Dark Skies Fly Fishing

Author name: Ralph Scherder

Ralph Scherder is an award winning writer and photographer who lives in Coudersport, PA. His work has appeared in American Fly Fishing, American Angler, American Frontiersman, Bowhunting.com, Fur-Fish-Game, New York Outdoor News, PA Angler & Boater, PA Outdoor News, Pennsylvania Game News, and many others. He co-hosted the TV show "Pennsylvania Back Country" for three seasons on the Sportsman Channel (2006-2008) and has authored numerous books. Ralph is an active member of Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association and founder and owner of Dark Skies Fly Fishing.

Ralph Scherder
two guys holding a steelhead

Spring Steelhead Trip 2026 – Don’t Miss It!

Dark Skies Fly Fishing is teaming up with Mountain Laurel Guide Service and Captain Kurt’s Charters to host another fully guided group trip for steelhead November 12-15, 2025. UPDATE: THIS TRIP IS SOLD OUT!!! NEW TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT: SPRING STEELHEAD TRIP, MARCH 15-18, 2026 We are already taking bookings for our Spring Steelhead Trip which will […]

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Mickey Finn Fly

The Mickey Finn: An Effective Streamer with a Unique History

My first cast with a Mickey Finn almost caught a 20-pound Atlantic salmon. I use the term “almost” very loosely here. What really happened was that the fish turned toward the fly, inspected it, and quickly deemed it unworthy. According to my friend, an Atlantic salmon fanatic, no matter what else happened from there on

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picket pin

Fishing and Tying the Picket Pin: A Classic Fly for Trout and Panfish

I started tying flies about 30 years ago, but I still remember the first handful of patterns I learned to tie and fish. Maybe that’s more proof that I’m getting old – things that happened decades again are crystal clear in my memory, but I can’t quite recall what I had for breakfast this morning!

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