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The Youghiogheny River, located in Southwestern Pennsylvania,
is a great tailwater fishery that has recovered well
from a past mine acid spill. Cold water from the Youghiogheny
Reservoir Dam, located near the town of Confluence, helps
support a good population of trout. Since the mine acid
spill, hatches on the Youghiogheny also have recovered
well and are getting better each year. This large tailwater
fishery, averaging 150 feet across in most spots, has
the potential of being one of the better quality rivers
in Pennsylvania.
The Cassleman River and Laurel Hill Creek both enter
the river just below Confluence. Back in 1993, a mine
acid spill into the Casselman River also polluted the
Youghiogheny. This unfortunate disaster has since been
controlled with lime that has neutralized the mine
acid. Now, Mayflies and trout are beginning to flourish
again. The section of river from the dam at Confluence
to Ohiopyle is considered by many as the finest stretch
of trout water on the Youghiogheny. Here, the river
is at its coldest, surging from the dam in the low
40-degree range and increasing as the water migrates
downstream.
The Youghiogheny is a large river and should be treated
as one. It is dangerous, especially in high water,
with difficult wading conditions. This river is extremely
deep in areas, with swift currents and large boulders
making each step a challenge. Trout will hold on the
edges of soft seams and pockets where they can relax
in the soft currents and intercept passing food. |
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To locate your best dry-fly water, look for flat pools,
softer runs, and eddies. Here, the river is accessible
by either a bike trail that traverses the western side
of the river, or by floating it from Confluence to Ohiopyle.
The State stocks brown and rainbow fingerlings in this
area, and good-sized holdover trout in the 12- to 16-plus-inch
class are caught with regularity. |
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From Ohiopyle to the Bruner Run Takeout, the river is
a swift, rugged, and challenging piece of water. Just
below Ohiopyle, there's a 40-foot waterfall over which
boats cannot pass. If you're floating the river in a
raft or canoe, you must pull out before the falls, or
put in after the falls. Below the falls, the river is
very rough and difficult to wade. Although trout are
abundant in this part of the river, rafters floating
through here represent the majority of people who use
this seven-mile stretch to the Bruner Run Takeout. Access
to this section is difficult due to the lack of roads,
but you'll find a small path that follows the river downstream.
Hiking into this section and fishing it can be very challenging.
If you really want to fish this section, your best bet
is by bike, or to drift from below the falls at Ohiopyle
to the Bruner Run Takeout.
Below Bruner Run, the Youghiogheny River still offers
quality trout fishing. Just below the Bruner Run Takeout
there is a series of rapids and rough water. And below
the rapids, the river mellows somewhat, giving anglers
more fishing opportunities. Keep in mind that this
area is very remote, so access can be difficult, like
much of the river. A road leading to Camp Carmel provides
access to the river. Another option for fishing this
area is biking and floating, like the rest of the river.
You'll find some good numbers of trout here, mixed
in with some warm water fish such as bass and panfish.
Keep in mind that the farther away you are from the
dam, the warmer the water temperatures.
Hatches on the Youghiogheny River are fairly prolific
and are getting better each year. Stoneflies and Caddis
offer some good dry-fly as well as nymph fishing. Some
of the Mayflies found on the Youghiogheny include Green
Drakes, Blue-Winged
Olives, Sulphurs, Light
Cahills, and Isonychias. Streamers
and large nymphs also are very important on this river,
so be sure you carry along a good supply. You can get
to the river from Route 281 by Confluence or from Route
381 by Ohiopyle. It's a good idea to call ahead to
a local fly or tackle shop for river conditions if
you're planning to visit the Youghiogheny. River conditions
are affected by rain, making water levels high and
fishing difficult, at times.
The Youghiogheny is an excellent river to fly fish,
and it offers anglers diverse water. There are two Miscellaneous
Waters Special Regulations on the Youghiogheny.
So, the next time you're in South Central Pennsylvania,
be sure to stop by and try fishing the Youghiogheny
River. |
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