S7, Ep 94: Rain Dance Revelations: George Costa on Central PA's Fishing Forecast
Join The Articulate Fly's latest Central PA Fishing Report as host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College for critical fall fishing updates.
With much-needed rain finally arriving in central Pennsylvania, George breaks down how the changing water conditions are transforming local trout streams. Streamer fishing is heating up as flows increase and water gains color, creating ideal conditions for aggressive fall trout. George reports consistent olive hatches providing sporadic dry fly action throughout the day, though nymphing remains the most productive technique for anglers targeting Pennsylvania limestone streams. Listeners learn essential spawning season etiquette as redds begin appearing, plus insider timing on when streams will clear for optimal weekend fishing. George also provides updates on the developing steelhead run in Lake Erie tributaries as fish begin stacking in the system.
Whether you're planning a Central PA trout outing or curious about regional fall conditions, this quick fishing report delivers actionable intelligence for maximizing your time on the water.
Related Content
S7, Ep 36 - Central PA Fishing Report with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop
S6, Ep 118 - Central PA Fall Fishing Report: George Costa's Tips and Tactics
S5, Ep 145 - Central Pennsylvania Fishing Report with TCO Fly Shop
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EPISODE SUMMARY
Guest: George Costa - TCO Fly Shop (State College, Pennsylvania)
In this episode: Central Pennsylvania fishing expert George Costa shares current stream conditions and tactical insights for fall fishing. Topics include rainfall impacts on water levels, streamer fishing strategies for off-color water, olive hatch timing and steelhead movement on Lake Erie tributaries.
Key fishing techniques covered:
- Streamer fishing in rising, off-color water conditions
- Nymphing techniques for current fall conditions
- Dry fly presentations during olive hatches
- Spawning redd identification and ethical fishing practices
- Steelhead tactics for Lake Erie tributary systems
Location focus: Central Pennsylvania streams, State College area, Lake Erie tributaries (Pennsylvania steelhead alley)
Target species: Trout (primarily), steelhead
Equipment discussed: Streamers, nymphs, dry flies for olive hatches
Key questions answered:
- How does rainfall affect Central PA stream fishing conditions?
- When should you switch to streamer fishing tactics?
- How to identify and respect spawning redds during fall fishing?
- What are current olive hatch patterns in Pennsylvania?
- When will steelhead fishing pick up on Lake Erie tributaries?
Best for: Beginner to advanced anglers interested in Central Pennsylvania stream conditions, seasonal fishing reports, streamer tactics and Pennsylvania steelhead fishing
Marvin Cash
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 in State College. George, how are you?
George Costa
I am amazing as always. Marvin, how are you?
Marvin Cash
And as always, I'm just trying to stay out of trouble. And you've been doing the rain dance because you guys are getting ready to get some much needed rain in your neck of the woods.
George Costa
Yes, indeed. Rain started last night. We got a good inch and a half of rain here, which is very much needed. Might be a little more.So water is currently bumping up a little bit. I think it's probably going to come and go pretty fast, but definitely add some good flow to the streams, get a little color in the streams.So the rain we finally been waiting for is here. Everything's going to bump up. I think that everything should probably clear out by the weekend. Saturday, Sunday, Monday should be fine.Hopefully a little bit of color remains and this should get those fish moving and get the streamer bite really kind of heating up a little bit with the overcast and the cloud cover. I think it'll be probably a pretty good weekend here for fishing.We are starting to see some reds around, so anybody coming up here, just be wary of them. Watch where you walk, watch where you step, watch where you fish. Leave those fish alone. Olive hatch has been pretty good.We're still seeing a handful of tankatis earlier in the week. Not sure what this rain is going to do with them, but olives can come off sporadically during the day.So there's still a little bit of dry fly action, but primarily nymphing has been the key here. And the streamer bite should pick up now with this water again up and a little off color. Yeah.
Marvin Cash
And I imagine your steelhead buddies are jumping up and down because they're probably going nuts on the alley with the rain. Right?
George Costa
That's what I hear. That's what I hear from the steel guys. We got a. They got a good bunch of rain up there yesterday. I'm sorry, earlier in the week.So fish are starting to move and, you know, stack up and move into the systems up there. So steelhead and should pick up in the next week or two.
Marvin Cash
There you go. And so what you've got going on in the store because I know you're getting ready to move into holiday bliss here shortly.
George Costa
Plus, oh my.
Marvin Cash
Plus 20, 26 education, all that good stuff. What have you got?
George Costa
For sure, we got tons of classes coming up. We got a great steelhead Class this weekend coming up, if anybody's listening and wants to learn about Steelhead. Steelhead.Steve is doing his yearly seminar. Great time class, great talk. If you want to learn a little bit on that, that's this Sunday from around 9:30 to 1:30 here at the shop.All of our other stores have tons of other classes lined up for the winter. So check out our website, tcofly fishing.com, see what kind of classes you want to get signed up for. We got a good holiday sale.We actually got a Halloween sale going on this week. So an extra 15% off all of our sale items already online and what we have in the store. So, yeah, some good sales coming up.And you know, it is almost holiday time and you know we're going to have a great time. It's going to be awesome.
Marvin Cash
Yeah. And as I told you before we started recording, I've got my countdown timer here in the recording studio.You are like less than a month to Brandy time, right?
George Costa
It's true, it's true. You and the Brandy.
Marvin Cash
Well, I mean, you could, you know, tell people you want like coconut macaroons, they'll bring them to you in the store, like. But if you like BlackBerry brandy, get the hookup.
George Costa
I don't want the BlackBerry brand. They just want whiskey in a dirty glass.
Marvin Cash
So is that bourbon Irish or scotch?
George Costa
Whatever.
Marvin Cash
I'll take it all blended or single malt?
George Costa
It doesn't matter. I don't discriminate. I'll have any type of whiskey.
Marvin Cash
Yeah, but if you were king for a day and someone wanted to curry your favor in the shop, what should they bring you?
George Costa
A fine rye whiskey.
Marvin Cash
Well, there you go. Well, we'll. We'll leave it there.And you know, folks, as I always say, this time of year when it's cold and frozen over in February, you're going to regret not getting out and fishing a little bit. So get out there and catch a few tight lines, everybody. Tight lines. George.
George Costa
Take it easy, Marv.
