Allegheny Dreaming

Chris Wolfgong displays a typically Allegheny River smallmouth. Photo courtesy of Chris Wolfgong.

Cooler temperatures bring hotter fishing action to many smallmouth rivers, including northwest Pennsylvania's Allegheny River, which has grown into one of my absolute favorite places to fish (although I often have to settle for vicarious fishing through reports from fellow outdoor writer Darl Black and his fishing buddies). With September starting tomorrow, it's hard avoid drifting into an Allegheny smallmouth dreamland.

The Allegheny continually alternates between gravel shoals and deep, boulder-strewn runs, with mostly wooded and hilly banks. Smallmouths abound and are the main attraction, but occasionally you'll get surprised by a big walleye or even a muskie.

I don't see an Allegheny visit in this fall's plans, but I will get to visit another favorite smallmouth stream -- Arkansas' beautiful Buffalo River -- in two weeks. First, however, I have some big Tennessee River cats to tangle with. More on that later!