be prepared for success on the trout trail

While a 7.5’, 4-weight, medium action fly rod will handle most of the Trout Trail, a 9’, 5-weight, fast action rod is best for the Youghiogheny River, a tailwater fishery.

Simple leaders work here. Try a size 4X 7.5 foot tapered leader built out toward 9 feet with tippet, 4X for nymphing and 5X for dry fly fishing.

On the smaller Trout Trail streams, hip waders are adequate, but waist-high waders are a good choice too. The larger, colder Youghiogheny River calls for chest-high waders.

Walt’s Worm (Sizes 12 and 14)
Green Weenie (12)
Caddis Pupa, gold bead style (12 and 14)
Pheasant Tail Nymph (14 and 16)
Hare’s Ear Nymph, bead head, flashback style (12 and 14)
Prince Nymph, bead head style (12)

Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail, bead head (12 and 14)

Woolly Bugger, black with green body (10)

Royal Wulff (12 and 14)
Adams, parachute style (12, 14, 16 and 18)
Elk Hair Caddis, peacock body, X-style (12, 14 and 16)
Comparadun, sparkle-style in match-the-hatch colors (eg. sulfur, olive, etc.) and sizes
Ant, black parachute style (14 and 16)
Beetle, Elk hair style with peacock body (14 and 16)

One, three, and seven-day tourist fishing licenses are available on-line, at all Wal-Mart stores, and many fly shops.

Tourist fishing licenses include trout fishing privileges.

Annual fishing licenses require a separate Trout-Salmon permit.

The PA Fish and Boat Commission determines which streams qualify as special trout streams. Most trout waters are open all year. Specially designated trout streams are open to trout fishing year-round provided special tackle and trout possession restrictions are observed. For details, see the Regulations section of the Fish and Boat Commission’s website, www.fish.state.pa.us.

See the latest stream reports by checking out the PA Fish and Boat Commission’s SW. Region Report here.