TimRobinsin

Blue Liner Flows Review | USGS Stream Gauges

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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.


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Steelhead Jam Report 2015

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Part of the Lancaster crew arrived in Erie Thursday morning around 930. Elk was chocolate milk so we headed over to 16 mile. The winds were howlin and the waves were capping at 4-6ft out at the beach. We made our way up and found some fish. Jeff made contact with his first steelhead which surprised the heck out of him and promptly came unbuttoned. He was pretty stoked. RickinPa and I each landed fish and it was a good start.

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Friday we met up Friday morning at Follies with FarmerDave and Mucka. Pumpkin whoopie pies were on point and we headed down stream. Mucka ran a clinic on water reading and approach. RickinPa would join in and stick a few older fish. Some chromers but not many.

We headed back to Follie's to find PatrickC's truck in the driveway so we hooked up with him. Patrick had 4 fish in that morning on lower elk so we rolled out. we went to lower Elk and found some fish. Jeff caught his first fish just as that sinking feeling of self doubt was creeping in. He landed a nice lake run brown. After that boost of confidence he picked up the example Mucka set in the morning and started putting on a show. We lost count of how many fish he hooked and landed. He was pretty much shell shocked by the end of the day. Everyone caught multiple fish in multiple spots and it was a really great day. Almost everything was fresh chrome. PatrickC was being a spot-snatcher so I had to follow behind him and pick out a few of the leftover stragglers left in his wake, that guy covers some ground, no camping out with Patrick.

Friday at the Avonia we saw Proformance, moose , art and farmerdave. unfortunately it was packed and we couldn't sit together. next time dudes!

Saturday was a zoo. Mucka, StreamerGuy, Jeff, and I explored some more remote waters higher up on elk and we were rewarded. And for a second day in a row Jeff put on a freakin clinic. dang newbies! Jeff was reading water...

Argentina 2013 Fishing Trip Report: Patagonia Trout and Golden Dorado

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Last night on tully, I had success with BH emerald caddis pupa. 15 strikes, 7 sets, 3 to hand (my highstick nymphing is coming along slowly, I was unable to make good sets but I'm getting there) in the 45min I was able to fish before a thunderstorm pushed them down and me out. So nice article, very apropos as I agree that I also over look the caddis both "up-top" and "below" when fishing some of these streams that really have good populations. Nice article!
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