Where do the field trips take place?
Field trips for Learn to Fly Fish, Intermediate Fly Fishing, and Warm Water Fly Fishing will be held at Lake Gosling at Seven Springs Mountain Resort (www.7springs.com). Lake Gosling is a special regulation trophy trout area. It has a very nice population of panfish, largemouth bass, and white bass/striped bass hybrids. It is fly fishing only and is mandated as catch and release.
GPS coordinates: 40°00’15.1″N 79°16’46.6″W
Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/m9voKbzRKgK2
From Pittsburgh:
- PA Turnpike East to Donegal exit 91.
- Turn left at exit onto PA-31 east.
- Turn right onto PA-381/PA-711.
- Turn left onto County Line Road.
- Follow County Line Road for approx 6.5 mile. Continue past the entrance to Seven Springs.
- Turn right onto Triple Creek road.
- Turn right (sharp) onto gravel road to Lake Gosling.
How much does the field trip cost?
The standard rate is $75 per person, per day. However, if we get enough folks to participate then we will get a discounted rate.
What time should I be there?
We’ll meet at Lake Gosling at 9:00 am. You can leave whenever you like, but Scott and I will stay until 5:00 pm or so.
What should I bring?
You will need some gear for the field trip. We’ll discuss on the first night of the class.
- $40 cash for day permit
- Lunch and drinks (bring plenty of water)
- 8’ 6” 5 weight fly rod (or something similar)
- Fly reel with backing plus #5 weight-forward floating line
- 7 ½’ or 9’ 4X leader
- Tippet material (3X, 4X, and 5X spools)
- Waders or hip boots are not required as you can cast from the bank. However, waterproof boots and shoes are a good idea.
- Hat
- Polarized sunglasses
- Line clippers
- Fly box with several different patterns and sizes of basic flies (dries, nymphs, and streamers); reminder that flies should be barbless
- Split shot
- Fishing vest or pack
- Pliers or forceps
- Rain gear
- Clothing appropriate for the weather including gloves
- Fly floatant
- Landing net
Catch and release fishing only. A PA fishing license is not required to fish Lake Gosling.
OK, but what if I don’t have any flies at all?
Here is a short list to get you started:
- Bead-head Pheasant Tail Nymph – size #14
- Bead-head Hare’s Ear Nymph – size #14
- Woolly Bugger – size #8; olive, black, white, tan, brown – all good color choices
- Beadhead Caddis Larva – sizes #14, tan
- Elk or Deer Hair Caddis – size #14, tan
- Parachute Adams – sizes #14
- Egg fly – size #12, peach or pink
- White marabou streamer – size #8; similar to this one
These flies are “tried and true” – they will catch trout year-round, anywhere in the country. We’ll talk more about fly selection in class. How many should you buy? Well, that depends upon how much you want to spend. Trout flies seem to run between $1.50 and $2.00 per fly. Always pinch the barbs down.
What if the field trip is cancelled due to bad weather?
As a class, we will agree upon a make-up day. In the past, if the Learn to Fly Fish field trip was rained out, then we invited those students to come to the Intermediate field trip.