Mud Run, Carbon County, 03/21/2020

[luke_m]

I've been lurking/asking a few questions on the forum for a while now, so I thought it was due time that I contributed something useful.

I hit Mud Run in HRSP yesterday and got skunked.

I fished from ~ 3:00 until 6:30. The weather was great, a crisp 45 degrees or so and a bluebird day. The sun was nice and high until it sank behind the hill near Hawk Falls. EW runs were sunny, but the NS runs were quite chilly and shaded. Water seemed to be up a little bit, and it was tannic albeit relatively clear.

There was a hatch of some very tiny midges over some of the sunny, faster water, but that is all that I saw. I fished hard in the 3 hours I was there and didn't even spook a fish, much less hook any. I tried nymphing, a little midge dry/dropper and a woolly bugger to no avail.

I'm convinced that the fish in Mud Run are either moody or mobile, or both. I had good luck there in the fall, but it seems like it hasn't warmed up yet. I'm curious as to whether or not anyone hit Hickory Run yesterday and had any luck. I chose Mud so that I could stay away from the crowds.

Tight lines.

 

[Tigereye]

My experience has been most LR Tribs and the river itself can be very moody when water temps are < 45. Never thought about tannic acid contributing to that as the more southern tribs though just as cold tend to fish better. For example, Lizard, Pohopoco, Mahonong etc.

Note: those streams are a no-no March 1 til opening day.

 

[luke_m]

Good info! To me it seems like it is a true freestone. Hickory Run appears to have more spring influence. I’m not sure if the tannic water would contribute to the slow fishing, but you’re probably right about the temp. I didn’t have a thermometer but it was around freezing the night before so I’m sure it was below 45.

 

[Millsertime]

I fished Hickory Run and Lehigh last Friday. Water temp's on both peaked around 50 degrees. I expected active fish but fishing was slow on both. Lots of caddis on the LR and even saw 2 rises.

I think Mud Run likely fishes better further upstream, especially for brookies. I have fished the DHALO a few times and typically only catch stockers.

 

[Out4Trout]

I have hit up Hickory a few times in the past few weeks and it has been slow. I also have the benefit of fishing a section of Mud Run on private land as it goes through Albrightsville. In my experience, Mud and hickory are more a late spring, early summer honey hole. At that time of year I hook up on most every cast. Winter and early spring have always been a hit or miss for me on both Mud and Hickory but that doesnt stop me from trying : )

 

[luke_m]

Millsertime, did you fish the Lehigh in the gorge? I checked a spot out up by HRSP on Saturday too, and it seemed pretty slow although I didn't stick around too long.

 

[blueheron]

The tannic water doesn't affect the fishing, low temps for sure will.
Go back when the water hits 50 and you'll see a different stream.