DIY Guide to Fly Fishing Youghiogheny River in Southwest Pennsylvania

Youghiogheny River isn’t the easiest river to pronounce, nor is it the easiest fishery to tackle in Pennsylvania. But if you aren’t afraid of a challenge, you’ll want to check out Youghiogheny River for your next fishing adventure.

Youghiogheny River had its problems in the past, but it is now a scenic stream that offers year round fishing. You’ll need to use plenty of caution in these waters, as the Youghiogheny has several treacherous sections. Check out the rest of our guide so you can tackle this stream safely and successfully.

Fly fishing the Youghiogheny River in Pennsylvania

Youghiogheny River is a 134 mile long tailwater tributary of the Monongahela River in West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The word “Youghiogheny” comes from a Lenape word, meaning “a stream flowing in a contrary direction.” It rises in Preston County, West Virginia. The river enters Pennsylvania between Fayette and Somerset counties. It flows northwest through Chestnut Ridge and past Connellsville, joining the Monongahela River at McKeesport.

The River suffered after a spill injected mine acid into the waters, although, thankfully, the fishery recovered quickly, with the aquatic insect hatch and trout population both bouncing back nicely. The stream now has an excellent aquatic insect population.

The temperature of the Creek remains cool throughout the year, so you can catch sizable trout all year round, although downstream gets too warm for good fly fishing in the summer. The state stocks the River with rainbow and brown trout, and you can find wild brown and brook trout here as well. 

You can access Youghiogheny River from the bank, near a bike trail that follows the west side of the River. The most popular place to fly fish is between the dam downstream to Ohiopyle. 

The season for Youghiogheny River is standard Pennsylvania trout season. Fall is the best time to visit, as you will find larger brown trout during this time due to the spawn. You can also have success in the spring, but be sure to check the water levels before you head out. 

Throwing big articulates streamers is a good way to target the large rainbow trout that inhabit the Yough.  The bigger trout feast on the high numbers of fingerling trout the state and local organizations stock.

Important hatches in the Spring on the Yough are little black stoneflies followed by caddis flies (olive and tan), Quill Gordons, March Browns and sulphurs.  The summer brings Slate Drakes that hatch till September giving way to blue-winged olives and then October caddis.

A 9-foot 5-wt fly rod with floating line is perfect for fishing dry flies and small nymphs on the Youghiogheny River.  You'll want a 6-wt or even 7-wt rod if you plan to throw big streamers in search of big trout. A tapered 9-foot leader, with tippet size 3X to 5X to match the flies you are throwing, is pretty standard.

Area fly shops and on-line retailers that publish Youghiogheny River fly fishing reports are listed below:

• Orvis Fishing Report
• Wilderness Voyageurs