On Sun, 11 Jan 2004 06:53:28 -0800, Tim wrote:

Anyone fly fish the Youghiogheny from a pontoon boat (in
Pennsylvania)? I bought a pontoon boat last year and have been wanting
to float the river from Confluence to Ohiopyle. I was hoping someone
could give me some feedback from the experience. Best rod choice(s) &
method (streamers on a sink tip? Is there a canoe livery that will
take you from your pickup vehicle to your starting point? Good
campground close?
Thanks,
Tim
Hi,

Do you mean a pontoon boat that is like a large deck setting on top of
metal floats? If so, I don't think you could run it on that section of
the Yough. The section you speak of is the "Middle Yough". I've run it a
few times in a canoe. It's tricky in spots but for the most part it's
relatively flat. It's big beautiful water. I want to fly-fish it but I'm
also afraid of spilling and losing my gear.

There are rafting outfitters in Ohiopyle: Whitewater Adventures,
Wilderness Voyageurs and others. In Confluence is Riversport, a
kayaking school/outfitter. I've gotten a shuttle from them and also
from one of the Ohiopyle renters. Another option is to bring a bicycle
and leave it at the takeout in Ohiopyle, drive to Confluence, float down,
take-out and ride the trail back to get your vehicle. That works best if
you have someone to watch the boat while you bike back to Confluence.

As for fishing, I'd leave the smaller rod home. A longer 6 weight is
nice for streamers and dries, nymphs, etc. It's big water. It has deep
holes, shallow sections where the canoe will get hung-up in dryer periods
and a lot of 3 - 4 deep sections. I remember probably at least 10 years
ago, Charlie Meck wrote a story about the Yough in Fly Fisherman titled
"The Madison of the East?". The more I sit here and talk about it the
more I regret not fishing it more. It offers alot.

Where are you located?

Let me know if I can help.

Don Lesniakowski