keystoneconnection.com

KEYSTONE CONNECTION GUIDE SERVICE, LLC

SPECIALIZING IN GUIDED SMALLMOUTH BASS FISHING TRIPS ON THE ALLEGHENY RIVER AND OTHER SELECT WATERS

FULLY INSURED AND LICENSED

PA FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION GUIDE PERMIT # 527

MERCHANT MARINE CREDENTIAL (USCG CHARTER CAPTAIN) REFERENCE # 4688331

724-902-6082

keystoneconnectionguideservice@gmail.com

This is the site of veteran outdoor writer & fishing guide Jeff Knapp. It's your connection to exciting and informative guided fishing trips on select waters of the western portion of the Keystone State!

 RIVER TRIPS RUN IN A CUSTOM-BUILT RIVER ROCKET by ROCK PROOF BOATS

A key focus of the Keystone Connection is jet-boat fishing adventures on portions of the middle Allegheny River. Skimming through shallow river sections, you’ll have access to miles of lightly-fished waters. Smallmouth bass are available from April to December. Typical whole-day trips on the middle Allegheny cover 12 to 15 miles of river.

VISIT THE "FISHING REPORTS" PAGE FOR THE LATEST ON KEYSTONE CONNECTION "GUIDE WATERS!"

NOTE: CATCH AND RELEASE FOR ALL BASS OUTINGS (and incidentally caught muskies).

All trips are subject to $100 deposit. Any trips cancelled by guests within two days of the scheduled trip will forfeit deposit.

2026 UPDATE

2025 provided excellent fishing for smallmouth bass on the middle Allegheny River. Early to mid summer trips yielded great numbers of bass as well as an impressive mix of sizes, indicating several strong year classes. Mid to late summer was disappointing in that my river boat was down, resulting in a six week shutdown awaiting parts and repairs. The action was good from late summer through fall, though dying weeds and leaves made things challenging at times.

Please note a change in my rate/trip duration structure for this year (2026) I will no longer be offering four, six, and eight hour trips. Rather, trips will be of a flat rate of $400 for up to six hours (client's choice). This change is due to rising operating costs and an aging back that reminds me of the challenges of an eight hour day.

Looking forward to this year I'll again be primarily focusing on smallmouth bass trips on the middle Allegheny out of Brady's Bend, Parker, and Kennerdell. Keystone Power Dam will be a secondary destination, particularly from late April through early June, when the bass action can be outstanding. Keystone is also a good backup in the case of high water.

During the past three years I've put a lot of effort into crappie fishing on select local waters, resulting in several crappie guide trips last season on several lakes. I expect to expand on that this year. I'd hoped to run walleye trips on Pymatuning last year but the bite was exceptionally slow due to an excess of baitfish in the lake. If that changes this year I will be offering a limited number of Pymy trips focusing on walleyes.

A sampling of Allegheny River smallmouth bass caught and released during 2024

A sampling of Pymatuning walleyes taken during 2014 as well as crappies from Lake Arthur and Keystone Power Dam.

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(724) 902-6082

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