Water was at good flow being clear to tea stained from leaves. Leaves and wind became a problem at times. Pool fishing in morning yielded fish on jigs, single eggs, and drifting skein. Fish seemed to spook from leaves swirling around. A lot of fish in shallow water above pool trying to move. So shallow it was hard to target them with anything and not very sporting.

Moved on to larger trib and walked a 2 mile stretch of stream. Saw about 5 fishermen and found groups of fish every 50 feet or so. Targeted individual fish and groups of 5-30 with one Flatfish lure the entire time. Flow allowed for swinging and holding lure in current when possible. Utilizing every inch of the rod helped to accomplish this and keep it in front of fish to trigger strikes. It quickly became a high number day, catching 1-2 fish per group, and then targeting the same groups of fish on the way back to where I parked. There were no subtle strikes or lipping the lure today. Most fish struck violently and turned back immediately setting the hook for me much of the time. Fish that missed came back again to get it and many fish had the lure deep in their throats. Seemed most fish today averaged on the heavier side at 8-9 lbs.

Lots of fish have made it to higher sections and there are plenty to fish for if you are willing to walk. You can drift fish all day but if you want to get your blood flowing try triggering fish with Flatfish lures. It’s more of a West Coast tactic that not enough people are doing in Erie or doing correctly. Once you nail down size and color selection you may find that you’d rather catch fish this way than any other. Landed a lot of fish today but here was a nice clean female that out charged another fish to the lure and put up one heck of a fight. She was the garden variety football shape we know and love in PA.