I waded through chest-high goldenrod and laurel toward a favorite brook trout stream in northcentral Pennsylvania and paused beside a shallow riffle. Just upstream, a small three-foot pocket formed between mossy sandstone boulders and a decaying log looked promising. Overhanging hemlocks shaded the spot, while behind me, weeds threatened my back cast. I had one […]
Fishing Fiberglass Rods for Small Stream Trout Read More »
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
Spring Steelhead Trip 2026 – Don’t Miss It! Read More »
You might be thinking that most anglers on the East Coast don’t fish from drift boats, and you’d be right. Despite this, I’ve always thought it would be so cool to have a way to access hard-to-reach honey holes on my favorite creeks and simply get away from the crowds. Then you look at the
Canoe Fishing: The Poor Man’s Drift Boat Read More »
For most freshwater fly anglers, bass, trout, and steelhead are the most sought-after species, but they are not the only freshwater options. Most of us dream of trips for exotic species, but what can we do in the meantime? The best opportunities involve adapting our skills to lure common species with flies that are usually
Fly Fishing for Carp: An Introduction to Carp on the Fly Read More »
I started my fly fishing journey in the late sixties as a kid, fishing the picturesque streams of North Jersey, when two fanatical friends of mine, Tom Pagliaroli and Steven O’Connor, got me into it. Being a city boy, I fell in love with the likes of the Pequest, the Musconetcong, and my favorite spot,
Bob Popovics: Innovative Fly Tyer and Saltwater Advocate Read More »
We’ve all seen the movie where in the end the main character realizes they undervalued something, or someone, that was right in front of them the whole time. Well, somehow fly anglers have largely ignored one of the most pleasurable and abundant fly rod species in the entire state: fallfish. Fallfish (Semotilus Corporalis) are native
Fallfish on the Fly: Discover A Native Super Predator Read More »
The Big 4 are the four large freestone rivers in north-central Pennsylvania. Their watersheds cover over 2,800 square miles. Pine Creek is the largest watershed and, with its tributaries, the easternmost watershed. Kettle Creek and Young Womans Creek comprise the center section. Sinnemahoning Creek is comprised of three major tributaries. First Fork flows north to
The Well Stocked Fly Box for the Big 4 Trout Streams in North Central Pennsylvania Read More »
Don’t let one mistake ruin your day. Follow this advice for safe and fun fly fishing adventures.
Euro Nymphing: Purchasing Your First Euro Specific Nymphing Rod Read More »
One of the most common questions I hear is “what flies do I need for fly fishing?” Answers vary greatly depending on the species you intend to target, the waters you plan to fish, and the insects and baitfish available in those waters. The first two aspects – species and location – can help you
Top 12 Guide Flies and Confidence Flies for Subsurface Trout Read More »
Winter fly fishing has changed since I was a teenager. Thirty years ago, when you fished during the winter months, you could expect to have streams all to yourself. Long sessions on the water might end without ever seeing another soul. These winter experiences were special and provided long hours of solitude and reflection, and
Winter Fly Fishing Tactics for Trout Read More »
