Forget Marcellus Shale, coal mining, or timbering – water is still our number one resource. And when it comes to trout streams, in particular, Pennsylvania is a gold mine. According to the brochure for the Laurel Highlands Trout Trail, of all 50 states, only Alaska has more miles of trout streams than we do. […]
Laurel Highlands Trout Trail Read More »
I can match almost any hatch, but the “no see ums” are the toughest of all. To me, the term “no see ums” describes any insects that are too small to see on the water without squinting until your eyes hurt. They can be midges, tiny terrestrials (such as ants), or any number of
4 Tips for Fishing with “No See Ums” Read More »
The first fly lines ever used were made of woven horsehair and, eventually, woven silk fibers. I imagine many a fly fisherman back then spending long winter evenings building lines by lamplight and the frustrations they must’ve felt if they messed up and had to start again. With technological advancements and improved techniques for
What Does Fly Line Weight Mean? Read More »
Every fly angler has a confidence fly in their box, one they turn to when nothing else is working, and one that usually produces during tough conditions. For me, that fly is the Frenchie. The Frenchie is a simple variation of the Pheasant Tail that includes a hot spot in place of a wing case
Make Mine A Frenchie Read More »
Fly tying is a craft, and like any craft, you don’t start out an expert. It takes plenty of trial and error to improve your skills. And while most of us may never earn the title Master Tyer, there are a few things you can do today to become more proficient. Here are six
6 Tips for Tying Better Flies Read More »
The arrival of my first fly tying kit opened up a world of possibilities for me. Not only did I get to feel the joy associated with catching trout on flies that I had tied, but it allowed me to experiment with new creations, make modifications to old patterns and make them my own.
Fly Tying: Do’s and Don’ts of Getting Started Read More »
Last week, I posed this question on the Dark Skies Fly Fishing Facebook page: If you were to give someone new to fly fishing one piece of advice to get them started, what would it be? And then, just to poke the bear a little bit and get a wide range of responses, I shared
5 Tips for New Fly Fishers Read More »
Caddisflies are perhaps the most abundant and prolific fly hatches found on Pennsylvania trout streams. They come in a vast variety of colors and sizes, and certain species hatch virtually year-round. Unlike traditional mayflies, which have “upright” wings that give them a sailboat appearance as they float on the surface, caddisflies are “downwings.” In fact,
Caddisflies Top to Bottom Read More »
Note: I’ve written about Neshannock Creek in the past here on Dark Skies Fly Fishing. That original entry focused around my first trip to this stream. I’ve fished it quite a bit since then, and I’ve learned a lot about this stream and its hatches. This particular article can be found in the Jan/Feb
Neshannock Creek Revisited Read More »
Megaloptera sounds more like the name of a prehistoric flying dinosaur than a modern day insect, but if you’re a fisherman, you probably encounter plenty of these insects along your favorite waters. If fact, if you grew up as I did, flipping rocks along stream banks or seining for minnows, you were always delighted to
Dobsonflies and the Fly Fisher Read More »