Blue Liner Flows Review | USGS Stream Gauges
All water level data originates from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Surface-Water Data, which monitors over 13,000 stream gauges across the U.S. and more than 350 in Pennsylvania. The USGS has been transitioning to a new online interface over the past five-plus years. The updated look and feel have left some old features behind while adding new ones. I hate it.
So, I’ve been on the hunt for a desktop and mobile app that delivers USGS backend data through a clean, easy-to-use interface. Blue Liner Flows offers a solid solution for iPhone, iPad and Mac users, with apps built for both platforms. Most importantly, favorites and preferences sync across devices. There’s a free version, but I’ll be reviewing the $6.99 annual paid version.
Key features include: favorites, state selection, map view, latest data overview, discharge in CFS, discharge in feet, average annual discharge, various time views, weather forecasts, alerts, temperatures (station-dependent), turbidity (station-dependent), and other data specific to each gauge.
I found the app very easy to set up on my Mac. Once configured, all my favorites and alerts synced automatically to my iPhone. You don’t need both devices—an iPhone alone works just fine. I especially liked navigating between the state, favorites, and map views. It’s fast and intuitive. Most views display the key information I’m looking for, including directional arrows indicating whether water levels are rising or falling.
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Blue Liner Flows Review | USGS Stream Gauges
All water level data originates from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Surface-Water Data, which monitors over 13,000 stream gauges across the U.S. and more than 350 in Pennsylvania. The USGS has been transitioning to a new online interface over the past five-plus years. The updated look and feel have left some old features behind while adding new ones. I hate it.
So, I’ve been on the hunt for a desktop and mobile app that delivers USGS backend data through a clean, easy-to-use interface. Blue Liner Flows offers a solid solution for iPhone, iPad and Mac users, with apps built for both platforms. Most importantly, favorites and preferences sync across devices. There’s a free version, but I’ll be reviewing the $6.99 annual paid version.
Key features include: favorites, state selection, map view, latest data overview, discharge in CFS, discharge in feet, average annual discharge, various time views, weather forecasts, alerts, temperatures (station-dependent), turbidity (station-dependent), and other data specific to each gauge.
I found the app very easy to set up on my Mac. Once configured, all my favorites and alerts synced automatically to my iPhone. You don’t need both devices—an iPhone alone works just fine. I especially liked navigating between the state, favorites, and map views. It’s fast and intuitive. Most views display the key information I’m looking for, including directional arrows indicating whether water levels are rising or falling.
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Streams Were Up, Spirits Were Higher: A Look Back at the Annual Spring Jamboree 2025
Another Great Weekend at the Annual Paflyfish Spring Jamboree
Another fun year catching up with both longtime and newer members of the site at the Annual Paflyfish Spring Jamboree. The weekend was largely marked by high water and off-color streams, making fly fishing a bit more challenging than usual. But despite the conditions, the crew had a great time—and while the water was high, we mostly stayed dry.
Most folks rolled in Friday afternoon and hit some of the local waters. Spring Creek was a popular choice, and a few brave souls even ventured out to the Little Juniata for some wading. Friday night had a good mix of people still arriving, hanging out by the cabin, and catching up around one fire—or maybe two. I’m probably missing a few names, but among the crew were TimMurphy, Jackm, Bikerfish, dudemanspecial, Trapshooter, Tomgamber, Alby, Csoult, pcray1231, wgmiller, KMS and many more.
On Saturday, I teamed up with Afishinado, Dave Weaver, Swattie87, and Jifigz to search for some fishable water. Options were limited, but we made our way to a fly fishing-only project about an hour away. One of the best parts of these weekends is the streamside tailgating, and Swattie took the lead with his camp stove, cooking up brats, hot dogs, and some fried peppers and onions. Jiffy brought his famous cucumber salad and a special seasoning mix that hit the spot. The weather was nice—and the food was even better.
We fished the project water for a few hours...
Orvis Pro BOA Wading Boots Review: A Game-Changer for Serious Fly Fishing
After five years of heavy use, my last pair of boots were starting to show their age—especially with all the extra time I’ve spent fishing since retiring. I needed a new pair that could offer better traction on rugged streams like Penns Creek, while also being easier to take on and off multiple times a day. After a week of intensive use, I’m confident I’ve found the best boots I’ve ever worn: the Orvis Pro BOA Wading Boots.
Putting the Orvis Pro BOA Boots to the Test on Pennsylvania Streams
I picked up the boots just before heading to Penns Creek in May. I put them through their paces—using them about ten times over six days, from large rivers to remote brookie streams. Conditions were challenging, with all types of terrain and flow, and the boots performed exceptionally well.
This was my first time using Orvis wading gear, although I’ve followed the brand for years and trust what they bring to the angling community. The Pro BOA Wading Boots have been around for a few years, but this latest version is a refresh introduced within the last year or two.
What Makes the BOA Fit System Ideal for Fly Fishing Boots?
The BOA Fit System, not exclusive to Orvis gear, replaces traditional laces with a precision closure mechanism. It features a dial, steel wire laces, and low-friction guides that deliver a secure, adjustable fit. I first saw BOA on ski boots decades ago, but it has since become popular in everything from cycling shoes to wading gear.
The key benefit is how effortlessly you can tighten or loosen the boots. I didn’t fully appreciate how easy and fast the system was until I tried it in the Orvis store. The wide opening makes it simple to slide your foot in, then a few clicks of the dial ratchet everything down for a...
Fly Fishing Getting Started - Trout Food Overview
These different types of trout foods may not only be specific to a stream, but seasonal as well. Trout are limited to what is presented to them much like many animals in the wild. Typically spring and summer offer a great abundance of food choices. Winter may only provide limited food supplies. Trout adapt to the cold water by naturally reducing their metabolisms.
Familiarity with different food sources is one of the fundamentals of successful fly fishing. Let's have an overview of these trout foods.
Aquatic Insects - mayflies (Ephemeroptera), caddisflies (Trichoptera), midges (Diptera), and stoneflies (Plecoptera)
For many, fly fishing is centered around the life cycle of aquatic insects as much as it is the trout themselves. Many anglers unwittingly become pretty good entomologists in pursuit of fly fishing. These insects are a significant part of any trout's diet throughout the year. Most aquatic insects live almost 98% of their lives in the water. Trout will feed on these bugs during all times of the insect's life cycle. Most notably trout will key in on active or passing nymphs in the water. For a brief period at the end of these insects' life, they hatch from the water to mate, lay eggs and die.
For many fly fishing anglers, mayflies are the belle of the ball and can be found hatching in...
Tying and Fishing Midges
Many times the rising fish you see in the winter are taking midges. I’ve done well in the winter fishing midges on warmer afternoons. It’s great covering rising fish fish in the winter since I become tired of dredging the bottom, doing the chuck-and-chance-it to unseen fish. I could never stand watching fish rise in front of me without giving them a try.
Tying Midges
Midges are not hard to tie. I use a small sized emerger hook which is a wide gape 2x short curved hook. For dries, just add a thread body and a few fibers for wings or a wisp of dubbing for pupa:
Hook: Emerger hook size 20-28
Body: Thread (black, cream, brown, white, olive) to match naturals. I always try to catch a few insects with my net before I select a fly. If I can't capture a natural, I'll usually try black first.
Wing: 8-12 CDC fibers, or Z-lon, or Antron yarn.
I like to use 6/0 or 8/0 thread for the body depending on the brand of thread and the size of the fly. The body should remain thin like the natural.
Start the thread on the shank behind the eye and wrap it back to the bend. Spin the bobbin to wind the thread tightly by spinning and wrap the thread back to just behind the eye. The tightly wound thread gives a segmented appearance and makes it easier to wrap. On a size smaller fly hook, one pass back and forth is enough to build the body. On larger flies several passes may be needed.
I tie off the heavier thread with finer 12/0 thread to finish the fly. Cut 8-12 CDC fibers (Z-lon or Antron yarn also work) and tie in on top of the hook shank and trim the wing fibers slightly shorter than the body and whip finish. That’s it!...a thread body with some wisps of CDC or yarn for the wing. On larger sized midges I sometimes use a little dubbing the same color as the body to finish off the head.
Don’t make the wings too heavy...
Tying Midges
Midges are not hard to tie. I use a small sized emerger hook which is a wide gape 2x short curved hook. For dries, just add a thread body and a few fibers for wings or a wisp of dubbing for pupa:
Hook: Emerger hook size 20-28
Body: Thread (black, cream, brown, white, olive) to match naturals. I always try to catch a few insects with my net before I select a fly. If I can't capture a natural, I'll usually try black first.
Wing: 8-12 CDC fibers, or Z-lon, or Antron yarn.
I like to use 6/0 or 8/0 thread for the body depending on the brand of thread and the size of the fly. The body should remain thin like the natural.
Start the thread on the shank behind the eye and wrap it back to the bend. Spin the bobbin to wind the thread tightly by spinning and wrap the thread back to just behind the eye. The tightly wound thread gives a segmented appearance and makes it easier to wrap. On a size smaller fly hook, one pass back and forth is enough to build the body. On larger flies several passes may be needed.
I tie off the heavier thread with finer 12/0 thread to finish the fly. Cut 8-12 CDC fibers (Z-lon or Antron yarn also work) and tie in on top of the hook shank and trim the wing fibers slightly shorter than the body and whip finish. That’s it!...a thread body with some wisps of CDC or yarn for the wing. On larger sized midges I sometimes use a little dubbing the same color as the body to finish off the head.
Don’t make the wings too heavy...
Annual Paflyfish Spring Jamboree on for May 16-18, 2025
Join Us for the Annual Paflyfish Spring Jamboree Weekend – Starting Friday, May 16 through May 18, 2025
We’re excited to kick off our annual Paflyfish Spring Jamboree Weekend on Friday, May 16! This beloved tradition is our yearly meetup for community members to connect, fly fish, tie flies, camp, and share stories in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Each year, we explore some of Pennsylvania’s finest trout streams, including the Little Juniata, Penns Creek, Spring Creek, Fishing Creek, and many more throughout the region.
Weekend Headquarters: The Pavilion at Seven Mountains Campground
Paflyfish has reserved the pavilion at Seven Mountains Campground, which will serve as our central meeting spot throughout the weekend. It’s a hub for casual conversations, fly tying, impromptu casting lessons, and general camaraderie.We gather at the pavilion each evening to recap the day’s adventures on the water. There are often spontaneous lessons in casting and fly tying for those interested.
A Relaxed Format This Year
This year, we’re keeping things simple and informal. There won’t be any scheduled speakers or organized activities—but as always, there will be plenty of informal support, from fly tying demos to advice on local waters.New to the area? No worries—many experienced members are happy to help you get started and point you in the right direction.
Some anglers choose to arrive early or extend their stay beyond the weekend, so feel free to make the most of your trip. Be sure to follow the latest updates and conversations in the Paflyfish forum.
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Catch and Release Fly Fishing: Best Practices for Ethical Anglers
I'm often fishing in waters that are strictly "Catch and Release" areas, where I’m required to all of my catch. Even in places where it's not mandatory, I choose catch and release to help conserve fish populations and ensure future generations of anglers can enjoy the sport. Properly releasing fish not only gives them the best chance to survive but also helps them grow, reproduce, and possibly be caught again in the future.
There are several factors that affect a fish's survival after being released. These include the length of the fight, where the fish is hooked, water temperature, and how I handle and release it. To give the fish the best chance for survival, I generally follow these guidelines:
Best Practices for Catch and Release Fishing
- Use Barbless Hooks – Barbless hooks make it easier to remove the hook quickly, reducing handling time and minimizing injury to the fish.
- Play Fish Quickly – Land the fish as quickly as possible to avoid exhaustion, which decreases its chances of survival.
- Use a Landing Net – A rubber or knotless landing net helps prevent injury and unnecessary stress on the fish.
- Keep the Fish in the Water – The longer a fish is out of the water, the higher the risk of injury and mortality. Minimize air exposure as much as possible.
- Wet Your Hands – Always wet your hands, net, and any other materials that may come in contact with the fish to protect its delicate slime coating, which helps prevent infection and disease.
- Hold the Fish Upside Down – This can calm the fish, making it easier to remove the hook quickly and safely.
- Remove Hooks Quickly – Use hemostats or long-nose pliers for fast and safe hook removal.
- Cut the Line if...
Where to Camp in Pennsylvania: A Quick Guide | Fly Fishing
Camping was our family’s go-to vacation until my teenage years. As I got older, my adventures expanded from tent camping to backpacking with the Scouts and friends. We hit the Appalachian Trail and even made trips out to New Mexico. I can’t say exactly why I loved camping so much—it was just something we always did, and over time, it became part of who I was. Many of those trips naturally involved fishing. While my dad wasn’t a fly fisherman, he enjoyed trout fishing in Pennsylvania and bass fishing during our camping trips in Canada. I can still recall the unmistakable scent of DEET and pipe smoke while swatting at mosquitoes the size of small birds—somehow, even those moments are fun memories now.
Camping and fishing are a natural pair that enhance each other. It’s hard to say which came first—the chicken or the egg—but for many anglers, camping is the perfect way to complement a fishing trip. Some of the biggest advantages include staying closer to prime fishing spots, making last-minute trips possible, and the convenience of mobility, which means not being tied to one location for days. Many of Pennsylvania’s best wild brook trout streams and natural reproduction waters are found in remote...
Swattie87 joins the Paflyfish Moderating Team
Born in Harrisburg, Matt spent most of his childhood in western Pennsylvania, in suburban Pittsburgh. After graduating from college, he moved to eastern Pennsylvania, though he still proudly considers himself a “yinzer.” He currently lives just outside of Harrisburg with his wife and their son and daughter.
Matt’s journey into fly fishing was a bit unconventional. He first picked up a fly rod to fish warmwater streams in the summer. “I’d come home from work, and the house I was renting at the time—my grandmother’s old house—didn’t have central air conditioning. So I’d get home, and it would be like 95 degrees inside. I’d crank the window units and walk down to Swatara Creek many nights to wet wade and fish until it got dark. By then, the window units had cooled the house down, and I’d come back and have dinner.”
After honing his skills on warmwater species, Matt eventually caught the trout bug, specifically developing a passion for small-stream wild trout fishing. He loves exploring new waters and finding ways to access rugged, remote sections of streams on public land.
Moderating on the site requires a helpful attitude and a keen eye for detail. I’m grateful to have Matt as part of the team, and I know he’ll continue to make a positive impact on the Paflyfish community.
The Fly Fishing Shows 2025
The Fly Fishing Show is a annual series of events for fly fishing enthusiasts, taking place across multiple locations in the United States from January to March 2025. These shows offer a comprehensive experience that combines vendors, education, entertainment, and shopping opportunities for anglers of all skill levels. Attendees can explore exhibitor booths featuring top fishing brands, guide services, lodges, and conservation organizations. The events provide free instruction centers where Fly Fishers International (FFI) offers complimentary lessons in fly casting, fly tying, and knot tying. Expert lectures by renowned anglers cover a wide range of fishing techniques and situations, allowing participants to enhance their skills and knowledge. The shows also feature the International Fly Fishing Film Festival at select locations, adding a cinematic dimension to the experience.
I like hitting all the vendor and fly tying both with Rick Nyles, Tim Cammisa, Ed Engle, Tom Baltz, Tim Flagler, Phil Rowley, Jonny King and more. The educational seminars offer a great way to hear from experts about many new or familiar locations to fly fish. Always plenty of great info for anglers of any level.
Visitors have the chance to win exciting door prizes, including fishing trips to exotic locations like Costa Rica, Belize, Iceland, and Chile, as well as high-quality fishing equipment. The fourth annual Consumer Choice Awards, held in association with Fly Fusion Magazine and Fly Fishing Journeys, allows attendees to vote for their favorite products and potentially win prizes in various categories. With locations including Marlborough, Edison...
Welcome New Moderator Jifigz
Jifigz has been a strong contributor to the site since he joined in 2013. His knowledge, support, and patience with other members has always been appreciated. Here on Paflyfish, Jifigz has led the Warm Water Jamborees on the Juniata River in August for several years. It's a fun time for anglers looking to get into summer bass and meet up with other anglers from Paflyfish.
While not from a family of sportsmen, his journey into fly fishing began on his own as a kid and has been a passion his whole life. Jifigz shared, "I used to ride my bike from our rural home to farm ponds and catch bluegill and bass. I remember my cousin's husband took me to the Juniata River (the same place where the WW Jam is now held) and he taught me to catch stonecats with my hands and to drift them deep near the bottom for smallmouths. Smallmouths pull hard, and for a 10-year-old, they pull really hard. Experiences like this helped to further my addiction to chasing fish."
He moved to Florida for several years, and his passion grew through various encounters with different fish species across Florida and then back in Pennsylvania. In his early 20s, he transitioned from bass fishing to fly fishing, discovering a newfound appreciation for trout and wild streams. This shift opened his eyes to the intricacies of fly fishing, from tying flies to decoding hatches. Today, he primarily focuses on trout fishing in secluded streams, always eager to explore what lies around the next bend...