Origins & Purpose: Pennsylvania’s Class A Wild Trout Program

If you’re new to trout fishing in Pennsylvania, you might hear seasoned anglers talking about "Class A Wild Trout Streams." These streams are considered by many to be some of the best places in the state to find naturally reproducing trout. But what exactly does "Class A" mean, and why are these waters so important?

A Turning Point in 1983: Operation Future​

Back in the early 1980s, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) was looking for a better way to manage trout fishing. At the time, most trout fishing relied on stocking hatchery-raised fish. But biologists noticed that some streams had wild trout populations strong enough to support fishing without any stocking.

The PFBC introduced the Resource First concept in 1981, marking a major shift in how the state manages its aquatic resources. Instead of prioritizing recreational fishing alone, this philosophy placed the protection, conservation, and long-term sustainability of fish populations and aquatic habitats at the center of decision-making. It recognized wild, self-sustaining fish populations as renewable natural assets and supported stocking only where natural reproduction could not meet angling demand.

In 1983, PFBC launched Operation Future, a program designed to manage trout fisheries based on science and sustainability. Rather than focusing only on stocking, the new goal was to protect streams where trout could reproduce naturally and survive on their own. These high-quality waters were given the official label: "Class A Wild Trout Streams."

Operation Future wasn’t just an operational shift—it was a cultural transformation for fisheries management in Pennsylvania. It elevated wild trout conservation from an ideal to a structured...

Why Hire a Fly Fishing Guide?​

Whether you’re chasing trout in Pennsylvania or planning a trip out west, knowing when to use a fly fishing guide can save time and open new opportunities. I’ve been fly fishing for over 40 years, and I still fish with a guide at times. Fly fishing is never just about knowing which fly to use—it’s about the water, the season, the type of fish, and the geography. And each trip is different. Guides aren’t just for beginners. I know many experienced anglers who dismiss them—thinking they’re too advanced to need help. A great guide doesn’t just help you catch more fish—they are teachers who help you learn, explore, and enjoy the sport in ways you can’t always do alone. Some of my best days on the water happened because I had the right guide at the right time. So when should you consider hiring one?

Fly Fishing Guides Out West: Green River and Beyond​

When I head out west, I always book a guide for at least one day. It’s not just about catching fish—it’s about understanding the water. A local guide knows the river, the flows, the insects, and the hidden spots you’ll never find on a blog or a map. They’ll put you in a drift boat and get you access you can’t reach by wading. They’ll also be able to provide backup plans if conditions change. I remember a vacation to the Tetons with my family. I had one day—just one—to sneak away and fish. I booked a guide and hit the Upper Green River. That day turned into one of my top five ever. I caught dozens of trout, including a brown, brook, rainbow, and cutthroat. That kind of grand slam doesn’t happen by accident. Whether it’s a different species, a new season, or an unfamiliar stretch of water, a guide shortens the learning curve. You’ll learn what flies are working, how to read the local water, and how the fish are...

The way you approach the river — your angle and direction — shapes everything about how that fly’s presented. Direction matters. And in a river, where everything’s always changing, there’s rarely one right way to do anything. Lots of stuff works — sometimes. But what works most of the time? That comes down to your tactics.

In this video, Troutbitten (Domenick Swentosky) makes the case for fishing upstream. He fishes dries, nymphs, and streamers all in an upstream direction. The exception? Swinging wets or streamers, usually after dark. That’s about five percent of his fishing. He know a lot of anglers fish downstream and catch plenty of trout — no doubt about it. But I’ve got solid reasons for heading upstream, and they’re worth thinking about. Some are based on trout behavior, some on how the fly lands and drifts. This video borrows from an article he wrote a while back that digs into all of it.

More good stuff can be found at Troutbitten.

Over the winter while we were fighting cabin fever and stuck in the winter doldrums, HopBack (Brian) said to me that we should book a trip to Colorado fishing. Basically, he said that we might as well book it then and now or else we might never get to actually doing it. That's a sentiment I agree with, so we booked the trip with a flight to leave BWI on June 21 and to return to BWI on June 28. He had been out there once before on a fishing trip roughly three years prior, and I had never stepped foot into Colorado. He booked the flights; I booked the rental car. We were ready.

SATURDAY - 21
June 21 arrived, and we left Brian's house at roughly 4:45 am. We had an uneventful flight, and we touched down in Denver, secured our rental car, which was a Jeep Grand Cherokee, went to Wal-Mart to get provisions, and then we left the Denver metro area as quickly as we possibly could. Roughly 60 miles west of Denver lies the town of Winter Park, and just outside of Winter Park is Arapaho National Forest On this trip, National Forest lands were extremely important because the plan was to be wandering, nomadic, dirty fly fishermen who would camp in a different spot each night. Brian, who served as the chief navigator and trip organizer, chose this spot due to its relative close proximity to Denver since it would be a long and tiring travel day. My chief role on this trip was to drive wherever Brian directed me, which would total roughly 850 miles through Colorado in a week. Anyways, the stream that he had chosen to eat up some of our time on that first evening was Vasquez Creek. We arrived along the shores of Vasquez at roughly 5:00 pm, and we found a multitude of others camping in the National Forest. We pitched our tents, and we decided to fish the waters of Vasquez. I was exhausted, and nothing was going right for me this first night. The water was so cold that I was miserable. It actually hurt. And the little stream was raging so hard that it was hard to get your...

Whether you've been fly fishing in Montana your entire life or just fished your first day of fly fishing in Montana, chances are very good that you experienced fishing a dry-dropper rig. Naturally, fishing two flies increases your chances of catching more fish and many of us like to see a trout rise to a dry fly. Fishing a dry fly with a nymph tied to it is the standard dry-dropper rig and is now a proven tactic to catch more fish. But, like many things in fly fishing there are optimal times to use a dry-dropper rig and times when not to fish a dry-dropper rig.


One of the most common techniques in trout fishing is the dry dropper technique. Also, known as a "Dry-Dropper" set up. This technique is effective because it enables the angler to ‘fish’ flies in two feeding zones: one fly on the surface river, and one fly below the surface. This sounds very simple, but there are a few tips for increasing the effectiveness of the dry-dropper technique. Here is some advice learned from our Montana fly fishing guides.

When to Fish a Dry-Dropper Rig
Fishing a dry-dropper rig can be very effective any day of the angling year. Most fly fishing guides opt for a dry-dropper rig before or during a hatch or when prospecting for trout during non-hatch times. Before a hatch a dry-dropper rig is very effective because the dropper fly can imitate the emerging insects or the active nymphs. The dry fly, also called the top fly, imitates the hatched insect on the surface of the water. When a hatch isn't prevalent due to time of day or time of year, many local guides prospect with a dry-dropper...

Traveling more than an hour to go fly fishing often requires some planning. Weather and water levels are the two most important variables to understand before heading out. Everyone has their favorite weather apps, but this year more than ever, having a good understanding of water levels has been non-negotiable.

All water level data originates from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Surface-Water Data, which monitors over 13,000 stream gauges across the U.S. and more than 350 in Pennsylvania. The USGS has been transitioning to a new online interface over the past five-plus years. The updated look and feel have left some old features behind while adding new ones. I hate it.

So, I’ve been on the hunt for a desktop and mobile app that delivers USGS backend data through a clean, easy-to-use interface. Blue Liner Flows offers a solid solution for iPhone, iPad and Mac users, with apps built for both platforms. Most importantly, favorites and preferences sync across devices. There’s a free version, but I’ll be reviewing the $6.99 annual paid version.

Key features include: favorites, state selection, map view, latest data overview, discharge in CFS, discharge in feet, average annual discharge, various time views, weather forecasts, alerts, temperatures (station-dependent), turbidity (station-dependent), and other data specific to each gauge.

I found the app very easy to set up on my Mac. Once configured, all my favorites and alerts synced automatically to my iPhone. You don’t need both devices—an iPhone alone works just fine. I especially liked navigating between the state, favorites, and map views. It’s fast and intuitive. Most views display the key information I’m looking for, including directional arrows indicating whether water levels are rising or falling.

Another Great Weekend at the Annual Paflyfish Spring Jamboree

Another fun year catching up with both longtime and newer members of the site at the Annual Paflyfish Spring Jamboree. The weekend was largely marked by high water and off-color streams, making fly fishing a bit more challenging than usual. But despite the conditions, the crew had a great time—and while the water was high, we mostly stayed dry.


Most folks rolled in Friday afternoon and hit some of the local waters. Spring Creek was a popular choice, and a few brave souls even ventured out to the Little Juniata for some wading. Friday night had a good mix of people still arriving, hanging out by the cabin, and catching up around one fire—or maybe two. I’m probably missing a few names, but among the crew were TimMurphy, Jackm, Bikerfish, dudemanspecial, Trapshooter, Tomgamber, Alby, Csoult, pcray1231, wgmiller, KMS and many more.


On Saturday, I teamed up with Afishinado, Dave Weaver, Swattie87, and Jifigz to search for some fishable water. Options were limited, but we made our way to a fly fishing-only project about an hour away. One of the best parts of these weekends is the streamside tailgating, and Swattie took the lead with his camp stove, cooking up brats, hot dogs, and some fried peppers and onions. Jiffy brought his famous cucumber salad and a special seasoning mix that hit the spot. The weather was nice—and the food was even better.


We fished the project water for a few hours...

Why I Upgraded My Wading Boots
After five years of heavy use, my last pair of boots were starting to show their age—especially with all the extra time I’ve spent fishing since retiring. I needed a new pair that could offer better traction on rugged streams like Penns Creek, while also being easier to take on and off multiple times a day. After a week of intensive use, I’m confident I’ve found the best boots I’ve ever worn: the Orvis Pro BOA Wading Boots.

Putting the Orvis Pro BOA Boots to the Test on Pennsylvania Streams
I picked up the boots just before heading to Penns Creek in May. I put them through their paces—using them about ten times over six days, from large rivers to remote brookie streams. Conditions were challenging, with all types of terrain and flow, and the boots performed exceptionally well.

This was my first time using Orvis wading gear, although I’ve followed the brand for years and trust what they bring to the angling community. The Pro BOA Wading Boots have been around for a few years, but this latest version is a refresh introduced within the last year or two.

What Makes the BOA Fit System Ideal for Fly Fishing Boots?
The BOA Fit System, not exclusive to Orvis gear, replaces traditional laces with a precision closure mechanism. It features a dial, steel wire laces, and low-friction guides that deliver a secure, adjustable fit. I first saw BOA on ski boots decades ago, but it has since become popular in everything from cycling shoes to wading gear.

The key benefit is how effortlessly you can tighten or loosen the boots. I didn’t fully appreciate how easy and fast the system was until I tried it in the Orvis store. The wide opening makes it simple to slide your foot in, then a few clicks of the dial ratchet everything down for a...

Join Us for the Annual Paflyfish Spring Jamboree Weekend – Starting Friday, May 16 through May 18, 2025

We’re excited to kick off our annual Paflyfish Spring Jamboree Weekend on Friday, May 16! This beloved tradition is our yearly meetup for community members to connect, fly fish, tie flies, camp, and share stories in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Each year, we explore some of Pennsylvania’s finest trout streams, including the Little Juniata, Penns Creek, Spring Creek, Fishing Creek, and many more throughout the region.

Weekend Headquarters: The Pavilion at Seven Mountains Campground​

Paflyfish has reserved the pavilion at Seven Mountains Campground, which will serve as our central meeting spot throughout the weekend. It’s a hub for casual conversations, fly tying, impromptu casting lessons, and general camaraderie.

We gather at the pavilion each evening to recap the day’s adventures on the water. There are often spontaneous lessons in casting and fly tying for those interested.

A Relaxed Format This Year​

This year, we’re keeping things simple and informal. There won’t be any scheduled speakers or organized activities—but as always, there will be plenty of informal support, from fly tying demos to advice on local waters.

New to the area? No worries—many experienced members are happy to help you get started and point you in the right direction.

Some anglers choose to arrive early or extend their stay beyond the weekend, so feel free to make the most of your trip. Be sure to follow the latest updates and conversations in the Paflyfish forum.

I'm often fishing in waters that are strictly "Catch and Release" areas, where I’m required to all of my catch. Even in places where it's not mandatory, I choose catch and release to help conserve fish populations and ensure future generations of anglers can enjoy the sport. Properly releasing fish not only gives them the best chance to survive but also helps them grow, reproduce, and possibly be caught again in the future.

There are several factors that affect a fish's survival after being released. These include the length of the fight, where the fish is hooked, water temperature, and how I handle and release it. To give the fish the best chance for survival, I generally follow these guidelines:

Best Practices for Catch and Release Fishing

• Use Barbless Hooks – Barbless hooks make it easier to remove the hook quickly, reducing handling time and minimizing injury to the fish.
• Play Fish Quickly – Land the fish as quickly as possible to avoid exhaustion, which decreases its chances of survival.
• Use a Landing Net – A rubber or knotless landing net helps prevent injury and unnecessary stress on the fish.
• Keep the Fish in the Water – The longer a fish is out of the water, the higher the risk of injury and mortality. Minimize air exposure as much as possible.
• Wet Your Hands – Always wet your hands, net, and any other materials that may come in contact with the fish to protect its delicate slime coating, which helps prevent infection and disease.
• Hold the Fish Upside Down – This can calm the fish, making it easier to remove the hook quickly and safely.
• Remove Hooks Quickly – Use hemostats or long-nose pliers for fast and safe hook removal.
• Cut the Line if...