Confluence

[JK Reed]

The wife and I are planning to go try out the fishing around Confluence tomorrow morning for the first time. Would anyone have any tips they can offer? Like where to park, stream access, favorite flies maybe. We're still pretty new to FFing.

 

[TerrellBFly]

You can fish the area below the dam to where laurel hill creek enters - its relatively calm water and water will be colder than below laurel hill creek. Not sure where to park other than at the dam. Ramcat has a parking lot that is a couple miles below the dam with a bike path that follows the river - may be a good idea as well. I usually float the creek, so I am limited on wading information - but it can be treacherous. It may not be a bad idea to contact a shop in the area for some more information. There are a couple in Ohiopyle, and the Knotty Angler in Confluence - may be worth a phone call. Friendly reminder: Keep an eye on water temps with this heat, as well.

Be aware, water is up for the WW rafters. Good luck! https://apps.usgs.gov/hivis/camera/PA_Youghiogheny_River_at_Youghiogheny_River_Dam

 

[dryflyguy]

I like the flows to be around 1,000 CFS or less for wading there
They are currently over 2,000 , and I dont recommend doing that now.

As for access - there are plenty of places to park and get in
There is a big lot right at the outflow below the dam
Around the trail bridge in confluence
And a few scattered pulloffs on the way down to Ramcatt access.

On the Confluence side of the river, there is parking right where the Casselman river comes in.
and further down at a small side road called Paddlers Lane

 

[dudemanspecial]

I like the flows to be around 1,000 CFS or less for wading there
They're are currently over 2,000 , and I dont recommend doing that now.

As for access - there are plenty of places to park and get in
There is a big lot right at the outflow below the dam
Around the trail bridge in confluence
And a few scattered pulloffs on the way down to Ramcatt access.

On the Confluence side of the river, there is parking right where the Conemaugh river comes in.
and further down at a small side road called Paddlers Lane

Good advice but to avoid any confusion, you meant the Casselman river, not Conemaugh.

 

[JK Reed]

Thanks for the advice. I was concerned about the water temps so thought going to this tailwater might be safe temp wise.

 

[TerrellBFly]

Thanks for the advice. I was concerned about the water temps so thought going to this tailwater might be safe temp wise.

You should be good on temps in the mornings and afternoons still. Current temp coming out of dam is @ 57, and the next gauge down where the Casselman/Laurel Hill meet has a gauge below it - that is reading 59.7.

 

[dryflyguy]

Good advice but to avoid any confusion, you meant the Casselman river, not Conemaugh.

Thanks Ron
Still had time to edit that mistake

 

[Arminacast]

I see that the flow is dropping quickly this evening, it is wadable right now but I would check the USGS site in the morning. Also, expect the water level to rise at some point tommorrow. I like to fish dry flys at this time of the year mostly caddis size 18 or 20. Good luck if you go.

 

[dryflyguy]

They just dropped it about a 1,000 CFS.
Which is odd - right before what can be considered a 3 day summer holiday weekend.
Unless the flow it was just at - 2100 CFS - is considered a little too high for the rafting trips?

 

[Cougarbaby]

It'll come up on Friday for the rafters beware I went swimming lost a flyrod because of this rise

 

[JK Reed]

Thanks everyone, we’ll give it a shot.