Had intentions to fish Neshannock Creek but thank to the non stop rain we have gotten I decided it best to retreat to a smaller tributary and I am glad I did. This was my first time to fish Hell Run and I made the decision based on the fact that it is the only Class A Wild waters in far Western PA.
Now to the actual report, water was slightly stained and looked a little high (lack of a reference point makes it hard to tell). The air temp ran 50 to 55 and water temperature was 46 degrees. I fished bugger patterns all day due to conditions. I started at the upper parking area and worked downstream approximately 1.2 miles. As for the fishing I had expectations to not see or catch anything so I was surprised when picked up a brown that ran close to 12". I dropped the ball on the photo when I went to grab the camera he flip flapped and back into the drink he went, he had no need for a recovery and wasted no time retreating from me. I had 3 other fish on but no others to hand, none of which seemed to rival the size (looked to be possibly 8") of the first fish. Had many other short hits without a hook up. My lack of ability to get fish to hand is probably a result of my decision a couple of months back to go 100% barbless.
All in all I was very surprised at the quality of this waterway, and the one fish I got to hand was probably the best fish I have caught in my short 9 months of fly fishing. I will be going back at some point, probably starting at the lower section and working up next time.
Now to the actual report, water was slightly stained and looked a little high (lack of a reference point makes it hard to tell). The air temp ran 50 to 55 and water temperature was 46 degrees. I fished bugger patterns all day due to conditions. I started at the upper parking area and worked downstream approximately 1.2 miles. As for the fishing I had expectations to not see or catch anything so I was surprised when picked up a brown that ran close to 12". I dropped the ball on the photo when I went to grab the camera he flip flapped and back into the drink he went, he had no need for a recovery and wasted no time retreating from me. I had 3 other fish on but no others to hand, none of which seemed to rival the size (looked to be possibly 8") of the first fish. Had many other short hits without a hook up. My lack of ability to get fish to hand is probably a result of my decision a couple of months back to go 100% barbless.
All in all I was very surprised at the quality of this waterway, and the one fish I got to hand was probably the best fish I have caught in my short 9 months of fly fishing. I will be going back at some point, probably starting at the lower section and working up next time.
