2022/04/28 21:11:13
EMitch
MyWar
Thanks for info. That all sounds promising. I’ve ridden the bike trail up there and that section of river looks pretty nice, but I’ve never fished it. There are a couple islands and the mouth of Crooked Creek are right there, so that all looks pretty fishy… would you recommend heading downstream of Rosston? Or heading up river towards kittaning?

 
Again, MyWar, your good at the mouth of Crooked Creek and you can go downstream from there. Just remember, if you come downstream from Kittanning, from the big bridge down to Rosston, stay close to the barge channel until you're near the island, then go across over to Crooked Creek.

MyWar
There is another stretch that looks super nice, just below Rimer. But I think I’d have to launch at Templeton and motor up to it. It might be a bit of a haul for a 14’ with a 9.9 and I haven’t been able to find a public launch any closer to Rimer. So I might be better off just starting with a stretch that’s more accessible.



There's a public PFC launch in EauClaire and you can come downstream from there. North of that, you'd need a Jet outboard. At one time, there was a navigable barge channel from Pittsburgh to EauClaire. If I recall, not much parking there but the PFC used to have a nice aluminum dock.
2022/04/28 22:06:57
Porktown
If looking for eyes, no question Allegheny over Arthur. Besides those in the know of Arthur eyes, they are far and few. Arthur is much more for largemouth, crappie, perch, channels and wipers. Musky guys can comment if a good place for that, a completely different breed of angler.
2022/04/29 00:00:41
Fisherlady2
MyWar, EMitch covered it well. The path north from Rosston launch is tricky. The marina is just north of the launch and as you head upstream towards it you will have to cut a pretty hard left to go straight out to the barge channel before heading upstream. Behind the island (from the launch south) are some really deep holes and decent catfishing. Turtles are common in the area also.  When running the navigation channel pay attention to the markers. If you are wanting to explore towards shoreline do so at slower speed because there are some pretty sudden shallow areas once you leave the channel.  I would cruise around to get the lay of the land before setting out any trolling gear (if you are trolling). 
Also, the launch is really steep and not improved (last time I was there) so no dock to tie off to or load boat from. If your tow vehicle is at all iffy on traction it may be a good idea to to a drive by sometime to scope it out before dragging your boat there and deciding something won't work. No lighting either, so parking and ramp are dark. Don't leave valuables in your car.  Our vehicle was never bothered but it has been a few years ago and I don't trust anyone any more. 
2022/04/29 00:15:00
MyWar
EMitch
MyWar
Thanks for info. That all sounds promising. I’ve ridden the bike trail up there and that section of river looks pretty nice, but I’ve never fished it. There are a couple islands and the mouth of Crooked Creek are right there, so that all looks pretty fishy… would you recommend heading downstream of Rosston? Or heading up river towards kittaning?

 
Again, MyWar, your good at the mouth of Crooked Creek and you can go downstream from there. Just remember, if you come downstream from Kittanning, from the big bridge down to Rosston, stay close to the barge channel until you're near the island, then go across over to Crooked Creek.

MyWar
There is another stretch that looks super nice, just below Rimer. But I think I’d have to launch at Templeton and motor up to it. It might be a bit of a haul for a 14’ with a 9.9 and I haven’t been able to find a public launch any closer to Rimer. So I might be better off just starting with a stretch that’s more accessible.



There's a public PFC launch in EauClaire and you can come downstream from there. North of that, you'd need a Jet outboard. At one time, there was a navigable barge channel from Pittsburgh to EauClaire. If I recall, not much parking there but the PFC used to have a nice aluminum dock.



Thanks. This is all very good to know.

Where is EauClaire? I can’t find it on Google Maps? I know a lot of this stretch from biking the river trail, but I don’t ever remember seeing a place called EauClair.

It seems I definitely need to put some time in on the river this year. My house to the Rosston launch is about 45 minutes, so a little longer drive time than to Arthur, but not much.
2022/04/29 07:44:05
Fisherlady2
MyWar
It seems I definitely need to put some time in on the river this year. My house to the Rosston launch is about 45 minutes, so a little longer drive time than to Arthur, but not much.



With times being that close I would pick the river every time,  Moraine is great, but not nearly as diverse (IMO) and about 10x more crowded than I can tolerate. The only river downfalls are infrequent power boat issues and susceptibility to fluctuations in water levels and mud content with rainfall. 
 
2022/04/29 09:54:28
MyWar
Fisherlady2

With times being that close I would pick the river every time,  Moraine is great, but not nearly as diverse (IMO) and about 10x more crowded than I can tolerate.
 


I hear that. I love fishing the middle Allegheny but I’ve only fished it from a canoe or kayak. I’m curious as to how different the deeper pools on the lower section are. Sounds like it’s time to get on the water and start checking it out.
2022/04/29 11:53:58
EMitch
I spend most of my river time on pools 4 & 7. Leaving the Buffalo Creek launch and going down river, within 150 yds. you'll see an old slate dump from the steam engine days when Butler Jct. was an interchange. Used to be a coal tipple there and a coal mine right above. Just off of that slate dump the water is 50' deep, and much of the channel downstream to and past the cove by River Forest you'll find water from 28' to 40' deep. The dredgers really ruined much of the structure all the way north from there. Just found out my oldest is out there right now. I texted him and he got a 17" eyeball at the cove on the first drop! Caution: spot burn.
Launching from Cowanshanok Creek on pool 7, if you go slightly down stream across the river there is a cove. We catch eyeballs, crappie, white bass, and the occasional musky in there and at the entrance from the river. Going north from there up to the high train bridge at the mouth of Pine Creek, there's deep dredged holes in the original channel. Walleyes! Fairly decent all along the west side up to #8 dam which has a power plant on the west side. 50' deep there, but across by the lock be careful. Rocks, and be prepared to tie a lot of knots; the snags are unlimited! You'll get eyeballs, catfish, and an occasional small mouth or musky too. When going down Cowanshanok Creek from the launch, stay on the right side of the bridge pier. Good fishing at times right at the mouth. Plenty of good parking at both those launches.
2022/04/29 12:02:49
EMitch
MyWar

Thanks. This is all very good to know.

Where is EauClaire? I can’t find it on Google Maps? I know a lot of this stretch from biking the river trail, but I don’t ever remember seeing a place called EauClair.




My bad, MyWar! It's not EauClaire, it's Brady's Bend. (Had my head up my rear)!+ Take 268 North off 28 at West Kittanning. You'd be heading toward Bruin.
2022/04/29 14:15:30
MyWar
Oh man it’s on now.

I think there is a lock between that launch at Brady’s Bend and the section I’m trying to get to below Rimer. No big deal, seems like there is plenty of other water to check out.

Appreciate all the info. I will you all know what I get into. Might not get out this weekend but maybe next.
2022/05/06 14:59:49
MyWar
Well I won’t be getting anywhere near Arthur or the river or anywhere else this weekend…

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