The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has been pretty quiet over the last year with news releases. Not sure of the of the reason, but like many things I am sure the economy has something to do with it.

Here is a link to the Minutes and Agenda for the upcoming meeting October 5-6. Be sure to keep informed and provide your voice.

The one topic of strong interest to many anglers will be the removal of Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Designation on Fishing Creek. Not sure there is much to say, but it would be nice to hear how to resolve this issues in the future and add back to what we have to give up.

"The Commission implemented Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only regulations on Fishing Creek, Section 04, beginning with the 2002 season. The project currently extends approximately 0.7 miles from the upstream Kriebel property line downstream to a point located 180 yards upstream from the Benton Borough line. Most of the riparian area along the project is a farm field that belongs to a single landowner. A new owner purchased this field in the spring of 2009 and posted it against public access. All efforts by staff, a local official and local sportsmen’s groups to change the new owner’s mind have failed." - PFBC

I was looking through some pictures my friend LukeC had posted on Flickr. I really admire his photography as they are mostly beautiful pictures of bugs, fish and tying flies. All good things any angler would enjoy. He caught my attention when he posted a picture of a screen capture from an iPhone for an application called The Hatch V2.0. Anxious to learn more I download the application immediately.

The Hatch for the iPhone and iPod Touch was recently released by Cory Pratt. The application provides hatch charts for you to carry with you while on the stream and includes some photographs of insects. With the recent update there are now 33 states and 300 rivers. Six of Pennsylvania’s more popular streams have now been added including: Fishing Creek, Letort Spring, Little Lehigh, Penns Creek, Slate Run and Spruce Creek.

The application provides a very straightforward way of selecting your month, state and river to access a very thorough hatch list.

The Hatch works off line so it will function if you are using an iPod Touch too. The hatch information is relatively brief and concise. If you have Internet access, there are additional suggested imitations via a link that takes you to Flyrecipes.com.

There are still more insect photographs and streams to be added, but Cory admittedly is asking for comments and feedback at his website which can be found at here. Found at the iTunes store for the price of $0.99 your can take The Hatch with you on the stream. There is a free "lite" version to try out too!

Some of LukeC’s pictures are used in The Hatch application and more of his wonderful fly-fishing photography can be found here on Flickr.

Fall fly fishing in Pennsylvania offers anglers a unique opportunity to enjoy cool colorful days on some magnificent streams. Many anglers enjoy the solitude of fall fishing as other are caught up with other fall activities. A little bit of preparation can be a rewarding opportunity for those who can make the time.

Reproduction plays an important part of the trout lifecycle during the fall months for both book and brown trout. Brook trout, native to Pennsylvania, usually begin to spawn during the day in late September through October. Brown trout typically start spawning in October through late November. Females will often create gravel beds for the fertilized eggs called redds. During this time coloring on the trout will intensify especially in the males.

As the trout begin to change so does entomology or insect life in the stream. Activity will be different from region to region, stream size, summer water temperatures, and geology. The fall provides a more limited selection of insects and often anglers enjoy bringing a more modest selection of flies and imitations. Some of the more popular collections include: Slate Drakes, BWO, Caddis and Terrestrials. Typical nymphs and streamers are very successful and smart choice too.

The fast spring waters can take a new characteristic and a different approach once September arrives. Low clear water can create a challenge for some anglers, but stealth and patience can provide many rewards.

With summer holder over trout and newly stocked trout in almost 100 streams there should be ample opportunity for solitude and fish this autumn. Check out the PaFlyFish forums and stream reports to learn more about what is happening in your area of the state.

Photograph by PaulG

I fish the stream until the hatches show. I will not fish a stream I do not enjoy just for the hatches.

I have no problem with prospecting with "staple" foods like scuds, or terrestrials.

Luckily, I like streams that have hatches.

Ever since I started tying, just 6 months into starting to fly fish, I've probably bought less than 10 flies. I would guess 8 of those are poppers because I'm not interested in tying those.

It's eventually cheaper to tie, it relaxes me, and I enjoy catching fish on something I made. The only downside is the time committment. I've put in about 15+ hours alone just tying for steelhead this season.

The 2009 FlyFishing Retailer show runs from September 10th through 12th in Denver, Colorado. The show is the big opportunity for fly fishing retailers to see much of the new gear, attend seminars, educational events and even a little time for some fly fishing. Hope to see many new announcements, products and reviews as a result of the show.

In an early news release Simms Fishing Products announced the Simms G3 Guide Pants– which come with a built-in, adjustable belt – are ultra-waterproof and super breathable thanks to the three and five layers of GORE-TEX® Pro Shell Technology. Simms’ own nylon/polyester microfiber face fabric increases the puncture resistance of the pants, particularly in the front of the legs.

Made in Simms’ Bozeman, Montana factory, the Simms G3 Guide Pants ($379.95) comes with features designed to make a day on the water both dry and comfortable. Anglers will rave about the convenience of the RiRi® Storm™ zipper fly and two thermo-laminated hand pockets with water resistant zippers while appreciating the patented front and back leg seam construction that adds enhanced articulation, comfort and durability.

Offered in 14 stock sizes, the Simms G3 Guide Pants have built-in Guide Model Gravel Guards designed to slip over wading boots and check in a just a smidge over two pounds (38 ounces) making them a great choice for a hike-in fishing trip to a remote stream or pond.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will begin the Fall 2009 Trout Stocking the first part of October. This summer has proven to be fairly cool and wet so the fall stocking should hopefully add to a nice hold over trout population. With this new supply of trout in the streams in Pennsylvania it may be a good chance to try some fly fishing during some of the prettiest times of the year.

The PFBC will stock about 100 streams this fall. No official numbers have been announced, but in 2007 about 47,000 trout were stocked. As reported by the PFBC, the mortality rate of the trout stocked in the fall is very high. Only about 5% of the trout stocked in the fall make it through the winter so enjoy them while you can.

Fish stocking can be fun to watch and even to help in the effort. Often there is some labor involved in moving the buckets of trout from the stocking trucks to the streams. The stocking reports provide details where and when you can meet up with the PFBC and then follow them out to designated streams to stock the trout. Local chapters of Trout Unlimited usually plan to assist in this process too.

Here is the latest Fall 2009 Stocking Schedule. Please check with the PFBC for the latest updates and changes.

Photograph by Albatross.

When you have been out fishing for a while and changing flies over a period of a day you loose quite a bit of your tippet. One of the preferred methods for joining two different lines of similar size is the blood knot when joining sections of tippet or leader. This is one of the best methods for extending the length of your tippet.

A quick animated instruction for the blood knot and well as others can be found at: Animated Knots by Grog.

Aging eyes and dark evenings can really challenge some to tie this knot. I know plenty of nights I have calculated the time to tying tippet ratio. The last thing I would want to do is tie a blood knot at dusk.

The folks at Anglers Ace provides a simple little knot tying product that could save some time. Here is a quick slideshow showing how the product works.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission recently announced a few possible changes to stream classifications.

The Commission will consider adding Walker Run, Luzerne County, from the headwaters downstream to the mouth, to the list of Wild Trout Streams. Two surveys found wild brown trout and a Division of Environmental Services’ survey found both fingerlings and multiple year classes.

In addition, the Commission will consider removing classification for the special regulation section of Fishing Creek in Columbia County. That section of Fishing Creek is currently designated as a Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only section of water. It is speculated this change is due to a new landowner in the area no longer permitting access to the special regulation area along the stream.

At this time, the Commission is soliciting public input concerning the above re- designation. Persons with comments, objections or suggestions concerning the re-designation are invited to submit comments in writing to Executive Director, Fish and Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000.

The next Commission meeting is scheduled for October 5 and 6, 2009.

Can one ever really have too many flies :lol:

When the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) holds its quarterly business meeting in early October, the newest board member will bring to his first meeting a diverse background in government service, higher education, private sector experience and local conservation. It’s a mix G. Warren Elliott believes will benefit the agency as it develops its next five-year strategic plan.

“I have been interested in fishing and boating, conservation and protecting our natural resources for most of my adult life,” said Elliott, a resident of Chambersburg, Franklin County, who took his oath of office last month as one of the Commission’s two at-large boating representatives. “I also have a keen interest in public administration, experience I want to use to assist my fellow commissioners, the agency leaders and their employees as we craft the strategic plan.

I have seven. One of them is an old glass fenwick, and is on perma loan to a friend. The rest are used semi-regularly at least.