Cedar Run, Lycoming County, 7/9/17

[Dave_W]

WEATHER: Blue bird skies, temps in the upper 70s.
WATER: Clear, nice flow, temp was 55 degrees F.
HATCHES: A few yellow sallies, but not much else.

Fished for a couple hours mid-day.
When fishing Slate and Cedar Runs I go in expecting to work very hard for a fish or two (and often don't see any) and go home a good bit more humble...which I suppose ain't a bad thing.

Fishing was tough as usual, but I managed seven fish. Riffles treated me better than pools. Fish were looking up and my dries elicited more interest than the dropper.

Incidentally, if you think you don't need a wading staff for little creeks like this, I'd encourage you to re-think this. These streams have steep banks and some tough walking to get into. Moreover, the trout here don't tolerate sloppy anglers and a wading staff/walking stick will help you move with a stealthy approach. I was glad I had my "stick."

Saw several eagles in the Pine Creek Valley this weekend. Also saw a grouse today. To be honest, I'm more excited these days to see our state bird than our nation's bird.
Strange how times have changed in a generation.

 

[Prospector]

Thanks for posting. That water temp is great. I'm curious what your breakdown was of Brown vs Brook.

On the grouse side, there are still some heavy pockets of birds. I spent a lot of time hunting them in PA over the last 10 years and averaged 3.18 flushes per hour from 06-16 (892 total flushes). But your point is valid, the range is shrinking. The good news is the better habitat is still loaded with them. Only went once this year for 2 hrs but saw 15.

 

[Dave_W]

Prospector wrote:
Thanks for posting. That water temp is great. I'm curious what your breakdown was of Brown vs Brook.

On the grouse side, there are still some heavy pockets of birds. I spent a lot of time hunting them in PA over the last 10 years and averaged 3.18 flushes per hour from 06-16 (892 total flushes). But your point is valid, the range is shrinking. The good news is the better habitat is still loaded with them. Only went once this year for 2 hrs but saw 15.

All brook trout.

Wow! You've had some very good success with grouse, that's great to hear. Down here in my neck of the woods, mainly Michaux State Forest, they are almost gone. I haven't seen one in years in Michaux.

If you didn't already see it, we had a good grouse discussion in the off topic forum not long ago:
Grouse Thread

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

Dave,

Been a long time since I fished that water. Neat place with tougher than expected fish. Any size to the brookies you caught?

With you on the wading staff. Never thought I need one until recently.
Funny thing is I just got back from buying a long piece of bamboo.
I'm going to hollow it out, stain it, lacquer it and put all the ends and fittings on it to make it waterproof. My intention is to turn it into a walking stick/wading staff/ rod tube for one of my short 1pc fly rods.

 

[Dave_W]

salvelinusfontinalis wrote:
Dave,

Been a long time since I fished that water. Neat place with tougher than expected fish. Any size to the brookies you caught?

With you on the wading staff. Never thought I need one until recently.
Funny thing is I just got back from buying a long piece of bamboo.
I'm going to hollow it out, stain it, lacquer it and put all the ends and fittings on it to make it waterproof. My intention is to turn it into a walking stick/wading staff/ rod tube for one of my short 1pc fly rods.

Nope, all small.

I did get a big brookie in Slate Run on Saturday, about ten inches. I was so excited I forgot to get a picture - still kicking myself.

I like your walking stick rod tube concept - neat idea! Might be tricky to get a section thick enough for the handle of your rod, but that should add to the challenge. Would be nice for hiking as a way to transport your rod. One potential problem would be a thin wall of the stick. I'm really tough on walking stick/wading staffs. I'd hate to bust my walking stick and fly rod at the same time.
Anyway, let us know how this project turns out.

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

Well the one I got will work, diameter wise. I just rebarred out the center membranes. You bring up a good point about thin walls but this one is pretty stout. We will see.
I'll post photos once done.