Paflyfish 2016 Spring Jamboree and 20th Anniversary
Twenty years of anything is always fun to recognize and Paflyfish is beginning our 20th year online starting December 2015. One of more popular events off the site is our annual Spring Jamboree that will be occurring May 20-22, 2016 at the Seven Mountains Campground in Spring Mills, Pennsylvania.
The Jamboree is our annual spring meet-up when members from the site get together to fly fish, tie flies, camp and share a few stories. We have folks coming from all parts of the country like: Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Florida. During the weekend we are fly fishing over some of Pennsylvania's finest streams including Penns Creek, Spring Creek, Little Juniata River (Little J), Fishing Creek and plenty more in the region.
This year is a certainly special with us celebrating our 20th Anniversary. As we have done over the past five years, we will be holding the weekend at Seven Mountains Campground.
Please contact them if you would like to stay there that weekend. They have a limited number of cabins and campsites.
We are hoping to plan more activities specific to new fly fishing anglers. I am working on casting lessons, fly tying and even a few trips out on to some of the waters in the area. There are a lot of members on the site that will informally help folks out who may not be familiar with the area. Just check the forums and don't be afraid to ask for some help.
The pavilion is rented by Paflyfish and is used as a meeting point during the weekend. Plenty of impromptu...
The Jamboree is our annual spring meet-up when members from the site get together to fly fish, tie flies, camp and share a few stories. We have folks coming from all parts of the country like: Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Florida. During the weekend we are fly fishing over some of Pennsylvania's finest streams including Penns Creek, Spring Creek, Little Juniata River (Little J), Fishing Creek and plenty more in the region.
This year is a certainly special with us celebrating our 20th Anniversary. As we have done over the past five years, we will be holding the weekend at Seven Mountains Campground.
Please contact them if you would like to stay there that weekend. They have a limited number of cabins and campsites.
We are hoping to plan more activities specific to new fly fishing anglers. I am working on casting lessons, fly tying and even a few trips out on to some of the waters in the area. There are a lot of members on the site that will informally help folks out who may not be familiar with the area. Just check the forums and don't be afraid to ask for some help.
The pavilion is rented by Paflyfish and is used as a meeting point during the weekend. Plenty of impromptu...
Fly Fishing Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Holiday Deals 2015
Some great fly fishing deals can be found this time of year and several of our sponsors have provided offers for members on Paflyfish starting today. Be sure to check these deals out while the offers last.
Montana Angler Fly Fishing
A special offer a 10% discount on our Madison River Lodge package valid if booked between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This would only be valid to folks that mention the "Paflyfish" site special.
Call today at (406) 522.9854 or visit the website here
Trident Fly Fishing
Deals starting today
• Buy any cheeky reel, get a free line + Cheeky folding knife.
• Buy any full price Winston rod, get TWO free fly lines.
• SA Fly Line Sale
• Hardy Zephrus and Wraith, get TWO free fly lines.
• 20% off Orvis outfits. Starts Deal starts on 11/27
• Save 15% on Lines, Leaders, Tippet - Deal starts on 11/29
Most deals end midnight Tuesday 12/1.
Cutthroat Furled Leaders
We offer ultimate dry fly furled leaders, nymphing furled leaders, spey leaders, tenkara leaders, and big bug leaders. Cutthroat Furled Leaders has the following deal going for Turkey Day / Black Friday. Sales runs from today to the 30th of November. Save 25% off everything, plus FREE Stuff!!! Your Fishing Buddies Get some great Leaders, you keep the free swag for yourself...
• Spend $30.00, get a free...
Montana Angler Fly Fishing
A special offer a 10% discount on our Madison River Lodge package valid if booked between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This would only be valid to folks that mention the "Paflyfish" site special.
Call today at (406) 522.9854 or visit the website here
Trident Fly Fishing
Deals starting today
• Buy any cheeky reel, get a free line + Cheeky folding knife.
• Buy any full price Winston rod, get TWO free fly lines.
• SA Fly Line Sale
• Hardy Zephrus and Wraith, get TWO free fly lines.
• 20% off Orvis outfits. Starts Deal starts on 11/27
• Save 15% on Lines, Leaders, Tippet - Deal starts on 11/29
Most deals end midnight Tuesday 12/1.
Cutthroat Furled Leaders
We offer ultimate dry fly furled leaders, nymphing furled leaders, spey leaders, tenkara leaders, and big bug leaders. Cutthroat Furled Leaders has the following deal going for Turkey Day / Black Friday. Sales runs from today to the 30th of November. Save 25% off everything, plus FREE Stuff!!! Your Fishing Buddies Get some great Leaders, you keep the free swag for yourself...
• Spend $30.00, get a free...
Steelhead Jam Report 2015
Part of the Lancaster crew arrived in Erie Thursday morning around 930. Elk was chocolate milk so we headed over to 16 mile. The winds were howlin and the waves were capping at 4-6ft out at the beach. We made our way up and found some fish. Jeff made contact with his first steelhead which surprised the heck out of him and promptly came unbuttoned. He was pretty stoked. RickinPa and I each landed fish and it was a good start.
Friday we met up Friday morning at Follies with FarmerDave and Mucka. Pumpkin whoopie pies were on point and we headed down stream. Mucka ran a clinic on water reading and approach. RickinPa would join in and stick a few older fish. Some chromers but not many.
We headed back to Follie's to find PatrickC's truck in the driveway so we hooked up with him. Patrick had 4 fish in that morning on lower elk so we rolled out. we went to lower Elk and found some fish. Jeff caught his first fish just as that sinking feeling of self doubt was creeping in. He landed a nice lake run brown. After that boost of confidence he picked up the example Mucka set in the morning and started putting on a show. We lost count of how many fish he hooked and landed. He was pretty much shell shocked by the end of the day. Everyone caught multiple fish in multiple spots and it was a really great day. Almost everything was fresh chrome. PatrickC was being a spot-snatcher so I had to follow behind him and pick out a few of the leftover stragglers left in his wake, that guy covers some ground, no camping out with Patrick.
Friday at the Avonia we saw Proformance, moose , art and farmerdave. unfortunately it was packed and we couldn't sit together. next time dudes!
Saturday was a zoo. Mucka, StreamerGuy, Jeff, and I explored some more remote waters higher up on elk and we were rewarded. And for a second day in a row Jeff put on a freakin clinic. dang newbies! Jeff was reading water...
We headed back to Follie's to find PatrickC's truck in the driveway so we hooked up with him. Patrick had 4 fish in that morning on lower elk so we rolled out. we went to lower Elk and found some fish. Jeff caught his first fish just as that sinking feeling of self doubt was creeping in. He landed a nice lake run brown. After that boost of confidence he picked up the example Mucka set in the morning and started putting on a show. We lost count of how many fish he hooked and landed. He was pretty much shell shocked by the end of the day. Everyone caught multiple fish in multiple spots and it was a really great day. Almost everything was fresh chrome. PatrickC was being a spot-snatcher so I had to follow behind him and pick out a few of the leftover stragglers left in his wake, that guy covers some ground, no camping out with Patrick.
Friday at the Avonia we saw Proformance, moose , art and farmerdave. unfortunately it was packed and we couldn't sit together. next time dudes!
Saturday was a zoo. Mucka, StreamerGuy, Jeff, and I explored some more remote waters higher up on elk and we were rewarded. And for a second day in a row Jeff put on a freakin clinic. dang newbies! Jeff was reading water...
My Montana Trip September 2015
I’m fairly new to fly fishing and found the paflyfisher.com site about 4 years ago I began reading everything on the forums, posting questions and taking advantage of what the site had to offer. I attended my first newbie jam in spring of 2012. Then a brush up jam that summer and another fall brush up the same year. Since then I have been attending the mini jams and have attended the main jam the past two years. In this short amount of time I learned so much, met many people who spent time answering questions and taking time to show me how to fly fish.
So this past winter I felt I was ready to plan a trip to Montana. Not that I would consider myself an accomplished fly fisher, but still thought I was ready to fish Montana with some success. Searching our forum for information on where to go and when to go it seamed like July was the best time to go but I couldn’t make this July and I found hints of information that were saying fall was also a great time to go. So fall it was. Now knowing when I could go it was time to find a guide service. I did more research on our forum and the internet and decided on using our very own site sponsor “Montana Angler Fly Fishing”
My experience with Montana Anglers was perfect right from the beginning. In August I filled out their web form and was immediately contacted by Brian McGeehan, the owner of the guide service. We spoke about my fishing experiences and what kind of trip I was looking for. Within 20 minutes I booked my trip on the phone for late September. We confirmed and finalized all the details with a couple emails, including my lodging. A coupe weeks prior to the trip I was contacted again to confirm everything, make sure I had any questions answered and to obtain my guides name and contact information.
On September 27th I left for 3 days of guided fishing in Montana. I stayed in the Murray...
My experience with Montana Anglers was perfect right from the beginning. In August I filled out their web form and was immediately contacted by Brian McGeehan, the owner of the guide service. We spoke about my fishing experiences and what kind of trip I was looking for. Within 20 minutes I booked my trip on the phone for late September. We confirmed and finalized all the details with a couple emails, including my lodging. A coupe weeks prior to the trip I was contacted again to confirm everything, make sure I had any questions answered and to obtain my guides name and contact information.
On September 27th I left for 3 days of guided fishing in Montana. I stayed in the Murray...
Stonecats for Warm Water Anglers
In a recent stream report I indicated using a "stonecat" fly. For many PA FFers, this is an unusual pattern and not typically associated with trout fishing. Local river folks who fish bait for smallies, however, are very familiar with this critter.
The term "stonecat" is actually a misnomer and refers to a madtom found in western PA. The fish we have in the Susky/Potomac watershed is actually the marginated madtom. However, local folks have always called marginated madtoms "stonecats." Afishinado will tell you that locals in his home stomping grounds around Wilkes Barre call 'em "catties." They're a popular live bait.
Stonecat
Marginated madtoms are a shy, mysterious, largely nocturnal little catfish and many river anglers have never seen one. Bait fishermen often get them by seining weedy riffle areas at night or carefully feeling for them under rocks with their hands. Bass eat 'em like candy and, in my opinion, really key on the image of a stonecat. I love 'em, and stonecat flies are go-to patterns for summer bass for me, especially in clear water.
The fly I was using is one of a series of flies I've designed utilizing paint and craft felt. Like many of my personal patterns, it is realistic and detailed.
A much easier stonecat pattern would be tan or light brown sculpin wool for the head, a tan fur or chenille body, and a long tail of tan marabou. Tie a dumbbell weight Clouser style under the head so the fly swims hook upward and trim the head flat. Rubber band whiskers add a nice touch. The key, however, is to keep the fly very slender and very long.
Marginated madtoms are usually 2-5" in length and have a paddle like tail with a black edge; body is usually pinkish yellow on the ventral, light brown on the...
The term "stonecat" is actually a misnomer and refers to a madtom found in western PA. The fish we have in the Susky/Potomac watershed is actually the marginated madtom. However, local folks have always called marginated madtoms "stonecats." Afishinado will tell you that locals in his home stomping grounds around Wilkes Barre call 'em "catties." They're a popular live bait.
Stonecat
Marginated madtoms are a shy, mysterious, largely nocturnal little catfish and many river anglers have never seen one. Bait fishermen often get them by seining weedy riffle areas at night or carefully feeling for them under rocks with their hands. Bass eat 'em like candy and, in my opinion, really key on the image of a stonecat. I love 'em, and stonecat flies are go-to patterns for summer bass for me, especially in clear water.
The fly I was using is one of a series of flies I've designed utilizing paint and craft felt. Like many of my personal patterns, it is realistic and detailed.
A much easier stonecat pattern would be tan or light brown sculpin wool for the head, a tan fur or chenille body, and a long tail of tan marabou. Tie a dumbbell weight Clouser style under the head so the fly swims hook upward and trim the head flat. Rubber band whiskers add a nice touch. The key, however, is to keep the fly very slender and very long.
Marginated madtoms are usually 2-5" in length and have a paddle like tail with a black edge; body is usually pinkish yellow on the ventral, light brown on the...
Streams Map USA for iPhone and iPad
A new stream mapping app has been just released by Gogal Publishing designed to help outdoor enthusiasts better enjoy our regional waterways. Streams Map USA for iPhone and iPad are apps that provide a complete set of regional maps to locate, evaluate conditions, navigate and manage thousands of different streams. The first release of the Northeast Region covers all of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and the rest of New England. I had chance to use Streams Map USA and kick it around with a few places that I like to fly fish.
I found the screen easy to view, due to a new idea that Gogal Publishing is using in varying stream colors, instead of just the singular blue line that we always get on every map. A clever idea to help differentiate the main stream and its tributaries I liked the multiple choices of base maps, which included: Road, Satellite, Hybrid, USGS Topo, and OpenStreetMap.
I was quickly able to search for some known streams. The app is very detailed with results based on state or county level. When searching for Muddy Creek, I soon learned there were over a half dozen Muddy Creeks and branches located in Pennsylvania. Who knew?
Personal waypoint locations can be created, named and stored. The use of my iPhone’s built-in GPS identified my current location and provided an indication of miles to either the waypoints or streams. For example, this also can be used to mark the location of your car before heading out for long day fishing on the water or a canoe trip.
Too often I am in an area where there is either no or poor cell coverage. What I liked best was the “browse and store” functionality for offline...