Three Muskyless Days in Western PA

Wow, where did the time go. I'm sorry it went MIA for a while. I was out in western pa fishing for musky on the Allegheny River with some friends and co workers. We were all signed up for a musky tournament put on my the Nittany Valley Musky Alliance. About a week before I got a phone call from my buddy Corey, who was helping put the tournament together, and the first thing he said was "holy Rain", the forecast had rain in it for the next 7 days. For the rest of the week we watched the gauge levels continue to climb, so high there was talk about not even going. Troop and I said the hell with it, we are going. On the way up, I called Lenny and he said 10,800 cfs was still fishable and that he fished it at 12,000, we were getting excited again. We fished the first day with high but decent water conditions, no fish. Before we put the boats in on day two, the first day of the tournament the dam sounded that they were going to release water. We launched the boats into a muddy 14,400cfs flow. Needless to say the fishing was slow, we did manage to find and hook one smaller musky but it just came unbuttoned. Beer was drank fast food was eaten, flies were tied, and shoulders were sore,  we were not going to waste this short vacation in musky land. The next morning, we woke up to an almost record flow of 19,000cfs. That was a short day on the water, the all time record high for something like 50 years was 19,500 cfs. It was a bit ridicules, but I think that's why it was such a great time. No fish pictures from this trip, but we did get to test out all the flies we tied over the winter, and try out some new equipment that has just hit the shelves for 2015. Check out all the filler pictures from the trip.  

The Roamer Fly, ready to rock

NRS Freestone Drifter ready to take on flood stage water 

New Abel Reels Musky Print, one of my all time favorites, new for spring 15 

Abel Musky and Roamer Fly Pattern perfect for high muddy water, Musky Fly Pattern 

Good Friends, a Boat, and a River

Sometimes the best fishing trips end with no grip and grins. Rob, Troop, and I had plans to float Sunday, but Rob had husband duties come up, so my best friend of 27 years Dyson came who came up for a surprise party for my fiancee, was able to fill the open seat. We didn't take a rod less than 8wt with us and had our sights on the toothy critters that reside in the Schuylkill. The 10wts flew all day, we tested new flies tied over the winter, drank some beer, told stories, ate lunch, and more. We did just about everything you could on a float, but catch fish. It was one of the most memorable trips of my carrier to have my best friend and Troop brave the cold and high water with me. Just a little proof that its not all about catching fish. Its about the relationships, connections, and stories these trips bring. There are lots of reasons why I fish, one of which is to make a living, but most of all, I just love to fish. I told an old friend of mine once: "When I'm old and sitting in my rocking chair, I want to look out at the horizon and say, yeah that was a good life." Well with great friends, family, and a dream job, I can already say that! While I'm talking about how much I love this sport and my job, I have to thank my fiancee Elizabeth for all her support, if it wasn't for all her patience and understanding, I wouldn't be where I am today. She is a blessing and I have to Thank her for all she has done to help me. Ok back to the fishing, Enjoy the photos from our trip!

NRS Freestone Drifter ready to roll 

Orvis Helios 2 Esox Edition -  Bad Ass stick

Three Full boxes of Roamers - Awesome Predator Fly 

Oh yeah, and for somewhat of a fishing report, Troop and I fished this morning on the Tully. High water, cold temps, and a bit of mud made for a tough morning, but we managed a few fish between the two of us. Big caddis larva, small midges, and San Juan Worms, are what fooled the fish this morning.

2015 Ice Breaker Event

TCO is excited to announce the third annual Ice Breaker Event at ALL our TCO locations. TCO Bryn Mawr on March 13th, TCO Reading on March 14th and TCO State College location on March 15th. This year renowned guide and fly designer, Blane Chocklett will be headlining our event to discuss musky strategies. Blane has created revolutionary patterns like the Gummy Minnow and Game Changer to name a few. Blane is also one of the most sought out musky guides in the country. Please join us for our 2015 Ice Breaker Event and see why Blane Chocklett is one of the hottest names in the Fly Fishing Industry. This event is free to the public.


TCO Bryn Mawr - March 13th | TCO Reading - March 14th | TCO State College - March 15th

TCO Ice Breaker Event Lineup: (Reading and State College) 10:30-11:30: Musky Presentation Reading the water Understanding the mind of a musky Seasonal approaches to musky fishing Rigs and leader setups Casting and line control Retrieves Setting the hook Fly designs 11:30 - 1:30 Open Discussion and Q&A with Blane 1:30-3:00: Fly Tying Presentation Gummy Minnow Original Game Changer Feathered Game Changer T-Bone

TCO Ice Breaker Event Lineup: (Bryn Mawr Store only) 4-5pm: Musky Presentation Reading the water Understanding the mind of a musky Seasonal approaches to musky fishing Rigs and leader setups Casting and line control Retrieves Setting the hook Fly designs 5-6:30: Fly Tying Presentation Gummy Minnow Original Game Changer Feathered Game Changer T-Bone

Door Prize: Temple Fork has donated 2 Essoxs Fly Rods (valued at $320 each) to be raffled off for this event.
$5 per entry.
The Essox rod was developed by Blane to handle any and all conditions associated with musky fishing on the fly.

Meet the New Guy - Dave Troop

We want to Welcome Dave Troop to the TCO Family! Dave has been a strong supporter for the shop for some time now, from being a loyal customer, to showing his support tying flies at some of our events. Dave has been an avid fisherman for much of his life, and like many of us, once he found fly fishing he decided to dig in deep. He is currently an electrician by trade, but with the love and support from his wife Holly and two kids Lilly and Connor, he is looking to change that, and take on the Dream (as I call it), working at the shop, and filling every free inch of life with fly fishing. Dave is a PA native, fishing many of the rivers and streams in southeast pa, like French Creek, Perkiomen Creek, Tulpehocken Creek, and the Schuylkill River. Dave loves fishing for musky and bass from a kayak, and finds time to make an Erie run for steelhead very year. When Dave isn't fishing, he is teaching his son and daughter to tie flies, camping, hiking, and well thinking about fishing.

Stop in the shop and say hi! We are very excited to add Dave to the Family!