Laurel Hill DHALOs, Somerset, 03/19/2011
- Thread starter albatross
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greenghost
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Thanks for the post Greg!
I see the pics were rainbows. Did you by any chance catch any browns? Hopefully they are in there. imo, they tend to hold over better on that stream during warm summers even though rainbows supposedly have a higher heat tolerance.
I see the pics were rainbows. Did you by any chance catch any browns? Hopefully they are in there. imo, they tend to hold over better on that stream during warm summers even though rainbows supposedly have a higher heat tolerance.
dreamsofstreams
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I've never worked the upper DHALO section, just the bottom. An ideal day for me is the Yough early morning, Laurel Hill Lower DHALO midday, the back to Confluence for the evening.
Is the upper DHALO skinnier water? more pool and riffle type fishing?
Is the upper DHALO skinnier water? more pool and riffle type fishing?
greenghost
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The upper DH area much smaller than the lower. Much tighter also.
It has a long slow deep-water stretch in its upper reaches that begins behind a Boy Scout Camp. The lower part is opposite; more classic mountain freestone with shallow pockets, runs and riffles punctuated by an occasional pool. Fish are usually well spread out early in the season, but definitely conglomerate later, tending toward cooler and more oxygenated water. The Upper DH area stays cooler longer and the fish generally hold over better. But it is more difficult to fish, imo.
It has a long slow deep-water stretch in its upper reaches that begins behind a Boy Scout Camp. The lower part is opposite; more classic mountain freestone with shallow pockets, runs and riffles punctuated by an occasional pool. Fish are usually well spread out early in the season, but definitely conglomerate later, tending toward cooler and more oxygenated water. The Upper DH area stays cooler longer and the fish generally hold over better. But it is more difficult to fish, imo.
dreamsofstreams
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Thanks Ghost-
Now that you mention the boy scout camp, I have fished the upper part once - not sure I even knew it was a special reg at the time. Coming from the Turnpike I turned right at the road before Trent Rd that leads up to LH state park.
It was a briar filled swampy hike in with mosquitoes everywhere only to find barely moving water with a silty streambed. You're dead on it was difficult to fish.
Any guestimate as to how the long the stretch is where it improves (i.e. how far after the long slow water to the lake?).
Now that you mention the boy scout camp, I have fished the upper part once - not sure I even knew it was a special reg at the time. Coming from the Turnpike I turned right at the road before Trent Rd that leads up to LH state park.
It was a briar filled swampy hike in with mosquitoes everywhere only to find barely moving water with a silty streambed. You're dead on it was difficult to fish.
Any guestimate as to how the long the stretch is where it improves (i.e. how far after the long slow water to the lake?).
greenghost
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I'd say a couple miles of slow water and a couple miles of faster water before it empties into the lake in the Park. If you would continue following that road you were on THROUGH the BS Camp it will take you down to the stream as it begins to cut through the Park.
There are places to park at that point. From there downstream to the lake it's probably a couple miles.
There are places to park at that point. From there downstream to the lake it's probably a couple miles.
albatross
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GG, I think I caught one brown on the lower section compared to probably nine rainbows.
I actually enjoy the slower water in the Boy Scout Camp. Sometimes different tactics are required there, but it definitely holds trout and some big ones. Its nice dry fly water for the rare times there is a hatch going on. I'm often successful there doing some slow nymphing or streamer fishing.
I was really hopeful I'd catch fish rising to early black stones on this trip, but it didn't materialize.
I actually enjoy the slower water in the Boy Scout Camp. Sometimes different tactics are required there, but it definitely holds trout and some big ones. Its nice dry fly water for the rare times there is a hatch going on. I'm often successful there doing some slow nymphing or streamer fishing.
I was really hopeful I'd catch fish rising to early black stones on this trip, but it didn't materialize.
