concern as far as temps go in the afternoon. It's definitely been slow in the afternoons.Just with the bright, clear, sunshiny days and low, clear water. It's been tough and technical. But next week looks like we should get a little shot of rain. We'll take anything.Right now it's, you know, pretty low, pretty clear and on the fishing front it's been, it's been pretty good. I mean mornings have been great. We're still seeing some tricos around here and there. Tankatis in the evening have been good.Terrestrial bite is still really good with, you know, hoppers, ants, beetles, things like that. So there's definitely some good top water action early in the day and then late again in the day.I'm just starting to see a couple of October Cattus pop here and there. Nothing too heavy yet, but you know, that's right around the corner.And fish have been eating well as long as you're using those long light leaders, lighter tippet, you know, more technical.So take your time working water and you know, work those deeper slots, pockets and you know, rivoli spots and guys have been getting good amount of fish.

Marvin Cash00:01:40

Yeah. And stay out of the water or if you have to get in the water weighed like a heron. Right.

George Costa00:01:45

Pretty much. Pretty much creep up on them because it is clear and it is low. So you know, take your time, get into position and make good casts.That's pretty much been the key.

Marvin Cash00:01:54

Be a ninja like George, right?

George Costa00:01:56

Oh, I don't know about that.

Marvin Cash00:01:59

But you were telling me before we started recording you like that. You were telling me before you started recording that you've also got a fair number of fishy adventures coming up.

George Costa00:02:11

Yeah, I got some stuff Coming up, we've got a group going the Montauk to get in on some striper and Alby action. We've got a bunch of fun things going on in the shop this fall, so there's all sorts of things going on up here. Staying busy.October is going to be a busy month for us up here, so if you want to get in on any guide trips up here, call now because we're pretty much getting booked up.

Marvin Cash00:02:29

Yeah, and I bet your, I bet your fall classes are getting booked up too, for sure.

George Costa00:02:33

We just posted a ton of classes online this past week. We've got seven or eight tying classes going on, beginners, fly tying, a bunch of really good classes with our guides Sam and Frank.You know, winter fishing, mono rig fishing, all sorts of good classes going on. All of our shops have a bunch of classes going up.So fall, winter is a great time to take a class to brush up on your skills and get ready for the next year.

Marvin Cash00:02:56

Absolutely. And folks, we love questions on the articulate fly and we want George to be happy. So please email or DM me your questions.If we use your question, I will send you some articulate fly swag. Probably throw in a couple butcher shop stickers and we're going to draw for something cool from the shop at the end of the season.And George, before I let you go back to retail bliss, you want to let folks know hours and all that kind of good stuff.

George Costa00:03:18

Absolutely. We are here in State College 9 to 6 Monday through Saturday, 9 to 3 on Sundays. All of our shops are open similar hours.So stop in the shop, get geared up, stop in any of our shops or visit us on the web@tcofly fishing.com and let us know what you need. We'll get you rigged up and ready to get out there.

Marvin Cash00:03:36

There you go. Well, folks, as always, say, yo, it's yourself to get out there and catch a few tight lines, everybody. Tight lines, George.

George Costa00:03:43

All right, have a good one. Thanks, Marvin.