North Central PA fishing

Pray in the Bay....the fish here need you too.

Good luck duud!

ORIGINAL: cbeagler

Well, it looks like a move may be in my future. I have been called by a church in Athens, PA to consider coming as their new pastor. Only about 4 hours away, so I will still make plenty of time for getting back here to fish. And also up to Pulaski, Oswego, Catherine Creek, etc. And I will be an hour or so from PA Grand Canyon.

But, does anyone know of fishing around Sayre, Towanda, Athens?

Yes. It's been a few years, but the Chemung River, near the NY state line, used to fish really, really well for walleyes. I'd imagine smallmouth too.

Good luck.

edit: when I say a few years, I mean 8-10 not 30. haha.

I grew up in the Valley and can promise you that your fishing opportunities will not be limited.  You have the Susquehanna and Chemung Rivers in your back yard.  They are just about as fertile for warmwater fisheries as you will find anywhere in the country.  Trout fishing is very solid with several streams within an hour of your location both in NY and PA.  Less than an hour north is the Finger Lakes which are unbelievable fisheries all year around for cold and warmwater species.  If you like to hunt, deer and turkeys are more than plentiful and upland game prevails with grouse and rabbits.  On a side note be real cautious of you speed on 86 between Chemung and your exit at Rt. 220.  Also, watch 220 as the South Waverly and Sayre PD's thrive on tickets...  keep in touch as you finalize plans and I can give you tips for the area.  One final thing, there is a bait shop in Waverly (Wright's- run by Gina and Steve).  They are good people and will get you going in the right direction.  Good Luck and I am jealous.  Thought I was finished... You mentioned Catherine's.  Plain and simple it is a zoo on the opener and is overrated in the spring.  December... that's a different story (rainbows primarily and some are very large), but there are other streams that offer fall runs of Landlocked Atlantics and Giant Browns that I would prefer personally. 

I,m sure God will take care of your fishing needs Pastor , He knows the desires of our hearts, and some of His main men were fishermen. Yeah there was a tax collector in the mix too but we wont go there.. You,ll probably have some knowledgeable fisher persons in the congregation. Take care and may the Lord richly bless your ministry . 

Check out Pine Creek Outfitters website. Rent a bike--they will drive you to the trail-pedal into the Canyon and enjoy!

C. Being a pastor in the Valley makes you part of a very small world. You are about to become friends and colleagues with many people that I consider to be my closest all time friends. At some time (if this indeed comes through), lets have a talk. If nothing else we can exchange phone numbers. I will be up over Memorial day (fishing trip with my dad and my son). I will also be there over the 4th of July and for my 25 class reunion in September. If nothing else, perhaps we can share breakfast at the Town Diner or the old Keystone Inn (you will quickly learn of them: small towns...). Best of Luck and God Bless. Oh back to fishing, Kettle is fine but it is a haul. The W.B.Delaware is Blue Ribbon and only an hour... There is also a stream that will be 20 minutes from you that is full of giant native and stocked browns that will push the 10 pound barrier.

I see you are keeping your house here - I was going to say, you are welcome here anytime you want to go for steelhead.

Of course, there might be some arm twisting when I want a change of scenery to fish in your new neck of the woods!

Beagler, you will find your jonboat to be a perfect setup in the Chemung and Suesq.  Every angler up there practically utilizes them.  You may need to get out and walk it through some areas on both areas, but that is short and the boat will take itself through the riffles without anglers inside it.  There are now state ramps every 5-10 miles on the entire Chemung River. 

ORIGINAL: imrinc

I see you are keeping your house here - I was going to say, you are welcome here anytime you want to go for steelhead.

Of course, there might be some arm twisting when I want a change of scenery to fish in your new neck of the woods!

Thanks John. I am looking forward to getting to know the area again. I was ordained just up the road from there, went to Bible College in Binghamton, had friends in Elmira, Watkins Glen, and Horseheads. I pastored a church in Wellsboro and used to make hospital calls in Sayre.

So, I will scout it out.

That's cool ! Was raised in Horseheads, saw some races at Watkins and had a couple glider rides off Harris Hill. Man, that was YEARS ago !! Loved the area, best wishes in your endeavors.

Been almost 40 years. What an old age reality check just typing that !

Once you leave Erie, you will spend the rest of your life TRYING to get back!! I know, I left in 1993 and have been dreaming about moving back for the last 18 years. No freshwater fishing in the world even comes close. Think about it. Walleye average 8 lbs,Steelys average 6-8 lbs(also tons of them EVERY year), Smallys average 5 lbs, Huge perch.....etc.  Man do I hate living in Central Pa. On a bright note I will be retiring on a full pension in 7 years and 8 months at the ripe old age of 47.   DON"T LEAVE ERIE.