Fishing is never better or worse, I say, just different. That said, September might just be the worst month of the year for trout fishing in the Southern Appalachians, second only to August, perhaps, or October in years when the rain comes late. Either way, low, warm water is the name of the game during this period, and knowing how to tackle it both tactically and responsibly will help you to become a better, more versatile angler, and save you from spending some of the most beautiful days of the year inside doing less important things.

Modern fly fishing culture being as travel-centric as it is, a handful of worldly destinations have been documented heavily by the media. Montana, Patagonia, Bolivia, New Zealand—all tout excellent fishing opportunities and tug at the wallets and lives of anglers worldwide. But in between these global fly fishing Meccas lie fishing towns that operate outside of the limelight, but nevertheless offer world class angling. Pittsburg—no, not the one you’re thinking—is one such.