S8, Ep 79: Fall Fishing Forecast: George Costa on Conditions, Caddis and Catching Fish
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On this Central PA Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly, George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, breaks down what late-October trout fishing looks like as cold mornings set in and the spawn approaches. With overnight lows in the low 30s, low and clear water and little rain in the forecast, George explains why timing and patience matter more than ever right now. He also makes a strong case for leaving spawning trout and their redds alone as the season turns.
George reports that the fishing has been okay but not great. A few caddis, olives and October caddis are still around, but dry fly action is thin and nymphing has been the most consistent approach. Falling leaves are making clean drifts a challenge, so anglers need to work the water methodically to find actively feeding fish. Streamers have been moving trout early and late, particularly from daybreak until roughly 8 or 9 a.m. while the sun is still low on the water, while the best nymphing window has shifted to roughly 1 to 4 p.m. once the water warms.
The heart of this episode is spawning-season ethics. George expects redds to start appearing across Central PA within the next one to two weeks, with heavy spawning running from late October through December and redds still visible into January. He describes exactly what a redd looks like, explains why you should never wade through one even when no fish are present and calls out anglers who chase "Internet hero" photos of big trout pulled off spawning beds. The episode wraps with a look at TCO's fall fly tying classes, including next week's Brew and Bugs, and shop hours for serious anglers planning their next trip to State College.
Key Takeaways
- How to identify a trout redd as a clean, polished-looking patch of gravel so you can avoid fishing to spawning fish or wading through eggs.
- Why big trout caught in the middle of a November day are often spawning fish that should be left alone rather than caught and photographed for social media.
- When to fish streamers in late fall, focusing on daybreak until about 8 or 9 a.m. while the sun is still low on the water.
- When to switch to nymphing on cold-morning days, targeting the roughly 1 to 4 p.m. window after the water warms.
- Why falling leaves and low, clear water demand a slower, more methodical approach to finding actively feeding trout.
- Why dry fly fishing with caddis is a low-percentage play in late October compared to subsurface tactics.
Techniques & Gear Covered
Nymphing is the primary producer in this report, with George pointing to the early-afternoon window after the water has warmed as the most productive time to fish subsurface. Streamer fishing remains effective in low-light periods, especially at first light before the sun gets high on the water, when trout are more willing to move to a fly than on bright, sunny days. Dry fly options are limited to lingering caddis, olives and a handful of October caddis, and George is candid that working a caddis all day is more about luck than a reliable strategy. He also flags that heavy leaf drop is making a clean drift difficult and recommends a deliberate, cover-the-water approach in low and clear conditions.
Locations & Species
This report covers trout streams across Central Pennsylvania from TCO Fly Shop's home base in State College. Late-fall conditions are low and clear with cold mornings in the low 30s, heavy leaf drop and little rain in the forecast, which George describes as typical for this time of year but a bit chillier than normal. The key seasonal factor is the trout spawn, with redds expected to appear within one to two weeks and heavy spawning activity running from late October through December. Anglers fly fishing Central PA for trout this fall should plan around afternoon feeding windows and give spawning areas a wide berth.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
What does a trout redd look like?
A redd is a small, clean patch of gravel and rocks that looks shiny and polished compared to the surrounding streambed. It is a trout spawning bed, so if fish are on it they are actively spawning and should be left alone. Even if no fish are present, you should not walk on a redd because it may hold trout eggs.
When do trout spawn in Central Pennsylvania?
According to George Costa, redds typically start appearing in late October, with heavy spawning running through November and December. Redds can still be seen into January. Anglers should avoid fishing to trout on redds and steer clear of spawning areas throughout this period.
What is the best time of day to fly fish for trout in Central PA in late fall?
With cold mornings in the low 30s, George recommends getting out a little later in the day for nymphing, with the best bite window running roughly from 1 to 4 p.m. after the water warms. If you want to fish early, streamers are the better choice from daybreak until about 8 or 9 a.m. while the sun is still low on the water.
Why should anglers avoid fishing to spawning trout?
George's point is simple: spawning trout are doing their thing and deserve to be left alone, and walking through a redd can crush the eggs it holds. He notes that many of the big trout showing up on social media in the middle of a November day are spawning fish. His advice is to skip the Internet hero photos and leave those fish alone.
How are falling leaves and low water affecting fall trout fishing in Central PA?
Heavy leaf drop is making it hard to get a good drift, and low, clear water with little rain in the forecast has made for fishing George describes as okay but not great. His advice is to slow down, take your time and work the water thoroughly to locate the trout that are actively feeding.
Related Content
S8, Ep 75 - Autumn Angling Insights: George Costa's Tips for Central PA's Changing Waters
S7, Ep 94 - Rain Dance Revelations: George Costa on Central PA's Fishing Forecast
S7, Ep 89 - Fall Fishing Forecast: George Costa's Insights on Low Water and Seasonal Strategies
S8, Ep 71 - Fall Fishing Forecast: George Costa on Streamers, Hatches and Safety Tips
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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.George, how are you?
George CostaI am amazing as always, Marvin.And how are you?
Marvin CashAnd as always, I'm just trying to stay out of trouble.And looks like the.The mercury's dropping in your neck of the woods and not a lot of rain.What are you seeing on the water?
George CostaConditions are definitely getting chilly.Mornings have been cold, so fishing has been a little better when it's warmed up in the afternoon.We're seeing temps in the low 30s for the past couple days.So early morning's been a little on the slower side as it's warming up.We're still seeing some caddis.We're still seeing some olives.There's still a handful of October caddis around on the dry fly from not.Not a lot of stuff going on the dry fly front.I mean, you can beat the water with a caddis all day and maybe get lucky, but nymphing has been pretty good.Streamers early and late have definitely been moving some fish.You know, fish are getting ready to start building some redds.I'm surprised we haven't seen any yet with the colder temps, but I think in the next week to two weeks, we're definitely going to start seeing redds pop up.So be aware of that.Don't fish to actively spawning fish and just avoid those areas there.The fishing's been okay.It's not been great.A lot of leaves falling from the trees right now, so getting a good drift has kind of been a challenge.Water conditions are low and clear for the most part everywhere.Not a lot of rain in the forecast.So typical, like late fall.You know, actually it's kind of still early fall, but, you know, typical conditions for this time of year may be a little chillier than normal.So you really got to work the water and take your time, work in the water to find those fish that are actively feeding.
Marvin CashGotcha.And so for folks that don't know what a redd looks like, you want to let them know.
George CostaYes.A redd is like a little clear patch of rocks that look like they've all been shiny and polished.So if you're walking down the stream and you see some rocks that look like, you know, they're all shiny, like in a little patch there.That is a trout spawning bed.So if you see fish, fish on that, they're actively spawning, leave them alone.They're doing their thing.And if you see one and there's not fish on it, don't walk on it.Because there may be trout eggs on there and you're stepping on the little baby.Baby babies.So just be aware of that.Look, for those, you know, especially going through for the next couple of months, you know, typically, you know, heavy spawning is going to be end of this month, November, December, it's January, you'll still see them.So just avoid those areas.Don't fish the trout on those areas.You know, if you're like, oh, I saw a 28 inch trout, you know, in middle of the, that fish is spawning.So leave it alone, let it do its thing.You know, you wouldn't want somebody crashing into your bedroom.So leave that fish alone.
Marvin CashYeah, it's interesting too because I mean that, you know, fish into those fishes ruined a few fishermen on Instagram, right?
George CostaOh, for sure.You know, people like doing that.Look what I caught in the middle of November, you know, in the middle of the day.That's because that fish is spawning.
Marvin CashYeah.
George CostaSo let's, let's not, let's not try to be Internet heroes.We don't need that.Nobody wants that anymore.Go do your own thing and leave those fish alone.Don't worry about what somebody else thinks of you.
Marvin CashYeah.And so in terms of bite window, are we getting chilly enough now where it's like, you know, maybe start fishing about 10 o' clock in the morning because.
George CostaYeah, for sure, for sure.I think with these colder mornings, like, you know, get out a little later.You know, if you want to get out there early, that's the time to use streamers.I'd say, you know, daybreak up until, you know, you know, 8, 9, that's when you're going to get, you know, when the sun is still low on the water, that's when you're going to move more fish on streamers rather than bright sunny days.And then, you know, your nymphing has been best.You know, I would say bite window.The past week or so I've been out on the water a bunch, has been a little better.You know, one to like 4pm when the water's warmed up a little bit.
Marvin CashGot it.And what you got going on in the shop?
George CostaAll sorts of fun stuff.Lots of classes coming up this fall in all of our locations.We got a lot of tying classes, we got brewing bugs next week.All the other shops have a bunch of classes up there.So definitely worth looking to see what sort of classes we got going up there.If you got time to get any, to hit up any of our locations and take some of those great classes we offer.Please look online and do so.
Marvin CashYeah, and I know you're loading up for Santa Claus, so you probably have gift guides and all kinds of stuff, right?
George CostaOh, God, you're already talking about Christmas.Man, we ain't even at Halloween.Slow your roll, Marvin.But I'm sure that is right around the corner.
Marvin CashWell, gosh, I mean, I went in Lowe's the other day and they had Halloween and Christmas stuff, so.
George CostaI know, I know.Yeah, we're mixing.We're mixing everything up.I don't know what day of the week it is.
Marvin CashYeah, but it's still too early for BlackBerry brandy.
George CostaNot yet after Thanksgiving.
Marvin CashFair enough.Well, listen, why don't you let folks know shop hours, location and all that kind of good stuff?
George CostaAbsolutely.So here at State College, we're open 9 to 6 Monday through Saturday, 9 to 3 on Sunday.All of our other shops are open similar hours, so hit up a TCO for all your fall fly fishing needs.
Marvin CashWell, there you go, folks, as always, say, yo, it's yourself to get out there and catch a few tight lines, everybody.Tight lines.George.
George CostaTake it easy, Marv.
