Low water and tight spots!

Low Water and Tricky Fish....

With the extremely low water, the fish are finding tough spots to hole up in. I had the pleasure of being out with Matt G. this monday, a client who has graced this blog with smallmouth pictures this spring. We had a headlamp early start, and began hiking down river. We caught a few here and there when we came upon this area. We both saw this bucket, and knew that fish would be holding in it. But would it be worth even trying to hook one?
As you can see, the tree lays over the entire hole, which is about 3 and 1/2 feet deep. There is about 6 feet in front of the log, and other 8 or so behind it. The gap between the log and the rock below Matt is about 8 inches. This spot held maybe 6 fish in it, so it was awfully tempting. Matt threw several casts in it, and kept managing to get his line threaded through the mess in a half decent drift. It is some of the best fishing I have seen in years.... Below is a clip featuring a client from a couple of days ago releasing a fish, and Matt threading a fish through the trees!

Above is the SECOND fish Matt pulled out of that same hole... Unbelievable. Below was the first fish he pulled out of it... An amazing bit of angling. On a side note, Matt also rose a fish to a dry that same day.



I just love underwater cameras! A steelie waiting for the release in the net.

Can you say low water conditions?

Despite how tough it was this weekend, fish we still cooperative.

Well, now it is time to get back at the vice, and break out the rain dances!!

Beware of "Steelie Pumpkin"

This is the season, and we have had one filled with ups and downs! The water levels have been all over, from low and clear to up and raging. It seems the creeks can't make up their mind. From a guiding perspective, there is nothing more frustrating. It is not just low and clear water that makes it tough... at times it can be just finding fish. That said, most days we have been getting it done. Here is some fish porn from the past couple of weeks.

Note the clear water above... been pretty much the norm...

A nice buck taken in fast water

Wild baby steelhead anyone? There was tons of water last fall, spring and summer, allowing some rare natural reproduction... Don't get too excited, conditions don't allow for this often, but there is a limited amount.

And last but not least, a bit of shakey video!

This fish cut off at the last minute, but gave a nice tussel in between!!

The steelhead season is upon us!!!

So, it is finally here.... after a summer that included about a ton of rain, plenty of cold temps, and great water levels, the bets were in on an early run. Then late August and September hit... Weeks of no rain... Hot temps.... Creek mouths completely sealed off... (I am looking at you 20 mile) Now we can leave it all behind us...

So, here is my buddy Mike with a nice little brook trout.
Mike goes fishing with me when we are on camping trips, and always does pretty good. I have not, however, converted him over to steelhead yet. So we got all this rain, and I had to go and check things out. I called Mike up to see if he wanted to go. He had some time, so I swung over and picked him up on my way to the creek. We were fishing the east side PA tribs, and there were tons of cars and people, but we found a nice little section and got in with the masses. I proceeded to hook up and lose fish like a pro (yup, going 0 for 3.... pre season bassmaster style hooksetting is always cool, after all, if you don't almost fall on your back when setting the hook, you are doing it wrong... please note heavy sarcasm), and Mike got one on and lost it.

At this stage, we decided to go and check out the pocket water. We checked a nice little hydraulic out with no success and moved down to the next one. It was there that Mike hooked into a nice fish! He kept the pressure on, and it really tried to go back at the lake. We went after it (not too far, but far enough to keep it exciting) and it came to hand after about a 5 minute fight. Here are the results:

So I really have to apologize.... after his experience... I think there is going to be one more steelheader on the water.... Again, my sincerest apologies! Tight lines and see you on the water. I am about to go have a beer to cheers the official start to the season, at least in my book!!!
-Steve B

Random Spring Fun

So, this has been a full spring already.... so far we have gone after just about everything in Pa...
Above, Pete Howard being attacked by a smallie in lower Elk Creek

The trout season is starting out good, and we have plenty of water around, so both fish and fisherman are happy.....Above, Matt on Oil Creek after sticking a nice trout.

The smallies are starting out good, and things are just getting ready to heat up! Above, Matt G holding a beauty!! This one came out deep while fishing with Steve. We were running an intermediate shooting head and a big clouser in about 12 feet of water. Was an awesome hit! This fish was a fighter!

I have begun my sons training for the coast guard. Here he is demonstrating his docking abilities, and petting his first fish.... I know, he is already 13 months, and we are starting his teaching late, but better late than never.....

We have been unable or unwilling to stay away from the State College area, but that for better or worse. Some trips have been kind, others less so, but always a good time. The last trip held good topwater action for caddis on Fishing Creek in the narrows and good nymphing on Penns.

Spring steelhead ended up being insane! It was the best spring I have ever seen. Tons of fish, good flows and great weather. I wish it was that good every year! All in all, this is one of the best all around springs I have ever seen. Time to get out and fish! We have been mixing up our camping and fishing trips. It is a great way to stay near the water, cheap, and have a great time! Nothing like sitting around a campfire at night with your fishing buddies and sharing lies, I mean, reports, about the days fishing! Good luck, tight lines, and I hope you are having a banner spring too!

-Steve B

Fresh fish fun!

Some fresh fishin' video for all to enjoy!!
This one features upper Elk & my buddy Paul harassing the steelies!