Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 16

Paddling

“The Other”

Youghiogheny
Ohiopyle
State Park

FAY E T T E

Eclipsed by its
own world-famous
upstream whitewater,
the Youghiogheny
from Connellsville
to McKeesport
is an awakening
recreational gem.

SOMERSET

by Ben Moyer
Ask most paddlers to describe the Youghiogheny River, and
you’ll get a hair-raising depiction. Even among paddlers who
have never been on its flow, “The Yawk’s” reputation is one
of powerful chutes, churning falls and brawny waves waiting
to flip an ill-managed boat. More than a quarter-million
rafters brave the Youghiogheny River’s popular whitewater
segments every year on guided commercial trips, plus thousands more kayakers and properly equipped canoeists.
All that action happens within Ohiopyle State Park,
Fayette County, the most active hub of whitewater
boating in the eastern United States. Nearly 30 miles of
roadless river tumble through the park from the tailrace
of Youghiogheny Reservoir to the Bruner Run takeout.
During peak summer and fall seasons, the flotillas of
rafts, kayaks and technically-outfitted canoes seem never
ending, while shuttle bus convoys transport back upstream
to launch points and parking lots.

16

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May/June 2013

photos by the author

With so much attention focused on running rapids,
more casual paddlers or those looking for a less intense
change-of-pace may assume the Youghiogheny River
has nothing else to offer. They could not be more
mistaken. The Youghiogheny River’s famed whitewater
runs represent less than half the river’s length within
Pennsylvania. Once the Youghiogheny River exits
the mountains through a gap in Chestnut Ridge at
Connellsville, Fayette County, it snakes among the western
Allegheny foothills, generally northwest, for 44 river miles
as if half-heartedly seeking its union with the Monongahela
River at McKeesport. Throughout that entire course, there
are no rapids more formidable than modest waves and
riffles at a dozen bends. Below Connellsville, all the way
to McKeesport, the current is forgiving but the wooded
hills that flank the stream between towns like Dawson,
Layton, Smithton and West Newton are surprisingly
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013
Straight Talk
Table of Contents
Fishing Mountain Streams with Minnows
Tying the Laid Back Hex
Your Fishing Field Guide
Paddle Streams of Northwest Pennsylvania
Paddling “The Other” Youghiogheny
Ride-in Fishing
Pennsylvania Shad Fishing
Best Pumpkinseed and Bluegill Lakes of Northwestern Pennsylvania
Stand-up Paddleboarding–Floating, Fishing and Fun
Tying it Together: Teaching Children the Art of Fly Tying
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Mentored Youth Trout Day
Let ‘em Catch Bait
Share the Knowledge, Fish for Free
Satisfaction in a Different Opening Day Experience: The Trout Angler Count
Pre-Season Motor Maintenance
Letting the Wind do the Work
The Incredible Sinking Soft Stickbait
Recap of 2012 Pennsylvania Boating Fatalities
Do-it-yourself Fish Finder
Notes from the Stream
Life on the Edge: Pennsylvania’s Endangered Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
Reflecting on the Water
Currents
Angler’s Notebook
Fishin’ from the Kitchen
Cast & Caught
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - CT1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - CT2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Straight Talk
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Table of Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Fishing Mountain Streams with Minnows
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Tying the Laid Back Hex
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Your Fishing Field Guide
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Paddle Streams of Northwest Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 13
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 14
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 15
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Paddling “The Other” Youghiogheny
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 17
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 18
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 19
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Ride-in Fishing
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 21
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Pennsylvania Shad Fishing
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 23
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Best Pumpkinseed and Bluegill Lakes of Northwestern Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 25
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 26
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Stand-up Paddleboarding–Floating, Fishing and Fun
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 28
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Tying it Together: Teaching Children the Art of Fly Tying
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 30
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 31
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Mentored Youth Trout Day
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 33
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Let ‘em Catch Bait
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 35
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Share the Knowledge, Fish for Free
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 37
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Satisfaction in a Different Opening Day Experience: The Trout Angler Count
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 39
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Pre-Season Motor Maintenance
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 41
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Letting the Wind do the Work
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 43
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - The Incredible Sinking Soft Stickbait
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 45
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Recap of 2012 Pennsylvania Boating Fatalities
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 47
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Do-it-yourself Fish Finder
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 49
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Notes from the Stream
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 51
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Life on the Edge: Pennsylvania’s Endangered Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 53
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Reflecting on the Water
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Currents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 56
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 57
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 58
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 59
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 60
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 61
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Fishin’ from the Kitchen
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Cast & Caught
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 64
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - Cover4
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