dkile

Blue Liner Flows Review | USGS Stream Gauges

  • 274
  • 2
IMG_3629.jpeg
Traveling more than an hour to go fly fishing often requires some planning. Weather and water levels are the two most important variables to understand before heading out. Everyone has their favorite weather apps, but this year more than ever, having a good understanding of water levels has been non-negotiable.

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.


[ATTACH type="full" width="720px"...​

Paflyfish Spring Jamboree 2025 - Save The Date

  • 11,469
  • 189
The Mods and I wanted to share that we have set the dates as Friday, May 16 - Sunday, May 18. More details will follow with a formal announcement later. I have talked to Jake at Seven Mountains and we are all set for the weekend. Heads up there was some conversation with Jake about a new numbering scheme for the cabins and camping areas. For example you may need to ask and confirm your cabin location as the map on the site may not be correct.

DON"T FORGET
Use the code: PAFLYFISH for a 10% discount


Website link: Sevens Mountain Campground
101 Seven Mountains
Campground Rd.
Spring Mills, PA 16875
(814) 364-1910
(888) 468-2556
Call between 8:30-4:30 M-F

Wayward Trading Post Update and Fly Fishing Net Giveaway

  • 7,218
  • 98
Trout handle classic christmas.png
Tina Lewis started Wayward Trading Post in hopes of offering some unique art valued by anglers in the local fly fishing region with hand-made fly fishing nets. Wayward has been expanding and growing their reach to more than just the region.

I had a chance to visit her shop last year and learned firsthand her accomplished work in making her handcrafted wooden fly fishing nets. A fun operation in the Philly suburbs working out of her father’s garage.

Follow along to learn how you can enter for a chance to win one of these beautiful artisan-made fly fishing nets from Wayward Trading Post.

Latest Updates
Since Tina opened her shop a few years ago, a lot has happened. Recently, she has developed a custom-designed net in conjunction with TCO, a keystone state fly fishing retailer. The Madison River Fishing Company has selected her nets as part of their new product catalog. The list of retailers carrying Pennsylvania-made goods keeps growing, and the biggest news has yet to drop. Wayward is now a wooden net manufacturer for Orvis. This start-up has gone from a sawdust-filled wood-shop in Philadelphia to having an account with the largest brand in our sport.


Rainbow Classic Fat JAke Landing net Wooden Handcrafted_0000s_0007_DSC00767.jpg

Hand-crafted Nets
All the nets at Wayward Trading Post are sourced from Pennsylvania wood, using mostly walnut, hickory, and cherry. Each net is created by gluing together strips of wood to form the hoop and adding a previously crafted handle to the glued-up hoop, setting the pieces into a mold. Once the...

How to Use Wet Flies & Nymphs to Catch Trout

  • 1,827
  • 2
A very good overview from Tom Rosenbauer at Orvis on tactics for Wet Flies & Nymphs.


Check out more from the Orvis Learning Centre:
https://howtoflyfish.orvis.com

Fall Fly Fishing Adventure at Harman's Cabins | Trip Report

  • 2,779
  • 9
20240926_140957.jpeg
It had been several years since my last visit to Harman's Cabins in West Virginia. I chose a few picturesque days at the start of fall to experience the resort's new additions and indulge in some fly fishing.

Upon arrival, I was greeted by Todd Harman himself, along with Tim Caudill, the Fly Fishing Shop Manager. They offered a brief tour of the operations, and we hopped into an ATV for a drive to the property's top ridge. The panoramic view of the area was breathtaking, with fall colors beginning to paint the landscape.


_XT49911.jpg

Luxurious Accommodations
We then explored some of the newly updated cabins. Each is equipped for several days of spa-like living, perfect for a getaway trip. All cabins boast well-appointed kitchens, hot tubs, fire pits, and grills. Most also include infrared saunas, steam showers, and rain showers, offering plenty of ways for the whole family to unwind.


IMG_1928.jpeg

First Cast
Late afternoon found me eager to wet a line. I had spotted some risers in one of the first pools below the bridge. The trout appeared to be sipping, so I tried a Griffith's Gnat. The water was a bit low, but recent rains had raised levels to about 100 cfs. When the Gnat proved unsuccessful, I switched to a Caddis with a Zebra Midge dropper. It wasn't long before I was landing several of the big bows that populate Harman's two-mile stretch of the North Fork. I fished productively until darkness fell, then made my way back to Cabin #12 for a relaxing evening and home-cooked dinner.


[ATTACH type="full" width="702px"...

The Aging Angler | Fly Fishing

  • 9,651
  • 84
fly fishing
A few ears ago, Maurice and I stayed on after the Spring Jam at Penns Creek for several days. We ended up hitting the start of the Green Drakes. Always a treat and hard to walk away from the table when the game gets started. Once the frenzied rush of guides and crowds hurried upstream, we had one awesome day by ourselves in a really fun, secluded stretch of the creek.

The drakes were coming off pretty steadily, and we had fish rising with them all day long. A lot of casting to some here-and-there catches. I ended up targeting a far bank sipper for about 30 minutes and finally hooked into the largest 21"+ brown trout I had ever caught Green Drake fishing. What a thrill bringing it in with Mo in my ear cheering me on. The day was fantastic until it was time to get out of the water. It took me what seemed like ten minutes to walk ten feet over those greased-up bowling balls they call rocks in Penns Creek. What a struggle as I stumbled to the bank, but I didn't fall.

The day ended with some cigars and bourbon, reviewing our accomplishments as you can only do fly fishing on Penns after a Green Drake Hatch. After a few smooth Basil Hayden's on the rocks, the question was raised: so how many Drake Hatches do we have left? It wasn't the fact that someday I wouldn't be fishing; it was the realization that as I was getting older, it might not be fishing because I couldn't access the stream.

Now in my young 60s, I know gone are the days of me jumping into First Fork without a wading staff in chest-high deep water and making my way up and down the stream without a care in the world, pulling out bows left and right. Today I have a checklist as long as my arm after I suit up with my important gear like a wading staff, pull-on ice cleats (thanks @Bruno), a headlamp, and clip-on reader glasses before I ever enter a...

Fall Fly Fishing in Pennsylvania Recorded Webinar

  • 2,544
  • 0
The fall season offers some great weather and outstanding fly fishing after the heat of the summer. Trout behavior and hatches change during the autumn months, but there are plenty of angling opportunities if you know what to do. If you are looking at extending your fly fishing season this fall then join Derek Eberly and Dave Kile for a presentation on Fall Fly Fishing in Pennsylvania.


Recorded 2021

Fly Fishing Getaway at Harman's Log Cabin Resort

  • 4,149
  • 0
Screenshot 2024-08-11 at 3.20.04 PM.jpg

Mornings at Harman's Luxury Log Cabin Resort are an exciting way to start any day, with mist rising off the North Fork and trophy trout waiting beneath the surface. This West Virginia fly fishing paradise has recently elevated its offerings, solidifying its status as a premier destination for fly fishing anglers and friends for a relaxing destination.

Screenshot 2024-08-11 at 12.11.13 PM.jpg

Todd Harman, PhilC, Curtis Fleming and Shane Becker

Harman's is a longtime partner of Paflyfish. You may recall the Harman's North Fork Invitational Fly Fishing event in 2013, where Shane Becker and PhilC from Team Paflyfish won the tournament, battling against many other nationally recognized challengers. It was certainly a memorable highlight for them and Paflyfish.

Over the last couple of years, there have been several outstanding updates to the resort. These exciting additions make it worth considering a getaway to this special destination, especially with the upcoming autumn season.


Screenshot 2024-08-11 at 3.35.19 PM.jpg

Resort Overview
Harman’s is situated within 300 acres of private wilderness next to Hopeville Canyon, bordering the scenic Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area and Dolly Sods Wilderness in West Virginia. With over twenty well-appointed modern cabins featuring hot tubs, outdoor rock fireplaces, and full kitchens. Wellness Retreats and features like rain and steam showers, outdoor steam and indoor infrared saunas, and large soaking tubs, so your non fishing...

Keystone Classic Fly Fishing Festival on August 17-18, 2024

  • 3,044
  • 0
The Keystone Classic Fly Fishing Festival on August 17-18, 2024, in Tipton, Pennsylvania! This exciting event is a must-attend for fly fishing enthusiasts of all skill levels.

Event Highlights:
  • Casting Competitions: Test your skills against fellow anglers in various casting competitions.
  • Expert Demonstrations: Learn from the best in the industry, including expert casters and fly tyers, who will share their techniques and tips.
  • Hands-On Workshops: Participate in workshops covering a range of topics, from rod building to fly tying.
  • Raffle Prizes: Don't miss your chance to win a handmade fly rod by Shane Gray of Gray Wolf Rods!
  • Admission: Tickets are just $10, granting access to all demonstrations and seminars.
This festival promises a weekend filled with fun, learning, and community. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, there’s something for everyone. Mark your calendars and prepare for an unforgettable experience at the Keystone Classic Fly Fishing Festival!

George Daniel - Tying and Fishing a Modified Murdich Minnow

  • 3,635
  • 6

George shares how to tie and fish one of his favorite warm water streamers- a slightly modified Murdich Minnow. You can find more of George's video's on YouTube

The 10 Best Fly Fishing Rivers in Montana

  • 5,756
  • 11
IMG_1016.jpeg


By Brian McGeehan

Montana boasts perhaps the highest concentration of quality fly fishing for trout in the world. With a network of well-maintained roads and public access areas, fishing the best rivers, creeks, and lakes in Montana is logistically very easy. Compared to the remote and secluded rivers of Chile and Argentina, a Montana fly fishing trip is well within reach regardless of where home is. Additionally, Montana's best fly fishing waters have an abundance of experienced, professional fishing guides that intimately know the habits of these rivers, creeks, and lakes and the fish that swim in them. From consistent tailwater rivers like the Missouri River near Helena and Great Falls to wild and untamed freestones like the Yellowstone River near Bozeman and Livingston, and with all sorts smaller creeks and rivers in between, Montana has it all. To fish the best waters at the best times in Montana takes some planning, a little time, and a small dose of luck.

To help you plan your next great fishing trip, in no particular order, here are the 10 Best Fly Fishing Rivers in Montana.

The Madison River
Originating in the wild country of Yellowstone National Park and home to native Westslope cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout and mountain whitefish, the Madison is Montana's most well known river. Flowing through one of the most scenic valleys in Montana and flanked by the towering Madison, Gravelly and Tobacco Root ranges, the Madison River boasts some great fishing lodges and some of the most experienced guides in Montana. The impressive scenery, high trout counts, potential for trophy fish and proximity to Yellowstone make this a must fish river for every serious fly fisherman. The Madison River offers an amazing diversity of water and can vary significantly in its character as it travels on its course from Yellowstone National Park to the Missouri River.

The Missouri...

Dry Dropper Magic: Fly Fishing a Challenging Spring Creek

  • 4,455
  • 6

Dave Rothrock and John Kolb fly fish a small spring creek and have plenty of action for a fun afternoon of fly fishing. The stream is a very challenging stream to fish with super spooky fish and very subtle takes. The stream challenged John and Dave. In the end, they managed to catch a good amount of fish. The dry dropper setup worked really well and a lot of fish were caught with either a sulphur dry fly or a sexy Waltz Worm.

Trout Town Triumph! Millheim Selected as the Best Fly Fishing Town in Pennsylvania

  • 4,692
  • 11
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IMG_9983.jpeg
PENNSYLVANIA, May 27, 2024 -
The angling aficionados at Paflyfish, an online community of fly fishing anglers, have selected Millheim as the Best Fly Fishing Town in Pennsylvania for 2024. Millheim is a small borough situated in a pleasant rural setting nestled in the Nittany Valley of Centre County. This trout-tastic town is home to some of the premier fly-fishing waters in the region. It is no secret to anglers that it also holds a charm all its own when it comes to fly fishing.

Members of the Pennsylvania fly-fishing community at Paflyfish.com selected Millheim in a recent poll as the Best Fly Fishing Town in Pennsylvania. It was identified for not only its close proximity to the many wonderful streams in the area but also its hospitality, dining, and nearby accommodations. Popular with many anglers are the restaurants including the Elk Creek Cafe, the Millheim Hotel, and Sal's Italian Pizza Shop.
IMG_5464.jpeg

You know the town is trouty when the Elk Creek Cafe offers craft beers with names like Double Rainbow IPA and Brookie Brown Ale. "Millheim is a gem. The [Millheim] Hotel is my favorite," shared Paflyfish member Jeff Turko. Fellow angler Allan offers, "Nobody gives a second look to anyone walking around in waders!"

Speaking of waders, the waters surrounding Millheim teem with opportunities to test your skills. From the town-bisecting Elk Creek to nearby hotspots like Penns Creek, Fishing Creek, Spring Creek, and a bevy of Class A streams, you'll never lack an exciting...
Back
Top