Yough River, Westmoreland Co., 7-24-21

[greenghost]

TIME: 6:00 - 8:30 pm
WEATHER: Partly Cloudy, 80's
WATER: 1100 cfs, clear, 78 degrees
FLIES: Shenk's White Minnow, Olive/White Clouser
FISH: 6 smallies

Wet waded the lower Yough near Smithton. With warm temps and clear water, it took some time trying to figure out where fish were holding. My usual spots in the main river came up empty.

After more than an hour of casting practice without a single hit, I tried a fairly deep riffle next to a grass island. It is an unusual spot because, unlike most grass beds that are closer to shore, this one was out a bit further in the main river with deeper "pockets" -- 3' to 4'-- very close to it. Using a weighted Shenk's Minnow, I threw it down and across and mended immediately to drop the fly in the faster current. In 2 seconds the fly was hit hard. It took a few minutes to land the fish, a very plump 14-inch smallie. Within 20 minutes I caught four healthy, incredibly hard-fighting fish. All were 10 to 13 inches.

On the way back to my car, I picked up another smaller bass in a back channel using a Clouser.

Good news is that I saw many younger fish around the grass beds as well as TONS of forage fish.

I'll be back.

 

[Dave_W]

Good report - thanks. It's nice to see some reports on WW species.

River bass fishing often requires some prospecting to find fish and, at least in my experience, current areas often are the ticket this time of year, even though the water is usually shallower. Grass islands are always optimistic summer spots for me.

 

[pcray1231]

I too have been bassin, though with spinning gear. Skuke, Big J, and Kiskiminetas in last week. Smallies caught on all. Also second that they are in current, regardless of depth.

 

[greenghost]

pcray1231 wrote:
I too have been bassin, though with spinning gear. Skuke, Big J, and Kiskiminetas in last week. Smallies caught on all. Also second that they are in current, regardless of depth.

I've heard good things about the Kiskiminetas for smallies, Pat. It's come a long way from the "orange" dead river it used to be when I was a kid. I need to fish it. I was just there today in Vandergrift, at the craft fair, looking at the river... wishing. lol

 

[jordan7982]

What fly rod setup do you use for the yough? I have my 9' 5wt with floating line that I know could do the job, but would definitely be interested in getting a larger weight with heavy line to throw streamers much easier.

 

[Dave_W]

jordan7982 wrote:
What fly rod setup do you use for the yough? I have my 9' 5wt with floating line that I know could do the job, but would definitely be interested in getting a larger weight with heavy line to throw streamers much easier.

I recommend a 7WT for PA river bass fishing.

An 8WT is pretty good too (much better than a 6WT).

 

[greenghost]

Dave_W wrote:

jordan7982 wrote:
What fly rod setup do you use for the yough? I have my 9' 5wt with floating line that I know could do the job, but would definitely be interested in getting a larger weight with heavy line to throw streamers much easier.

I recommend a 7WT for PA river bass fishing.

An 8WT is pretty good too (much better than a 6WT).

I agree Dave, a 7wt 9' is good all around. And that's what I generally use. But I had my 6 wt with me last time. I didn't use any big wind-resistant flies like poppers. And it was fine.

Your 5 wt will work. Especially with trimmer streamers with not too much weight. You would be better off with a 7 or even an 8 weight (especially with poppers).

The Yough is big water, like a western river in places. And there are times I wish I could throw 90' of line. But I can't, lol. I'd like to try a 9.5' or even 10' rod one of these days.

 

[dryflyguy]

Paul -

Do you ever get any top water action on smallies in the Yough?

 

[PAFLYBOY]

The Yough is an excellent place to fish a two-hander. I like to use my 4 or 5 weight trout speys there to throw buggers or popping bugs. Now, if I could only master that 90 foot cast...

 

[greenghost]

dryflyguy wrote:
Paul -

Do you ever get any top water action on smallies in the Yough?

Hey Bill,

I've had decent days fishing on top at the Yough. Nothing earth-shattering, with one exception. For me, the Yough can be an enigma, whether fishing for bass or trout. I've rarely had double-digit days fishing that river but one day, probably 10 years ago now, I caught at least 20 bass mostly on top with poppers and rubber spider. I've never come close to that since. Doubt I will.

Since the Yough is such big water, half the battle is figuring out where the fish are holding. It's not like Slippery Rock where you can kind of wrap your arms around the water and get a bearing where the bass might be.

Speaking of which, we need to meet up on SRC again, since prime time is fast approaching. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.

 

[dryflyguy]

Yeah - I'll take another crack at the SRC whitefly hatch again.
Maybe I might even catch something next time!

 

[greenghost]

dryflyguy wrote:
Yeah - I'll take another crack at the SRC whitefly hatch again.
Maybe I might even catch something next time!

Yeah, not the best timing last year for sure. It's been a while since I hit the blizzard hatch just right, too. This year could be it!