Though the nearby navigable portion of the Allegheny River provides excellent winter walleye fishing, the same can be true of the middle portion of the river, which stretches from the Kinzua Dam tailrace downstream to the East Brady area.

The lower 72 miles of the Allegheny is under the influence of eight lock and dam systems operated by the Army Corps of Engineers to provide the necessary conditions for commercial barge traffic.

Because of the relatively deeper water found within the length of river, which flows from Brady down to Pittsburgh, propeller-driven boats can be used.

On the middle portion of the river, however, the river is free flowing, and a mix of riffles, runs and deep pools are present.

Many boat anglers use jet-driven outboards. Fishermen using standard prop-driven outboards can still find excellent walleye fishing, though they are confined to the deeper spots.

Recently, I had the chance to sample a touch of middle Allegheny River walleye angling with Andy Vetula.

Though Andy and I have shared the boat on many excursions over the past 15 years, we had never partnered on this portion of the river.

Having owned a share of a camp on the West Hickory section of the Allegheny, Vetula is extremely familiar with the quality walleye fishing found there. When conditions are right, it's possible to put good numbers of quality-sized fish in the boat.

From hearing his tales of past experiences, I realized that while this area might not put out the numbers of walleyes as the areas downriver that I am familiar with, quality-sized fish are the rule rather than the exception.

"It's been years since we had to measure a walleye," Vetula said, referring to the fact most fish are obviously bigger than the 15-inch minimum length limit.

While differences exist between the lower and middle sections of the Allegheny, river walleyes are still river walleyes. When the water turns cold, they stack up in areas of reduced current.

In this eddy, which is local terminology for deep, slow holes, many of the areas that seemed to have the right walleye-attracting stuff were tucked up close to the bank. Rocky points that deflected the current created slack water areas along both the east and west shores of the river.

The similarities were not limited to fish location. Vertically jigging a leadhead jig tipped with a minnow is a top producer during cold-weather months on the lower Allegheny.

The tactic proved productive on these Warren County fish as well. All of the walleyes we caught, which ran from 17- to 19-inches long, fell to a quarter-ounce jig tipped with a wild minnow. Though the water in some instances was less than 10 feet deep, the fish didn't seem spooked by the boat.

Andy returned to this same river section a week later for a three-day trip. He and his partner boated walleyes up to 28 inches.

Just like the lower river, good winter walleye fishing on the middle Allegheny River is dependent on conditions. Lower, stable flows tend to provide the best fishing.

Naturally, snow and ice can put the fishing on hold, though the season has been relatively mild thus far.

Discharges from Kinzua Dam directly influence river flows. Current as well as predicted flow rates from the dam can be heard by phoning 814-726-0164.

Numerous boat access areas can be found along the middle Allegheny. Deeper, dredged pools in the Oil City and Tionesta areas are popular with boat anglers who have prop-driven boats.

The Tionesta Sand and Gravel Company has a ramp that is open to the public in Tionesta. A borough ramp can be found in Oil City.

The Pittsburgh Muskie Expo will return to Robert Morris University for a three-day event slated to run Jan. 7 through 9.Now in its third year, the Pittsburgh Muskie Expo will again feature a mixture of seminars and exhibitors. The list of speakers scheduled to appear include Jim Saric, editor of Musky Hunter Magazine, Pete Maina, noted author as well as columnist and general manager of Esox Angler, and Cave Run Lake guide, writer Crash Mullins.Vendors will have a full array of the latest muskie fishing and related gear.Show hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Jan. 7, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 8 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 9. Admission is $8 Jan. 7 and $10 on the other two days. A $15 three-day pass is also available.Robert Morris University is located in Moon Township, Allegheny County, near the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport.Information on the Pittsburgh Muskie Expo can be obtained by visiting: www.extrememuskieexpo.com.