Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 8

Cast to the bank, like this angler on Spring Creek near State College, when the water is high and off-colored. Fish, like the Brown Trout
in this stream, avoid heavy currents in the center of the stream and hang in slower waters near the edges.

Fish near the bank in high water

It is one of the most frustrating parts of fishing on
moving water-you pull up to your favorite river, and the
water is high and stained, rushing and churning down the
channel. Many anglers get frustrated and leave. Some try
to fish their same favorite spots, often to no avail. Instead,
try a new tactic, and fish the edges. As long as the fish are
still able to see your fly or lure, you can have great success
in high water. I have great luck casting topwater lures and
flies onto the bank and pulling them off to catch big bass
and trout when floating rivers all around Pennsylvania.
If streams are smaller, cast across high water. Lure fish
out with streamers, jigs and crankbaits. Also, try casting
upstream and fishing along the bank as you work your flies
and lures back down to you.

Swing through tailouts

The section of a pool that gradually shallows before it
becomes a riffle is called the "tail" or "tailout" of a pool.
Active gamefish often patrol these areas looking for small
baitfish and other prey. Tailouts can be challenging to fish
due to shallow water. Your flies or lures may snag on rocks.
Solve these problems by letting the current in the river or
stream work for you. Cast across the current and slightly
downstream. Hold your rod tight and low to the water,
letting the current catch the line and slowly swim your
offering in a broad arc across the shallow area. Lures like
floating minnow-shaped crankbaits and light unweighted
flies work well for this type of situation. Twitching crankbaits

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * March/April 2020

as they swing or giving crankbaits a small amount of
action can elicit savage strikes from trout, bass, pickerel
and other fish.

Find creek mouths

If you are having challenges finding active fish in your
favorite warmwater river in the summer, try fishing where
smaller streams or creeks enter the river. These areas often
bring colder water and food into the river, and active fish
regularly patrol these areas. Minnow shaped lures and flies
are good options to pull fish from these types of locations.
If no fish are near the creek mouth, try downstream along
the bank below it, where the coldwater influence lingers
and can still hold fish for some distance downstream.

Fish outside bends

Where a stream or river curves, the deep portion of the
river is called the "outside bend." Principles of flowing water
always bring the stronger flow to this area and remove
sediment, deepening the area. These same consistent flows
deposit sediment on the smaller "inside bend" of the curve,
often making for easy wading or a good spot to anchor your
boat on larger rivers. Strong, deep flows bring plenty of food
to outside bends, making outside bends prime areas for
gamefish to occupy. On rivers and streams that experience
lots of erosion, these bends may be full of downed wood,
providing good cover for fish. Cast as close to the wood as
you can without snagging, and you will have a good shot at
hooking up with big fish.
www.fishandboat.com

http://www.fishandboat.com

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020