Laurel Hill Creek, Somerset County, 5/25/2014

[greenghost]

Was able to escape for half a day and fish the lower project water of Laurel Hill near Humbert. After chucking streamers, buggers and nymphs for too long, I decided to go dry or die. I'm still alive.

WATER: Both weather and water were, in a word, perfect. Flows strong (around 130 cfs) but not overpowering. Water temp range from 60 to 65 degrees from 2pm to 8pm

BUGS: Saw tan caddis, Lime Sallies, March Browns, BWO's and even a few Green Drakes.

FISH: I have had many 20 fish days on this stretch fishing March Brown dries, but not this day. Caught a total of 7 fish in 5 hours. It would've been many more had I given in to the under side. It didn't matter, had a terrific time just being out.

FLIES: #12 March Brown comp dun, #16 tan caddis, #12 black foam ant

Surprise of the day was a six-inch brook trout, wild (100% positive, plus they don't stock brookies in this stream) from a deeper slot of water tucked under a hemlock near a tiny spring. Considering how this lower end warms up every year I was quite surprised.

 

[Bearski]

I myself fished the lower project waters on Friday the 24th but did not have the success you had. It was my first time fishing this stretch of laurel hill and i will agree that the stream flow and water level seemed ideal. With that in mind i have a tendency to struggle with waters the size and characteristics of this stream. I have a hard time indentifying the fishiest spots i suppose since the stream is wide and flat

 

[polskip]

Fished the 26th & 27th. Several miles downstream of whipkey. Water was prime and highest temp was 68. Action was very good. Lots of trout left in the stream and in good shape. Nymphing was key. All action was subsurface. Bhfbpt #14-16 hard to beat on that stream. Few Sulphurs, March browns,yellow sallies and lots of caddis in evening. No serious surface action. I was also fortunate to land 4 native brook trout in the main stream. Various tribs in the area though. If temps and flow hold up the stream will fish well.

 

[albud1962]

Well there are several tribs with wild brookies. I wouldn't be surprised to catch a few now and again as the fish move in and out of the main stem as conditions permit.

 

[MrMustard]

That's interesting. I fished it on Saturday, the 24th, between the DHALOS. I also found many willing fish, and ended up catching over 20. Mostly drifting an olive bugger, size 10, and prince nymphs. Didn't see any risers all day, and didn't notice much bug activity in the air where I was.

I also caught a wild brookie in Laurel Hill and was quite surprised. I guess its not as uncommon as I thought. I spent some time exploring a trib, but didn't find any fish. It was some pretty water though.

 

[JackM]

Most if not all of the tributaries below the lake have wild trout in them. A few are stocked in the lower reaches. But most assuredly wild trout move downstream and into LH Creek during this period of the year and again in the Fall.

You don't go to LH looking for wild brookies, but they can be found. Some of these tribs have wild brown as well.

A nice day can be had by going early to the main stream and then departing for a few tributaries during mid-day (these are heavily shaded), then returning to the main stream near dusk.

 

[greenghost]

JackM wrote:
A nice day can be had by going early to the main stream and then departing for a few tributaries during mid-day (these are heavily shaded), then returning to the main stream near dusk.

Good strategy, Jack. The more I fish in the Laurel Highlands the more I realize how it has improved as a wild trout area over the last few decades.

 

[MrMustard]

That was pretty much my strategy last week. I'm guessing I may not have made it far enough upstream on the trib I picked. It sure looked fishy, but I didn't come across any takers.

 

[JoeB27]

Fished a stretch of Laurel Hill between Humbert and Whipkey on Sunday the 25th with my brother-in-law. I thought the water was at a nice level and flow and wading would have been ideal if it wasn't for like every other rock rolling over as you stepped on it!

We both pulled in over a dozen each but using very different bugs. I caught the majority of mine on a Thin Mint bugger. Basically a olive-orange-brownish bead head woolly bugger. Caught a couple on the a BH PT also.

My brother-in-law meanwhile caught the majority of his on a march brown dry. He even caught a couple of brookies too!

Interesting day. Seemed like the fish were pretty hungry and were chasing down anything presented well too them.