S8, Ep 71: Fall Fishing Forecast: George Costa on Streamers, Hatches and Safety Tips
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George Costa, manager of TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, returns to The Articulate Fly for another Central PA Fishing Report as the region shifts firmly into fall. Recent rain has pushed creeks across Central Pennsylvania's limestone country well above seasonal flows and off-color, but George reports everything is on the drop and should be fishable again this weekend, with cool water temperatures keeping trout active and comfortable. Fall hatch activity is picking up, with Isos (Isonychia), tan caddis and October caddis all showing well, and George notes a recent streamer bite that produced trout already colored up for fall. He and host Marvin Cash also flag a practical safety reminder: Pennsylvania's fall hunting seasons open October 1st, so anglers fishing shared public waters such as Spring Creek Canyon on state game lands should wear blaze orange. Away from the water, George runs down what's happening at TCO's shops heading into the off-season, including end-of-summer clearance pricing on Simms, Grundens and Patagonia gear, and a full slate of fall and winter fly tying and on-the-water classes across TCO's locations. Among the highlights is a class taught by Allen Rupp, Dave Whitlock's legacy tyer, covering streamer tying and the NearNuff Sculpin pattern. The conversation offers a quick, practical snapshot for anglers planning trips to Central Pennsylvania's limestone streams this fall: current conditions, what's hatching, where the fish are biting and how to gear up.
Key Takeaways
- How to time a trip to Central PA limestone streams safely as high, off-color fall water drops back into shape this week.
- Why fall streamer fishing is heating up as cooling water temperatures push trout to feed aggressively ahead of the spawn.
- What to watch for on the hatch front, including Isos, tan caddis and October caddis activity as Central Pennsylvania moves deeper into fall.
- Why anglers should wear blaze orange on Pennsylvania state game lands like Spring Creek Canyon once hunting season opens October 1st.
Techniques & Gear Covered
George highlights a developing fall streamer bite on Central Pennsylvania's limestone streams, with trout already showing fall coloration as water temperatures cool. He also flags active Iso, tan caddis and October caddis hatch activity worth matching as conditions stabilize after recent high water. On the gear side, TCO Fly Shop is running end-of-summer clearance pricing on Simms, Grundens and Patagonia. TCO's fall and winter class schedule includes a streamer tying session and a NearNuff Sculpin class taught by Allen Rupp, Dave Whitlock's legacy tyer, alongside additional fly tying and on-the-water instruction across TCO's locations.
Locations & Species
This report centers on Central Pennsylvania's limestone stream country in and around State College, including public water on state game lands such as Spring Creek Canyon. Recent rain pushed local creeks well above seasonal flows and off-color, though George reports levels are dropping and the fishery should be fishable again this weekend. Trout are the focus of this fishery, and cooling water temperatures combined with fall hatch activity (Isos, tan caddis and October caddis) are setting up favorable conditions heading into peak fall streamer season. Anglers should expect high, off-color flows to continue to clear absent additional rain.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
Are Central Pennsylvania's limestone streams fishable right now?
Yes, but use caution. Recent rain pushed creeks well above seasonal flows and off-color, but George Costa reports water levels are dropping and the fishery should be fishable again this weekend heading into the following few weeks.
What fall hatches are active on Central PA streams right now?
George reports good numbers of Isos (Isonychia), tan caddis and October caddis beginning to show, all typical fall hatch activity for late September into early October in Central Pennsylvania.
Why is fall a good time for streamer fishing in Central PA?
As water temperatures cool, trout become more aggressive and begin coloring up ahead of the fall spawn. George reports a recent streamer bite already producing colored-up fish, with more good streamer water expected over the next few weeks.
Why should anglers wear orange on Pennsylvania state game lands this time of year?
Pennsylvania's fall hunting seasons, including deer and pheasant seasons, open October 1st. Anglers fishing shared public water such as Spring Creek Canyon should wear blaze orange to stay visible to hunters using the same game lands.
Where can anglers find fall and winter fly tying classes near State College, PA?
TCO Fly Shop runs a full schedule of tying and on-the-water classes at its State College shop, including a streamer class and a NearNuff Sculpin class taught by Allen Rupp, Dave Whitlock's legacy tyer. Full listings are at tcoflyfishing.com.
Related Content
S6, Ep 118 - Central PA Fall Fishing Report: George Costa's Tips and Tactics
S6, Ep 129 - TCO Fly Shop's George Costa Discusses Prime Fall Fishing Conditions
S7, Ep 49 - Rain, Hatches and Cicadas: A Central PA Fishing Update with George Costa
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, back with another Central PA Fishing Report with the man himself, George Costa.George, how are you?
George CostaI look and feel fantastic as always.Marvin, how are you?
Marvin CashI'm just trying to stay out of trouble.And you know, it's kind of funny like we've started cooling off down here.I looked at your weather.You're kind of ahead of the game in terms of cold, rainy fall weather, and you were telling me it kind of messed up your striper trip.
George CostaYeah, we got Northeast is getting pretty big storm up there this weekend.So I think the saltwater front this week is shut down in the entire northeast.But here in Central PA we're having a little bit of wind yesterday and we had our rain three, four days ago out here.So everything out here in PA got now in Central PA got high and off color.And right now everything is still running high and off color.Most of the creeks around here well above seasonal where we are.So we've got a lot of water going into fall, which will be a really nice thing.Everything's on the drop, so stuff is going to be fishable this weekend.Definitely high and off color.So be careful waiting out there.But I think we should have some good fishing moving into the next couple of weeks here.Temps have been great, nice and cool water.Temps not an issue.We're starting to see, you know, some of those fall hatches.Have you seen good amounts of ISOs, some tan caddis, a couple of October caddis are starting to peak up.So I mean, we're right in the fall time, you know, just, just underway.Had some streamer bites the other day.Got a couple of fish that were nice and colored up.So, you know, fish are definitely starting to feel that fall weather.And we're going to get some good streamer water here in the next few weeks.I think it's going to be great.
Marvin CashYeah.And we were talking before we started recording that it probably was a good time of year to remind people that they're not the only people out in the woods this time of year.
George CostaThey are not.Yes.Thank you for reminding me.Yep.So hunting season starts pretty soon next week, October 1st.So if you're on any Pennsylvania state game land and you're walking around, I do really recommend wearing a little bit of orange this time of year, especially back in Spring Creek Canyon once that opens up for, you know, deer and pheasants and stuff back there.If you're back there, wear a little bit of orange.It's not a bad idea.You know, who knows who's standing up at a tree stand or, you know, shooting some birds, you know, get yourself well marked out there and don't get shot in the face.Not a good idea.
Marvin CashYeah, not a good look for the 'gram, is it?
George CostaNo, not at all.Nobody wants to see that.
Marvin CashSo, you know, I could bait you with.I know it's too early for blackberry brandy, but I can bait you with pumpkin spice lattes.I bet you've got classes and maybe a few sales going on in the shops.
George CostaYeah, we've got a lot of stuff on sale right now.All our summer stuff is on sale.You know, our website's loaded with sale things right now.Simms Grundens, Patagonia.So lots of that and lots and lots of classes coming up this fall and winter.We've got a ton planned here in State College.We got a really good one coming up soon with Allen Rupp that we've got some space left for here in the Bryn Mawr and State College.So check out our classes online at tcoflyfishing.com because if you want to take a tying class, some on the water classes, some specialty classes, all of our shops have got a bunch of offerings this year.It's a great time of year to get out there and learn a little more.Get yourself ready for the next spring season.
Marvin CashYeah, and I would say too, folks, if you don't know, this Allen is Dave Whitlock's legacy tyer.And I suspect he's probably teaching folks how to tie some of Dave's patterns, right?
George CostaYep.He's going to do a streamer class.He's going to do a Near Nuff sculpin class.So it should be really good, really good chance to learn a lot from an outstanding tyer.
Marvin CashWell, there you go.Well, listen, I don't want to steal your thunder because I know you've had a hard day today.You want to let folks know where you're located, shop hours and all that kind of good stuff.
George Costa100%.We are here in State College Monday through Saturday 9 to 6.Sundays 9 to 3.All of our other stores have similar hours.And you can get us on the web at tcoflyfishing.com and we'll see out there.
Marvin CashWell, there you go, folks.As I always say, you owe it to yourself to get out there and catch a few.Tight lines, everybody.Tight lines.George.
George CostaTake it easy, Marv.
