S8, Ep 83: Central PA’s Late Fall Fishing: George Costa on Streamers, Nymphs and Protecting Spawners

In this Central PA Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, for a mid-November update on Central Pennsylvania trout streams. With low and clear water, fussy fish and the first meaningful rain in some time on the way, George reports that the fall trout spawn is in full swing and redds are showing up everywhere. He explains why dry fly activity is fading as olive hatches taper off, why nymphing small mayfly patterns and drifting egg patterns through deeper runs are the most consistent approaches right now and how cloudier, rainier days should revive a hit-or-miss streamer bite. Throughout, George urges anglers to leave spawning fish alone and keep streamers off gravel bars, then closes with a look at TCO's Black Friday sales, winter fly fishing classes and shop hours.

EPISODE SUMMARY

Guest: George Costa - Shop Manager at TCO Fly Shop (State College, Pennsylvania)

In this episode: Central Pennsylvania fly shop manager George Costa shares late fall trout fishing conditions and spawning season ethics for anglers fishing low, clear water in November. Topics include fishing around the fall trout spawn and protecting redds, nymphing and egg pattern strategies for late fall trout and the outlook for streamer fishing as rain returns to Central PA.

Key fishing techniques covered: • Nymphing small mayfly patterns in low, clear late fall water • Fishing egg patterns in deeper runs for trout keyed on drifting eggs • Streamer fishing on cloudy and rainy days for improved late fall response • Placing streamers away from gravel bars to avoid pulling fish off redds • Fishing sparse, tapering olive hatches as dry fly activity winds down

Location focus: Central Pennsylvania trout streams around State College (Centre County)

Target species: Trout

Equipment discussed: Small mayfly nymph patterns, egg patterns, streamers, Simms waders and boots

Key questions answered: • How to fish Central PA trout streams in November • Do egg patterns work for trout during the fall spawn • How to avoid disturbing redds when nymphing and streamer fishing • What flies work for fussy trout in low, clear fall water

Best for: Intermediate anglers interested in Central Pennsylvania late fall trout fishing, spawning season etiquette and seasonal nymphing tactics

FULL TRANSCRIPT:

Marvin Cash00:00:00

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 doing?

George Costa00:00:12

I, as always, am amazing.Marvin, how are you?

Marvin Cash00:00:15

I wouldn't say I'm amazing, but I am staying out of trouble.

George Costa00:00:18

That's good.

Marvin Cash00:00:18

Yeah.So it's funny, took a look at your weather and we were.It's like, kind of cruddy, but it's kind of like normal late fall PA Cruddy weather, cold, rainy, maybe a little bit of snow.Kind of what, like not fun but not unexpected.

George Costa00:00:30

Yeah, this is kind of what we would expect seasonally.Here we are into November, so we got our first, you know, actual rain we've had in a while.I mean, it's not going to be all that much.Think less than half an inch total for the next couple days, which we kind of need.Water's been low clear.Fish have been pretty fussy, pretty cagey.They're definitely spawning.There's redds popping up everywhere, so.So the number one thing is to watch out for redds, watch out for spawning fish, and please don't target those fish if you were out on the water.So a little push of rain here would be nice.It'll bump up the levels a tiny little bit as far as bug activity goes, we'll start with that.Really not too much to speak of.There's been a handful of olives here and there, but as we get colder, I expect them to kind of taper off a little bit.Dry fly activity not going to be the best going forward for the next couple of months.Nymphing's been pretty consistent, so smaller mayfly patterns have been working.Egg patterns are starting to work.If you fish some eggs in some deeper runs, you'll get plenty of fish that are starting to look for stray eggs floating down the stream.Streamer bites been hit or miss.It's been low, clear and sunny.With these cloudy or rainier days, I expect that to pick up.But if you're throwing a streamer around this time of year, again, be conscious of where you're throwing that streamer.Don't go throwing streamers over gravel bars, things like that.You're going to start ripping fish off redds, and that is not a nice thing.So fishing should be pretty good out there.I'd say get out and give it a shot.Just be conscious of where you're fishing and, you know, go catch some fish.I mean, it's, you know, fall here in Central PA so it's time to, you know, be wary of where we're going.

Marvin Cash00:02:08

Yeah, there you go.And, you know, we won't talk again until we're on the other side of Thanksgiving.So I'm sure you guys have something planned for Black Friday, right?

George Costa00:02:15

Oh, everything's always Black Friday.I'm sure we'll have a couple in store sales.I'm sure we'll have a couple of online sales.We've got a bunch of stuff on sale right now.There's some stuff getting moved around from Simms.There's some good sales on waders and boots.I'm sure we'll have plenty of holiday fun.We've got tons of classes at all the shops coming up this winter, so check out our website and see, you know, if you can take one of the classes.It's always a great time of year to do that as we get into those kind of winter doldrums of trout fishing here in Pennsylvania.

Marvin Cash00:02:43

Yeah, and the great news is you'll be able to put your pumpkin spice latte down and officially switch to BlackBerry brandy.

George Costa00:02:48

I am licking my lips in anticipation.

Marvin Cash00:02:51

Are you giddy?

George Costa00:02:53

I would say so, yes.

Marvin Cash00:02:58

Well, before I let you get back to Retail Bliss and Central pa, you want to let folks know location, shop hours and all that kind of good stuff.

George Costa00:03:05

Absolutely.We're here at 2030 East College Avenue and State College.Our shop hours here in State are 9 to 6 Monday through Saturday, 9 to 3 on Sunday.All of our other shops have similar hours.Get us on the web at tcoflyfishing.com and get out on the water and fish if you can.

Marvin Cash00:03:23

There you go.Just like George said.Jo it yourself to get out there and catch a few tight lines, everybody.Tight lines.George,.

George Costa00:03:29

Take it easy.