S8, Ep 55: Summer Secrets: George Costa's Central PA Fishing Report
Episode Overview
In this Central PA Fishing Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, for an end-of-July conditions update. Costa reports Central Pennsylvania's trout streams running a touch above seasonal averages after a recent shot of rain, with solid dry fly and terrestrial action across the region.
Water levels are in good shape for late summer, and while overnight temps have cooled into the 50s, Costa reminds anglers to keep checking midday stream temperatures on the region's bigger waters, where readings can still creep into the high 60s. On the bug front, Tricos are producing strong morning dry fly action on Spring Creek, with the prime window running roughly 8 a.m. to noon. Terrestrials are working well everywhere, with beetles and ants producing across the board and the season's first hoppers now showing up in the more meadowy stream stretches. Fish are readily eating Chubbies and small hoppers, and dry-dropper rigs — a Chubby up top with a nymph dropper underneath — are working well. For anglers looking to move bigger fish, Costa points to streamer fishing in low light, early and late, as water temperatures cool.
Beyond the stream report, Costa previews TCO's Outdoor Fly Fishing Festival at the shop's Boiling Springs location on Children's Lake, coming up August 8th and 9th, and recaps a strong showing at the shop's recent Bass Thumb smallmouth tournament, which saw high, dirty water but plenty of big fish caught.
Key Takeaways
- How to time the Trico hatch on Spring Creek for peak morning dry fly action, roughly 8 a.m. to noon.
- Why terrestrial patterns like beetles and ants are producing well everywhere right now, with the season's first hoppers now showing up in meadowy stream stretches.
- When to switch to streamer fishing for a better shot at moving bigger fish, ideally during low light in the early morning or evening.
- Why checking midday water temperatures still matters on bigger Central PA streams even when overall levels and clarity are favorable.
- When to plan a visit to TCO's Outdoor Fly Fishing Festival in Boiling Springs, running August 8th and 9th at Children's Lake.
Techniques & Gear Covered
Costa's report centers on a classic late-July technique mix for Central Pennsylvania's trout streams: morning Trico dry fly fishing, terrestrial presentations through the day and streamer fishing during low light. Beetles and ants are producing well across the board, while the season's first hoppers are emerging specifically in meadowy stream stretches. Dry-dropper rigs — running a Chubby as the top fly with a nymph dropper underneath — are producing consistent results. For low-light streamer fishing, Costa notes that slightly cooler water temperatures in the early morning and evening make fish more willing to chase.
Locations & Species
This report covers Central Pennsylvania's trout streams generally, with Spring Creek specifically called out as producing strong morning Trico activity. Wild and stocked trout are the primary target throughout the region. Seasonally, this is a slightly atypical late-July window: stream levels running a little above seasonal averages and on the clear side following recent rain, overnight temperatures in the 50s, and daytime highs in the mid-70s to low 80s making midday water temperatures a point of attention on the region's bigger streams.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
What are current stream conditions in Central PA in late July?
Costa reports levels running a little above seasonal averages and on the clear side following a recent rain event. Overnight temperatures have been in the 50s with daytime highs in the mid-70s to low 80s, keeping overall stream temperatures favorable, though bigger streams can still creep into the high 60s by midday.
When is the best time to fish Tricos on Spring Creek?
Costa identifies roughly 8 a.m. to noon as the prime window for Trico dry fly action on Spring Creek, when hatch activity is strongest.
What terrestrial patterns are working best right now in Central PA?
Beetles and ants are producing well everywhere, and the season's first hoppers are starting to show up specifically in meadowy stream stretches. Costa notes fish are readily eating Chubbies and small hoppers, and dry-dropper rigs — a Chubby up top with a nymph dropper underneath — are working well.
When should anglers switch to streamer fishing during summer trout season?
Costa recommends streamer fishing during low light, early morning or evening, when slightly cooler water temperatures tend to make trout more willing to chase a moving fly.
What TCO Fly Shop events are coming up this August?
TCO's Outdoor Fly Fishing Festival takes place August 8th and 9th at the shop's Boiling Springs location on Children's Lake. Costa also recapped a strong turnout at the shop's recent Bass Thumb smallmouth tournament, where high, dirty water didn't stop anglers from catching some larger fish.
Related Content
S8, Ep 51 - Summer Stream Insights: George Costa on Conditions, Patterns and Upcoming Events
S8, Ep 47 - Central PA Fishing Forecast: George Costa's Summer Stream Insights
S8, Ep 42 - Exploring Terrestrials and Summer Patterns: George Costa's Fishing Forecast
S7, Ep 70 - The Dog Days of Summer: Trico Tactics in Central PA with George Costa
View all Central Pennsylvania Fishing Reports with George Costa
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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, Internet George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College. Internet George, how are you?
George CostaYeah, stop calling me that. I'm doing great. How are you, Marvin?
Marvin CashYou don't like that appellation?
George CostaI do not. I do not.
Marvin CashBut you call yourself that on the 'gram, right?
George CostaNo, I don't. I do not. I'm just trying to do whatever. I don't know what's going on anymore.
Marvin CashFair enough. You have. You have acute vacation reentry syndrome, right?
George CostaIndeed. Indeed. Yep. We were out of town last week, but just got back into town and it's not looking too bad around here, so I kind of like it.
Marvin CashYeah, cool and wet, which is, you know, if you fish for trout, that's kind of the secret sauce here in the summer.
George CostaYeah, for sure. Levels are all pretty good. We're a little above seasonal, you know, summertime.So it's still on the low side, on the clear side, but above seasonal averages. We got a good shot of rain last week. The mosquitoes alone will tell you that. Bring a little bug spray. It's getting buggy out there.And temps have been great this week. We're looking like, you know, in the 50s at night, you know, mid to high 70s, low 80s max during the day. So stream temps are pretty good this week.You still want to check midday, you know, on some of the bigger streams, I'm sure they're still going to kind of creep up into the high 60s. So be conscious of the temps and continue to check the temps. But other than that, temps and levels pretty good for this time of year.Tricos have been going really good on spring. If you want to get some dry fly action, get out there in the mornings.Best time is probably between like 8 and noon is when we're seeing some pretty good top water action with the Tricos. Terrestrials are working well everywhere. Beetles, ants, you know, hoppers are starting to show up.So some of those more meadowy kind of stretches on the local streams, there's some hoppers starting to come around. Plenty of fish are coming up and eating like chubbies and little hoppers. Dry dropper techniques working well.Streamer fishing, low light conditions, early late would definitely probably move some fish with the water temps being a little cooler. So overall for, you know, end of July in summer in central Pennsylvania, we've got a pretty good solid week of fishing here.
Marvin CashYeah, there you go. Anything cool going on in the shop.
George CostaOh, we've got the outdoor festival coming up down in boiling springs down the 8th and 9th August, so that'll be fun. If anybody's down in the Boiling Springs area, that should be another great event.It's right at the TCO location on children's Lake in Boiling Springs. So check that out if anybod has that weekend open. It's going to be a great festival this year.A lot of cool things going on, so definitely worth the day trip for that.
Marvin CashYeah, and I heard the report from lots of different folks that they really had a good time at Bass Thumb this year.
George CostaYeah, that was a great turnout. They had some high, dirty water, but I mean, a lot of bigger fish were caught. So that was a really great event.Everyone that did that event had a good time. I didn't get to do it, but maybe next year. So check that tournament out next year when it happens if you want to get on some really cool tournament.Bass fish and stuff. That was. That was a great turnout this year for that.
Marvin CashYeah, absolutely. And folks, you know, remember, send us your questions because we want to keep George happy.And George, before I let you hop and get back to summertime retail bliss and State College, you want to let folks know shop hours, location, and all that kind of good stuff.
George CostaAbsolutely. Here in State College, we're open 9 to 6 Monday through Saturday, 9 to 3 on Sundays. All brother shops are open similar hours.And get us on the worldwide web at tcoflyfishing.com.
Marvin CashWell, there you go. Well, listen, folks, show it to yourself to get out there and catch a few tight lines, everybody. Tight lines. George.
George CostaTake it easy, Marvin.
