Letort - Cumberland Co, 5/17/09

Maski

New member
Joined
Apr 21, 2009
Messages
11
Hi all,

I have discovered the upper and lower section of the Letort on saturday and sunday and this was GREAT !

It has been a “two-in-one” week end.

First time: On Saturday and Sunday morning, I have tried to fish the Letort using my classical european approach of chalk streams: sight nymphing with very small non-weighted nymphs in sizes 22-24. The most difficult was not the fishing itself but my capability of approaching the fishes! The result was rather limited: 3 trouts on Sunday around noon…

Second time: While no flies were emerging and no fishes were coming up, I have decided to try a technique I was used to use on the small streams in my childhood: heavy-nymphing in covers and weeds. With my 8’6’’- 5 rod I was unable to cast, but could fish the closest interesting locations. And a miracle happens: in 4 hours, I have caught between 10 and 15 fishes, both on the upper and the lower Letort. Most of them were medium-sized (around 12 inches) and I have not been able to pull the big ones out of their bush (hopefully none of them has kept the hook). The biggest one was on the lower Letort and around 22 inches I guess, and is still happy in a mix of branches and trees… we will meet together next time!

In a nutshell it was a wonderful weekend: the river is really beautiful, especially the upper section. It is really comparable to the most renowned European chalk streams. The density of fishes is probably one of the highest I have ever seen. The river looks empty at a first glance, but is full-of-fish when you know where to look at. You are very lucky to fish such a river year long.... I think not more than 2 or 3 french rivers are equivalent to this one.

I have met a turtle (the first in my life): surprising !

I am definitely in love with this stream :-D

See you on the river,
Jef

PS: I attach some pictures but I am not sure of the procedure...
 
Maski,
Great report and nice pics. I'm glad you had such a good time on Letort. Many of us fly fishermen here in the US consider Letort among the most difficult streams to fish. I'd say you were very successful - especially considering that you are visiting from Europe and have never fished in PA before. We'll get together soon. I'm looking forward to you showing me your deadly European nymphing methods. 🙂
 
Great fishing Maski, I didn'tknow there were no turtles in Europe.
 
littlejuniata wrote:
Great fishing Maski, I didn'tknow there were no turtles in Europe.

I went fishing with wayne32pa before, and he also seemed surprised by the turtle he saw. I didn't know either.
 
I'm still waiting for a day like that on the Letort. Someday......patience.
 
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