The Articulate Fly

Episode Overview
This Central PA Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly, a fly fishing podcast, catches up with George Costa, manager of TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, for an early-fall look at trout conditions across the region. Falling leaves, wind and dropping flows made for a slower week, but rain in the forecast should freshen things up just as the streamer bite and the first redds of the season approach.
Costa explains how leaves turning and falling into the water, pushed along by steady wind, have made clean drifts difficult as flows ease toward the lower side. Nymphing has stayed consistent for anglers who can work their flies through the leaves, while dry fly action has been hit or miss despite caddis, olives and Isos on the water. A forecast half inch or more of rain on Sunday should deliver a welcome bump clearing out leaves, adding a bit of color and kicking the streamer bite into gear.
He also flags a key seasonal milestone. Early redds traditionally show up around the end of October, and Costa expects to see them within the next two weeks, especially on Spring Creek, where trout tend to start building redds on the earlier side. With great water all year and comfortable fall temperatures, he calls this a great time of year to get out.
Marvin and George close with TCO's busy fall and winter class calendar, including new classes at the Reading location plus fly tying and on-the-water classes in State College, along with fully stocked shops and State College hours.
Key Takeaways
How to keep nymphing productive in early fall by working flies through the leaves that are fouling drifts on windy days.
Why a half inch or more of rain can reset Central PA streams by bumping flows, flushing out leaves and adding the color that switches on the streamer bite.
When to expect the first trout redds in Central PA, with Spring Creek typically leading the way ahead of the traditional late-October timing.
Why dry fly fishing remains hit or miss right now even with caddis, olives and Isos on the water.
How to find TCO Fly Shop's fall and winter fly tying and on-the-water classes in State College and elsewhere.

Techniques & Gear Covered
Nymphing carried this report, with George Costa noting that subsurface rigs have produced consistently for anglers who can get their flies down through the leaves drifting in Central PA streams. Streamer fishing is the technique to watch as fall progresses, with Costa expecting the streamer bite to pick up on calmer days and after Sunday's rain adds color and flushes out leaves. Dry fly fishing has been hit or miss, with caddis, olives and Isos present but few reports of strong surface action. No specific fly patterns or rigs were named in this report, but TCO Fly Shop's locations are fully stocked for the fall and winter season, and its fly tying classes offer a way to sharpen bench skills over the colder months.
Locations & Species
This report covers Central Pennsylvania trout water around State College, with Spring Creek singled out as the stream where early redds typically appear first. Early-fall conditions include falling leaves, windy days and flows easing toward the lower side, with a forecast half inch or more of rain expected to bump flows and add color. Early trout redds traditionally show up in Central PA around the end of October, and Costa expects them within the next two weeks on Spring Creek. For anglers looking for fall fly fishing strategies in Central PA, the approach is to nymph through the leaf litter now and be ready for a streamer bite as rain and cooler nights take hold.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
How do falling leaves affect fly fishing in Central PA during the fall?
Leaves turning and falling into the water, especially on windy days, make it difficult to get a good drift. George Costa says this contributed to a slower week on Central PA streams. Nymphs have still produced for anglers who can get their flies through the leaves.
What fly fishing methods are working best in Central PA in early fall?
Nymphing has been the most consistent method, as long as anglers can work through the leaves in the water. Dry fly action has been hit or miss even with caddis, olives and Isos around. Costa expects the streamer bite to start picking up soon, particularly on days that are not super windy.
How will fall rain change fly fishing conditions in Central PA?
With flows easing toward the lower side, Costa sees a forecast half inch or more of rain as a great little bump. The rain should clear out leaves, add a bit of color to the water and get the streamer bite going.
When do trout start building redds on Spring Creek?
Early redds traditionally appear in Central PA around the end of October. Costa expects to start seeing them within the next two weeks, especially on Spring Creek, where trout tend to build redds on the earlier side. Now is the time of year for anglers to start watching out for them.
How can anglers find TCO Fly Shop's fall and winter classes?
TCO lists its classes under the Education tab at tcoflyfishing.com. New classes were just posted for the Reading location, and the State College shop offers fly tying and on-the-water classes. The State College shop is open 9 to 6 Monday through Saturday and 9 to 3 on Sunday, and TCO's other shops keep similar hours.
Related Content
S8, Ep 71 - Fall Fishing Forecast: George Costa on Streamers, Hatches and Safety Tips
S7, Ep 94 - Rain Dance Revelations: George Costa on Central PA's Fishing Forecast
S7, Ep 89 - Fall Fishing Forecast: George Costa's Insights on Low Water and Seasonal Strategies
S7, Ep 86 - Navigating Fall Waters: George Costa's Tips for Low and Clear Conditions
View all Central Pennsylvania Fishing Reports with George Costa
Connect with Our Guest
Follow TCO on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Follow the Show
Follow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.
Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.
Support the Show
Shop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.
Join our Patreon community to support the show.
If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.
Subscribe & Advertise
Subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app.
Think our community is a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.

Episode Overview
In the final Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report of the season on The Articulate Fly, Captain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides explains how to keep putting smallmouth bass in the boat as Central Pennsylvania's rivers drop to low, crystal-clear fall levels. It's a timely fly fishing podcast segment for anyone chasing smallmouth late in the season, when the fish get stingy and every presentation mistake gets punished.
Two weeks after a healthy shot of rain, a nor'easter that came up the East Coast delivered far less precipitation than hoped, and both the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers are now dropping and gin clear. Brian breaks down why the fish are tough: a pattern of short stable spells broken by passing cold fronts and falling barometric pressure, combined with steadily dropping water that makes smallmouth easier to spook. His answer is constant adjustment, rotating patterns and downsized Clouser Minnows until something works, then changing again when the bite dies a mile or two downriver.
Marvin and Brian also dig into drift boat presentation for low, clear water: longer casts placed slightly upstream so the fly swings down and across ahead of ledges and drop-offs, keeping the boat steady and the oarlock "window" each angler should fish from the bow and stern to get a natural, drag-free drift without mending. Brian covers his color strategy for overcast versus bright days, why he's staying with floating lines as the river gets skinny and why tiny lead eyes beat bead chain for getting Clousers down without hanging up. The episode wraps with how to book spring 2027 smallmouth dates before Brian hits the winter show circuit.
Key Takeaways
Why passing cold fronts and steadily dropping water make Pennsylvania smallmouth moody and why stable weather fishes better.
How to cast longer and slightly upstream in low, clear water so your fly comes down and across a ledge or drop-off before the fish see the boat.
How bow and stern anglers can each keep their casts inside an oarlock-defined window to get a drag-free drift at boat speed with no mending.
When to switch to darker flies on overcast days and brighter, flashier flies on sunny days.
How downsized Clouser Minnows with 1/50-ounce lead eyes on a floating line get to the fish without hanging up in skinny water.
When to book spring smallmouth dates, since April and May fill first and Brian recommends reaching out before the end of December.

Techniques & Gear Covered
This report focuses on drift boat streamer tactics for smallmouth in low, clear fall water. Brian casts longer and slightly upstream to get ahead of ledges and drop-offs, letting the fly come down and across rather than landing on top of spooky fish. He assigns each angler a casting window, with the bow angler working from the oarlock forward and the stern angler from the oarlock back, and has them cast at roughly 45 degrees so the fly drifts at boat speed with no belly in the line and no need to mend. On gear, he's fishing floating lines exclusively and downsized Clouser Minnows tied with 1/50-ounce lead eyes, keeping the fly moving so it gets down without snagging. Fly color follows the light, with darker patterns on overcast days and brighter patterns with more flash on bright days, while boat discipline matters too: anglers should stay centered in the lean bars rather than drifting to the gunwale, since a listing or rocking boat pushes out waves that spook fish.
Locations & Species
Fly fishing the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers in Central Pennsylvania for smallmouth bass is the sole focus of this late-season report. Both rivers are dropping and crystal clear after a nor'easter delivered less rain than expected, to the point where Brian went from floating anywhere he wanted to bouncing off rocks within two weeks. Fall cold fronts and falling barometric pressure are making the fish fussy, so late-season smallmouth fishing in low, clear water calls for stealthy presentations, smaller flies and frequent pattern changes. Unless rain arrives, this marks the end of Brian's smallmouth season, with bookings already open for spring and summer 2027.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
Why are smallmouth bass hard to catch in low, clear water in the fall?
Brian Shumaker says it's a combination of weather and water. Smallmouth like stability, and fall cold fronts that drop the barometric pressure make them moody and fussy. At the same time, steadily dropping, crystal-clear water means the fish can see anglers and boats more easily and spook.
How should you cast to smallmouth in low, clear water?
Make longer casts and place them slightly upstream so the fly can get ahead of the ledge or drop-off and come down and across to the fish. Because smallmouth can see you more easily in clear water, putting the fly ahead of them rather than on top of them reduces spooking. Keep the boat steady while casting, since rocking pushes out waves that alert fish.
Where should the front and back anglers cast from a drift boat?
The bow angler should cast from the oarlock forward and avoid casting straight downstream, because the boat drifts toward the fly and it covers no new water. The stern angler should cast from the oarlock back and avoid casting upstream, which only drags the fly unnaturally. Casting at about 45 degrees within that window lets the fly drift at boat speed with no belly in the line and no need to mend.
What fly colors work best for smallmouth on cloudy versus sunny days?
Brian goes with darker flies on overcast or cloudy days. On bright days he switches to brighter colors with more flash. Beyond color, he rotates patterns and downsizes Clouser Minnows constantly, because a fly that works in one stretch may stop producing a mile or two downriver.
What fly line and fly weight should you use for smallmouth in low water?
Brian fishes floating lines exclusively as the river gets skinny. Instead of bead chain, he ties Clouser Minnows with 1/50-ounce lead eyes, which get the fly down where it needs to be. As long as you keep the fly moving, it won't hang up much in that kind of water.
Related Content
S8, Ep 69 - Navigating the Transition: Captain Brian Shumaker on Smallmouth Behavior and Fishing Techniques
S8, Ep 63 - Seasonal Shifts: Brian Shumaker's Smallmouth Strategies for Late Summer
S8, Ep 68 - The Fall Transition: Matt Reilly's Insights on Bass Behavior and Bug Fishing Strategies
S4, Ep 51 - SMALLIE REDUX: Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides
View all Pennsylvania Smallmouth Reports with Brian Shumaker
Connect with Our Guest
Follow Brian on Facebook and Instagram.
Follow the Show
Follow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.
Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.
Support the Show
Shop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.
Join our Patreon community to support the show.
If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.
Subscribe & Advertise
Subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app.
Think our community is a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.

Episode Overview
This award-winning episode of The Articulate Fly, which took 1st place in the 2026 Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) Excellence in Craft awards (Radio/Podcast: Conservation), features outdoorsman, conservationist and grassroots organizer Land Tawney on how hunters and anglers can protect America's public lands and waters. Recorded in Fall 2025, the conversation pairs Land's nearly 30 years of conservation advocacy with a candid assessment of what he calls the most serious threat to public lands he has seen in his career. Raised in Missoula, Montana, Land traces his conservation ethic to childhood float trips during the Big Hole River salmonfly hatch, his parents' work as full-time conservation lobbyists at the state legislature and mentors including fisheries biologist and author Jim Posewitz. He breaks down the three ingredients that helped grow Backcountry Hunters & Anglers to roughly 40,000 members across political lines (fun, an open path to volunteer leadership and standing for something) and explains how to coach empowered volunteers without breaking them. Land then introduces American Hunters and Anglers Action Network, a 501(c)(4) that can lobby without the limits placed on 501(c)(3) groups and engage directly in elections. He lays out a "dismantle, defund, divest" framework for current threats, from a proposed mine just south of Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Ambler Road through Alaska's Brooks Range. Finally, he makes the case for responsible development and principled compromise, citing the Land and Water Conservation Fund and Montana's Blackfoot Valley as models. It is essential listening for any angler who wants a real voice in the future of the waters they fish.
Key Takeaways
Why grassroots action is the most accessible way for busy anglers to influence conservation policy and how pressure from the field gives lobbyists leverage at the negotiating table in Washington, D.C.
How fun events, an open path to volunteer leadership and a consistent stand for the resource helped Backcountry Hunters & Anglers build an unusually broad coalition of hunters and anglers.
How to coach empowered volunteers after a misstep rather than holding them back, and why Land would rather rein in a running horse than coax one out of the barn.
When to lean in on an issue, with maximum effort reserved for bedrock fights such as the sale of public lands and attacks on the Clean Water Act that affect everyone.
Why the difference between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations determines who can lobby without limits and engage in elections, and how American Hunters and Anglers Action Network complements groups like Trout Unlimited.
How to recognize the "dismantle, defund, divest" pattern behind current threats to public lands and waters, from agency staffing cuts to land sale proposals.

Locations & Species
Land's fishing roots run through southwest Montana, where float trips during the Big Hole River salmonfly hatch shaped his earliest memories and mentor Dale Burk's favorite pattern, the Golden Stone, proved its worth even when salmonflies were on the water; Marvin recalls hitting the same hatch on the upper Madison River with his young son. The conservation discussion spans the 640 million acres of public lands Americans own, with particular focus on the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota, the caribou and salmon habitat of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the proposed 210-mile Ambler Road through Alaska's Brooks Range, which would cross 11 rivers and roughly 3,000 streams. Land points to Wyoming's oil and gas fields as a cautionary tale for mule deer and pronghorn migrations and to Montana's Blackfoot Valley as a model of collaborative compromise among timber companies, ranchers, hunters, anglers and recreationists. He also notes that roughly 70% of Montana's fishing access sites were funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a direct link between federal conservation policy and the places anglers actually fish.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
What is the difference between a 501(c)(3) and a 501(c)(4) conservation organization?
Land explains that 501(c)(3) groups such as Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Ducks Unlimited can devote only a limited portion of their budgets (he cites 20%) to grassroots and direct lobbying and cannot engage in electoral politics. A 501(c)(4) like American Hunters and Anglers Action Network can lobby full time and work to elect or unseat candidates based on their conservation records. Land sees the roles as complementary: the 501(c)(4) builds pressure from the grassroots so 501(c)(3) organizations can walk into the room and make the deals.
Why should anglers get involved in grassroots conservation advocacy?
Land argues that grassroots action is the easiest way for people with careers and limited time to make a difference, because it lets you "do what you can with what you got, where you are." Noise from the field is what gives lobbyists leverage in Washington, D.C., and, without that pushback, compromise and progress do not happen. His closing message is that hunters and anglers are either at the table or on the menu.
How did Backcountry Hunters & Anglers build such a broad coalition?
Land credits three ingredients. The first is making conservation fun through pint nights, brewfests, storytelling nights and film festivals, the second is letting any volunteer willing to contribute time and energy step into leadership without paying years of dues and the third is standing up for the resource every time in plain language. Combining youthful exuberance with the sage wisdom of longtime advocates attracted young and old members alike, and he also credits the talented volunteers and staff around him.
What are the biggest threats to public lands according to Land Tawney?
Land groups the threats into three categories: dismantling, defunding and divesting. Dismantling includes deep federal agency workforce cuts (which he estimates at about 25% of most agencies), a threatened reduction in force and efforts to open special places like the Boundary Waters and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to development. Defunding includes a proposed 35% cut to federal land management agencies, while divesting refers to public land sale proposals that were stripped from legislation but that Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee chair Mike Lee has said he is not done pursuing.
How can public lands be developed responsibly without sacrificing conservation?
Land stresses that he is not anti-development, citing Theodore Roosevelt's principle of managing resources for the most people over the longest time. He points to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a compromise that balanced North Slope development with protection, to phased oil and gas development that cleans up as it goes and to the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which directs offshore oil and gas royalties to conservation and access nationwide. Modern selective timber harvest and the Blackfoot Valley collaborative show that compromise is a path forward rather than a dirty word.
Sponsors
Thanks to TroutRoutes for sponsoring this episode. Use artfly20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.
Related Content
S8, Ep 66 - The Roadless Rule Debate: Chris Wood on Protecting America's Wild Spaces and What You Can Do
S7, Ep 105 - Changing the Narrative: Robbie Kroger's Mission with The Origins Foundation
S7, Ep 91 - The Chocklett Factory: I Have Been Everywhere, Man
S8, Ep 14 - Crafting Connections: Blane Chocklett on Fly Design and Conservation at Tie Fest
Connect with Our Guest
Follow Land on Instagram.
Follow American Hunters and Anglers Action Network on Facebook,

Episode Overview
On this Casting Angles episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash and Mac Brown, fly casting instructor at Mac Brown Fly Fish in Bryson City, North Carolina, unpack the biggest light bulb moment from Mac's recent casting mastery workshop: casting arc and applied power are inseparable, and many loop problems blamed on "too much power" are really a mismatch between the two. It is a practical lesson for any angler who wants cleaner loops at varying distances, and it arrives just as Western North Carolina anglers face a delayed start to the fall delayed harvest trout season.
Mac explains why the same length of line can either unroll cleanly or turn into a tuck cast depending on how much force is applied across a given arc. He stresses reading the pace of the cast and shares a verbal cadence of "slow, slow, slow, fast" for timing the back cast. He also offers a quick yard drill that pairs a very slow stroke with a very narrow arc to show how easily minimal power overwhelms a short casting path. Marvin adds a power calibration drill built around rod noise and backing off until the loop collapses.
The second half turns to conditions and news. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is pushing delayed harvest stocking back a month to early November and stocking fewer fish after a brutally hot and dry summer, a hatchery renovation and heat-related fish kills. Mac celebrates Team USA's first-ever adult men's team and individual gold medals at the world championships in Idaho, led by Michael Bradley of Cherokee, and previews his four-day fall school. Cooler nights and fresh rain are finally dropping water temperatures on Southern Appalachian trout streams such as Deep Creek.
Key Takeaways
How to diagnose a tuck cast by reading the pace of the cast rather than assuming the problem is simply too much power.
Why casting arc and applied power must be matched, so that a narrow arc needs far less effort than most anglers expect.
How to use a "slow, slow, slow, fast" verbal cadence to time the back cast and stop rushing the stroke.
How to find the minimum power for a symmetrical loop by backing off until the loop collapses and then adding just a touch of force back.
Why a low frequency whoosh from the rod is an audible sign you are overpowering the cast.
When to expect Western North Carolina delayed harvest stocking this fall and why a hot summer and hatchery setbacks pushed it to early November.

Techniques & Gear Covered
The core technique is matching casting arc to applied force: Mac uses the traditional clock face framework, such as a stroke from 10 o'clock to midnight, to show how excess force on a given arc produces a tuck cast instead of a line that simply unrolls. Marvin frames arc length as the runway for acceleration, noting that a longer stroke lets you build speed gradually and that overpowering the final pinky pull on a short runway produces a tuck. Mac's yard drill pairs a very slow forward stroke with a very narrow arc to form a tight loop, then widens the arc until effort and path match for a perfectly straight cast. Marvin's complementary drill uses the low frequency whoosh of the rod as feedback, backing power off until the loop collapses and then adding a smidge to establish a symmetrical foundation. Together the two drills put the caster in charge of both variables: the effort and the length of the path.
Locations & Species
Fall trout fishing in Western North Carolina starts later than usual this year, with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission delaying delayed harvest trout stocking by a month to the beginning of November and planning to stock fewer fish. The delay follows a brutally hot and dry summer, the closure of the Pisgah hatchery for a major renovation in late 2025 and fish kills at the Armstrong hatchery, where hot water on Armstrong Creek was made worse by tree cover lost to Hurricane Helene. Conditions for Southern Appalachian trout are improving, with four straight nights in the mid-40s, a three-inch rain after roughly two months without a significant one and noticeably cooler water on streams like Deep Creek. Marvin also notes that the Tennessee side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park has had plenty of water.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
Why does my fly line tuck on the back cast even when I'm not using much power?
According to Mac Brown, arc and power are so interrelated that a tuck is often a mismatch between the two rather than simply too much power. With a very narrow arc, even minimal effort can be too much and turn the loop into a tuck. Widening the arc to match the effort you are applying produces a straight cast that simply unrolls.
How do you know how much power a fly cast needs?
Marvin Cash's drill is to keep backing off the power until the loop collapses, then add back just a smidge of force. That point is the foundation for a symmetrical cast. A low frequency whooshing sound from the rod is a reliable sign that you are using too much power.
How should you time the back cast?
Mac recommends saying "slow, slow, slow, fast" out loud as you make the back cast, which reflects how long the stroke should take. If the cast is already over by the time you reach the first "slow," you have applied too much force too early. Watching the pace of the cast is the quickest way to see whether timing is the problem.
When does delayed harvest trout stocking start in Western North Carolina this fall?
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is delaying delayed harvest stocking by a month, so it will not begin until the beginning of November, and fewer fish will be stocked. The delay stems from a brutally hot and dry summer, the renovation of the Pisgah hatchery and heat-related fish kills at the Armstrong hatchery. Marvin suggests using the extra time for casting practice and skill work on the water.
Related Content
S7, Ep 80 - Foundations of Fly Casting: Mastering Variability and Adaptability with Mac Brown
S7, Ep 76 - From Repetition to Retention: The Path to Mastery in Fly Casting
S8, Ep 7 - Casting Foundations and Fishing Frameworks: Insights with Mac Brown
S8, Ep 67 - Elevate Your Cast: Mac Brown's Expert Tips on Haul Timing and Line Speed
S7, Ep 85 - Navigating Delayed Harvest: Mac Brown's Insights on Fall Fishing Tactics
View All Casting Angles Episodes with Mac Brown
Connect with Our Guest
Follow Mac on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Follow the Show
Follow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.
Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.
Support the Show
Shop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.
Join our Patreon community to support the show.
If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.
Subscribe & Advertise
Subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app.
Think our community is a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.

Episode Overview
George Costa, manager of TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, returns to The Articulate Fly for another Central PA Fishing Report as the region shifts firmly into fall. Recent rain has pushed creeks across Central Pennsylvania's limestone country well above seasonal flows and off-color, but George reports everything is on the drop and should be fishable again this weekend, with cool water temperatures keeping trout active and comfortable. Fall hatch activity is picking up, with Isos (Isonychia), tan caddis and October caddis all showing well, and George notes a recent streamer bite that produced trout already colored up for fall. He and host Marvin Cash also flag a practical safety reminder: Pennsylvania's fall hunting seasons open October 1st, so anglers fishing shared public waters such as Spring Creek Canyon on state game lands should wear blaze orange. Away from the water, George runs down what's happening at TCO's shops heading into the off-season, including end-of-summer clearance pricing on Simms, Grundens and Patagonia gear, and a full slate of fall and winter fly tying and on-the-water classes across TCO's locations. Among the highlights is a class taught by Allen Rupp, Dave Whitlock's legacy tyer, covering streamer tying and the NearNuff Sculpin pattern. The conversation offers a quick, practical snapshot for anglers planning trips to Central Pennsylvania's limestone streams this fall: current conditions, what's hatching, where the fish are biting and how to gear up.
Key Takeaways
How to time a trip to Central PA limestone streams safely as high, off-color fall water drops back into shape this week.
Why fall streamer fishing is heating up as cooling water temperatures push trout to feed aggressively ahead of the spawn.
What to watch for on the hatch front, including Isos, tan caddis and October caddis activity as Central Pennsylvania moves deeper into fall.
Why anglers should wear blaze orange on Pennsylvania state game lands like Spring Creek Canyon once hunting season opens October 1st.

Techniques & Gear Covered
George highlights a developing fall streamer bite on Central Pennsylvania's limestone streams, with trout already showing fall coloration as water temperatures cool. He also flags active Iso, tan caddis and October caddis hatch activity worth matching as conditions stabilize after recent high water. On the gear side, TCO Fly Shop is running end-of-summer clearance pricing on Simms, Grundens and Patagonia. TCO's fall and winter class schedule includes a streamer tying session and a NearNuff Sculpin class taught by Allen Rupp, Dave Whitlock's legacy tyer, alongside additional fly tying and on-the-water instruction across TCO's locations.
Locations & Species
This report centers on Central Pennsylvania's limestone stream country in and around State College, including public water on state game lands such as Spring Creek Canyon. Recent rain pushed local creeks well above seasonal flows and off-color, though George reports levels are dropping and the fishery should be fishable again this weekend. Trout are the focus of this fishery, and cooling water temperatures combined with fall hatch activity (Isos, tan caddis and October caddis) are setting up favorable conditions heading into peak fall streamer season. Anglers should expect high, off-color flows to continue to clear absent additional rain.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
Are Central Pennsylvania's limestone streams fishable right now?
Yes, but use caution. Recent rain pushed creeks well above seasonal flows and off-color, but George Costa reports water levels are dropping and the fishery should be fishable again this weekend heading into the following few weeks.
What fall hatches are active on Central PA streams right now?
George reports good numbers of Isos (Isonychia), tan caddis and October caddis beginning to show, all typical fall hatch activity for late September into early October in Central Pennsylvania.
Why is fall a good time for streamer fishing in Central PA?
As water temperatures cool, trout become more aggressive and begin coloring up ahead of the fall spawn. George reports a recent streamer bite already producing colored-up fish, with more good streamer water expected over the next few weeks.
Why should anglers wear orange on Pennsylvania state game lands this time of year?
Pennsylvania's fall hunting seasons, including deer and pheasant seasons, open October 1st. Anglers fishing shared public water such as Spring Creek Canyon should wear blaze orange to stay visible to hunters using the same game lands.
Where can anglers find fall and winter fly tying classes near State College, PA?
TCO Fly Shop runs a full schedule of tying and on-the-water classes at its State College shop, including a streamer class and a NearNuff Sculpin class taught by Allen Rupp, Dave Whitlock's legacy tyer. Full listings are at tcoflyfishing.com.
Related Content
S6, Ep 118 - Central PA Fall Fishing Report: George Costa's Tips and Tactics
S6, Ep 129 - TCO Fly Shop's George Costa Discusses Prime Fall Fishing Conditions
S7, Ep 49 - Rain, Hatches and Cicadas: A Central PA Fishing Update with George Costa
S7, Ep 70 - The Dog Days of Summer: Trico Tactics in Central PA with George Costa
View all Central Pennsylvania Fishing Reports with George Costa
Connect with Our Guest
Follow TCO on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Follow the Show
Follow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.
Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.
Support the Show
Shop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.
Join our Patreon community to support the show.
If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.
Subscribe & Advertise
Subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app.
Think our community is a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.