The writer shows off a Venango County, Pa., trout that was attracted to an “Iron Mike” fly. (Photos by Jerry Bush) ...

Fly purists cringe at these trout lures. That’s ironic ... Joe’s Flies take classic wet-fly patterns like the Royal Coachman, March Brown, and Muddler Minnow to name a few, and rig them ...

With over 20 Eastside lakes now open for fishing it should be no problem for local anglers to develop a backup plan of their own before they venture forth this spring.