Wow! Al is a full time Susquehanna river fishing guide based out of Falls Pa. All skill levels welcome Come and experience Susquehanna River Fishing at it's best. read more.. Even downstream of the all-tackle catch-and-release section, the river holds wild browns, but the slower-moving water can be more challenging because it’s also easier to spook fish. The North Branch, which rises in upstate New York, is generally regarded as the extension of the main branch, with the shorter West Branch being its principal tributary. The Susquehanna River Fishing under good conditions can provide hours of non stop action. The closest I came to matching it was with a size 20 Light Cahill, but it wasn’t a Cahill. The West Branch Susquehanna River is one of the two principal branches, along with the North Branch, of the Susquehanna River in the northeastern United States. A River Rebuilt The upper West Branch is a comeback story that is, thankfully, becoming rather familiar in Pennsylvania. The West Branch Susquehanna River is one of the two principal branches, along with the North Branch, of the Susquehanna River in the northeastern United States. 3; Details; Nick B. Sep, 09, 2015 - West Branch Susquehanna River. Although Angler’s Curse has nothing to do with the occult, sometimes it can feel like it. Branch, hatch-matching opportunities are uncommon, but a few insects, including Light Cahills, Sulphurs, and various Caenis mayflies, get This book provides information about hatches and what to expect when you get there. As a bonus, the entire DHALO stretch flows through public property. Many parts of this underrated river are still relatively unknown and seldom explored. They offer the full gamut of opportunities for anyone who enjoys the adventure and pursuit of small stream trout. The West Branch of the Susquehanna is many times overlooked as a fishing destination primarily due to the popularity of its other two brothers to the east and south – the fabled North Branch and the mighty main stem of the Susquehanna. All Photos by Ralph Sherder. Located in the Endless Mountains, the Susquehanna is one of the best Smallmouth Bass fisheries in the Northeast. The Class A water above Cherry Tree is a prime example. 15 mine, which closed in 1969. Whether in the form of a huge rock or, more often, an uprooted tree that has fallen into the river, holding water abounds. When it comes to fishing in the Susquehanna River, most people would regard the 10 mile stretch that runs through Clearfield County as one of the best fishing spots along the whole river period. There were 330 bass per hour in one Pennsylvania Fish Commision electroshocking study a few years back, according to a Times Leader article https://www.timesleader.com/sports/665965/smallmouth-bass-thriving-in-susquehanna-river. Surprisingly, given the troubled history of the region, dozens of tributaries along the upper West Branch, as well as immediately downstream of the Curwensville Dam, hold solid wild trout populations. Those first 40 miles are especially intriguing because they’ve undergone a serious transformation in recent years, and they provide an abundance of opportunities for trout enthusiasts. But upriver—way upriver, above the Curwensville Dam—it’s a different story. Every year, I catch increasing numbers of 5- to 8-inch wild brown trout, indicating successful natural reproduction. West Branch Susquehanna River Fishing Reports Recently shared catches and fishing spots. The river averages around 20 feet wide, but it still has lots of depth and woody structure. Fish carefully and methodically and you can reap big dividends. Larger fish, up to 18 inches, are also increasingly common, and the river holds a few fish best measured in pounds. It takes a deep, slow retrieve to get up under The West Branch has trout-attracting structure in spades. The main purpose of the additional waters was to protect trout as they move seasonally throughout the watershed by giving them a chance to survive and propagate. Locals often refer to this hatch as a Light Cahill Midge, and you can encounter it anytime between mid-July and mid-September, in the upper West Branch as well as below Curwensville; it’s usually heaviest in the evenings. Paflyfish | A fly fishing community for trout and bass with stream reports, forum, maps, hatch charts and blog covering Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Ohio Paflyfish - West Branch Susquehanna River (Clearfield Co) [Forums - Fly Fishing Locations] In mid-March, Blue-Winged Olives appear, followed by the spring trifecta of Blue Quills, Quill Gordons, and Light Hendricksons. Few people know it, but the Upper West Branch Susquehanna River is a year-round wild brown trout fishery with 26 miles of special regulation water, designated All-Tackle Catch and Release. In fact, the first 8 miles or so, from the plant down to the beginning of the flood control section in the town of Cherry Tree, are classified as a Class A Wild Trout Stream. 2020 Fishing Licenses are now available for purchase – Click here to purchase REMINDER: Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket Wear began on November 1, 2019 and runs through April 30, 2020 for anyone on boats less than 16 feet and in all canoes and kayaks. Of course, the upper West Branch also produces dense hatches of Caenis—aka Angler’s Curse because their diminutive size can be a challenge to match and fish correctly, especially in slow-moving water. The rest of Chest Creek receives multiple spring stockings by the PFBC. Fly fishing for Trout on the West Branch is an incredible experience. The water was low and clear. On the West The North Branch, which rises in upstate New York, is generally regarded as the extension of the main branch, with the shorter West Branch being its principal tributary. Drove my boat down from San Francisco to San Diego, CA to chase some Yellowtail AKA Hamachi. The dual focused on slow moving bottom baits that produced all the bites. Subsequently, millions of state, federal and local dollars have been utilized for AMD remediation. These are all indicators that the upper West Branch Susquehanna River is a conservation success story with a very bright future. These mayflies (genus Caenis) are small, ranging in size from 22 to 28, and when trout decide to key on them, anglers are frequently humbled. The day before Truthout's oil sighting, NOAA had reopened more of the previously closed fishing areas, bringing to 96 percent the federal waters now deemed safe for fishing. The North branch of the Susquehanna River flows out of Otsego Lake in Cooperstown, New York. Disease prevalence among YOY smallmouth bass captured during 2009 was low. Obey “No Trespassing” signs and park only at designated access points—easy enough, considering that the entire 30 miles of regulated water is paralleled by US Highway 219 and there are literally dozens of turnouts along the river. In 2018, this section, combined with an additional 18 miles of river down to Dowler Junction, began to be managed under Catch and Release All Tackle regulations, and it receives no trout stockings by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC). Many of these skinny waters serve as nurseries for the West Branch. While exploring the remote areas of the river, you will enjoy the majestic views, and an abundance of wildlife that it supports. There you’ll find swifter-moving, well-oxygenated water that is easier to nymph as well as navigate. 2021 Rates; Lew’s Fishing ; The Susquehanna Boom was a system of cribs in the West Branch Susquehanna River designed to hold timber in the river until it could be processed at one of the nearly 60 sawmills along the river between Lycoming and Loyalsock creeks in Lycoming County. I offer a 10% discount to active Military . It was like nothing I’d ever seen, with a white body, brownish thorax, and tiny, cellophane-like wings. Dry fly fishing will bring good results, and some anglers have confirmed that streamer fly fishing is equally productive. EMHR serves as the regional partnership agency with the PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) and works in cooperation with the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership to plan and promote activities from the river’s headwaters at Otsego Lake near Cooperstown, NY to its confluence with the West Branch Susquehanna River at Sunbury. The lands along the West Branch were vital hunting grounds and agricultural lands for Native Americans. All Rights Reserved. the structure to where the big fish hide. and hatches can occur at any time of the day. I approached a nice little chute between the end of a fallen tree and a rocky sandbar and flicked a black Krystal Bugger out into the current. Appearance Versus Reality At first glance, the upper West Branch doesn’t look like typical trout water. Despite its beautiful scenery and clear water, the West Branch is virtually without fish until it reaches Lock Haven, primarily due to acidic coal mine runoff, and does not become a good fishery until the Williamsport area. Get your fishing license ONLINE! "That big fish was caught in the West Branch of the Susquehanna River," stated Minium, "and I was by myself when I caught it. Pictured above Joe, Bill, Ricky, and George all had successful outings on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River despite some very difficult conditions. The boom was constructed in 1846 under the supervision of James H. Perkins. However, these conditions have made it easy to find the deeper channels within the river; and to locate structure and habitat where fish tend to congregate. State Parks Aren't the Only Location To Launch a Fishing Boat The upper West Branch also forms plenty of riffle-and-run stretches. Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) and Olive Caddisflies are the dominant species, You may lose a few flies, but that’s a price worth paying. Stocked Tribs and Blue Lines The first time I fished the upper West Branch, I worked downstream from the bridge in Stifflertownn mid-June. High dirty water, transition between spawn and post spawn, and temperature swings all can be debilitating conditions that without a great fishery and experienced anglers can lead to a failed excursion. Prior to the AMD treatment facility, the inactive mine discharged almost 15 million gallons of water laced with iron pyrite and other mining chemicals directly into the river every day. Short of storing a large anchor on board (toons catch a lot of wind) is there an automated way to do this? The typical gamut of nymphs, such as Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ears, and Copper Johns, all work well. The North Branch, which rises in upstate New York, is generally regarded as the extension of the main branch, with the shorter West Branch being its principal tributary. Welcome to Al's Susquehanna Guide Service . by Mike Salamon | Jun 1, 2020 | Guides, Susquehanna River Charters. It’s less noticeable during summer months. © 2021 American Fly Fishing. Some of these are named, such as Shryock Run, Sawmill Run, Rock Run, Haslett Run, and Bell Run, but even more are unnamed and appear as thin blue lines on topographical maps. Work too fast or get careless with your approach and these fish will only recede farther into their shadowy lairs. If you want a fishing area along the Susquehanna River that is easy to access, this is it, as it is located only a short distance from main route 879. The future of the special-regulations section, which includes all 8 miles of the West Branch’s Class A waters, will be determined by the way anglers treat the resource and respect landowners who generously allow access to the river. A report of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River showing healthy and increasing amounts of smallmouth bass populations, as well as many other fish species, could … The number of bass 15 inches and over (over 5 years) are increasing do in part to catch and release and successful multi year spawns. 100 fish days are common events and throw in a couple of large channel cats or walleye and you have a tremendous outing! The job at hand was to find the fish that moved off the beds rapidly with the high warm water and they landed 0ver 45 fish. Use caution as … Hatches and Patterns The West Branch Susquehanna River produces a wide variety of hatches, beginning in winter with the Black Stonefly. On the first jaunt the pair landed 25 fish with 3 inches of visibility. That’s the nature of fly fishing, of course, and the Angler’s Curse is just one of the intriguing experiences offered by the West Branch Susquehanna River. The Susquehanna River, in all it spendor and glory, winds down though Pennsylvania’s spectacular Endless Mountain Range in North East Pennsylvania. Fly Fishing in the Heart of Coal CountryBy Ralph Scherder. Since the water originates several hundred feet below the earth’s surface, its temperature when it leaves the mine is in the low 50s Fahrenheit, creating a fishery that can support trout year-round. The West Branch rises on the west side of the Alleghenies in northwest Cambria County and flows in a northerly direction for nearly 40 miles before turning eastward and beginning its 200-mile march to the main stem. This section receives both spring and fall stockings of fish, with a high percentage of larger-than-average trout. Exploring the river by canoe or kayak will give you a glimpse at the remnants of the Pennsylvania Wilds’ logging history. In many regards, the upper West Branch is an emerging fishery still finding its legs. But the more I fished it, the more I learned, and I quickly realized that looks can be deceiving. I didn’t know it then, but that evening I had encountered my first hatch of the Angler’s Curse. Over the past decade, water quality has drastically improved. Decades of mining at that level of intensity severely impaired the watershed, and it took three events to turn it around. Barring any setbacks, it will continue to improve. Most people envision the Susquehanna as the mile-wide, shallow, warmwater fishery that it … 124 Guests, 0 Users Pages: [1] Go Down Subject / Started by Replies / Views Last post ; 0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this board. Flowing 228 miles total, the West Branch is one of two principal branches of the mighty Susquehanna River and a meandering and beautiful journey through the PA Wilds Lumber Heritage Region. Its hard being the bearer of bad news, but it is bad out there! By the time the West Branch reaches Dowler Junction, it’s twice as wide and twice as deep, and the good nymphing water is more spread out. First, many of the small towns along the river built treatment facilities for raw sewage. This 2.8-mile section offers scenic, big-water trout fishing. As millions of dollars are being invested to correct the environmental damages of decades ago, many of the once-polluted waterways, especially in this part of the state, are being reestablished as viable fisheries. Huge boulders abound in the watercourse, which has lots of productive riffles and pocket water stretches, as well as long, deep runs that can stretch for a hundred yards or more. As it swung downstream into the swirling water behind the tree, I stripped it in, an inch at a time, and my line caught bottom, or so I thought. This area boasts secluded locations, some stunning nature as a backdrop, clear waters, and beautiful fish. Surface feeding can be hit or miss, but a Black Stonefly nymph will take fish. 10 Fishing knots for hooks, lure and swivels - How to tie a fishing knot - Duration: 15:52. Susquehanna River Fishing Forum » Forum » Susquehanna River, Questions & Comments » Susquehanna River Carp; Online. Local clubs and sporting groups also stock the West Branch Susquehanna below the dam during the winter. The river is the 16th largest river in the United States. The Milton State Park and Shikellamy State Park and Marina among many other state parks, provide boat launches in the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. This is where the West Branch Susquehanna River originates and wild brown trout rule. combine to create some great fishing waters and become a river, the West Branch of the Susquehanna provides some of the best bass fishing waters as the stream picks up feeder streams and takes on deeper water. During 2009, catch rates (number of fish captured per 50 meters) varied between the West Branch Susquehanna and the Susquehanna rivers and among reaches of the Susquehanna River, and were below the historic averages for all reaches (Table 1, Figures 1-4). In late May, Light Cahills, Gray Foxes, Sulphurs, Slate Drakes, and Green Drakes all hatch, although not in the same densities found on most other trout streams in the region. 570-241-2211. The West Branch Susquehanna River is one of the two principal branches, along with the North Branch, of the Susquehanna River in the northeastern United States. The West Branch Susquehanna River drains most of the Allegheny Highlands, a sparsely populated forest. With the extremely low waters and summer heat, fishing has been tough recently. Today, the facility captures the water that naturally rises from within the mine, neutralizes the chemicals, and then pumps it into the river. 2. According to the Johnstown Area Genealogical & Historical Society, the county was home to 130 significant coal mines by 1901, and those mines produced 16 million tons of coal annually throughout the 1910s and 1920s. This is where the West Branch Susquehanna River … Due to the high volume of Smallmouth bass in the river, it is the host of numerous bass fishing tournaments each year and is regarded by many as one of the premier bass fishing rivers in … Learn more here Reminder: The PFBC does not monitor ice thickness. Although this stretch has traditionally been a warm-water fishery, more and more trout are beginning to show up there, too. My two favorite patterns, though, are a chartreuse Mop Fly and a black Krystal Bugger. The upper West Branch has no shortage of good-looking trout lairs. Mention of the West Branch Susquehanna River may summon images of a wide, sprawling river that empties into the main branch Susquehanna River in central Pennsylvania. Even before the river had begun to recover, remnant populations of brown trout persisted, and now that the water quality is good, that seed stock is slowly repopulating the river. Below Curwensville, smallmouth bass and any leftover trout gorge themselves on these flies, and action can be fast and furious when the hatch is at its peak. Nick B. Sep, 09, 2015 - West Branch Susquehanna River. My favorite reach of Chest Creek, though, is Section 3, which is managed under Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only (DHALO) regulations and part of the Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters program. The first 3.87 miles are designated Class A Wild Trout water, with native brook trout the main species. Fishing access is permitted thanks to agreements between landowners and the PFBC. The North branch of the Susquehanna River flows out of Otsego Lake in Cooperstown, New York. Walleye seem to do quite well in the lower portion in For updates and information regarding these stockings, contact Jim’s Sports Center in Clearfield (see Notebook). The trout aren’t exactly finicky, except when they’re keying on specific hatches, so I generally use a lot of attractor patterns. It colors quickly after a rain, but clears just as fast. I offer Full Service Guided Fishing trips on the North branch of the Susquehanna River. But this river rewards patient anglers who stalk carefully and present flies with stealth and accuracy. Like most wild brown trout waters, the upper West Branch can be temperamental. Does anyone here have a toon and specifically experience with anchoring? Commercially operated mines opened here in the 1840s, with large-scale mining beginning in 1856. The river is the 16th largest river in the United States. Largemouth Bass with a swimbait. Over the past two decades, reclamation and remediation of AMD in the West Branch Susquehanna has become a priority for numerous conservation organizations and government agencies, including Trout Unlimited. All fish here are a product of natural reproduction. About West Branch Susquehanna. Many times I’ve experienced prime conditions on the West Branch in the morning, only to jump over to the next watershed for the afternoon and find conditions much less fishable. Do carp feed smallmouth? These two colors are ideally suited for the water color, and they catch fish when nothing else will. There are plenty of options below Curwensville Dam, too. Mention of the West Branch Susquehanna River may summon images of a wide, sprawling river that empties into the main branch Susquehanna River in central Pennsylvania. According to PFBC surveys, some 400 miles of streams in this region contain wild and native trout. That’s the nature of fly fishing, of course, and the Angler’s Curse is just one of the intriguing experiences offered by the West Branch Susquehanna River. The section of the West Branch Susquehanna from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission access at Hyner, downstream to the access in Woodward Township’s Park (on the North Side of the Jay Street Bridge at Lock Haven) is about twenty-one river-miles long. West Branch Susquehanna. The full version of this article is available for purchase in print or PDF. Only after the Great Depression did those numbers decline, and it wasn’t until the 1980s that coal mining ceased to play an important role in the county’s economy. caught it where I launch the kayak. Or subscribe here to receive each new issue of American Fly Fishing, as well as gain free access to all of our digital archives (American, Northwest, Southwest and Eastern) that contain thousands of the best fly-fishing destination articles ever written. The numerous long, deep runs and pools crowded with woody structure make the fishery both challenging and interesting. The West Branch Susquehanna River, one of many streams within this fourth-largest Pennsylvania county, has a growing number of trout-fishing faithful and miles of quality water. water during the summer months. This stonefly is a size 14 and usually appears during sunny, warm breaks in the winter weather. The second pair of anglers used swimbaits particularly Keitech Swimbaits most of the time and found success in the stained water (12 inches) . https://www.timesleader.com/sports/665965/smallmouth-bass-thriving-in-susquehanna-river. From fall until spring, the water carries a milky cast, likely a result of the minerals in the mine water treated at the AMD facility. Tracks and trout fishing go hand in hand deeper areas appear deep green story with a very bright.... The Angler ’ s almost impossible to stand in the United States of Otsego in! » Forum » Susquehanna River the bearer of bad news, but clears just as fast s coal heritage... 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