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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Beginner’s Strategy for Locating Small, Wild Trout Streams in the Wilds of Pennsylvania
I often see a common question come up early in the learning curve for anglers looking to get into small stream, wild trout angling: How do I find good streams to fish? It can be an intimidating first hurdle to overcome, but once over it, the way is open to a very rewarding angling experience. It requires some homework, often good for a cold evening in the dead of winter with your beverage of choice. You’ll swing and miss sometimes, but the home runs you hit will be well worth the strikeouts.
Below is the method that I’ve developed and relied on, and that has led me to many good small stream days in the woods of Pennsylvania:
1. Locate via some simple Googling, the following three lists published, and regularly updated by the PFBC: 1) Natural Reproduction List. 2) Class A Wild Trout List. 3) Wilderness Trout Streams List. They contain different information, and there is some overlap between them, but it is all useful. They all indicate the county the stream is in, so you can use that to begin to narrow things down.
2. (Optional, but not necessary. Good for a beginner with this method, but the more successful you get, you’ll find you’ll rely on these less.) Purchase a couple of PA stream guide books. Dwight Landis’ is very good, and is my personal favorite, but there’s several other good options out there as well. Again, some simple Googling will head you in the right direction if you wish to purchase these. They all run about $20-$30.
3. Review the above-mentioned lists and books and locate some streams in a given area that you think interest you. Cross reference those stream’s locations with a good mapping software. Google Maps works very well for this, and of course, is free. Are the streams on publicly owned land? If not, who owns the land? What are the potential access points? Of course, it goes without saying, always...
B-52's and the attack on First Fork
"So Dave, how’s it going?" This was the booming voice of Ron "Trout Dog" Kolman. Ron is somewhat of a local legend for about 50 yards of guardrails along Route 872 on the special regs section of First Fork in Potter County. We were staying up at Greg Sipos's camp for one of our annual spring pilgrimages to God's Country. Both of them were kind enough to take me under their wings and teach me how to fly fish some years earlier.
Over the years, I learned Ron's inquiry was usually more of a competitive interest and not to be misconstrued with my wellbeing. All part of the usual banter I learned was part of fly fishing.
The casual evening was busy with sulphur duns on the water, and as the sun started to set, we tied on our traditional #16 rusty spinners for the anticipated spinner fall. By casual evening, I mean fierce competition to see who could catch more trout. The primary measure of any angler's worth versus their friends is the number of fish, of course. The first of us to make it to the Century Club was an award better than any trophy served up to a little kid playing soccer on Sunday afternoon.
After a day of trout triumphs, we fell into the Wharton Inn for a cold one or ten and a replay of our great fishing heroics. This usually involved a big trout that was on the far bank, behind a rock, in a bad drift, that eventually you schooled. You know...
When Big Bass are Easy: Mastering Pre-Spawn Bass Fishing Techniques
By Dave Weaver (Dave_W)
While most Pennsylvania fly fishermen target river smallmouths during the summer, bass can be successfully targeted all year and the "pre-spawn" is among the best times, especially if you're after large fish. When water temps hit the mid 40s - this would usually coincide with mid March here in the southcentral part of the state - river smallies become noticeably more active and move up out of their winter hibernacula. These winter locations are usually the deepest part of a river, often the low, deep, slack water in front of dams. As bass become more active, they start to spread out a bit but still tend to eschew current.
By this time of year, they start to feed quite a bit more but, unlike summer when most of the bass lay up in front of boulders and mid river structure and aggressively hit poppers, my experience has been that pre-spawn bass are shoreline denizens. In part, this is simply due to the higher, cloudier, water conditions so often prevalent in March and April. However, this preference for specific shoreline locations makes locating pre-spawn river bass more predictable. When you catch a bass, there's usually more in the same spot. Often these are large females staging to move to eventual spawning sites later in May.
Post written by David
Finding these spots starts in summer. If you've got a bass river nearby, walk the bank during summer and familiarize yourself with the shape of the shoreline when the water is low and clear. Come high water, you'll know where to go. Perhaps the ideal pre-spawn location would be a point of land that projects out into the river, especially if there are large chunk rocks or boulders on it. Oftentimes there are river willows or vegetation that grow on the point in summer, but that often has water flowing thru it this time of year. If downstream from this point, there is an eddy (there almost...
Top 10 Fly Patterns for Fly Fishing in Pennsylvania via ChatGPT
ChatGPT is an innovative technology that has been in development for years. Artificial intelligence (AI) was once limited to science fiction and academic circles. However, it has become widely available to the masses in recent times. AI systems are now used for a variety of purposes, such as producing prize-winning art, writing college papers, developing recipes, proofreading texts, and much more.
As a self-learning model, ChatGPT can answer complex questions. I was curious to know how knowledgeable and precise ChatGPT is about fly fishing. Therefore, I asked a reasonably straightforward but subjective question about fly fishing patterns in Pennsylvania.
The questions I asked:
“List for me the top ten fly patterns for Pennsylvania.”
The answer:
As a language model, I do not have personal opinions or preferences, but I can provide you with some commonly recommended fly patterns for fly fishing in Pennsylvania based on expert advice and local fishing reports. Here are ten fly patterns that are popular in Pennsylvania:
As a self-learning model, ChatGPT can answer complex questions. I was curious to know how knowledgeable and precise ChatGPT is about fly fishing. Therefore, I asked a reasonably straightforward but subjective question about fly fishing patterns in Pennsylvania.
The questions I asked:
“List for me the top ten fly patterns for Pennsylvania.”
The answer:
As a language model, I do not have personal opinions or preferences, but I can provide you with some commonly recommended fly patterns for fly fishing in Pennsylvania based on expert advice and local fishing reports. Here are ten fly patterns that are popular in Pennsylvania:
- Elk Hair Caddis: The Elk Hair Caddis is a versatile fly that imitates a wide range of insects, including caddisflies, stoneflies, and even mayflies. It is a good choice for fishing in both fast and slow-moving water.
- Blue-Winged Olive: The Blue-Winged Olive is a common mayfly in Pennsylvania and a popular dry fly pattern for trout fishing. It is effective in a range of sizes and can be fished throughout the season.
- Adams: The Adams is a classic dry fly pattern that imitates a range of insects, including mayflies and midges. It is a highly versatile fly that works well in a range of conditions and is a must-have in any angler's fly box.
- Pheasant Tail Nymph: The Pheasant Tail Nymph is a versatile pattern...
The Art of Handcrafted Wooden Fly Fishing Nets by Pennsylvania Artisan Tina Lewis
Fly fishing isn't just about catching fish; it's also about the gear and equipment that enhance the experience. For Pennsylvania artisan Tina Lewis, creating handcrafted wooden fly fishing nets is more than just a trade – it's a passion that celebrates creativity and craftsmanship.
Tina's love for the outdoors and fishing was instilled in her by her father, who was an avid outdoorsman and member of the Delaware County Field and Stream Association. He included her in all kinds of fishing and shooting activities, and her grandfather even worked for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
As a child, Tina turned to drawing as her creative outlet. Her love for comic books, especially Wonder Woman, fueled her artistic inspiration, and she continued to hone her skills by drawing those comic book characters.
Life moved forward and when the pandemic hit, Tina sought a way out of the corporate world after many years. A friend asked her to create a fly fishing net, and with the help of her husband, they began experimenting with bending wood, crafting net shapes, and coming up with innovative ideas. "It was an epiphany that this was fun and that people appreciated my art," said Tina. She was eager to jump in and make this her full-time profession.
One of the things Tina particularly enjoys is when customers request a special order that allows her to use all the wood pieces lying around the shop to create unique accents and additions that make each net even more exceptional. She also loves being able to transfer illustrations onto the wooden handles and enhance the nets with customized engravings.
However, marketing the business has been the most significant challenge for this young entrepreneur so far. With...
Tina's love for the outdoors and fishing was instilled in her by her father, who was an avid outdoorsman and member of the Delaware County Field and Stream Association. He included her in all kinds of fishing and shooting activities, and her grandfather even worked for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
As a child, Tina turned to drawing as her creative outlet. Her love for comic books, especially Wonder Woman, fueled her artistic inspiration, and she continued to hone her skills by drawing those comic book characters.
Life moved forward and when the pandemic hit, Tina sought a way out of the corporate world after many years. A friend asked her to create a fly fishing net, and with the help of her husband, they began experimenting with bending wood, crafting net shapes, and coming up with innovative ideas. "It was an epiphany that this was fun and that people appreciated my art," said Tina. She was eager to jump in and make this her full-time profession.
One of the things Tina particularly enjoys is when customers request a special order that allows her to use all the wood pieces lying around the shop to create unique accents and additions that make each net even more exceptional. She also loves being able to transfer illustrations onto the wooden handles and enhance the nets with customized engravings.
However, marketing the business has been the most significant challenge for this young entrepreneur so far. With...
Understand the Life Cycle of Mayflies for Trout Fishing
Introduction:
Trout are one of the most sought-after fish species for fly fishing. Understanding the life cycle of mayflies, an essential food source for trout, is crucial for successful fishing. In this basic guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about mayflies and how to use their life cycle to your advantage while fly fishing.
Green Drake
Mayfly Basics:
Mayflies, also known as ephemeropterans, are aquatic insects that are found in freshwater environments. They have a unique and short lifespan, making them a crucial part of the aquatic food chain. The life cycle of a mayfly consists of three stages: egg, nymph, and adult.
The Egg Stage:
Mayflies lay their eggs in freshwater, usually in the evening. The eggs then sink to the bottom of the river or lake where they will hatch into nymphs.
The Nymph Stage:
Nymphs are the underwater stage of mayflies, where they live and grow for several months to a few years. Nymphs are an important food source for trout and other aquatic species, and they are usually more vulnerable to predation than adult mayflies.
The Adult Stage:
Once the nymphs are fully grown, they will emerge from the water and transform into adult mayflies. The adult stage is short-lived, typically lasting only a few hours to a few days. During this stage, mayflies mate and lay eggs, starting the cycle all over again.
March Brown
Using the Mayfly Life Cycle for Trout Fishing:
By understanding the life cycle of mayflies, fly fishing enthusiasts can use this knowledge to their advantage. During the nymph stage, trout will feed on the nymphs. As the nymphs emerge...
Trout are one of the most sought-after fish species for fly fishing. Understanding the life cycle of mayflies, an essential food source for trout, is crucial for successful fishing. In this basic guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about mayflies and how to use their life cycle to your advantage while fly fishing.
Green Drake
Mayfly Basics:
Mayflies, also known as ephemeropterans, are aquatic insects that are found in freshwater environments. They have a unique and short lifespan, making them a crucial part of the aquatic food chain. The life cycle of a mayfly consists of three stages: egg, nymph, and adult.
The Egg Stage:
Mayflies lay their eggs in freshwater, usually in the evening. The eggs then sink to the bottom of the river or lake where they will hatch into nymphs.
The Nymph Stage:
Nymphs are the underwater stage of mayflies, where they live and grow for several months to a few years. Nymphs are an important food source for trout and other aquatic species, and they are usually more vulnerable to predation than adult mayflies.
The Adult Stage:
Once the nymphs are fully grown, they will emerge from the water and transform into adult mayflies. The adult stage is short-lived, typically lasting only a few hours to a few days. During this stage, mayflies mate and lay eggs, starting the cycle all over again.
March Brown
Using the Mayfly Life Cycle for Trout Fishing:
By understanding the life cycle of mayflies, fly fishing enthusiasts can use this knowledge to their advantage. During the nymph stage, trout will feed on the nymphs. As the nymphs emerge...