Fly fishing little Linn Run stream in Westmoreland County

[Steeltrap]

Me and a buddy went to Linn Run today to take a stab at catching a few on flys. For the 5 hours we were there I got one trout to roll at a Renegade fly.....but only when fished as a dry fly. My buddy got one strike on a Red Quill.

I know there are plenty of fish in this small stream but for everything we threw at 'em......we just didn't get any strikes....not even lookers!!

I tried:
--griffith gnat
--off body white mayfly
--green wooly bugger
--little black stonefly
--red quill
--yellow sally
--blue dun


And likely 3 or 4 more that I can't think of. I didn't try any streamers as this stream is very small.

Any suggestions on what else I can try? The guys that use mill worms or live minnows seem to do ok.

 

[Zak]

You tried all the right things my man. Some times there are days were just nothing at all works. Maybe another angler worked the stream just before you or maybe a major weather front put the fish down. Lots of scenerios. That's a pretty infertile stream in general so those fish aren't going to be overly picky all things considered when conditions are right. I'd like go back another time and give it a whirl. You'll probably have better success the next time.

 

[Steeltrap]

Thanks Zak. Your right on the spot about the weather. Last night we had one BIG downpour\thunder storm pass thru. It "hit" the Ligonier area as well. I didn't give it a thought.

 

[curtrein]

Never be on Laurel Highland streams without the infamous green weenie. That fly, invented in Latrobe, has saved the day for me many of times. It does seem that Fishing gets tough on those streams after rainfall sometimes.

 

[Steeltrap]

DOH!!

Good idea Curtrein. I need some in various sizes and it's an easy one to tie.

 

[troutbert]

What hours of the day did you fish?

On these types of streams at this time of year, the fishing is typically better in the afternoon than in the morning.

There is more bug activity in the afternoon than in the morning.

 

[Steeltrap]

We fished the morning. From about 8:00 to 1:00.

Everything in life is timing!!!

 

[JGR]

Stream flow was a little over 20 cfps while you were there. I've never done well there with the water that high.

I don't believe fly selection makes much difference. It's a typical sterile Laurel Highlands stream--the brook trout can't afford to be selective.