Struggles on small creeks near PGH

[ianpcook]

I debated whether to put this here or in Fishing Locations; I chose here because the struggles feel experience- and expertise-driven.

I live in Pittsburgh, and have been trying to fish some of the creeks that are relatively close, such as Buffalo Creek (the Keystone Select Stocked area that crosses Butler and Armstrong counties). This morning I arrived just past dawn, and took my 9ft 5wt and a bag full of options. The result was, to say the least, frustrating. Aside from feeding the trees and sunken logs some choice flies, I only put one small rainbow in the net.

My questions are numerous, but I'll boil them down to some general topics:
- is it basically pointless to try these streams so far after the last stocking (though close to the next stocking)?
- in the couple of years I've been trying, I can't recall seeing a truly busy "rise" during what seemed like a hatch on some of these streams; are dry flies mostly pointless for Buffalo, Pine, Deer, Bull and the rest of the water close in to the city?
- are people trying to cover a lot of water on streams like this, or do most people just know some key holes and hit those on repeat?

I always try to remind myself that any day on the water is a good day, but yeesh, some days that's harder than others...

 

[troutbert]

Probably few trout are present in those streams at this time of year.

 

[PennKev]

Those are not great, or even good, trout streams. You cannot expect much this time of year until they are restocked.

I understand the desire to fish for trout, but unless you can make a trip to better, year-round trout streams, you are just setting yourself up for frustration.

Are there stocked trout left somewhere, in some streams? Yeah, maybe. Is it worth the effort? Probably not. The attrition rate for stocked fish over the summer is insanely high.

If you don't mind some level of frustration, exploring streams on the natural repro list is probably a better use if your time right now. At least you know those streams are capable of holding trout year round consistently.

 

[JG63]

I debated whether to put this here or in Fishing Locations; I chose here because the struggles feel experience- and expertise-driven.

I live in Pittsburgh, and have been trying to fish some of the creeks that are relatively close, such as Buffalo Creek (the Keystone Select Stocked area that crosses Butler and Armstrong counties). This morning I arrived just past dawn, and took my 9ft 5wt and a bag full of options. The result was, to say the least, frustrating. Aside from feeding the trees and sunken logs some choice flies, I only put one small rainbow in the net.

My questions are numerous, but I'll boil them down to some general topics:
- is it basically pointless to try these streams so far after the last stocking (though close to the next stocking)?
- in the couple of years I've been trying, I can't recall seeing a truly busy "rise" during what seemed like a hatch on some of these streams; are dry flies mostly pointless for Buffalo, Pine, Deer, Bull and the rest of the water close in to the city?
- are people trying to cover a lot of water on streams like this, or do most people just know some key holes and hit those on repeat?

I always try to remind myself that any day on the water is a good day, but yeesh, some days that's harder than others...

Couple of weeks and a two hour drive up 79 puts you in Steelhead territory - take some white streamers, some black streamers, a few color variants of egg patterns, and some smaller stonefly nymphs and have at it! Beginners luck goes a long way when you have no bad habits!

 

[kbobb]

I’ve stopped fishing these SW PA trout streams basically after early June and fish for WW species especially small mouth. You’ll find better local WW fishing than trout fishing. I don’t really care if it’s a trout or other on the end of the line. A nice small mouth on a popper will make you quickly forget about a snooty trout on an 18 BWO.

 

[TroutHunter814]

Travel just a little bit further East ( of those mentioned streams) into the Ridges, and you can fish for stocked trout, and wild populations all year round if ya know where to look.
Send me a DM if you’d like more details

 

[dryflyguy]

That’s life in the city, as the old saying goes
After starting this sport many years ago, I quickly realized that I would have to drive a bit to have quality fishing
And have gotten used to it

 

[Shawn_H]

Yeah go east instead of north. And the smallmouth suggestion is a good one. If I’m trying to stay super close to home I’m going smallmouth fishing.

 

[ianpcook]

Thanks for the notes, y'all!

I get the stuff around here is weak sauce compared to the truly great water east/north of me. I do get out to Neshannock Creek when I can, and have been heading east toward Yellow/Spruce/etc. creeks. Given family commitments, a 4 hour travel time plus time on the water is often too big a tax on the day for regular trips.

I had been viewing the closer water as at least ways to hone some skills, but quickly realized that the sign I'm improving -- catching fish -- is foiled by there not being any fish where I am. 🫠

 

[PennKev]

A nice small mouth on a popper will make you quickly forget about a fake rubber trout on a mop fly.

Is this what you meant?

 

[Cougarbaby]

I live in the middle of all those waters mentioned, I go east or north 99.9 % of the time I do fish Buffalo once a year with my white truck following buddies,they warm up to much for hold overs IMO,if you found one that made it through the summer your lucky,as far as the keystone select area of Buffalo not a fan personally, go east or north or wait on the stocking truck

 

[Dr.J 1952]

I only fished Buffalo Creek once about 25 years ago or more. I caught fish but all on junk flies like sucker spawn, egg flies, green weenies. No hatches. My friend had the same experience and neither of us have been back. I’ve fished the Deer Creek project the most over the last 33 years. Have had some very good days on that stretch and even caught a 24” brown on a bead head caddis pupa. I can’t recall catching any fish there on dries but once I was there just after the sun went down and something was coming off as I was catching them on wet flies. That was early June. I had one day on the Pine Creek project around Labor Day where I was catching fish on caddis dries. I also recall a year where we had warm weather between Christmas and New Years and I had some good days on Pine. I haven’t fished these streams for a couple of years as I’m getting older and also felt that they didn’t put as many fish in these streams as they used to. We used to catch fish all along Deer Creek. In general though, I would say these streams are best fished in the spring and after fall stockings.

 

[Cougarbaby]

Yea come June 15th when you're allowed to keep trout on deer Creek DHALO there isn't a fish to be had, thanks to poaching and the famous fat Blue Herring that frequents the area,LOL

 

[rustbeltwilds]

Theres a couple streams neae buffalo creek that hold trout all year....if yoy know where to look

 

[Cougarbaby]

Sshhhh

 

[Cougarbaby]

One was considered class A a while back,but I can't find anything online proving it except for the fact we used to occasionally fish it and catch what looks like reproduction, I have not fished it in 10yrs +,so I can't concure but it effectively had holdovers from Buffalo

 

[kbobb]

Is this what you meant?

😉If that smallie is big enough I'll forget about all other fish!

 

[poopdeck]

From someone who lives and predominately fishes a few miles outside Philly, embrace what you have that gets you out fishing the most. I use to drive four hours round trip to catch little uninspiring fish. After having children and being forced to prioritize, I learned to fish locally and have discovered there is far more to fishing than trout. Go smallmouth fishing instead. Enjoy.

 

[TheDuke44]

I would kill for Buffalo Creek to be a truly great fishery, as it's basically in my back yard, but like you and others have noticed - it's really just a decent stocked stream. Seems to warm up quickly and in my years fishing it, it seems like a VERY small portion of guys are C&R on Buffalo for some reason. I definitely don't blame them since most trout won't make it through summer, but there definitely are holdovers in the system.

 

[TerrellBFly]

may... or may not... be the Buffalo.