The Clarion River almost ruined me. My first day fishing there, I landed an even dozen wild brown trout, two of which measured over 20 inches. As I began fishing the river more often, I realized that day was no fluke, and every time there I expected to latch onto a big brown. And […]
Clarion River and its Tributaries Read More »
Born on January 19, 1929, in Curwensville, Pennsylvania, Joe Humphreys always had an innate passion for water and the creatures that lived there, a passion that found expression when his father moved their family to State College, in 1935, where he found work. This was the heart of fly fishing country, dozens of streams within
Joe Humphreys: A Fly Fishing Legend Read More »
I’m pleased to announce that my article “Trickle Trout” which appeared in the March/April 2019 issue of American Angler recently received the Trout and Coldwater Resource Award, sponsored by the PA Outdoor Writers Association and Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited. Although American Angler has since ceased publication, I’ve decided to post the article, in
Trickle Trout: Tiny Streams Offer Big Surprises Read More »
First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek will always be my home stream. More than that, it’s my “place.” It’s where I go to unwind and relax and enjoy the wonders of nature. Since 2010, I have owned a cabin along the headwaters of First Fork. Before that, it’s where I hit my first mayfly hatch (Hendricksons)
First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek Read More »
In order to understand The Fly Formerly Known As Prince, we first have to talk about its predecessor, the Prince Nymph. A creation of Don and Dick Olson, who called it the Brown Fork-Tailed Nymph, the Prince Nymph was renamed by the guy who made it famous, Doug Prince. The Prince is one of
The Fly Formerly Known As Prince Read More »
I pulled into the parking lot behind the Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs a couple hours before dark, just as the evening was starting to cool from the mid-August heat. I thought I was plenty early, and most times of year I would’ve been, but this was Yellow Breeches Creek, and the White Flies
White Flies on Yellow Breeches Read More »
A few days ago, I was talking to my friend Doug Defanti about his experience on the Delaware River. The river was more crowded than usual. Big fish were a little tougher to come by. But there was one evening, he said, when he’d drawn a small audience as he landed 10 trout pretty
Mole Fly Saves the Day: Fisherman Pleased Read More »
At first glance, Parker Dam State Park is a relatively small tract of public land located just east of Penfield in Clearfield County. Look closer and you’ll see that this diminutive little gem is much more: it’s a gateway to the vast expanses of Moshannon State Forest. For what the 968-acre Parker Dam State
Parker Dam State Park Read More »
As I sat at my desk trying to figure out what fly to tie using a package of olive Cactus Chenille, my three-year-old daughter Sophia came into my office and asked what I was doing. If anyone else had asked me that same question with that exact tone of voice, I may have been
I used to be a dedicated one-fly nympher, always fearing I’d spend more time untangling two flies on my leader instead of actually fishing. Last spring, though, I gave in and started fishing two nymphs, or as some call it “a tandem rig,” and my catch rates increased considerably — but not at first.
One is Good, Two is Better: Using Tandem Rigs Read More »
