Clarion and Allegheny River Trips 2017

After a soaking wet spring, which had the water levels high for most March and April, conditions finally stabilized for mid May-June.  The fishing was phenomenal.  Lots of big wild brown trout with a few rainbows and some brookies mixed in.  There are always streamer fishing opportunities when the water is high, but it sure is fun after it comes back down and you can get some shots at these big bruisers on dry flies.  Action will pick back up this fall and be good all through the winter.

A New Year Brings New Opportunity

    I'm very happy to restart my old page with its new look, name, and content.  Finally after 15 years in the industry, I'm taking my show independent and it's my pleasure to present Fin & Fly Adventures.  This is a primarily fly fishing based guide service that also offers some terminal tackle opportunities.
    Fly fishing opportunities include trout, bass, musky, carp, and steelhead.  Species options are all based on conditions and time of year.  Both wade and driftboat fishing trips available as well.   Terminal fishing opportunities are primarily targeting walleye, with perch, crappie, white bass, smallmouth bass, and northern pike as a bonus.
    Our area of service would be NW Pennsylvania and the Southern Tier of NY.  Waters we fish are, but not limited to, Allegheny Tailwaters (Allegheny River), Clarion River, Lake Erie Tribs, Kinzua Dam, and Chautauqua Lake.
    Also on this page you will see my own adventures from hunting and fishing with family and friends.
 

     These pics are just a little recap of last years guiding season.  We are looking forward to a great 2017!

Where else would you propose taking a lunch break on a hot day?

A rare double on the Allegheny River where both quality fish were landed and able to get pics side by side.

Larry with one of the best trout of the year.

Just another quality Clarion brown for Walt.

Larry doubled up on back to back runs with big Allegheny browns

Great markings.

 A net full of fish is a beautiful sight.

Here are a few more pics from some of the terminal fishing trips.

                                                                                                                 The Fourth of July weekend on Chautauqua was amazing.

Beggining of the Clarion River season

    It has been a not so bad start to the season so far.  Water temps are still pretty cold but on the good cloudy days with stable flow conditions decent fish have been caught.  The first couple trips found that most of the fish were grouped up in their prime wintering spots.  Slower currents, deep water, and lots of structure.  As of late, the fish have been spreading out.  More are being caught in the faster current and shallower water.   A few bugs have been present.  Black stone flies and midges mostly.  Not enough for consistent rising but enough to make a trout attack once in a while.  

    We have been fishing mostly streamers so far.  Big and ugly has was the ticket early but a slimmer, shorter profile has been working best as of late.  We have stopped and ran some nymphs in some of the primary riffles with moderate success.  I am sure that a little more time and effort would produce more fish on nymphs, but I must admit that when they are chasing streamers and you get to see the entire follow and take, that I would much rather cast the big stuff. 
    

Warmer temps this week should help get the fish a little more active.  Hendricksons are right around the corner.  As much as I love streamers, I can not wait to cast a dry fly to a big rising brown trout.  More clients are starting to book trips now that the weather is breaking and I can not wait to spend more days on the water.  Hopefully this will be the start to a great season.

Escape From The Cold

I love the snowy months and I love ice fishing but man, what a winter!  Little did I know when my family and I booked a trip to Belize last fall, for the following March, that it would be a much needed vacation to escape the grips of the bone chilling cold that our area has experienced the last few months. We certainly had plenty of ice and an extended season this year, but it comes to a point where enough is enough.  When March finally got arrived was definitely time to go.

            The morning of the trip was here and after driving though a not so unusual blizzard on the way to the Buffalo Airport, it was time to head south.  The flight out of Buffalo left at 6:30am and by 2pm it was time for shorts, sandals, and my favorite fishing shirt.  And oh yes…it was 85 degrees in Belize City.  Another short yet very scenic flight from Belize City Airport found the final destination on the Island of San Pedro, also known as Ambergris Cay.

 Reservations had been made at a luxury resort called Victoria House, and upon arrival on the island their limo and friendly driver was awaiting my family and I.  This is however not your traditional limo.  This limo was one of the nicest 8 person golf carts that you have ever seen.  The primary mode of transportation on the island is either golf cart or bicycle.  After checking in, it was time to make sure that the fly rods had not been damaged during travel and my mind quickly geared towards fishing. 

Now, this trip was more of a family vacation but I was able to get my fair share of fishing done.  There is a nice sized lagoon just a short walk from the resort that I had had some good luck fishing in past trips to this island and it would not disappoint this year.  In fact, the lagoon fished better than it ever had.  Blind casting big streamers tied with rabbit strips from a point protruding out produced snook, baby tarpon, and even a big barracuda.  The lagoon would be my every morning routine.  Get up at 5:20am, fishing as it breaks daylight, and back to the Victoria House for breakfast with the family by 7:30am.  The only problem with fishing by yourself early in the morning is that there is nobody around to take your picture when you catch a nice fish.  I managed to land my first ever tarpon on the second morning and was just hoping to flag down a passer by to take a picture for me to no avail.  After settling for a nice picture of it laying next to my fly rod, I returned it to the brownish off-colored water of the lagoon.

After a few days of seeing the sights, snorkeling, and eating some great sea food, it was time to hit the flats for some bonefish and anything else that may present an opportunity.   The first day I spent with my brother, who had not cast a fly rod since we were kids. Which means it was 15 years ago, and on this day it was very windy.  Not a good combination for your first flats fishing trip.  After big brother (myself) landed a couple, it was now little brother’s turn.  We got back in behind some mangroves and out of the wind.  With a little coaching, my brother (Dan) was able to hook up and land his first bonefish.  He managed to hook 4 other bones and land a couple more on a day that turned out to be more for him than myself.  I would not have had it any other way. 

The next day I was on my own.  I was not really concerned with bonefish so my guide and I looked for some permit and tarpon.  Now, I have never caught a permit.  Nor have I had any very good opportunities at any.  This day would be no different.  After a pelican spooked an entire school of permit before I could make a cast, we headed on the hunt for tarpon.  The tarpon were around but none of them seemed to be very interested.  They were moving very fast and acting very spooky.  The day was ended with a few bonefish before heading back to the resort.

Besides just the spectacular fishing, it was a great trip and a much needed break from the cold weather.  Belize has much to offer such as fishing, diving, snorkeling, sailing, Mayan Ruins, jungle tours, cave tubing, and many other activities.  This was my fourth trip back and I guarantee that it will not be the last.  Great fishing, great fun, and above freezing!  After this winter in the southern tier, it was a great way to break the cabin fever.

Warm water heating up!!

     Some early morning smallies followed by carp on dry flies.  A nice change of pace after fishing for trout all spring.  Looking forward to getting into some pike and musky action next week.

Living The Dream

          I do not really know what to say other than.... does it get any better that this?  Two beautiful days on two different rivers.  Thank you to Jim from the Dudewater Blog and Orvis Cleveland and also Alex, who guides out of Ohio for coming over to fish.  Great weather, great fishing, and spending time with other FISHAHOLICS.  Like the title of this post says...Living The Dream

Clarion Browns On The Surface

                                                                                            

     What started as a cold slow morning took a major turn after lunch.  In the heat of this cold day the hendricksons came off heavy for about an hour in the afternoon.  We took advantage of every minute.  My clients Mike and Dave caught some great fish on dry flies.  Looking forward to this week.  Should be some good fishing.

Clarion River Scouting Mission...Success!

They do not get any more colorful than this.

Had my tripod attached to a tree branch over the water.  It's tough taking pics when you are by yourself.

Pretty brown with a nice copper john stuck to his nose!  Right were we like it.

Nice male with a good hook. 

   

   

      A good day of scouting on the Clarion River.  Caught a good number of fish on various beaded nymphs today.  The water is still cold but the fish seemed to be pretty active.  I have some guide trips coming up soon and can not wait to put some clients on these beautiful fish. 
     Finally it looks like we are going to have a normal spring.  Last year at this time it was 80 degrees, water was getting low, and we were already through the hendrickson hatch and starting into caddis.  Hopefully this makes for a longer season on the Clarion this year.

60 degrees in January... "Let's go fishing!"

    January 30th and the weather was pushing 60 degrees and rain.  The Allegheny River had been running at 1900 CFS and on this morning was rising.  Sink tips and big ugly streamers were the ticket.  Pictured above is Steve with a nice healthy rainbow and on the left is myself with my second brown trout of the morning. 
    Today the temperature is in the 20s and falling with lake effect snow.  Glad we were able to enjoy it yesterday.  Back to tip-ups and fishing the hardwater next week I guess.  It looks like it is going to be winter again for a while.

From Hot and Humid to Cold and Rainy...Kodiak, Alaska 2012!

 Fishing with bears...

 Catching Pink Salmon...

 A group pic at the top of the famous Hatcher Pass...

 4-wheeling to the back side of the island...

 The only sunrise we saw the entire trip...
(The day we left of course)

 Fishing Halibut, cod, and Rockfish from a charter boat...

And glacier capped mountains...














    What a trip.  We caught more pink salmon that you can count, 137 pounds of halibut and cod on the charter, and got to see some of the most amazing scenery in the world.  So when I say " Hot and Humid to Cold and Rainy".  I'LL TAKE IT!