Shaffer Run, Somerset County, 1/24/2010

[JackM]

I left my house with every intention of testing my new camera out on some local streams and generally scouting a few for future reference. The Laurel Hill Creek study ryan posted made me curious how some of the streams that they did not highlight (or study?) that have been stocked in some point in recent years would fish at this time of year.

I took a nice scenery photo and my camera immediately informed me that I was out of memory. I had left my memory card in the computer at home and so had only enough internal memory for the one shot. Therefore, you will not be able to see the two fine brown trout I caught on a #12 Adams. Instead, you get this:

Even Bigger If Clicked On.

 

[Fishidiot]

Nice photo Jack.
Looks like there's still a good bit of snow up on the western edge of the Appalachians and Laurel Highlands - pretty much melted down here in southcentral.

 

[pete41]

nice picture

 

[bikerfish]

nice pic jack! what kind of rod were you using?

 

[JackM]

It is a homemade banty created by discarding the butt section of a three-piece bamboo rod I picked up on eBay when I first started out flyfishing. I then put the reelseat and handle onto the bottom of the midsection, stripped the old varnish and wraps, and then varnished and re-wrapped the guides. I haven't used it in 6-7 years it seems. One of my furrels needs reset, but I was able to fish with it.

 

[skybay]

Really nice picture, remind me that spring is just around corner and hidden somewhere under the cold water surface trout.
I bet you enjoyed this short run creek.

 

[JackM]

I enjoyed the couple hours I spent there and it was nice now that my casting is improving to pull out that banty rod. I put my 3-weight line on her and it is very soft. A nice change from my normal rods.

I honestly do not like fishing small streams often. There is too much concerning one's self with trees, bushes, rodo, spooking fish, etc.

 

[bikerfish]

I thought it looked like boo!!
I've built two of those myself Jack, one ended up a 3 wt, the other a 5wt. both are fun little rods for small streams.

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

I do like the pic and i like the rod even more. 🙂

Very nice. One of these days im going to have to build a bamboo, i just havent gotten there yet.

Jack im glad to see you get out to the small streams now and again. It is a lot different and it isnt for everyone. Glad you had an enjoyable day.

 

[pcray1231]

Great pic. I can't help but to think through the best approach to the likely holding areas in that pic....

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

I was doing the same thing! 🙂

 

[pcray1231]

bow and arrow to the edge below the root system, then a roll cast to the fast water right to its side. Move up a few steps, just ahead of the obstruction in the lower right, to the leaves on the right side. And cast over the bank, using it to hold the line, to cover the upper stump and tail-out. Maybe another cast to the head of that pool and then moving on upstream....

 

[Acristickid]

There seems to be one extra "F" or a lack of an "S" in the title. But I am not a small stream guy.

 

[albatross]

All this time I've fished with you and now I find out you're a closet bamboo guy!
:-o :-o :-o

 

[David]

Is that a little CFO reel on there, too? Nice!

 

[Chaz]

I've heard of guys getting caght in the trees with flies, but never a whole rod.

 

[JackM]

No the reel is an older Scientific Angler, I think. I covet the CFO.

 

[bikerfish]

those old SA reels are good, same as orvis battenkill, all made by hardy in england. new ones all made in china or korea, including hardys, except for the perfect, it's still made in england.
Jack, I'll bring my little boo rods to the jam for ya to check out.

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

They are heavier than the battenkill and i would guess they are less durable.

Edit: I meant heavier than the BBS II

 

[JackM]

JackM wrote:
No the reel is an older Scientific Angler, I think. I covet the CFO.

Wrong, Jack! It is a Cortland Crown (3-5weight).