Sometimes the stars align and you get to hit a bucket-list spot with a good friend and you rope in big wilds. This is about most of that except for the catching part as near-record rainfall in the region really affected things. But I’m jumping ahead.

When a relative invited me to a graduation in Philadelphia, I immediately said yes. I think you have to show up for family. My next thought was to text Ashu Rao, a former member of this blog, and who has moved south. His home waters are now the famed spring creeks in central Pennsylvania, home to legends such as Joe Humphreys and George Daniel.

Ashu being the good guy that he is immediately cleared his schedule and booked us an Airbnb. It was a seven-hour drive down that was mostly uneventful–except for the torrential storms that I drove through. “Keep an eye on flows,” Ashu texted.

I arrived in PA with enough time to fish for about an hour in between passing storms. Ashu kindly shared with me one of his favorite spots. The river was high and muddy. I threw my usual high-water flies and was blanked. I didn’t think much of it as I was just happy to be fishing Spring Creek. It’s narrow, shallow in most spots, and loaded with aquifers that pump out even-temperature water.

Ashu and I met up for dinner, and I treated him to Wagyu steak at The Tavern in State College. It was great to see him again and to catch up on what I call “The Life of Ashu.” You see, I’m old enough to be Ashu’s father, and it is great fun to hear about a young person’s life.

We woke up early-ish the next morning, loaded up on caffeine, and then hit a number of spots. Ashu smartly threw big, articulated streamers and got a few fish. I stuck to tightlining and threw the occasional bobber along with all sorts of junk flies, jig streamers, and brightly-colored nymphs. Unfortunately I was blanked all day and didn’t even get a hit.

By mid-day, we decided to call it so that Ashu could get back home for a personal errand and I could drive the three hours to Philly. We stopped for lunch in town where there’s a no-fishing zone where kids can buy trout pellets and feed the fish. It was the closest I came to seeing trout unfortunately.

But it was a great trip nonetheless: I fished with Ashu and saw some amazing water.

Once in the Philadelphia area, I stopped for dinner at The StoneRose in Conshohocken, which had a 1/2-lb. cheeseburger completely tricked out with bacon, fries cooked in duck fat, a fried egg, and a cheese dipping sauce. The two bartenders were also incredibly gracious and funny, even though they were in the weeds with orders. Plus, they had the big ice cubes for Bourbon. I would live there if I could.

I drove 15 hours over a few days. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Sadly, I don’t have any fishy pictures but did include some memories above.

Last, Ashu has a YouTube channel now, which I watch avidly. A video from our outing is below. Give him a follow here.