Allegheny National Forest Native Brook Trout - Wooly Bugged

Video of Michael Evanko hiking and fly fishing for wild brook trout in small tributaries inside the Allegheny National Forest. There are two tributaries shown, one that flows into the Clarion River in Elk County and another that flows into the South Branch Tionesta Creek. The streams fished in this video are located in Elk County and Forest County, Pennsylvania. These tributaries were running at typical summer levels which are low. The water temperatures remain cool throughout the summer in these spring fed streams. The water temps in both creeks remained in the low 60s throughout the entire day. The Allegheny National Forest is Pennsylvania's only National Forest and is made up of over 500,000 acres of public land.

[@Mack-wy2lj]

Retired in the western N.C. mountains and love to fish skinny water for brookies. I have been doing this since a young boy with my father. Being that I’m almost 70 years old, I have a treasure trove of wonderful memories. Hats off for your appreciation and gentleness with these little gems of fish. T

[@hunt555fish]

Thanks Wooly Bugged for taking us along on your wild Brookie adventure.It is guys like you that make fly fishing a wonderful sport.I feel like I was right there with you enjoying the great Pa outdoors.Keep up the great work you are appreciated more then you will ever now.I know it takes much work to produce the great videos you film.Even as an old timer to Pa fly fishing it is so refreshing to watch you enjoy a sport you love.We are so blessed to have some young men like you sharing your passion for fly fishing.The Lively Legs crew,Pa woods and water and you.

[@WoolyBugged]

Ron, thank you for these very kind words. I'm glad that you were able to appreciate the same beauty I saw. I do enjoy the sport of fly fishing. I feel fortunate to have all the trout opportunities we have here in the state of Pennsylvania. Many people don't realize how sparse the trout fishing can be once you leave the state. I figure while I still have my health and the strength in my body, I'll get out and explore as much as I can. The guys at Lively Legz are great and Scott is a good guy too. Thanks again.

[@channingshiffert5851]

Making all of the Pennsylvania anglers proud with the quality and content of your channel! Thank you for sharing your fishing experiences with us Mike!

[@kennethbiebighauser7984]

Mike - superb at 4:00 !!!!! Your casting- "right on the bullyseye"!!! So valuable on small brookie streams!!! Just you and the gurgling of the stream!!!! Beautiful scenery -quiet!!-!

[@hillbillysportsman5818]

I love catching those native brookies too! Their beautiful in the Tennessee mountains also. Thanks for another great video Wooly!

[@JeffHartman]

Another great video. I started fly fishing and tying about 25 years ago. My life revolved around the two. Then I had a family and they took over my time. No regrets. Love my kids. Now that they are older, I am getting back into tying (never sold my stuff) and searching for just the right rod and reel (I did sell all my rods). Been watching fishing videos on KZbin and discovered your channel. I enjoy them because you like to fish lots of different waters. Keep up the great videos.

[@leondeiter7703]

I really enjoy this channel. First, it's close to home. I live in the Lehigh Valley. Second, you get away from the hard fished local streams. It's nice to get back into the woods and enjoy nature and the quiet. Third, you show us what it's like to really fish. You don't always catch the big ones. As I get closer to retiring, I hope to find more time to do more fly fishing in the area. Thanks and keep up the good work. It's a pleasure to watch your videos

[@thomasgibbons353]

Had to but in. I fished a creek in nw nj for thirty years, All that time only saw 2 fellows. But it changed, it's on Facebook and youtube now.

[@rexjohnsonjr]

Very nice, very lucky to have some of these streams protected.

[@suzannereed1980]

Look forward to watching your videos. They are so enjoyable. This trip is close to our place where we fish for native brookies as well. There is nothing better. I love to see the different streams you fish and the flies you use. Keep them coming.

[@MrJimbo1212]

oh ya, everyone has a bigger and better story...

[@MrJimbo1212]

just kidding sweety..love to watch you watch me catch all the fish..lol

[@suzannereed1980]

whatever you say Mr Jimbo. We both know the truth. LOL

[@douglasenders1250]

Another great video. Like the native series and all your videos

[@danhewko1093]

Appreciate your native brook trout series. Miss those little guys!

[@bobbybailey3828]

I love watching you're video and I got into fiy fishing form you're video bro thanks

[@greygraham5361]

I love how carefully you handle the trout, i wish all trout anglers would understand how fragile these fish are.

[@brucesheehe6305]

Fragile but resilient. Can survive freezing temperatures by eating bugs. A super specialist. Been there since the ice age. Can survive high water and drought. Just magic - invisible fantoms unless they move.

[@pauld9561]

Got my first ever dry fly catch of the one and only Pennsylvania native wild brookie. Absolutely exhilarating. They're fun to catch.

[@grandmasterb4471]

Another wonderful video showing us native brook trout. Also, thanks for showing us how to handle trout properly and how release them with care. Tight lines my friend!

[@brucesheehe6305]

Great channel and content! Really enjoy it!

[@GeorgeSemel]

I just love this type of fishing, I fish two rods for this kind of thing one in 8' Scot G-2 2 wt and a 7'6' Orvis 4wt DT Floaters on both, 6x tippet on leaders I build myself in the 6' to 7' range. This time of year it's dry fly and most of my bugs are simple Deer and Elk's hair winged flies in #14 to 18. I don't do waders, I wet wade. Less weight and Just one box with flies and tippet, some nippers. I tend not to carry much for this type of fishing. I will have a lunch in my daypack, some dry socks, and sneakers so If I got a long hike out, I wear dry socks and shoes on my feet, cuts way down on the blisters. I have gone days on these sorts of places and not see another soul.

[@jcwatts7001]

Thanks and enjoy watching the small stream/small fish vlogs. Keep up the great work.

[@SOFTAILX]

Another great fishing video Mike. I am most impressed at your love for the sport the amount of effort you put in and your dedication to putting out so many videos. Wooly Bugged has put so many streams on my bucket list that for sure.

[@unclejay9205]

One of the better channels ive seen who are local. 👍👍 nice work.

[@jimgillon5099]

Great job on those tight streams Mike. We drove across Pa.Friday morning and every body of water we could see was running hard, glad to see you found some calm waters. Thanks and keep making your great videos.

[@bigpapi3636]

Thanks for the video Mike. It brought back a lot of fond memories of when I lived near Eldred PA and I fished just about every stream in Elk, Potter and McKean counties. I really miss the forest in that area in that it's so different here in the West. I really look forward to each of your videos. It's not always about catching trophy trout to the dedicated fly fisher and you show how fly selection and presentation yield nice catches of these beautiful trout.

[@cjholm]

Another great video Mike! I grew up in Warren Cnty fishing in the ANF for those beautiful fish. Caught hundreds and hundreds of them! Almost every trib feeding into the Allegheny Reservoir has these beauties. A few even hold some monster Wild Browns! Cant wait to get up there this fall and hit some of old favorite streams!

[@thomasgibbons353]

Back and forth from the reservoir, same kind of activity on the Delaware tribs.

[@rbrooke2379]

Holy cow! Those are my favorite fishing and hiking spots.

[@yoursweatersux]

Awesome vid, as always. Love how you weren't afraid to show the misses in addition to the fish you landed.

[@jesse-ji2kx]

Mike, I appreciate the work you put in to make these videos. You show us some beautiful areas and beautiful fish. Keep it up.

[@Mr10tron]

I'm new to fly fishing and I have been watching your channel NON STOP! Thanks for all the knowledge and the local areas you go to, it's a HUGE help when it comes to me planning out my first solo trip. I am a South Philly resident and have been doing research to where to start fishing regarding creeks, tribs, and any other location I can think of and your channel has been a great guide for me! My first experience with fly fishing was in Colorado on the Lower Mohawk Lake this past week. The scenery was amazing! I caught two 12" rainbows and have been trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible regarding fly fishing technique, methods, flies, and any other basic knowledge I can obtain since then. Thanks so much for you channel and all the great work you do!

[@MikeSmith-up2px]

Thanks for another super native Brook trout video. Mike I really like that you show the flies you use, a lot of others do not. I've learned so much from watching your videos. I'm heading to Colorado next week for a week of trout fishing and will be thinking "how would woolybugged fish this stream." Once again thanks for all the great videos you've done, the time you dedicate to it is amazing.

[@grandmasterb4471]

Mike Smith... good luck in Colorado; I’ll be headed up there myself in late September; can’t wait! I’m looking to fish some high mountain streams in the South San Juan area. What would Mike do!

[@cindysmith7597]

hi Bradley just got back. we fished the colorado river,north platte,yampa river, stagecoach tailwater and sarvis creek, the chartreuse bead pink squirmy worm was the go to fly. on trout creek we used elk hair caddis and royal wolfs. i did catch fish on a chubby chernobyl hopper and a size 24 al's trico dropper. what a great place to fish. i wish you the best of luck and let me know how you did. Mike

[@jonburgo8702]

Thanks this video, and all your videos, are instructional and entertaining.

[@frankieshoenfelt8550]

Thanks for sharing your fishing with Us.. Great Job is tough conditions.. Keep up the Great Work. Mike..

[@rickbush631]

Fun video in Alleghany NP. Love those native BT. I fish PA's Potter County and love the time on the water.

[@msorendo35]

Man, that's some tough water to dry fly fish. Very well done! Had to pause several times to absorb the beauty of your camera shots, wow! Thanks for inspiring us, tight lines.

[@rickywykoff9160]

Yet another great video!! Beautiful scenery!!! Great action shots!!!

[@jesseaskew957]

Nice video Mike. The small streams remind me of fishing for brook trout in North Carolina. I love the bow and arrow casts, well done!

[@Deenihan18]

Great video as always. Really a beautiful spot, nice healthy trout.

[@dukeofnyd1]

I like the gear break-downs, locations, filming, guest fishermen, commentary, and fish. Every episode is high quality and your passion shows. Probably going to have 50k subs this time next year and be fishing with Wiebe, Blacktiph, & Haataja. Keep it coming. Can't wait to see you zipping up the blue trails in the Alumacraft 🤣🤣🤣

[@carolinatroutspey6575]

Love tight streams and little brookies! Thanks for your videos and you do an awesome job Mike. Starting my own KZbin channel now after being inspired by guys like you. Keep it up brother!

[@jessestanfield-brokencurlo1448]

beautiful Brook Trout! enjoyed the video man! thanks for sharing.

[@ryderwag509]

Awesome video mike! Keep up what you have been doing you have been a inspiration to me

[@arc6652]

Great video! My camp is in-between both of those tribs. Beautiful area. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@scottlowe3355]

I’ve really enjoyed your videos! I’m new to the sport and have learned a lot from watching you. Fished Penns Creek, Kettle Creek, a tributary to the Clarion river in cooks forest this year, in part from inspiration from your videos. Keep it up and thank you!

[@grandmasterb4471]

Scott Lowe...welcome to the best sport in the world. Just keep watching Mike and you will learn a lot. Another channel that you could a lot from is SubtleTakes; it will help you with large streams and rivers, great for western fly fishing. Mike is awesome for your eastern streams. Enjoy my friend!

[@scottlowe3355]

bradley w hall Thanks! Subtle takes is a great channel. Thanks for recommending.

[@smschuler1971]

Mike. I love when I get an alert that you have uploaded a new video. I enjoy them very much. Sincerely stew Schuler

[@chrisheimel77]

Great video Mike! I like how you go out to some of these off the beaten path areas to fish and show what's out there to explore.

[@rictoczek9624]

Great channel. Nice to see you up closer to my neck of the woods. Keep it up.

[@vaughnmiller6114]

Nice video as usual, Mike. I love how aggressively Brookies hit dry flies.

[@mountaingoatgreg1691]

Sweet video! I just love watching brookies smack dry flies!

[@kylesettle455]

Love the channel. If you are ever in Virginia let me know. We have some incredible Native Fishing.

[@seanm451]

Nice video as always. I love when I hook into a native brookie when I trout fish. They are very few and far between these days in many pa streams.

[@jonh9203]

Waters have been raging around my area too. Great video, always great content Mike. Keep em coming, tight lines

[@jjoutdoors5181]

My favorite part of your videos is not only the info, but that there’s mostly fishing instead of talking 3/4 of the video.

[@garybon.]

Nice video Mike. I used to fish a stream in elk county inside the national forest and used to do really well. Have been wanting to get back and try it again. It's been well over a decade. Look forward to the next one.

[@dave3897]

Watching your videos make me want to give fly fishing a shot. I’m a native to dental Maryland and have been curious about our native trout and their streams.

[@nickbrown6916]

Thanks for working so hard on the camera angles. I caught myself wanting to set the hooks a few of those takes today. Really awesome videos it’s really cool to see some fishing I don’t get to do around here. Great channel!

[@mattgrucza5086]

Great video! I'm going next weekend along the east branch of tionesta Creek to do some camping and fishing with my son. Tight lines!

[@chucksstuff7595]

Those are some pretty little fish! I need to get to western PA real soon! Great video.

[@JorgeAlbertoDreher]

Me encanta pescar esos bichitos. Muy bueno!!!

[@justzanin]

Great video as always. I love the dry fly action on those small streams. Thanks for another great fly fishing video. I love that you don’t use a chest mount GoPro. The head mount is the best for GoPro fishing I think. Keep it up man!

[@tommelville8771]

Love the video, love western Pa. Did some steelheading there last November. So many streams.

[@sarahhallbagdonas9709]

Another great video! This is my first year fly fishing, but I grew up bait fishing all over the ANF with my brother and return every year to take my nephew now. Can’t wait to get back up there with the fly rod! Thanks for letting us know what set-up and flies you are using. Super helpful for us noobs!

[@fishinwithrickybobber9784]

Great video love the tionesta area

[@crawford1976]

Nice low-water fish, man. Good stuff. ANF creeks are tough in the dog-days of summer. Hard to get anything to come up for a dry. Stealthy, excellent approaches. Like the filming style, too. My brother has a cabin in McKean County, and we love these waters.

[@edwardungerman4057]

Great video. I fish up there heavily. Miles and miles of streams to explore.

[@gregh.7977]

Another great video, Mike! The zeal you show for both fishing and video production is very much appreciated. I personally haven't fished the ANF area too much so that was interesting to watch. Cameron, Elk and Potter counties here. When time can be found, the Centre county limestoners. Looking forward to your next installment. Once again, great job.

[@troutmanoutdoors2332]

Love to see these native brookies thriving here in PA. Wish we had more waters like that down here in SEPA. Your videos are great! What makes you decide to slap on the waders this late in the season?

[@MrJimbo1212]

Once again, thanks for taking us along to these incredible remote areas...nice to know places like these exist - especially in relative close proximity...much respect to the dry fly approach as well...did you go with dry fly in Forest County as well?

[@brawneyfrank]

You should try Piney Run which runs along Nebraska Bridge Road and empties into Tionesta Creek.Fished there when I was a younger, nice holes and beautiful wild trout. Good video and brings back alot of memories.Good Times!

[@jasonblack6278]

If you only fished one stream in Elk county you missed out on some other great streams. The old CCC camp in Elk county has two streams with natives. Fished there a lot as a kid.

[@thetraveljack]

The fine line between setting the hook, but not setting it so hard that the fish flies into the bush behind you! lol. Like the adventures you post on here man

[@nativeflywny679]

Great quality video once again! You should check out the NY side of the Allegany Mountains.

[@bigpapi3636]

Native Fly WNY I lived in Olean, NY and fly fished in Cattaraugus, Erie and Chataqua counties extensively. I really miss popper fishing for small mouth in the Allegany and trout fishing Ischua creek near Franklinville.

[@nativeflywny679]

Big Papi I agree, I’ve been fishing the region for ten years , lots of great spots in and around those areas, I will be posting a lot of southerntier trout fishing in the future.

[@bigpapi3636]

Native Fly WNY It's a great area to fish and I'll be sure to check out your channel.

[@zebravideo1]

Wow! I never would have thought there would be trout in just those little creeks. I camp on the clarion river and there are two creeks on our property line. I wonder if there are fish in there. I just started fly fishing and don’t know much about scouting out areas but now I’m curious

[@roncarlsonblackwolf2463]

Awesome video Mike I enjoy this one I fish the tionesta creek off of 666 my place is 15 minutes away and 5 minutes from the Nebraska bridge I am going to move up there in 2 or 5 years closer to 5year

[@RobPlocki]

I love trying to figure out where you're fishing, never usually can haha. Love the videos keep it up.

[@flightstrash436]

im pretty sure that first dry fly you had was just a regular parachute purple haze, not a royal wolf, but great video👍

[@giuseppe_explores]

Reminds me of blue lining! Great job Mike, as usual you keep it real and interesting. When will we see you up here in upstate Ny again? Tight lines!

[@SF-ku2hp]

Did this last weekend small stream above oil city pa catching trout out of holes smaller than a basketball it was a blast, pink tungsten beaded size 16 pheasant tail

[@WoolyBugged]

They hide in some pretty skinny water!

[@jimlajungle666]

Trouts, 'nuff said! :P

[@ecksdog]

Excellent video. What make and model is your sling pack? Thanks.

[@jacobroxberryflyfishing5155]

ANF, thats where i go for brookies. Mostly in forest county. Late spring to mid summer the tionesta creek is great for trout

[@zenbooter]

Hello Mike. Trying to imagine what you have to deal with doing these vids. So did you ever consider using knee pads? Also good fly and great video nice water. That net you have is appealing in that it has the length of handle I would prefer. Haven’t used one for years. Too many slingshot bruises so on to barbless and thumb & index releases. Many thanks, Tommy.

[@balor7]

When you travel to these places do you drive back or stay there overnight?

[@WildOhioOutdoors1776]

What flies would you recomend and size if i were to fish there?

[@Piedscooter1]

What's up with the net that is large enough for most inshore saltwater fish, WB ?

[@jasontice1881]

Great video!! I want to know the trick to getting your net back in the sling pack 😂. I have the smaller fishpond and it’s a struggle.

[@WoolyBugged]

Thanks Jason. I don't have a secret with the net. I have to unbuckle my strap and pull the pack to the front to get the next back in the holster. It's never super easy but it is a heck of lot easier to move with the next in the holster rather than swinging off my back.

[@flyguymike5247]

Do you use a mic on your person when you tape?

[@flycubfly]

Yep ,, a lot of old gas wells and an ungodly amounts of new gas wells .

[@randyfye2155]

This guy is too much with his giant net. Flatlander

[@russellcowher3877]

I don't see you catching any large brookies, say 10" or larger. I know they are there and you must be catching them, though I don't blame you for not showing them, because people would hammer those streams if they knew they are there.

[@MasterPredatorHuntingcom]

Want to give the ANF a day next week. Will be spin fishing salmon eggs until summer when creeks are lower and fish are rising regularly. Can you give me a specific location / area you recommend trying based on your expertise and adventures?

[@chach3]

In my fishing adventures, I have found the tribs, in and around the ANF, to be quite underwhelming.

[@edboutdoors3632]

Have you seen some of my new videos and nice fish you have caught

[@wbarney59]

you are almost as bad as Leo sheng. your fish are better looking and bigger than what Leo catches

[@jimgillon5099]

Great job on those tight streams Mike. We drove across Pa.Friday morning and every body of water we could see was running hard, glad to see you found some calm waters. Thanks and keep making your great videos.