Fishing Reports, Streamflow and Conditions

General Conditions Update:
2/2/2012
  Things are continuing to be a bit crazy here!  The water has been up and down like crazy, but we are finally hearing some reports of fresh fish near the mouths.  Mind you that it is not all day, crazy good fishing reports, but some fresh fish are being caught.  I would suspect that things will start to get a bit better from here on out.  Also, time to start thinking about Ohio and the spring run fish that they get!  Tight lines, and happy fishing!
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Elk Creek:  Elk has been doing okay over the past couple of weeks.  Fish are spread out.  Not a ton of fish, but better than the usual iced over conditions we are typically seeing this time of year.  We do the Orvis reports for  Elk, and you can check out the latest by clicking here:  ELK REPORTS

 

20 Mile Creek:  20 has been seeing some fish low, but has been fishing on and off from the reports we have been hearing.   In many of our opinions, it is the prettiest stretch of steelhead water in Pa.  It is a relatively narrow creek, often fishes very clear, and can be technical fishing at times.  It has the fastest gradient of any steelhead creek in Pennsylvania.  Damon Newpher provides the reports for 20 Mile, which can be found here: 20 MILE CREEK. 

 

Walnut Creek:  Walnut is fishing okay near the mouth.  It is one of the more famous local steelhead waters, it is also one of the smallest.  The legendary Manchester Hole and the project water down low provides easy access to this fishery, and it is one of the first to get a run in the fall and spring.  It typically fishes best close to the mouth, and for unknown reasons, the upper river has fished poorly the past several years.  Certainly worth taking a look at!  While we don't do reports on Walnut (there are almost always fish down low), we do have a link for USGS streamflow data on this creek.  Flows around 100-200 cfs are optimal.  Above 400 is typically blown conditions.  USGS Data For Walnut

 

Conneaut Creek: The Connie hasn't been producing big numbers yet, but it is right around the corner.  The Connie' is an awesome stretch of water.  It can fish well starting in the fall, and we have caught steelhead in the creek into June and beyond some years!  One reason we love it so much is that it is swinging water!  That isn't to say that you cannot do nymphs and eggs here as well, but we figure, if you can swing, why not!  Orvis endorsed guide, guru and tying maniac, as well as shop buddy Greg Senyo provides reports on the Connie.  Bust out your switch rod, and step foot in Ohio!  This creek is only about a 1/2 an hour from Erie.  Remember that Ohio fishing licenses switch over in March!

 

Cattaraugus Creek:  The Catt' is about one hours drive from Erie in New York State near the town of Gowanda.  There are several stretches you can fish including the Indian Reservation.  If you do fish the reservation you will need and Seneca Nation fishing license.  The Catt is big water, and it is best fished with a switch rod or even a spey rod at times.  The New York DCNR provides maps and access information at the following link: NY DCNR INFO.  Fishing reports are also provided by the Orvis store in Williamsport.  You can access the reports by clicking here: CATT FISHING REPORTS

 

Chautauqua Creek:  This is another great little steelhead stream just across the Pennsylvania border in New York.  Similar to 20 mile in size and charecter, it features a fast gradient, and fly only zone, and slightly smaller crowds.  If you are fishing the east side, a great stream to consider adding to your trip.  Damon Newpher provides the reports on this stream.  CHAUTAUQUA CREEK FISHING REPORTS

 We have several inland trout streams within a couple hours drive of Erie.   We will list USGS Waterflow data links for the streams we fish, and give optimal flow information.  We won't be updating as far as what is hatching.  Given how far we are from some of these, we just are not on them enough to give you accurate info, and wouldn't want to lead our fisherman astray!  We recommend getting and using one of the Pennsylvania fishing guides to give you approximate hatch times.  Our favorites are Dwight Landis's book and Charlie Meck's book.  They both have great general hatch charts for streams we are mentioning here.  Where one of our partners is doing reports, we will link those up.

Oil Creek: Oil is below 500 and should fish awesome.  Look for caddis, some sulphers and don't be shy with streamers!  Oil is a bug factory!  Optimal flows for dry flies is 100-300, and 300-500 for streamers, nymphing and early season fishing.  Above 600 and it starts to get a bit ugly.  Oil is a mid sized stream, and the sulpher hatch is just plain epic when it comes on strong!!!  If you haven't fished it yet, this is the season.  Here is a link to the USGS flow data:
Oil Creek Flow

Allegheny River:  The 'gheny is a big chunk of water.  The first couple of miles below the dam seem to be the most productive. We don't hear a lot about tons of fish being pulled out, but the ones you do see typically are monsters!  Flows below 1200 are  doable, but we love flows in the low hundreds.  This is not an easy wading river in higher water and should not be triffled with!!! Here is a link to the flow data and fishing reports from Damon Newpher
Flow Data       Fishing Reports for the Allegheny

The Clarion River: The Clarion is where I (Steve) have had my best day fishing in Pennsylvania ever.  When you think of all the water in Pa, that is a pretty big statement.  I have been floored by how good the fishing really can be for stream bred browns in this sweet section of water.  It is best floated, and Damon Newpher is the guy to do it.  I personally love throwing meat and stripping big streamers on this water.  You never know what might come up and take a whack at it!  Here is a link to the conditions report on the Clarion:  Clarion River Conditions