Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 15

Most of the best trout fishing in the Allegheny River is in the
channels along islands. These channels resemble trout water
more than the larger pools.

The hook jaw on this nice Brown Trout and its slender shape
indicate that it has recently spawned, probably in one of the
small tributary streams.

Catching big trout from the Allegheny River is not a
mystery. If there is any so-called secret, it is use big trout
tactics to catch big trout. Of course, some very fine trout
have been caught by anglers who were using tactics
better suited to smaller trout. Now, though, we are looking
into specialization.
This specialization goes so far as to separate big Brown
Trout from big Rainbow Trout. If you take one of each, of
approximately equal size and compare them, one thing you
will notice is that the Brown Trout has a much larger mouth.
Brown Trout are built to eat bigger meals, so we will be
offering them bigger meals, even if it means fewer hits at the
end of the day.
Start with the tactic that, through the years, has most
likely accounted for more big Brown Trout from the
Allegheny River than anything else-stringing minnows.
This tactic has the advantage of fishing a real minnow like
an artificial lure. Another advantage is that trout are seldom
hooked as deep as with other bait fishing methods. The only
nonstandard tool necessary is a bait needle, which is nothing
more than a very long needle with a slot in the eye.
Tie a snap to the end of the line, insert the snap into the
needle eye and run the needle into the mouth of a minnow
and out the vent. Remove the needle and replace it with a
treble hook. Pull the line gently, just enough to pull the snap
and the hook eye into the minnow. At the same time, insert
one point of the treble hook into the minnow between the
vent and tail.
Sinker style and weight depends primarily on the current
and depth. Wind may necessitate more weight for accurate
casting. While fishing relatively shallow water alongside
the islands, a medium to large splitshot should be adequate.
Altering the weight in small increments is easy using a
removable splitshot.

While fishing off the walls immediately below the dam
was allowed, most anglers used barrel sinkers as heavy as ¾
ounce for casting into the turbulent water between the upper
walls. Either a splitshot or a swivel is used to separate the
sinker from the minnow.
If an angler were limited to one type of lure for big trout
fishing in the Allegheny River, it would be stickbaits. As a
general rule, use natural colors from late spring through late
fall. Then, between those times in the cold water period, use
bright or loud colors. Natural colors are black, blue or green
on the back and upper sides, white on the belly and silver
on the sides. Loud colors for big Brown Trout start with
gold with a bright red back, which is a long-time standard.
Chartreuse back with silver sides may be effective. Various
"clown" color patterns are useful. These are brightly colored
dots over various background colors such as white or yellow.
If you are serious about trying to catch big Brown Trout,
stay away from small stickbaits. Stickbaits should be 4- to
6-inches long.
Vary your retrieve. Standard retrieve should not be steady
reeling. Your retrieve should be reeling and pausing or
sweeping the rod and pausing.

PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com

McKEAN

E GH

ENY R

IVER

WARREN
ALL

Kinzua
Dam

FOREST
ELK

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * March/April 2014

15
http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014
