The term “guide flies” describes flies that can save the day and put fish in the net but are ridiculously quick and easy to tie. The Mop Fly fits the bill on all accounts. What is a Mop Fly? A Mop Fly is a very basic design that incorporates strands of microfiber tied to the […]
How to Tie and Fish the Mop Fly Read More »
The first time I saw a Flybrary was on Kettle Creek, near the lower limit of the project area. Stuck in this little panel were numerous flies, some in a seriously chewed up state, and others that looked as if they’d just been plucked from a bin at the local fly shop. Although that
What is a Flybrary? Read More »
In Pennsylvania, dozens of streams are named Pine Creek, but there is only one “Big” Pine Creek, and that one is an 87-mile tributary to the West Branch Susquehanna River. Beginning southeast of Ulysses in Potter County, Pine Creek flows east into Tioga County to the town of Ansonia, and then south through Lycoming and
Fly Fishing the PA Grand Canyon: The Pine Creek DHALO Read More »
Pequea Creek, pronounced “peck-way,” flows through the heart of Amish country in Lancaster County. By most standards, it’s a marginal trout stream with limited access. In fact, most of the stream is posted no trespassing, and only one short stretch is stocked by the PA Fish and Boat Commission. But there was a morning
Morning on Pequea Creek Read More »
As you gear up to begin fly fishing, choosing your first fly rod can seem like a daunting task. With so many models, weights, action, and other variations available, it can be hard to know where to begin. If you follow a few basic steps, though, the process doesn’t have to be complicated. First,
5 Tips for Buying Your First Fly Rod Read More »
The old joke is that lures are meant to catch fishermen, not fish. Flashy, bright colors and intricate, realistic designs cause us to cough up the coin in hopes that we’ve found the next great thing. In some ways, UV materials have been that next great thing in the fly fishing industry over the
Do UV Flies Catch More Trout? Read More »
Seven years ago this spring, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) implemented the first Keystone Select Trout Waters program. At the time, it was a novel idea: stock an abundance of above-average trout in 8 of the state’s most popular streams. The “original 8” streams were Neshannock Creek, Loyalhanna Creek, Laurel Hill Creek, First
Keystone Select Trout Waters, Seven Years Later Read More »
Winter fly fishing in Pennsylvania is all about simplicity. There’s no need to carry a wide range of flies to match a hatch – although we do have a couple of winter hatches, which I’ll discuss below. But this time of year, catching trout is more about using a handful of flies effectively than having
Top 10 Flies for Winter Fly Fishing in Pennsylvania Read More »
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced this bit of news, and I wanted to share it here on the blog. A major problem with many Erie tributaries is lack of access. These easements will certainly help the cause and open up new opportunities for steelheaders. Here is the press release sent by
Squirmy Wormy flies catch fish. Period. They’re not fancy. They’re not sophisticated. Heck, I know a good handful of fly fishermen who won’t even admit to using them. Squirmy Wormy flies are like that nerdy kid on the playground who isn’t cool at all, but he’s always drafted first because he can kick the crap
Fishing and Tying Squirmy Wormy Flies Read More »
