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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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Fly Fishing Getting Started - The Caddisflies
Trout enjoy a wide array of food, with insects being more popular. While mayflies (Ephemeroptera) enjoy much of the spotlight, caddisflies (Trichoptera) are incredibly plentiful in waters across the region. Not always the preferred insect of fly anglers, mostly due to a lack of familiarity.
Caddisflies are hardy insects and have thrived in streams that have been decimated by pollution. Streams like the Tulpehocken, Oil Creek, and Casselman are just a few streams known for their abundant caddisfly populations in our region. For many of these streams, the caddisfly is so prolific that mayflies are often an afterthought for anglers.
The caddisfly behavior is a little less predictable and is certainly one of the reasons it is not as popular for many anglers. Many mayflies can be timed to within a few days and hours. The Green Drakes on Penn's Creek are revered by anglers the same way the "Swallows" of Capistrano are anticipated at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. Caddisflies, not so much.
That is not to say great hatches of caddisflies are not enjoyed by anglers and trout, as there can be wonderful evenings and days with them covering a stream. Just as often, there can be sporadic emergers happening without much fanfare.
There are over 1200 species of caddisflies in the country. They range in size and colors covering the gambit of black, green, tan, cream, and white bodies. The more popular Grannom hatch does arrive across much of the region at the end of April and is much anticipated by anglers and trout alike.
To get some understanding of their cycle it is as easy to do as by simply lifting a rock the next time out on the water.
Many types of caddis larvae can be found at the bottom of the stream in self-made protected cases or roaming along the bottoms of streams. Some of these species...
Join Us for the Paflyfish Spring Jamboree Weekend May 17-19, 2024
The heart of our weekend rendezvous lies at the pavilion, rented by Paflyfish, serving as our central hub for meet-ups, impromptu conversations, and fly-tying sessions. While we won't be organizing any formal speakers or activities this time around, rest assured, there's no shortage of spontaneous fly tying, casting pointers, and friendly guidance on where to cast your line. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to the area, our community members are here to ensure you feel right at home and equipped to make the most of your fishing adventures.
Many of our fellow anglers opt to extend their stay, arriving early or lingering longer after the weekend festivities. Keep an eye on this thread for real-time updates or feel free to drop any questions you may have.
For accommodation arrangements, please reach out directly to Seven Mountains Campground. With a limited number of cabins, RV hook-ups, and campsites available, it's advisable to secure your reservations without delay.
Event Details:
- Dates: Friday, May 17 - Sunday, May 19, 2023
- Location...
Backcountry fishing in Yellowstone National Park | Montana Angler
By Brian McGeehan at Montana Angler Fly Fishing
No fly-fishing trip to Montana is complete without a visit to Yellowstone National Park. The world’s first national park, established by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1872, is as iconic for its wild trout populations as it is for its geysers, bison and grizzly bears. Anglers visiting Yellowstone have a broad variety of waters to fish, with backcountry outings offering some of the most exceptional fishing in the park.
The Yellowstone backcountry encompasses an incredible diversity of fishing opportunities within its 3,468 square miles, including alpine lakes, spring creeks, broad rivers and tumbling streams. The Yellowstone River alone provides countless angling opportunities as it flows from its headwaters in the Thorofare region to Yellowstone Lake, the largest freshwater lake above 7,000 feet in North America. It then plunges over a pair of massive waterfalls on its way through two distinct canyons before exiting the park near its confluence with the Gardner River.
For all of Yellowstone’s diversity, the truth is most anglers never venture more than a few hundred yards from the most popular access points and pullouts. For anglers seeking solitude and an escape from the crowds, hitting the trails to experience fly fishing in Yellowstone’s backcountry is well worth the effort.
First things first, Yellowstone National Park is managed by the National Park Service and has its own set of rules, regulations and requirements separate from the surrounding states of Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. To fish in Yellowstone, you’ll need to procure a Yellowstone Park fishing license and abide by all park fishing regulations.
Yellowstone is home to two species of native cutthroat trout — the Yellowstone cutthroat trout and the...
Free Drawing | Fly Fishing Evolution Book, Dozen Flies and Fly Box from George Daniel
As a big fan of George and all the work he does for the sport this book is another fine addition to that contribution. You will be able to find George this winter presenting at the Fly Fishing Shows in Edison and Lancaster. You can sign up for his news letter at his website Livinonthefly.
I have been provided a brand new hard copy of "Fly Fishing Evolution: Advanced Strategies for Dry Fly, Nymph, and Streamer Fishing." I’m going to be offering the book and George is including a dozen of his favorite nymphs with a Fulling Mills box as part of the drawing.
If you don’t win the drawing, you still have an opportunity to order the book on Amazon here.
What you need to do to enter:
Simply reply to this thread with "Paflyfish I’m In" and nothing else. If you do not use only "Paflyfish I’m In", you will be disqualified. This thread will be closed Wednesday, December 20 at ~8:00 am and the drawing done that day.
Fine Print:
This is a free drawing...
Book Review: Fly Fishing Evolution by George Daniel
The book is structured into three main parts, each dedicated to a specific fishing technique, offering insights into gear, patterns, tactics, and presentations. The general flow of the book is easy to read and provides thoughtful insight with clear explanations. Specific illustrations and photographs help enhance the presentation. This colorful approach adds to the engagement of the book.
The three main parts cover:
- Nymphing: Explores nymphing tools, patterns, and key concepts, including suspension tactics and tightline/Euro tactics.
- Dry Fly: Covers tools, patterns, and the art of casting and presenting dry flies.
- Streamers: Discusses streamer tools, patterns, and various presentation techniques.
What I Liked:
The book's strength lies in its organization, where George breaks down complex tactics into simple, rudimentary steps without losing the depth required...