Yough River, Fayette Co., 7-5-21

[greenghost]

TIME: 2:00 - 6:30
WEATHER: Sunny, hot, 80's
WATER: 850cfs, clear, 56 degrees
BUGS: Cahill, Caddis, BWO
FLIES: All dries... Cahill #14, Tan Caddis, Adams
FISH: 3 bows, 1 brown

All the checks for a crowded experience were there: Holiday weekend, hot weather with the Yough being the only trout game around, and lower water releases from the dam. And crowded it was--at least the area I fish when I'm alone that's close to easy access-- more crowded than I've seen in years. Found an open riffle section (riffles being three-to-four feet deep in the Yough) and was able to move around as others left or moved.

Saw a few rises but the fishing was slow. (With very few exceptions, the Yough never was a dry-fly river.) I only saw a couple of other fish being caught. However, some guys who were center pinning were killing them.

Fish I caught were nice, fat, and fought hard. I missed a HUGE brown that turned last second on my Cahill.

A good COOL day.

TIP: The Yough tailwater is a huge river with miles of fishable water through August. If you go on a weekend, walk or ride a bike away from the easy access areas and you'll have water to yourself.

 

[Prospector]

Greenghost,
Thanks for posting about the Yough. Never fished it. In fact never fished any trout stream in SWPA since the Slippery Rock creek FFO area is the furthest south I’ve been on the western side. I’m sure I’m cheating myself. Ohiopyle is only a 2 hr drive and the cold water aspect is very appealing. I’ll get there someday.

This weekend I’m headed 2 hrs north with a list of 12 streams to check for various reasons. Exploratory mission. If I make it to half of them I’ll be happy.

However I have to believe the Yough might be a better choice. Can’t beat that water temp.

 

[sidthemuffinrunner]

Were you below Ramcat? Hope you don't mind me asking. Have fished the river a lot in the last 3 years and the crowds since quarantine have been outrageous.

 

[greenghost]

sidthemuffinrunner wrote:
Were you below Ramcat? Hope you don't mind me asking. Have fished the river a lot in the last 3 years and the crowds since quarantine have been outrageous.

Yes, agree about the crowds in that area. Ohiopyle is simply crazy anymore. I avoid even driving through it.

Monday, I was at Ramcat. Since I'm older and was fishing alone, the Yough can be dangerous if you're not very careful. I fish Ramcat because of the easy access and because there are always a few people around. And generally, that area does get more pressure, but Monday was ridiculous.