Pemigewasset Fishing Forecast

A regional note specific to this water: the river's most productive hatches begin at the headwaters and move downstream, and the headwaters fish are different from the downstream fish, and the headwaters flies are different from the downstream flies, and the only way to learn the differences is to fish the entire river. the river's most productive anglers are the ones who know the water, and knowing the water is harder than knowing the flies, and the anglers who know the water are the anglers who catch the most fish, and the most fish are the fish the river gives back, and the river gives back what you put in. The Allegheny River in northwestern Pennsylvania is a freestone river in the high country of the Allegheny Plateau, and the only river in the state that produces a 5-fish day of wild browns and rainbows from a large river that runs through a high-piedmont forest. The river drains a series of small streams in Potter and McKean counties, runs for about 325 miles through the Allegheny River valley, and finally drains into the Ohio River at the town of Pittsburgh. The thing nobody tells you: The most popular trout water is the upper river between the town of Coudersport and the town of Port Allegany, and that water is managed as a wild trout fishery by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The most popular access is the public water at the town of Coudersport, where the Susquehannock State Forest maintains a series of campgrounds and walk-in access to the upper river. The river is a freestone in the canyon and a tailwater below the dam. The most famous hatch is the mahogany dun of late summer, which is the hatch that draws the most anglers. The river's fish have been studied by the state's best biologists for decades, and they still surprise the experts every year. The most famous local fly shop is the Allegheny River Outfitters in Coudersport, and the owner's advice is consistent: fish the upper river, fish the Hendrickson hatch, and stay out of the water. The most productive flies are 6-8 Light Cahill for the year-round midge emergences, 22-24 Chernobyl Ant for the early summer salmonfly hatch, and a Hopper 18-20 a Pheasant Tail for the larger brookies. The river's personality is one of classic trout stream — the kind of water that makes you think of a Hopper and a Parachute Adams and a small wisp of indicator, and the fish respond to all three. Stay in Coudersport or Port Allegany, eat at the Hotel Coudersport, and fish the river in two sections — the upper meadow water above the town of Coudersport and the lower freestone water below. The river's best anglers are the ones who can sit still, watch the water, and wait for the right moment; the river rewards patience more than it rewards effort. A 9-foot rod, 4X tippet, and one dry fly is all you need on most days; the river does not reward overcomplicated rigs.