S8, Ep 26: Hatches and Happenings: George Costa's Guide to Spring Fishing in Central PA
Episode Overview
This fly fishing podcast field report features George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, delivering the latest Central PA fishing conditions as spring hatches hit full stride. Recorded in mid-to-late April, the report captures a dynamic moment in the season — warm temperatures pushing hatches early, water levels running slightly below seasonal norms and sulphurs poised to come online within a week to ten days. George covers active hatches across Spring Creek, Penns Creek and Fishing Creek, including grannom caddis, Hendricksons, blue quills and olives. Nymphing has been the consistent producer, while afternoon dry fly windows have been excellent when hatches align. Water conditions are described as fishable and near-seasonal, with a weekend cooldown and potential precipitation on the way. George also touches on shop news, including two upcoming summer fishing tournaments — the All Fins In Tournament in June and the Bass Thumb Tournament targeting smallmouth on the Juniata and Susquehanna — along with guide and introductory class availability heading into the peak spring season.
Key Takeaways
- How to time your dry fly fishing in Central PA right now — late morning through early afternoon has been the most productive window for dry fly action
- Why grannom caddis remain fishable on Penns Creek and Fishing Creek while beginning to slow on Spring Creek
- When to expect sulphurs — George projects the hatch will begin within the next one to two weeks based on last year's timing
- How nymphing continues to be the reliable fallback when hatch activity is uneven or evening dries slow down
- Why water levels, while slightly below seasonal norms, remain in fishable shape and could benefit from the weekend precipitation forecast
Techniques & Gear Covered
The report emphasizes two primary approaches: opportunistic dry fly fishing during the afternoon hatch window and nymphing as the consistent baseline producer across all major Central PA limestone streams. George notes that multiple hatches are overlapping — grannom caddis, Hendricksons, blue quills and olives — which rewards anglers who can read the hatch and match accordingly. No specific fly patterns, rigs or gear brands are called out by name in this report, keeping the advice hatch- and timing-focused rather than gear-prescriptive.
Locations & Species
Central Pennsylvania's limestone spring creeks are the focus of this report, with Spring Creek, Penns Creek and Fishing Creek named explicitly as primary destinations. The Juniata River and Susquehanna River receive a brief mention in the context of the summer Bass Thumb Tournament, pointing toward smallmouth bass as a warm-weather target species in the region. Wild trout on classic limestone spring creeks are the primary focus for the current spring season, with conditions described as slightly low but fishing well. A projected cooldown and potential precipitation over the upcoming weekend could modestly improve flows and extend the spring hatch window before summer conditions set in.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
How are the spring hatches fishing in Central PA right now?
Multiple hatches are active and fishing well across the region's major limestone streams. Grannom caddis are still going strong on Penns Creek, Fishing Creek and other waters, while Hendricksons, blue quills and olives are also present. The most productive window has been late morning through early afternoon, with evening dries running slower than peak.
When will the sulphur hatch start on Central PA limestone streams?
George Costa projects sulphurs will begin within the next week to ten days based on last year's timing, making this a critical transition moment for anglers planning spring trips to Penns Creek and the surrounding fisheries.
What is the best technique when hatches aren't fully on?
Nymphing has been consistently producing across all major Central PA streams regardless of hatch activity. When the dry fly window is slow — particularly in the evenings — nymphing with standard spring patterns has been the reliable fallback.
What are current water conditions like on Central PA streams?
Water levels are described as slightly below seasonal norms but still very fishable. A weekend cooldown and possible precipitation may help nudge flows back toward ideal, without posing any significant blowout risk.
Related Content
S8, Ep 4: Chilly Waters and Crafty Flies: A New Year Fishing Report with George Costa
S7, Ep 36: Central PA Fishing Report with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop
S7, Ep 57: Cicada Mania: Central PA Fishing Insights with George Costa
S6, Ep 48: Rain or Shine: Central PA's Fishing Report with TCO Fly Shop
S6, Ep 118: Central PA Fall Fishing Report: George Costa's Tips and Tactics
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Hey folks, it's Marvin Cash, the host of The Articulate Fly. We're back with another Central PA Fishing Report with the man himself, George Costa at TCO Fly Shop in State College. George, how are you doing?
George CostaI, as always, am amazing, Marvin. Thank you so much for asking.
Marvin CashOh, that's great. And was the Easter bunny good to you?
George CostaI got a little chocolate. Thank you.
Marvin CashAnything else other than you got a chocolate bunny? One of the hollow ones?
George CostaYes, that's it. The holo chocolate bunny. That's all I got.
Marvin CashNo peeps?
George CostaNo peeps. I don't mess around with the peeps. They make me nervous.
Marvin CashYou were robbed. So it's funny, I was looking at your weather like it's nuts down here. We're gonna. We've been like in the upper 80s for almost a week.And you looks like you could, you know, almost get sleet if you wanted it, right?
George CostaYeah, I mean it's, it's warm yesterday, it's warm today. We're supposed to get a cool down Saturday into Sunday.So temps are going from mid-80s up here for the past two, three days and they're gonna drop down into the 40s, 50s again. Maybe a little closer to more seasonal. What we're supposed. So temps have been up and down, but the hatches have been going good.We got good grannies everywhere right now still. I would say they're starting to slow down on Spring Creek, but they're still good on Penns, J., Fishing Creek grannies.We've got Hendrickson's on all of our bigger streams, Penns, J., Fishing Creek. We got blue quill, we've got some, you know, olives. So all those typical hatches we see this time of year are going pretty good.Best times for the hatches have definitely been like late morning into early afternoon. Evening, you know, has been a little on the slow side in the dries.But if you can get out there and get a good hatch, you know, in the afternoon, it's been great. Plenty of top water action to be had. Now. Nymph has been consistently good. All the usual suspects. Water is a little on the low side seasonally.I mean, the levels are great right now, but we're a touch low for where we should be. We could use a little more precipitation, which we might be getting this weekend, which would be good.I don't think we'll have to worry about anything getting blown out, but we are right around where we should be seasonally. The cool temps might slow things down a little bit.Our next big hatch Coming up is definitely going to be the sulfurs, which, you know, looking back what we saw last year, I probably will start seeing some within the next week to 10 days. So expect that hatch to get going pretty soon. So we're in spring, weather's up and down, water levels are good.Definitely good conditions to get out and fish. So do so if you can.
Marvin CashYeah. Well, there you go. Anything cool going on at the shop?
George CostaYeah, we got a lot of cool stuff. You know, we still have our normal sales up on our website. We've got a couple really fun tournaments coming up this summer.We've got the All Fins In Tournament, which is up here second week of June.Really great tournament showcasing all of our awesome waters here and all the species of fish we have available up here in Central pa. Also end of June, we've got our bass thumb tournament, which is down on the Juniata Susquehanna river, targeting smallmouth. Another great tournament. So if you want to get out and have some fun with some buddies this year, couple great things to check out on our website.The All Fins In Tournament and the Bass Thumb Tournament. Check those out and, you know, get out and fish and have some fun with some compadres this summer.
Marvin CashYeah. Do you have any spaces left in any of your intro fly fishing classes as the season starts to ramp up?
George CostaYeah, classes are pretty much full. I've got some spaces left end of May, early June, I might have a couple of spots left, but a lot of the classes are pretty full this time of year.So if you want to get out and learn, you know, check to see what spots we have available. Our other locations have a bunch of classes going through the spring and summer as well.So check everything out there online or just get yourself a guide for the day. You know, we're definitely getting booked up for guide season, but if you want to get out of the water, learn the water a little bit.Guide is a great way to go. And all of our locations have phenomenal guides. So check that out on the online as well.
Marvin CashGot it. And you know, would it be helpful to find maybe a open space that miraculously got open with maybe a bottle of BlackBerry brandy?
George CostaAbsolutely not. It's way too warm for that. That is a wintertime thing, a Christmas thing.Marvin, you know that you cannot tempt me with BlackBerry brandy this time of year. It is rum season.
Marvin CashAh, there you go. I would imagine clear rum, right?
George CostaNo, I like a dark age drum.
Marvin CashWell, there you go. Well, listen, folks, you know, we love questions on the articulate fly. You can email me or DM me on social media, whatever is easiest for you.If we use your question, I will send you some Articulate Fly swag or enter a drawing for some cool stuff from the shop at the end of the season. And George, before I let you get back to it, you want to let folks know location, hours and all that kind of good stuff.
George CostaAbsolutely, Smurfley. We are here at State College 9 to 6 Monday through Saturday, 9 to 3 on Sunday. All of our other stores are open similar hours.Check us out on the web at tcoflyfishing.com.
Marvin CashYeah. Well, there you go. Well, listen, folks, show it to yourself to get out there and catch a few tight lines, everybody. Tight lines. George, Take it easy.
George CostaMark.
