Allegheny River in Venango County

been slaying them on live bait as always

The floating grass is absolutely miserable right now. We need a day or two of rain to bring the river way up and wash out the grass.
 
Other than that, fishing has been pretty good.

Where does all that floating crap come from...  I think it's the worst I've seen since... maybe ever.
 

ready2fish

The floating grass is absolutely miserable right now. We need a day or two of rain to bring the river way up and wash out the grass.

Other than that, fishing has been pretty good.

The river has been low and clear nearly all Spring and Summer, so yea, the river grass has grown thicker than normal. It has on French Creek as well. Actually, it's thicker, and has grown in more places, than I have ever seen. Numerous things start the grass breaking loose, but the main thing is a drop in water temperature this time of year causing die off to begin, and dead grass to break loose.
It's worse after a rain, one that actually raises the water level, because the floating grass will gather in slow pockets and eddies when water level is low. The rising water causes it to move out and wash down.
We actually need a deluge to wash the river out and I was hoping for the remnants of Hurrican Isaac to wash  us out, but sadly it looks as if that probably won't happen.
If you think the grass makes fishing miserable, try running a jet drive outboard in it! You have to stop and clean the jet out constantly!

Yeah, I ran my jet last night... not fun.  And the fishing is tough also... not sure what lures to use other than short casts with "weedless" soft plastics.

Smashed the bass last night wet wading all within knee deep water and all within the City of Franklin limits. Lots of 14-15" and biggest was 17.5" 
 
 
 
Very healthy fish 

Very odd story...I fish this section alot...might have to pack the M&P next trip 
 
 

FRANKLIN, Venango County – A Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO) is investigating the case of a river otter attacking an angler around 2 p.m. on Sept. 11, at the junction of French Creek and the Allegheny River, just off Ninth Street, adjacent to the Riverfront Park in Franklin, Venango County.


Game Commission WCO Ronda Bimber is urging the public to notify her through the agency’s Northwest Region Office with any information about the situation. Calls can be placed to the Northwest Region office at 814-432-3187.


“This area is frequently used by the public, so we are encouraging park users to look out for any suspicious activity by river otters,” said WCO Bimber, who will be checking the area today. “At this point, it is not clear what initiated the attack.”


According to WCO Bimber, a 27-year-old Franklin man was wet wading and observed a river otter on the bike trail side of the river. 


“The individual fishes the area often and said he didn’t find the presence of a river otter to be unusual,” WCO Bimber said. “He heard the otter enter the water and watched it swim at a diagonal to his position. The otter then turned and swam directly toward him. He made noise and slapped the water with his fishing rod unsuccessfully. The otter dove and proceeded to bite and scratch the victim.


“The angler sustained five bites to the leg and one on his big toe, along with numerous scratches to his legs. The incident ended when he was able to kick the otter in the head.”


Following the attack, the angler got out of the water to seek medical attention. As he left the water, he lost sight of the otter. He sought medical attention.
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Wow, he otter be more careful next time.  Seriously, though, I have fished that stretch of the river for years, especially before they put the new bridge in and screwed up the  currents.  Always had deer and critters come down to the shore while I was out wading. 
The most frustrating was the time I left most of my soft shell crabs in a box on the shore.  While I was in chest deep water I watched a family of racoons come down and make short work of them.
The scariest was the time I was fishing the river and it was pretty stained.  Had a couple of smallmouths on my stringer when something tried to rip the stringer off my belt  Seems a snapping turtle thought I was providing him with  breakfast that day.  A short battle ensued which left the turtle heading for deeper water and me for a change of pants.  You  never know what you will encounter!

been averaging 10+ runs a night on cats .... on like 3-4 landed though but thats what happens when using 6 lb test lol ... dont take any real good bait with me cuz i dont wanna be set up for the heartbreak ... gonna be hitting it real hard for eyes soon from shore ... should be getting close to being good with these cold nights
 

Anybody getting northerns?