I'll also add that the males are overall, noticeably smaller than the females.
Often, when the hatch is just beginning - the males are the first to emerge. And a smaller pattern is required to match the hatch then

I like lightweight reels.

For regular PA trout fishing- the reel is little more than something that holds the line.

I have never been into my backing on a trout stream- maybe someday.

Steelhead and Salt- "now for something completely different"

That's a good bit of info there. My knot tying is up to par and I've got a technique I use for blood knots that only takes about 4 hands and your mouth, but it gets the job done in about 20 seconds.

Even the best of fly casters get knots, so check your line periodically throughout the day. Don't leave wind knots in your line! All that time you spent to present the perfect fly, on the perfect line and perfectly get the fish to perfectly take it, only to have a wind knot break on you is not worth it.

I also implement the "if the fly takes me less time to retrieve from said tree/rock than it takes me to tie another one at the vise, then go get it!" theory.

Last night on tully, I had success with BH emerald caddis pupa. 15 strikes, 7 sets, 3 to hand (my highstick nymphing is coming along slowly, I was unable to make good sets but I'm getting there) in the 45min I was able to fish before a thunderstorm pushed them down and me out. So nice article, very apropos as I agree that I also over look the caddis both "up-top" and "below" when fishing some of these streams that really have good populations. Nice article!

"Clean the tick bite out with soup, water and rubbing alcohol." Huh? I'm thinking you meant soap Dave. This is a good article. Thanks for the information and hope you don't have any more run-ins with ticks.

Sweet pic you got there Dave... that photographer is very talented!!! lol


Nice little write up. It seems every year I fly fish, I tend to seek after more of those little trickles of water that are full of wild fish!

Dave, I love it. Good one!

By Maurice

The Fall season marks the return of shorter days, cooler nights and lower stream temperatures on our more marginal waters around the Commonwealth. Many trout waters ride the razors edge on harboring wild trout. We see lots of ATW's with wild trout during the cooler months of spring and winter. Usually these waters are rather large, their watersheds are made of many wild trout tributaries. Often the main stem which warms in Summer are believed to be transitional wild trout waters. Ones that have their wild trout leave the warmer stream during the heat of summer only to have them return in the fall to the larger water with better habitat and cover as well as forage. Or they hunker down, find thermal refuge through springs seeps, tributary mouths or deeper water. It is the fall season when I like to sample the bigger waters to see if I can scare up some of these Wild Brown Trout.The ones that made it through the tough months, the survivors.

It is this type of fishing that I enjoy the most. Often no one else is fishing, the air is crisp, the water cool and clear and solitude abounds. But lets face it, the business at hand is to touch a few survivors. So I like to use a fly I know will get them to take a look and grab it. Now not just any goto fly. No, not a Green Weenie, Goodness NO! They are for old men and children! Although I have been known to use them I would prefer to fish "off the junk". My good friend and fellow board member Fritz often texts me pics at work during the week of him tearing up the York County waters with the Weenie, I kid him but it works. I am just too stubborn to use it. Its pretty clear that the success of the Weenie is largely due to the color, Chartreuse.

One of my favorite goto Fall flies on Muddy is a Yellow Stonefly nymph. So I am thinking...maybe I will...

Yea, the blood for the uninitiated can be a pain but it is vaulable.
(took me alittle while to get proficent at it)

A thing that helped was a block of wood with two nails that are removable- this will really help in tying a good knot and makes it easier to do so.

The blood knot is very helpful for creating droppers too.

I can tie nail knots but not very well and I need the tool (I use the one that looks like a pen) but it is something I only do a couple times a year though. Luckily, I can do tie it in the comfortable enviroment of home.

Felt like child when David tied one for me one day- I probably could have done it but I know he could tie it faster and time was a wastin'.

Triple surgeons too when I am in a hurry.

Been using the improved clinch for line to fly.