How to tie the Blue Winged Olive size 20

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Tim Flagler's collaboration with Fly Tyer Magazine to demonstrate how to tie the Blue Winged Olive #20. One of my favorite flies to fish with and one I always have available to me at most anytime. Tim offered some great ideas on how to tie this go-to fly.

Recipe:
Hook: Fulling Mill 5050 dry fly, size 20.
Thread: Olive dun Semperfli Classic Waxed, 12/0.
Tail: Barred dun badger cape.
Wing: Light dun Fulling Mill Ultra Dry yarn.
Body: Olive Super Fine dubbing.

Go to Tim's YouTube page to see details on this and other outstanding flies.

Penns Creek, Hatch Factory with Rick Nyles - Recorded Webinar

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Penns Creek, Hatch Factory with Rick Nyles
It is no secret that Penns Creek is regarded as one of Pennsylvania’s premier wild trout waterways. This status comes out of respect for the challenge and intrigue this stream has for anglers. If you want to learn more about this fantastic trout stream. Rick will cover the prolific bug life, the seasonal fishing and the overall stream tips. An exciting recorded webinar not to be missed.
Recorded November 7, 2022

Fly Fishing Getting Started - The Caddisflies

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Trout enjoy a wide array of food, with insects being more popular. While mayflies (Ephemeroptera) enjoy much of the spotlight, caddisflies (Trichoptera) are incredibly plentiful in waters across the region. Not always the preferred insect of fly anglers, mostly due to a lack of familiarity.

Caddisflies are hardy insects and have thrived in streams that have been decimated by pollution. Streams like the Tulpehocken, Oil Creek, and Casselman are just a few streams known for their abundant caddisfly populations in our region. For many of these streams, the caddisfly is so prolific that mayflies are often an afterthought for anglers.

The caddisfly behavior is a little less predictable and is certainly one of the reasons it is not as popular for many anglers. Many mayflies can be timed to within a few days and hours. The Green Drakes on Penn's Creek are revered by anglers the same way the "Swallows" of Capistrano are anticipated at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. Caddisflies, not so much.

That is not to say great hatches of caddisflies are not enjoyed by anglers and trout, as there can be wonderful evenings and days with them covering a stream. Just as often, there can be sporadic emergers happening without much fanfare.

There are over 1200 species of caddisflies in the country. They range in size and colors covering the gambit of black, green, tan, cream, and white bodies. The more popular Grannom hatch does arrive across much of the region at the end of April and is much anticipated by anglers and trout alike.

To get some understanding of their cycle it is as easy to do as by simply lifting a rock the next time out on the water.

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Many types of caddis larvae can be found at the bottom of the stream in self-made protected cases or roaming along the bottoms of streams. Some of these species...

Join Us for the Paflyfish Spring Jamboree Weekend May 17-19, 2024

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Mark your calendars for Friday, May 17, as we kick off the much-awaited Paflyfish Spring Jamboree Weekend at the scenic Seven Mountains Campground. It's that time of the year again when members of our community gather for a fantastic blend of fly fishing, fly tying, camping, and camaraderie. Set against the backdrop of Pennsylvania's pristine streams, including renowned spots like the Little J, Penns Creek, Spring Creek, Fishing Creek, and more, it promises to be an unforgettable experience.

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The heart of our weekend rendezvous lies at the pavilion, rented by Paflyfish, serving as our central hub for meet-ups, impromptu conversations, and fly-tying sessions. While we won't be organizing any formal speakers or activities this time around, rest assured, there's no shortage of spontaneous fly tying, casting pointers, and friendly guidance on where to cast your line. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to the area, our community members are here to ensure you feel right at home and equipped to make the most of your fishing adventures.

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Many of our fellow anglers opt to extend their stay, arriving early or lingering longer after the weekend festivities. Keep an eye on this thread for real-time updates or feel free to drop any questions you may have.

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For accommodation arrangements, please reach out directly to Seven Mountains Campground. With a limited number of cabins, RV hook-ups, and campsites available, it's advisable to secure your reservations without delay.

Event Details:
- Dates: Friday, May 17 - Sunday, May 19, 2023
- Location...

Advanced Streamer Tactics | How To

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In this detailed video, Tom Rosenbauer discusses the changes that have occurred to streamer fly fishing to help you catch more and bigger trout.Check out the Orvis Learning Centre: https://howtoflyfish.orvis.com

Backcountry fishing in Yellowstone National Park | Montana Angler

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By Brian McGeehan at Montana Angler Fly Fishing

No fly-fishing trip to Montana is complete without a visit to Yellowstone National Park. The world’s first national park, established by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1872, is as iconic for its wild trout populations as it is for its geysers, bison and grizzly bears. Anglers visiting Yellowstone have a broad variety of waters to fish, with backcountry outings offering some of the most exceptional fishing in the park.

The Yellowstone backcountry encompasses an incredible diversity of fishing opportunities within its 3,468 square miles, including alpine lakes, spring creeks, broad rivers and tumbling streams. The Yellowstone River alone provides countless angling opportunities as it flows from its headwaters in the Thorofare region to Yellowstone Lake, the largest freshwater lake above 7,000 feet in North America. It then plunges over a pair of massive waterfalls on its way through two distinct canyons before exiting the park near its confluence with the Gardner River.

For all of Yellowstone’s diversity, the truth is most anglers never venture more than a few hundred yards from the most popular access points and pullouts. For anglers seeking solitude and an escape from the crowds, hitting the trails to experience fly fishing in Yellowstone’s backcountry is well worth the effort.

First things first, Yellowstone National Park is managed by the National Park Service and has its own set of rules, regulations and requirements separate from the surrounding states of Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. To fish in Yellowstone, you’ll need to procure a Yellowstone Park fishing license and abide by all park fishing regulations.

Yellowstone is home to two species of native cutthroat trout — the Yellowstone cutthroat trout and the...

Free Drawing | Fly Fishing Evolution Book, Dozen Flies and Fly Box from George Daniel

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I recently enjoyed reading and shared a brief review of "Fly Fishing Evolution: Advanced Strategies for Dry Fly, Nymph, and Streamer Fishing" by George Daniel. As mentioned in my review, this is a great read for the advanced angler looking for new ideas on improving their game.

As a big fan of George and all the work he does for the sport this book is another fine addition to that contribution. You will be able to find George this winter presenting at the Fly Fishing Shows in Edison and Lancaster. You can sign up for his news letter at his website Livinonthefly.

I have been provided a brand new hard copy of "Fly Fishing Evolution: Advanced Strategies for Dry Fly, Nymph, and Streamer Fishing." I’m going to be offering the book and George is including a dozen of his favorite nymphs with a Fulling Mills box as part of the drawing.
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If you don’t win the drawing, you still have an opportunity to order the book on Amazon here.

What you need to do to enter:
Simply reply to this thread with "Paflyfish I’m In" and nothing else. If you do not use only "Paflyfish I’m In", you will be disqualified. This thread will be closed Wednesday, December 20 at ~8:00 am and the drawing done that day.


Fine Print:
This is a free drawing...

Maine 2023 Mountains -> Salt

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All-

I've been debating posting about my most recent trip to Maine, and how I wanted to share it for a little bit now. I finally decided to actually write up a quick story of the trip, the planning and the results. Don't expect a stream report, but more of an anecdote

Back in 2022, I went on a dedicated fishing trip with a buddy up to Maine in September. I'd been to Maine twice before with my wife, and fished albeit sparingly compared to a typical fishing trip.

It was the first time we both had gone up together to fish for brook trout, we hired a guide and got after it. Hundreds of cast, more than a handful of flies lost, and miles of streams hiked, we really immersed ourselves in the fishing up in Maine. We had plenty of success, after all the finicky brown trout of PA gave us some good practice before we tried our hand at the brook trout in Maine. Countless fish that would be personal best in PA were plentiful.

After a tough day of fishing for myself, where I definitely lost more fish than I caught, we arrived at the last pool for the night. I decided that tossing a streamer would be the best way to fish the deep tannic water. After several casts, a brook trout that most PA fly fisherman dreamt of made his presence known.

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After that fish swam off, I was hooked. The diversity of Maine's watersheds and the fish that call them home are far different yet familiar to that of PA. Something about being in the middle of nowhere, fishing water that cut through the dense balsam forests just felt right. I knew that the fish I caught might've not been the biggest brook trout out there, but that fish is up there in my all time favorite catches.

About this same time of the year we are in now, in the early winter of 2022 after the trip, I started planning to go back north. This time would be a primarily DIY trip, going back to places we fished in the fall and exploring new...

Native Brook Trout Adventure Shot on Kodak 16mm Film

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I always enjoy the quality and cinematic efforts by the guys over at Allegheny Native with their Pennsylvania Fly Fishing videos. Much of the video they shoot is in far out of the way areas of Northern Pennsylvania that always inspires me to jump in my car. This video has a little twist with many of the shots having been filmed on a 16mm. Video is hard enough, but filming on darker cloudy days in tree covered streams with 16mm film? That's a tough one to pull off.

Follow the guys at:
https://www.alleghenynative.com/

Book Review: Fly Fishing Evolution by George Daniel

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"Fly Fishing Evolution" by George Daniel is an extensive guide for intermediate and advanced anglers, delving into the intricacies of nymphing, dry fly, and streamer tactics. George Daniel, the Director of the Joe Humphreys Fly Fishing Program at Pennsylvania State University, is a highly regarded figure in the fly fishing community and is known for his exceptional angling skills. He is one of the most passionate and exceptional leaders in the sport of fly fishing today. His knowledge and drive to educate anglers have been his focus for over twenty years. His new book is another reflection of that dedication he shares with anglers.

The book is structured into three main parts, each dedicated to a specific fishing technique, offering insights into gear, patterns, tactics, and presentations. The general flow of the book is easy to read and provides thoughtful insight with clear explanations. Specific illustrations and photographs help enhance the presentation. This colorful approach adds to the engagement of the book.

The three main parts cover:

  • Nymphing: Explores nymphing tools, patterns, and key concepts, including suspension tactics and tightline/Euro tactics.
  • Dry Fly: Covers tools, patterns, and the art of casting and presenting dry flies.
  • Streamers: Discusses streamer tools, patterns, and various presentation techniques.
There are new topics and concepts to be explored for any angler. I found so many familiar ideas enhanced with his approach. For the intermediate and advanced angler, many of us get set in our ways; the book offers plenty of ideas on how to expand your capabilities.

What I Liked:
The book's strength lies in its organization, where George breaks down complex tactics into simple, rudimentary steps without losing the depth required...

How Fly Line is Made | RIO Products | Behind The Brand | Fly Fishing

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Have you ever found yourself standing in a fly shop, holding a shiny new fly line and wondering how exactly it was made? What kind of complex manufacturing processes and innovative designs go into creating those weight-forward tapers that make casting so smooth? Well, wonder no more! In this exclusive behind-the-scenes look, we take you inside the production facilities of RIO Products, one of the most respected and innovative fly line companies in the world.

The journey starts on the factory floor, where we see industrial machines spinning top-secret composite materials into the finely-tuned cores that give RIO lines their legendary performance. Engineers test out prototypes, tweaking taper designs and lengths until they achieve the perfect balance of power and precision. Skilled production workers meticulously assemble each line, their trained eyes inspecting for even the slightest defect.

But it takes more than just technical mastery to create a world-class fly line. You'll hear from the designers whose relentless field-testing and refinement result in lines honed to excel in real on-the-water conditions. From prototype to finished product, it's this relentless pursuit of perfection that makes RIO a leader in the industry.

So come along and satisfy your curiosity about how fly line goes from raw materials to that flawless final form. With unprecedented access to RIO's state-of-the-art production facilities and the inside scoop from their talented team, we reveal the innovation and care that makes these lines revered by anglers across the globe. You'll never look at fly line the same away again!

From the Fly Fish Food Youtube Channel! Fly tying tutorials and some odd's and end fishing stuff.

Penns Creek, Union County, October 10/5-7/2023

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Life has been very good lately, but very busy with my daughter getting married last week and a move coming up. All good things and no problems. I made the last minute call to get away for a break and fit in a few days away for some fall fishing. The weather, water and time were perfect. Having moved a year ago I really missed my backyard fire-pit. Part of my plans for fishing included a fire, a steak, and some bourbon. The trip turned out perfect and had a bonus of some nice fall colors to add to the atmosphere.

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Thursday
The weather was beautiful for an early fall morning - sunny with temperatures in the low 70’s. I shouldn’t have been surprised, but it was nice to see the leaves turning. I started up off Tunnel Road and there were a few people around but clearly not like the spring. The water was running at about 220 CFS, clear and around 62 degrees. Hatches were a mix of BWOs and caddis.

I tried a lot of different tandem rigs, but had my best luck with a caddis and zebra midge combo. I caught a few smaller bows that seemed like fingerlings that were stocked. I moved to a lower section of the special regs for the afternoon. By 6:00 pm the caddis really picked up along with BWOs, and BWO spinners.

The evening came together with a nice fire, steak and some Basil Hayden.


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Friday
Maurice joined me in the morning for the morning assault. The weather turned cloudy and dropped to the low 60’s. I was very optimistic for the day. We went back to the Special Regs section but had a slow go. I picked up a nice 16” bow on a black wooly bugger - looked like a fish that was stocked a few miles below in the spring. It was a very slow morning.


[ATTACH...

Fall Fly Fishing and Spawning Redds

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Fall fly fishing in the region offers plenty of great opportunities. The cooler weather offers anglers some solitude of fly fishing while many are caught up with other fall activities. A little bit of preparation can be a rewarding opportunity for those who can make the time.

Reproduction plays an important part of the trout lifecycle during the fall months for both brook and brown trout. Brook trout, native to the US, usually begin to spawn from late September through October. Brown trout typically start spawning in October through late November. I have seen this go later too.

During the spawn, coloring on the trout will intensify, especially in the males. Females will often create gravel beds for the fertilized eggs called a Redd. It is very important to be careful of these sections on streams when you see redds and not to kick them up when walking. It's probably best even to leave trout overtop of a Redd alone and give them a chance to protect the eggs.

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Often the water in the fall is low and gin clear. Spotting trout on a Redd is pretty easy to see as in the photo to the left. The trout will sit over top of a small group of rocks that they have knocked around and they often will have a little more cleaned up look as if someone kicked up the spot. Take a little time before marching into the stream to check on the conditions. Good advice for any day.

As the trout begin to change so does the entomology or insect life in the stream. Activity will be different from region to region, stream size, earlier summer water temperatures, and geology. The fall provides a more limited selection of insects and often anglers enjoy bringing a more modest selection of flies and imitations. Some of the more popular collections include Slate Drakes, BWOs, Caddis, midges, and terrestrials. Typical nymphs and streamers are very successful smart choices as well.

I like Dave Weaver's suggestions for even looking for...
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