WCO Report for Erie County 012/27/2011: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: December 26, 2011

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Posted by DWCO Randy Leighton on December 26, 2011 at 17:17:34:

December 27th, 2011

West Erie County, DWCO Randy Leighton, rglerie@msn.com

Conditions:

With daily temperatures in the high 30's and low 40's, Erieites are enjoying a very mild winter so far. Of course, things can change quickly here on Pennsylvania's North Coast. Eager anglers have been capitalizing on weather spreading themselves throughout the tribs and taking advantage of the spring like weather and the less crowded conditions. Many anglers have been working the upper stretches of the tribs along Elk and Walnut with the access areas being left relatively quiet. Water conditions have been relatively clear with good flow with just enough rain to maintain good conditions. The small amounts of rain have not brought in any large numbers of new fish and what has come in from the lake has been on the small side. Current West County Trib conditions as of Tuesday afternoon were clearing with fair flow and levels.

Support Your Local Sportsmen's Clubs:
The PA Steelhead Association will have their monthly meeting Wednesday January 11th at 7:00 PM. at the American Legion Post on Route 5 just East of the Airport. Your support at this meeting is appreciated and as always, the public is welcome.

Winter Baits:
Small presentations and light line and tippets will remain a key to good catch rates in the clear to lightly stained water we have had. Fish will be easily spooked and not as aggressive in the colder temperatures. "Working" micro jigs can be very productive this time of year especially the marabou variety as they have a natural movement of their own. They can be effective alone or with a tipped grub or maggot and come in an infinite variety of colors. Nymphs, sucker spawn and egg patterns in pink, orange and white can be productive for the fly anglers along with the imitation blood dot egg patterns. Natural baits should be kept small and dead drifted with the current. A single waxworm, single cured eggs, or one or two grubs on a 16 to 18 egg hook can work well. Shiners both live and salted can be killer baits during the winter months. Fly anglers swear by the tried and true wooly buggers in olive, brown and black. Terminal tackle and floats should be well balance for the spin anglers to see the often subtle strikes, or "bumps" that the average angler misses. These subtle winter strikes are often over looked and simply may be the difference between the the angler "that is hammering them" and the rest of the crowd that hasn't had a hook up. It is so often said that 10 percent of the anglers catch 90 percent of the fish. Very often a change of presentation or drift may be all that's necessary to produce a strike. Finicky winter fish can often be coaxed into striking by simply changing baits. Very often the angler will stick with one bait, and a low catch rate, simply due to the trouble it can be to make a change with cold hands and fingers. Take a variety of baits and presentations and change often if you are not getting strikes and dont take your eyes off your float or indicator.

Best Wishes:
Best wishes for a safe and productive new year. Your comments and suggestions have been appreciated throughout this past year

Local Weather:

Wednesday...Cloudy. Snow showers likely...mainly in the morning. Brisk. Near steady temperature in the upper 20s. Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent.

Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy. Near steady temperature in the mid 20s. West winds 10 to 15 mph...becoming southwest after midnight.

Thursday...Mostly cloudy and brisk. Highs in the mid 30s.

Thursday Night...Cloudy with a chance of rain and snow. Not as cool. Near steady temperature in the mid 30s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.

Friday...Rain and snow likely. Highs around 40. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow and rain. Lows in the lower 30s. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain and snow. Highs in the upper 30s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy. Near steady temperature in the lower 30s.

New Years Day...Cloudy with a chance of rain and snow. Highs around 40. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.

Sunday Night...Cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Lows in the lower 30s.

Monday...Cloudy with a chance of rain and snow. Highs in the mid 30s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.




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