Trib fishing

Trib fishing

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Trib fishing - 8/6/2008 7:25:58 AM

Cold

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Since I'm planning on going up for Steelhead for the first time, I've decided it'd probably be a good idea to make a trip up to Erie ahead of time to get a little familiarized with the area. I'd love to do a little fishing, but I'm not really keen on fishing the big water. Can anyone give me an idea of what might be lurking in the trib streams this time of year?

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/6/2008 8:31:34 AM

formerguide

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Not much... the occasional smallie, some chubs, suckers, etc... You'll see that the streams themselves are generally infertile and quite sterile- not the least of which, depending upon recent rainfall amounts, they can be virtually devoid of water in the summer. Best bet, fish the Bay, or target the stream mouths very early and late in the day for a few stray steelies or maybe a nice brown trout...

Dan

(in reply to Cold)

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/6/2008 10:01:12 AM

Bughawk

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formerguide's advice is good. There is not much in the tribs during this time of the year. If you do want to walk the streams and fish a little, try Elk. It is the largest of the tribs and even when the water levels are low has a few deeper holes than the others. I really doubt you will find many if any steelies in the tribs right now, but who knows. I saw one caught in early July a few years ago...

Good luck.

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/6/2008 10:56:35 AM

MRBM

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You probably won't catch much, but exploring the tribs during low water will give you a good idea of where the holes and lies are and future steelhead holding areas will be. Since you are starting out, the lower ends of both Elk and Walnut should be good to check out. Bear in mind that the tribs can change drastically from season to season - old holes fill in, new ones are carved, shale banks collapse, etc, so even experienced guys can learn new things every year in the "preseason". So put on some shorts and wading shoes and explore while the water is warm and low. Its fun.

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/6/2008 12:37:20 PM

pxatim

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quote:

ORIGINAL: MRBM

You probably won't catch much, but exploring the tribs during low water will give you a good idea of where the holes and lies are and future steelhead holding areas will be. Since you are starting out, the lower ends of both Elk and Walnut should be good to check out. Bear in mind that the tribs can change drastically from season to season - old holes fill in, new ones are carved, shale banks collapse, etc, so even experienced guys can learn new things every year in the "preseason". So put on some shorts and wading shoes and explore while the water is warm and low. Its fun.

yeah some of my favorite holes have changed completely in the past 2-3 years. It's always a surprise as to what the creeks look like the first trip of the year. That's half the fun though

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/6/2008 12:49:07 PM

MackJ

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Don't forget your facemask and snorkel:

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/6/2008 5:43:16 PM

Cold

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Thanks for the honesty, guys. I was kinda afraid you'd all say that. I just got my schedule for the fall, and it looks like I'll have more free time than usual, so maybe I'll be able to hold off on a trip north until mid to late September, which seems like a good idea since the tribs resemble dirty bathwater, with a similar amount of fish to go with the appearance, in the dead of summer.

Again, thank you all for the helpful advice!

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/6/2008 9:34:24 PM

mgolf92

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Don't get your hopes too crushed yet my friend. I fish Elk in the summer all the time. In Upper Elk there are many Chubs Sunfish and smallish Smallies, and the occasional biggie, to be caught. They take neutral colored streamers and buggy nymphs well. Tommorow, I'll be doing some nymphing on Upper Elk. It's a great way to find nice spots for later, and it's fun to hook up with a Smallie while highsticking like you would for Steelies. However, they generally prefer the seams and slower water. They also like the pocket water hiding behind big boulders, which is fun to nymph with an upstream drift. It can be a nice relaxing wat to spend a day. And some times the fishing can be really hot. But I wouldn't make a "trip" of it. I just live close, so I enjoy a bikeride and some peaceful fishing. After work it really cools me down. I can take it slower, just sit, watch, and make the occasional cast, and I even catch a fish every once in a while! Haven't caught a brown in Elk in a while, though I was frequently during the spring and early summer.

Mike

(in reply to Cold)

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/6/2008 9:44:45 PM

Kokanee Killer

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well said golf,wish i lived that close

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 11:13:12 AM

Bughawk

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mgolf makes a good point. There are fish to catch in the streams, but I wonder how many people want to drive for a few hours to catch panfish, a odd smallie and chubs? It is always fun to walk the tribs and fish, but if you are coming especially to chase steelies, this time of year can be rather disappointing.

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 11:32:41 AM

catchinfish

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I wished I lived close too. Every summer I say I'm gonna come up and explore and learn more of the creeks but never make it. Living in Pittsuburgh doesn't help. It's about 125 miles one way. It isn't to bad but like everyone else it's hard to find the time. At least I know I can come up in the fall and hook into some steel. Just thinking about puts a smile on my face.

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 11:42:49 AM

pxatim

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I wish I was only 125 miles away

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 12:00:43 PM

catchinfish

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pxatim, how far are you?

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 12:08:48 PM

pxatim

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Harrisburg... 300 miles and about a 4.5hr drive to Erie. Still make 10+ trips a year.

< Message edited by pxatim -- 8/7/2008 12:10:36 PM >

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 12:09:34 PM

pxatim

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I got 3 weeks vacation just waiting to be used in November!!! I'm itchin for fall to get here.

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 12:13:38 PM

catchinfish

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Ya, that's a rough distance. But as we all know it's worth it to catch some steelhead. I can't think of anything else I would want to do with 3 weeks vacation than catch some chromers! The itch has got me bad. The last trip I made was on Good Friday and it seemed like it was 5 years ago already.

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 12:16:44 PM

pxatim

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I haven't been up since January... it's all I've been thinking of. Well worth the drive. Last year was my 6th year fishing the tribs. And by far the best.

I save all my vacation every year for steelhead and hunting. It's nice having almost the entire month of november off. Sure makes it hard to get back into the swing of things at work haha

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 12:25:36 PM

catchinfish

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It's funny last year was the first time I ever fished in Erie for steelhead. I have always fished for stockies around the pittsburgh area but steelhead is its own breed of fishing. I was able to go up at the end of November and I have been hooked since. A lot of people will tell you the first few times you go don't expect to catch much but I must have been the lucky one. I made it up about a dozen times and only once did I not do well. It was about 15 degrees and what seemed like glaciers coming down the creek. Managed to land 2. I don't even know how I did that. Haven't broke the 30 inch range yet but have caught two just under.

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 12:30:41 PM

pxatim

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That's awesome... keep at it man. My first year I didn't have a clue what I was doing. Just went up with my trout rod and some worms. I was walking along and saw 3 fish under a tree 5' off the bank I dropped a worm in front of them and one ate it. I set the hook and he took off winding me around 5-6 branchs and almost spooled me in the current. I've learned so much since them and I've been hooked ever since. Last year was finally the year I felt like I was getting pretty good with the fly rod. Every trip is a learning experience. It's even better when you take someone who's never been up there and hook them into their first steelhead.

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 12:58:54 PM

catchinfish

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I was lucky. A good friend of mine whos been up there before kind of showed me the ropes. Gave me an idea of what rods and reels to use, plus showed me flourocarbon which has been helpful. I've been trout fishing my whole life which helps, but steelhead are truly an incredible fish.

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 1:13:39 PM

formerguide

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quote:

ORIGINAL: pxatim

That's awesome... keep at it man. My first year I didn't have a clue what I was doing. Just went up with my trout rod and some worms. I was walking along and saw 3 fish under a tree 5' off the bank I dropped a worm in front of them and one ate it. I set the hook and he took off winding me around 5-6 branchs and almost spooled me in the current. I've learned so much since them and I've been hooked ever since. Last year was finally the year I felt like I was getting pretty good with the fly rod. Every trip is a learning experience. It's even better when you take someone who's never been up there and hook them into their first steelhead.

You're in Harrisburg? My in-laws live in Carlisle, and I'm out that way on occasion- you ever fish the Breeches or the Letort? How about Green Spring or Big Spring Creeks? I'll PM ya next time I'm out that way...

Dan

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 1:21:59 PM

pxatim

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Yes sir! Have you ever fished Clark Creek? There is a C&R fly fishing only section up in the mountains that holds some monsters.

Get ahold of me next time your out this way.

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 1:24:40 PM

formerguide

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My buddy, who lives near Lncaster, is always trying to get me to fish Clarks Creek... but I've never had the chance. I fish the Susquehanna occasionally when I'm out there, as well as Sherman's Creek for smallies (my in-laws own a big section of Sherman's...) I'll definitely give you a buzz if I get some time. Thanks!
Dan

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 1:34:53 PM

pxatim

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Sounds good man... I'm new to the area here as of this year. But I get out 2-3 times a week so I've found alot of good places to go. Clark, and Stoney Creek for trout, Swatara Creek, and The Conodoguinet for smallmouth. Fished the Susky a couple times now that you can wade it. I'd put this area in the top 3 in the State as far as fly fishing opportunities. With State College probably 1st and Erie and Harrisburg up there somewhere.

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 2:05:23 PM

indsguiz

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pxatim,
Boy I wished I lived as close as you do.

Cold,
Enjoy the walk along the creeks. That's how most of us "oldtimers" learned before the internet. Wouldn't hurt to carry a medium flyrod with you esp around follies and above. There are some decent small mouth 10-14" at places in the creeks. Look for inflows from other small streams with a hole nearby.

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 2:09:05 PM

pxatim

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haha always gotta one up me... jk

That's why I'm not complaining about the drive. I've met many people on the tribs from all over the country. It's amazing where people come from to fish up there. We have it pretty good.

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 2:11:45 PM

catchinfish

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pxatim, you're right. We are quite fortunate to have the oppurtunity to fish were we do. I'm sure there are but where can you go and consistently hook into big to huge trout. I guess New York and the great lakes.

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/7/2008 9:19:05 PM

indsguiz

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pxatim,
You ever fish the stretch by the Carlisle Country Club? I used to fish there often. And the yellow breaches, and one stream over by Carlisle Barracks. Used to like to go up above Enola and fish for smallies between the rocks. One year, when the river was way low my friend an I made it to the middle of the susky by jumping from rock to rock and fishing the holes between them. Dangerous? Yes, but we were 17 and fearless.

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/8/2008 9:07:33 AM

pxatim

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quote:

ORIGINAL: indsguiz

pxatim,
You ever fish the stretch by the Carlisle Country Club? I used to fish there often. And the yellow breaches, and one stream over by Carlisle Barracks. Used to like to go up above Enola and fish for smallies between the rocks. One year, when the river was way low my friend an I made it to the middle of the susky by jumping from rock to rock and fishing the holes between them. Dangerous? Yes, but we were 17 and fearless.

Yeah I fished over by the country club a couple weeks ago... and as for the susky... I waded almost to the statue of liberty the other week. I don't know if I'll do that again... at least by myself haha

You'd be(well maybe not you) surprised how deep some of those holes are... and slippery! Glad I can swim because I went in more than a couple times. Caught some nice fish though. There's some big rocks in there.

(in reply to indsguiz)

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RE: Trib fishing - 8/8/2008 10:34:51 AM

indsguiz

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pxatim,
About 15 years ago a friend and I tried to go up through the rocks in his boat and I was suprised at the amount of flow there is in some of the channels. We finally made it up and then he wasn't sure he wanted to go back down. And yes there are some nice deep holes there. (Ohmygawd I just "spot burnned" the Susky) The thing most folks don't realize is that in some of the holes there are some very nice sized fish. In the past I have caught: bass, pike, pearch, sunfish, catfish, smallies (lots and lots of smallies) and two vey large Brown trout from the big hole right below the semi waterfall out by the lady. If you've been there I'm sure you know which one. Maybe we will cross paths up in Erie some day.
Oh, in case you're wondering how I know all this. My aunt used to live in New Cumberland and I would spend 2-3 weeks every summer down with her. She was also a member of the Carlisle Country Club. They would golf. I would fish. Oddly enough I actually like the fishing opportunities around Harrisburg, just hate the impounded water. Has to be moving for me. You ever get over to the creek (clarks I think) by FIGMR. Or better yet fish the small creeks on FIGMAR?

< Message edited by indsguiz -- 8/8/2008 10:37:13 AM >

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