Roaring Run, Westmoreland County, 7/31/2010

JackM

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In a discussion in the stream reports, we were talking about streams in and around the Forbes State Forest. Among a dozen or so streams identified, Roaring Run in the RR Natural Area came up. I invited albatross to fish it with me as I realized it had been about 8 years since I've visited. I have never encountered another angler on the water until yesterday, when Greg and I fished it together.

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Upon arrival, there were 3 cars besides mine and Alby's. After calling him a spot-burner for posting a map of the watershed, we suited up and headed in. 30 minutes later, we began to hear the roaring of the run. We had already past two couples that had been hiking the natural area. They probably were disappointed to see two full-grown men heading in to kill or torture the "stream kittens." Before fishing long, we saw the third couple also only out for a hike. This area is truly multi-use and from what appears, a mere 25% on this day were there for the fishing.

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The stream was pretty low, but the roar turned to a purr and it was clear there was sufficient flow to give the stream a workout. The stream thermometer, finely calibrated by my hand, showed 58 degrees. The air temps were in the mid-eighties when we started down the trail, but the deeper in we got, the cooler it was. And the water was low:

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But there were pools like these:


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You had to cast from two pools down:


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Imagine what the stream looks like in Spring or after some nice rains:


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I took photos of my two best fish:


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All other natives were from 1.5 inches up. 5-6 inchers were common. There were little yellow stones, like size 18-20. A bunch of moths, gnats and biting flies, and I captured one mayfly spinner. It was about size 14 and almost florescent yellow?

???
 
Wow! Great report Jack. Nice pics. What a gem of a stream and area. I'm currently arranging a fly fishing symposium with about 15 of my friends. Is there ample parking in the trailhead lot for the bus? ;-)
 
I remember seeing heavy erosion from ATV tracks when I was in there. Is that still a problem?
 
I didn't see any problems. There was evidence of ATV tracks though not heavy.
 
nice report and pics Jack! looks like it was a great day! I've only hiked the area in early spring, might have to fish it one of these days, hopefully before the bus trip shows up!
 
Had a nice time with Jack yesterday. He and I were both prepared to eat crow had we found the watershed crawling with anglers due to its recent mention on the internet.


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We found no other fisherpersons, though the trailhead was crowded with hikers.


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I got Jack to pose for a streamside photo.


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We saw some acid seeping into the creek, but I think this may be a natural seep. I don't believe there has been any mining in the drainage, though there has been gas drilling (no Marcellus yet).


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I know they have been cracking down on mountain bikers and horse riders in this watershed to cut down on erosion. It seemed to be well under control from what I observed.

I had a fish on that would have beat either of Jack's nice fish, but sadly my 4X tippet wasn't enough to hold him.
 
greenghost wrote:
Wow! Great report Jack. Nice pics. What a gem of a stream and area. I'm currently arranging a fly fishing symposium with about 15 of my friends. Is there ample parking in the trailhead lot for the bus? ;-)


Every year a bus from Pittsburgh brings a load of flyfishers to Spring Creek. If they went to Roaring Run instead that would be fine.
 
Jack, love the orange dorsal on the first fish and the black gums on the second!!! Pretty fish!


Alby...is that a quarter size reel on your small stream rod? That is a cool pic with the fish disappearing in the water. Looks like a museum-type display... "How the natives used to catch natives!"


Nice day! Sorry about the lack of camaraderie discovered even after trying to lure other anglers into the area!
 
The smallest and lightest practical Fly reel available today. Just 2 1/4" in diameter, and weighing only 2.4 ounces..Fully machined from 6061 aluminum and stainless steel. Great for your small fly rod on creeks and rivers. The reel has a fixed Light drag to prevent spool overrun. Will hold most of a 2-3 weight line..

http://www.dennisonspecialtyflyreels.com/servlet/Detail?no=18

I don't think I paid the $50 they are charging for it today. The reel is perfect on my 6 foot 2 weight.
 
Jack,
Love the look! Sort of the "Old Man and the Sea" thing. Maybe you should think about heading to Sloppy Joes in Key West? Take some cats with you.

http://www.sloppyjoes.com/lookalikes.htm

Looks like you missed this year... but there's always next year.
 
damn greenghost, you nailied it!!!LOL! I knew jacked looked like someone I've seen! instead of old man of the sea, jack can be the "gaurdian of the stream"
 
I think he looks a lot like Old Lefty with that beard . No offense to Old Lefty of course . :-D
 
I don't know how you have deduced these resemblances, but think about it...

A. We know Jack likes to give.
B. We know Jack smokes a pipe.
C. We know Jack is always jolly.
D. We've never seen him steelheading in December
 

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afishinado wrote:
Who's who?!?...... ;-)

LOL!!... Maybe, just maybe they're all Jack?

( "Jack of All Trades" ??)
 
you know, I had a decent amount of respect for you two and a few others prior to this post, but the spitefulness of it all sickens me.

Your one day outing on this creek means nothing in terms of angler traffic. Yea, fish are there, they always will be. My grandfather lives downstream of the hiking trail. Every time I'm at his cottage, I look out to see people enjoying the resource. Great, until I fish for a half hour catching nothing, only to catch up to the guy that started half an hour before me.

Anyways, you guys win.. congrats! Nice fish, nice report. Thank you for posting this.
 
Glad you enjoyed the report and so sorry if we wrecked your stream.
 
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