East and West Branch Rattling Run, Dauphin Co, 5/30/2026

[TedS]

Fished 8 am-noon. Air 56 deg, water 54. No real bugs, occasional tan caddis around 18. Water level pretty high given the rain. Not the summer lows yet but very clear given the volume. Beautiful day in the woods, no other anglers seen. Caught a few on the East Branch but I am still learning the water. Explored with an EHC but I'm sure I could have done a bit better nymphing the deeper pools present there. Pics are of the brookies caught on the West Branch. Also pictured is the unfortunately stocked brown trout caught in the same pool I took 2 natives. I very much wish they would stop stocking over these beauties and let it be a wild fish stream. Have been there a couple of time now, all after May, and I have yet to see a single other angler. If there is that lack of interest after opening day, why not just leave it alone? I just prefer brookies when I can get them.

 

[riverwhy]

Brown would make a nice streamside dinner. Glad the Brookies are still there. I caught a couple there last year. I haven’t fished the East Branch.

 

[GoldenRfly]

Fished 8 am-noon. Air 56 deg, water 54. No real bugs, occasional tan caddis around 18. Water level pretty high given the rain. Not the summer lows yet but very clear given the volume. Beautiful day in the woods, no other anglers seen. Caught a few on the East Branch but I am still learning the water. Explored with an EHC but I'm sure I could have done a bit better nymphing the deeper pools present there. Pics are of the brookies caught on the West Branch. Also pictured is the unfortunately stocked brown trout caught in the same pool I took 2 natives. I very much wish they would stop stocking over these beauties and let it be a wild fish stream. Have been there a couple of time now, all after May, and I have yet to see a single other angler. If there is that lack of interest after opening day, why not just leave it alone? I just prefer brookies when I can get them.

Nice day! That stream is definitely on my short list of streams relatively close to home that I haven’t fished yet.

 

[StreamBottom]

Fished 8 am-noon. Air 56 deg, water 54. No real bugs, occasional tan caddis around 18. Water level pretty high given the rain. Not the summer lows yet but very clear given the volume. Beautiful day in the woods, no other anglers seen. Caught a few on the East Branch but I am still learning the water. Explored with an EHC but I'm sure I could have done a bit better nymphing the deeper pools present there. Pics are of the brookies caught on the West Branch. Also pictured is the unfortunately stocked brown trout caught in the same pool I took 2 natives. I very much wish they would stop stocking over these beauties and let it be a wild fish stream. Have been there a couple of time now, all after May, and I have yet to see a single other angler. If there is that lack of interest after opening day, why not just leave it alone? I just prefer brookies when I can get them.

Nice TR!
Bamboo rod?

 

[TedS]

Yeah, bamboo. Been my latest obsession for the last 2 years. Don't know why I waited 40 years before experiencing bamboo. Marty DeSapio 6'6" 3 wt with Wulff bamboo line. New rod, first day out with it and WOW! Absolutely beautiful taper and just a joy to fish. A perfect small stream rod, now one of my favorite rods ever.

 

[StreamBottom]

Yeah, bamboo. Been my latest obsession for the last 2 years. Don't know why I waited 40 years before experiencing bamboo. Marty DeSapio 6'6" 3 wt with Wulff bamboo line. New rod, first day out with it and WOW! Absolutely beautiful taper and just a joy to fish. A perfect small stream rod, now one of my favorite rods ever.

Nice! I've seen his rods and they're pretty sweet.

Same here regarding the obsession. I fish a 6' 3wt for Brookies, made by NC maker Munsey Wheby.
I have four of his rods.

 

[Bamboozle]

Yeah, bamboo. Been my latest obsession for the last 2 years. Don't know why I waited 40 years before experiencing bamboo. Marty DeSapio 6'6" 3 wt with Wulff bamboo line. New rod, first day out with it and WOW! Absolutely beautiful taper and just a joy to fish. A perfect small stream rod, now one of my favorite rods ever.

What reel is hanging below...?

Been fishing bamboo forever on big and small water. Excluding a few 7'0" rods, the closest thing I have to a 6'6" 3wt is my beloved 50 year old 6'6" 4wt Orvis bamboo Flea. Some folks may like it with a 3wt line, but I have been using a 4wt on it since I acquired it for 100 flies from a friend.

Interesting stream. It may be sacrilege to even say it, but when I encounter skinny water like that, I grab one of my Tenkara rods for the reach and to keep line off the water...

 

[TedS]

Reel is actually an inexpensive gift of a grey wolf raised pillar. Not a bad little reel for $125. Will probably upgrade some point but it’s a nice little reel. Holds the line just perfectly 🤣🤣

 

[Bamboozle]

Reel is actually an inexpensive gift of a grey wolf raised pillar. Not a bad little reel for $125. Will probably upgrade some point but it’s a nice little reel. Holds the line just perfectly 🤣🤣

While it's not the same rod, my 6'6" 4wt bamboo Orvis Flea balances perfectly with a 2-5/8" Hardy Perfect at 4.53 ounces, if that is in your price range.

If money is no object, Saracione or Ted Godfrey... 😉