Fishing in the Western PA/Pittsburgh Area

[James Marschner]

Hey All,

I've been a less active member of the group the last few years, who nonetheless enjoyed soaking up all the knowledge and experiences on this forum.  I have loved hearing about people's experiences and advice and as a relatively less experienced fisherman, it was vital to me finding good places to fish and have a blast.  In particular, I want to thank Dan Davala for helping me along whenever I went in to Orvis in Arlington.  However, I now find myself in a new locale, as I have moved to Pittsburgh for grad school.  Seeing how the city was built on the junction of 3 fairly major waters, obviously there is fishing to be had, as well as a good number of additional options in the vicinity.  But, I have not been able to find a forum like this online, and I have not found an Orvis location where I can get advice from a local expert.  Any of you have experience in the area, and any advice on places I should look into?  

Thanks,

James

[Daniel Davala]

Thanks for the shout out James.  I'm sure a few TPFRers have experience up there, so they'll probably chime in soon.  Also, we (Orvis) are building a shop in Pittsburg that is slated to open later this fall, so I'm sure when it gets up and running you'll have a good resource to count on.  I don't know the exact location yet, but it should be listed on the Orvis site once finalized.  I'm glad you have found the TPFR forum and community so helpful while you were here.  Who knows, if you can't find something similar up your way, maybe once you meet a few fellow anglers you all can start it up.  All the best of luck to you in PA!

 

Dan Davala

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[Carl Z.]

James,

I would try http://www.paflyfish.com.  There is some great fishing around there, but I don't have any personal knowledge.  I know there is some good warm water fishing on some of the bigger rivers, and there is good trout water within reasonable distance.  But really plan for the Erie Steelhead fishing when it starts going. (however, it will probably arrive while you are neck deep in classes or research).  

Carl

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[Terry C]

James,  you are not far from good fishing in western Maryland,  Savage River, North Branch Potomac, Yak... ,  also you are located in the middle of steelhead alley.  Check out the steelhead alley web page http://steelheadalleyoutfitters.blogspot.com/  you should get lots of info from them.  good luck.

[Matthew Longley]

Hey James, I've had a good time in the Ohiopyle area, which I think is just under an hour from you.  It's a stocked stream, so if you are really hardcore it might not be your scene, but if you are pretty new its a great place to learn a lot and get into some fish.

My trip report is here: https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!searchin/tidal-potomac-fly-rodders/ohiopyle/tidal-potomac-fly-rodders/r-Oofe819pg/vsswf_Dfj48J

If you want more info feel free to shoot me an email.

On Friday, August 16, 2013 8:06:10 AM UTC-4, James Marschner wrote:

[Brian]

Also, Deer Lakes (Cheswick, west of New Kensington) is stocked with trout part of the year.  There are also a few bass in there.

[Mike D.]

For a quick fix, check out Slippery Rock Creek and Neshannock Creek.  Both are an hour north of the city.  They aren't pristine mountain streams, but they'll keep you entertained.  Stocked and hit pretty hard early in the season, but the pressure (and fishing) probably tapers off as the mercury rises.  If you keep going past those two creeks, you'll find Oil Creek (where I've had some amazing days) and the Allegheny National Forest.  ANF offers some awesome streams with very little pressure.  I frequented the ANF when I first picked up a fly rod at the age of 10.  My first fish on a fly was actually on Salmon Creek in the ANF.  A brookie crushed a muddler minnow I was dragging through the current.  I had no business catching that fish... I had no idea what I was doing.  Remember it like it was yesterday.

If you want to stick close to home, the Allegheny and Ohio rivers offer some awesome bass fishing.  A boat definitely improves your chances, but I'm sure there are decent places you can access from shore.  I'm not sure about the Monongahela... might be alright too.  The Bassmaster Classic was actually held in Pittsburgh back in 2005.  So you know there's fish in there.

Looking forward to that new Orvis store that Dan mentioned.  I was born and raised in the area and have grown to love it even more now that I don't live there.  Best of luck!