2022/08/03 10:02:27
Porktown
I always look at the cf/s, since there is a median marker.  Seems to be the same graph, just different numbers.  Possibly could be different?  Looks like Ohiopyle and Connellsville are dropping quick.  Just need to see where this rain tomorrow and Friday go.  Talking close to an inch possible, which will definitely get things raised.
 
For local fishing, I pretty much either go to what is close and productive, which is the Yough (1/2 hour) or where I keep my boat near Arthur (1 hour).  I used to fish the 3 rivers a ton when I lived in the South Side and Greenfield.  I could get to a bunch of different spots in 10-30 minutes.  The most productive for me was Lock 3 on Allegheny or Mouth of Montour Run on the Ohio.  Both are now 45 minutes without traffic and 1.5 hours with...  Neither fish any better than the Yough though.  Mouth of Montour died years ago, but was EPIC for a few years before the poopy pipe was washed away.  Lock 3 is a good place to wade, but 28 can lock up like a parking lot.  Lock 3 is pretty much like the Yough in terms of wading and hitting different spots, at least in that rather small area.  I have a small creek a little more than 10 minutes from me, but it is garbage during the summer.  Spring, it is loaded with trout, but also loaded with fishermen.  I debated going this year a few times, but just didn't happen.  I'd much rather go to Arthur and play with the crappie.  But those times that I had a few hours to burn, I probably should check it out more.  I can be at a few places on the Mon in 15, but if I am packing up the gear and driving 15, why not 30 for better fishing in the Yough?  I enjoy wading or boating, much more than being stuck to the shore.  You can wade the Mon a bit, but it is more like wading a long dirty lake than it is a natural river with channels and rapids, etc. basically a large creek.  Cannonsburg is about 45 minutes and wouldn't fish there if it were 10 minutes away.  I get sucked into thinking it is a good idea every 2-3 years, then remember why I avoid it.  I've hit Cross Creek which is an hour and not worth it to fish from shore.  Same with Raccoon Creek and North Park Lake.  Pretty much my thoughts of Green Lick or other smaller lakes (an hour from my house).  I'm sure if I put in the time on a boat, they would all be decent fisheries or even figured out some shore spots/wading spots.  If I am driving an hour, it is going to be to Arthur.  I paid/pay too much to have a boat just sit.  I have put a ton of time in on the lake to figure some things out too, both on my own and some helpful info from others that fish the lake, many from this site and others on the water talking.  Which makes slow days more painful than slow days trying to figure out new water.  But I usually catch at least something there (although sometimes it is just bait)...  I will complain about catching an 18" wiper and a few panfish or break off something really nice.  Some take that as a banner day.  I have had days on Arthur that rival what charter captains plaster as advertisement.  I kind of expect close to that every time out, which just isn't realistic.
 
I also fish a ton of "unfamiliar waters" when I travel for work.  Most work trips, I pack my gear.  Often it is out of state and saltwater, but I fish a bunch of central and eastern PA waters too.  Usually only get a few hours, instead of sitting at my hotel.  So, I do enjoy the exploring aspect as well.  For those trips, catching anything is usually a win.  Since I do that rather often, I don't really seek that out locally.  I am looking to catch fish when I go locally.  Although, I do check out new spots on the Yough and even on Arthur, hitting spots that I found underwater structure or feel would be a good seasonal spot.  I just hit the Kiski with a few buddies on Sunday.  First time floating that river and ever in the stretch we hit.  It was basically like a more polluted Yough that took twice as long to get to...  I did get a bunch of nice smallmouth though.  So, if my buddies wanted to hit it again, I would.  I doubt that I would ever make a trip out there on my own though.
2022/08/03 22:13:27
MyWar
Do you ever fish wilhelm? It’s usually a bit more chill than Arthur, but it’s a bit longer drive…
2022/08/04 08:19:31
Porktown
Not from a boat. My thought of Wilhelm has always been, might as well go to Pymie if going that far. I’m sure a decent lake, but too far for me to do a day trip and deal with trailering my boat. I am pretty sure most inland lakes right now are dealing with very similar mid summer fishing patterns. I’m sure 1/4 of the boating/angling crowd as Arthur though.

I have debated to move my boat to Pymie. But the extra hour each way, I would definitely use even less. I have looked at property there, which has skyrocketed in the past two years. Anything that would produce revenue renting out was already beyond what I was wanting to spend. I was unable to convince family members to all chip in for a family camp.
2022/08/04 09:10:04
eyesandgillz
Heck pork, you could have driven halfway to Pymie in the time it took you to write post #571!
 
Glendale is nice if you want to travel out east for something different and if you want a couple spots to try with a yak or your boat (electric only), lemme know.   Couple small sized lakes out that way that can be worth your time....
 
Hopefully I'll have a couple salty pics to share next week....leaving Sat. for Emerald Isle but only staying until Wednesday.  Hopefully the weather/wind cooperate and we can get some toothy critters on the beach.  My son REALLY wants to catch a shark from the beach.  
2022/08/04 10:18:32
Porktown
I think that was a morning crapper post….

Hopefully good conditions for you guys at EI and your son (and you) can tie into a toothie one.

I have no idea where a good place to target them would be. I usually spend most of my time near the point area. I purposely rented places there the past two times. It gets really shallow at low tide though. So, if staying near there, you may need to fish in the inlet or walk a bit or wade out a bit to get over the large bar there at low tide, probably not recommended at night... It turns into a large saltwater swimming pool, so pretty cool to check out swimming wise during a day time low tide. 2 hours before and 2 after high tide, when there is a good bit of water pushed in, there is a ton of bait that makes its way there. The inlet right next to it is usually pretty fishy during any tide (besides slack), but not sure if sharks hang out there much. I’m sure some do. That area is one of my favorites.
2022/08/04 10:54:22
MyWar
Porktown
Not from a boat. My thought of Wilhelm has always been, might as well go to Pymie if going that far. I’m sure a decent lake, but too far for me to do a day trip and deal with trailering my boat. I am pretty sure most inland lakes right now are dealing with very similar mid summer fishing patterns. I’m sure 1/4 of the boating/angling crowd as Arthur though.



I don’t hit wilhelm often enough to get consistent results, but I usually do ok up there. There isn’t as much off shore structure as Arthur. The upper end stump field is pretty cool. Electric only, so fewer boats and no wake. It’s a bit of a haul tho and I’ve got way better at pulling fish out of the yough.

I’m really having a hard time talking myself into taking the boat out in July and August. Dealing with crowded lakes, getting bounced around by wake, and not catching all that much is not nearly as much fun as creeks and rivers this time of year.

This rain is looking like it might not be too bad. Rivers might be totally fishable this weekend.
2022/08/04 12:52:48
Porktown
MyWar
I’m really having a hard time talking myself into taking the boat out in July and August. Dealing with crowded lakes, getting bounced around by wake, and not catching all that much is not nearly as much fun as creeks and rivers this time of year.


100% my thoughts too.  If I knew a good crappie/perch pattern to bring home fillets, I could convince myself to give up a pretty consistent smallmouth bite.  It is all C&R, but they fight well and I really do enjoy wet wading over sweating my rear off when it is hot and humid. 
 
The Yough for me, especially wading, I can get out there and have a worthwhile outing with a 3-4 hour window, which seems to be all that I can really ever get.  Arthur requires a 5+ hour window which I can get every so often.  Erie is 12 hour window, which is almost non-existent.  My kids are often in opposite directions, days they aren't, my wife tries to do her own thing or we plan something. 
 
I can't blame it on the kids.  It is really work that gets in the way of my fishing time!  
2022/08/04 16:06:08
eyesandgillz
Not looking good for fishing weather tomorrow or Saturday around here.
 
https://www.accuweather.c...ose-flood-risk/1227478
2022/08/04 16:28:35
Porktown
eyesandgillz
Not looking good for fishing weather tomorrow or Saturday around here.
 
https://www.accuweather.c...ose-flood-risk/1227478


This surely helps me talk myself into taking the boat out on a lake in early August!
 
A decent shower just passed here with some rumbles.
2022/08/05 08:45:03
MyWar
I’m not sure about this weather. The local forecasts don’t look that bad but that accuweather story makes it sound like I need to build an ark. I think we’re gonna get some rain but Im not convinced that we’re gonna get pounded. I guess we’ll see what happens in the next 24 hours. The river gauges all look great right now.

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