Which flies are most effective for catching trout in Pennsylvania?

Fly Fishing Discussions at Seven Springs Reunion

Top fly anglers from across the state and the nation gathered to advise and share their experiences with others at a reunion held at Seven Springs last Wednesday.

Notable Attendees

Among the attendees were renowned fly tiers like Jeff Blood of Cranberry Township, creator of the Blood Dot fly for Great Lakes steelhead; Josh Miller, the head coach of the USA Fly Fishing Youth Team; Tom Baltz, a legendary guide from Boiling Springs in Cumberland County; and Chuck Furimsky, the founder of the national Fly Fishing Show.

Jeff Blood’s Insights into Fly Fishing

Jeff Blood first caught a steelhead trout in Erie in 1961 when he was just 7 years old, and his love for fly fishing has not waned since. He asserts that fly fishing has taught him about the process of problem solving through keen observation of the water and fish.

“A good egg pattern is necessary in any trout water. This is because eggs are one of the primary food sources for Great Lakes steelhead and trout in general are predetermined to eat them,” he said. His Blood Dot egg fly is designed based on the size, color, transluceness and behavior of the eggs he observes in the streams.

Global Fly Fishing Experiences

Blood, who has fished in various places around the world, has a deep appreciation for fishing in Erie. He believes the quality of fishing that Erie County offers is world-class.

Tips from Josh Miller

Josh Miller, the head coach of the USA Fly Fishing Youth Team and the owner of Trout Yeah Guide Service, recommends having a variety of fly sizes when heading to stream. Based on what fish prefer on a particular day, he advises fly anglers to carry some designs that are more intrusive and others that are more finesse.

Tom Baltz’s Fly Fishing Techniques

Tom Baltz creates para nymphs in a variety of colors to catch trout. To him, selecting the fly color based on the weather and water color is crucial. For instance, on bright sky days, he prefers a black design.

Chuck Furimsky’s Unique Fly Designs

Chuck Furimsky, formerly of Somerset County and now residing in Ocean City, N.J., uses leather to create designs that imitate worms. He is also the creator of The Fly Fishing Show, which currently runs in different parts of the country.

Reviving Fly Fishing Enthusiasm

Lenny Lichvar, president of the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited Council, spoke to the attendees about conservation and fly fishing. John J. McFarland from Ligonier, who is getting back into the sport after years, attended the event to meet some of the experts and schedule lessons.

For more outdoor stories, contact Brian Whipkey, the outdoors columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania, atbwhipkey@gannett.com, or follow him on Facebook@whipkeyoutdoors, and Instagram atwhipkeyoutdoors.