In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash connects with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop for the final Central PA Fishing Report of the year. As winter takes hold, George shares insights into current water conditions, with temperatures dropping into the low to mid-40s. He discusses the transition of fish into deeper, slower waters post-spawn and the effectiveness of slow nymphing and streamer fishing during this period.
The conversation touches on the impact of a recent cold snap on Steelhead Alley, where fishing conditions have been challenging due to ice and snow. George offers advice on selecting streams in Central PA, emphasizing the importance of experience and personal preference, whether you're after numbers or size.
Listeners are encouraged to send in questions, with a chance to win Articulate Fly swag and enter a drawing. As the holiday season approaches, George highlights TCO Fly Shop's winter classes and sales, inviting anglers to brush up on their skills. Marvin and George extend warm holiday wishes to all, reminding everyone to enjoy the festive season and look forward to more fishing adventures in the New Year.
Hey folks, it's Marvin Cash, the host of the Articulate Fly.
Marvin Cash:
We're back with our final Central PA fishing report of the year with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College.
Marvin Cash:
George, how are you?
George Costa:
I'm amazing as always.
George Costa:
Marvin, how are you?
Marvin Cash:
I'm curious, did anyone come in after our last report looking for the Jaeger luge?
George Costa:
They did and we had quite a party.
George Costa:
It was a hootenanny, shall we say.
Marvin Cash:
There you go.
Marvin Cash:
So, you know, you're kind of, you know, getting into the teeth of wintertime in Central pa.
Marvin Cash:
Where are you seeing on the water?
George Costa:
Well, the water definitely with the snow we had earlier in the week and rain and the snow melt water temps are low.
George Costa:
They have definitely dropped down quite a bit.
George Costa:
So you know, just about everything other than where some springs are popping up is in the low to mid-40s right now.
George Costa:
So what we're seeing is a lot of fish make that transition into that slower, deeper water.
George Costa:
We're pretty much in post spawn right now.
George Costa:
There's maybe a handful of fish here and there still spawning, but the majority of them are done still.
George Costa:
Be mindful of redds.
George Costa:
Don't walk on those fresh eggs.
George Costa:
But fish definitely have transitioned to that slower water.
George Costa:
So slow and low with nymphs has really been the ticket lately.
George Costa:
Fish are moving for streamers.
George Costa:
So everything around here right now is average or above little J Pens Fishing creek definitely have good color springs running a little lower and a little.
George Costa:
So streamers have been definitely moving.
George Costa:
Fish weather coming up.
George Costa:
We've got another cold snap coming over this weekend here going into the holidays.
George Costa:
So if you're going to get out on the water, bundle up, maybe run some of those Euro rods or mono rigs just to keep the ice off the guides and fish slow, deep and you know, take your time and really pick apart that water because fish are not moving that much to grab stuff.
Marvin Cash:
Yeah, and you were telling me too that kind of this cold blast is kind of wrecked the, the fishing on Steelhead Alley a little bit.
George Costa:
Yeah, we got some reports yesterday from one of our guys that's up there steelheading all the time that it's been a hot mess up there.
George Costa:
There's been ice, snow been blown out.
George Costa:
So steelhead fishing has been sporting in the past week or so and hopefully they get it cleared up there a little bit and guys can get out and fish for those steelhead.
George Costa:
But it's not been amazing from what I've heard up there on the alley.
George Costa:
Just conditions have been rough.
Marvin Cash:
Yeah, got a Question for you, too, from Daniel.
Marvin Cash:
And, you know, being in the cradle of Pennsylvania fly fishing in Central pa, you got a lot of options.
Marvin Cash:
And so Daniel wanted to kind of get your thoughts on, like, how do you pick streams when there's so many to choose from?
George Costa:
Ooh, option anxiety.
George Costa:
I like that.
George Costa:
That happens a lot.
George Costa:
I mean, there's so much water up here, and there's better water.
George Costa:
There's great water.
George Costa:
It really depends on what you're after.
George Costa:
Some of the streams that are more productive, they will often, you know, give you the numbers of fish.
George Costa:
Some of the streams that are not as productive will sometimes give you better size fish.
George Costa:
So it really depends on what you're after.
George Costa:
If you want to, you know, get a couple of fish, you're gonna head over to Spring Creek.
George Costa:
If you want a chance at getting, you know, a bigger fish, you might head over to Penn's or some of the other streams around here.
George Costa:
So, I mean, picking the water, I mean, there's.
George Costa:
There's really, you know, picking the best spot comes from experience.
George Costa:
It comes from coming in the shop and asking.
George Costa:
For the most part, most of our streams fish pretty much the same condition.
George Costa:
You know, there's not.
George Costa:
It's not like we're 100 miles away from one stream or another.
George Costa:
If, you know, it rains on pens, odds are it's probably going to have rained on Spring and J2 for the most part.
George Costa:
So really, I mean, picking a stream, you know, just, you got to get out and you got to see what you like.
George Costa:
Some people prefer those numbers of fish, some people prefer looking for those bigger ones.
George Costa:
Best way to do it is just kind of get out and do it.
George Costa:
Really isn't a good answer that other than just get out, experience it, you know, find what you like, and go for it.
Marvin Cash:
Yeah.
Marvin Cash:
Is it true, too, that the more stuff you buy in a fly shop, the better information you get?
George Costa:
100%.
George Costa:
And if there's BlackBerry Brandy involved, you get the good information.
Marvin Cash:
Yeah, we'll see.
Marvin Cash:
So, Daniel, now you got the complete hookup package, right there it is, yeah.
Marvin Cash:
And you know, folks, as I always say, we love questions on the articulate fly.
Marvin Cash:
You can email me or DM me on social media, whatever is easiest for you.
Marvin Cash:
And if we use your question, I will send you some articulate fly swag, an interview in a drawing.
Marvin Cash:
ctually going to draw for the:
Marvin Cash:
So stay tuned.
Marvin Cash:
And you know, George, before I let you Go.
Marvin Cash:
I'm sure that you're in the home stretch of the holiday season at tco.
Marvin Cash:
You want to let folks know shop hours, locations, specials, classes, and all that kind of good stuff?
George Costa:
Absolutely.
George Costa:
All of our shops have a ton of classes coming up for the winter season.
George Costa:
So check out our website, tco fly fishing.com under the Education class tab.
George Costa:
And if you're looking to brush up on any tying skills or anything like that, sign up for one of our classes.
George Costa:
We still got a bunch of good stuff on sale.
George Costa:
We got a couple more sales coming up in the next couple of weeks, so keep an eye on that on our website.
George Costa:
Here in State College, we're open 9 to 6 Monday through Saturday, 9 to 3 on Sunday.
George Costa:
All of our stores will be closed for Christmas Day, New Year's day.
George Costa:
And check out any of our locations elsewhere as well.
George Costa:
We'll see out on the water soon.
Marvin Cash:
Yeah, there you go.
Marvin Cash:
And is it true that your nunchuck skills class is full?
George Costa:
Ooh, I didn't know I was teaching one.
George Costa:
I better brush up.
Marvin Cash:
Yeah, you know, absolutely.
Marvin Cash:
You have to brush up, dude.
Marvin Cash:
It's always a great day when I get to work in Napoleon Dynamite.
George Costa:
That's true.
Marvin Cash:
Well, listen, folks, as I always say, you owe it to yourself to get on the water.
Marvin Cash:
But I also want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
