Winter Steelhead Alley

Just got back from 2 days of fishing in Pennsylvania's South Lake Erie shore. The target goal for the trip was to find and catch Steelhead in the tributaries of Lake Erie. The weather was a little on the frigid side and as a result water was slushy the first morning making for some tough fishing. The guides of our fly rods stayed constantly iced up, and my reel froze a couple of times. After going to 2 other tributaries the first day, Chris finally caught his first Steelhead on a white Suckerspawn. Grant landed about 5 fish, and I rounded out the trio with 1 fish. Indeed a tough day of fishing. Day 2 began with a temperature increase of a few degrees and we headed to a favorite stretch of the best Erie trib that PA has to offer. Few other anglers were out today and after some searching we found a few fish holding in a fast riffle and not another soul in sight. After we found what the meal ticket was, Grant, Chris, and myself all hooked and landed several fish. As the temperatures dropped, we decided it was time to call it day and head south to more snow and cold temperatures.

Opening Day 2009

November 23, 2009 saw a rather so so start to the rifle WV buck season. The weather was a little overcast, rainy at times, and a little on the chilly side; perfect deer hunting weather. Not much happened until about 8:00 am when Don Speiden killed a dark racked basket 6pt. Several does were seen up until about 9am but things slowed down considerably soon after. Dad and I were eating lunch in my stand around 1pm and we were watching the fields when he spotted a deer. I grabbed the gun ID'ed the deer as a buck, and nocked the safety off. The buck began to trot across the field and I led the buck in the scope and squeezed off. I noticed the buck flinch and worked the bolt for another shot, but that only lead to a clean miss on the second shot. After dad and I waited about 20 minutes, we got down out of the stand and went to look for blood or hair. No blood or hair found, we headed in the general direction of the buck's last heading. Upon entering the cedar thicket where he went into, I saw the buck's white belly and I slowly approched the deer. After confirming the kill, I found out the buck I shot was a chocolate high racked 8pt. After dressing the deer, dad headed to his stand, and I headed home to skin the buck. Dad managed to put a little meat on the table as well when he put a nice doe on the ground that evening.

Cloudy skies with a chance of spawning Brown Trout

Today, the Beav and I headed to a grade A #1 blue ribbon trout stream with the intent of finding some fall spawning Brown Trout showing their fall colors. We arrived at "The Spot" at about 7am and lined up the rods. We both started off with #16 Pheasant Tail nymphs and Olive Wooly Buggers. At the first hole, I hooked and landed one of the most beautiful Brown Trout Ive ever laid my eyes on. It didn't take Beaver long to hook up either, in fact his hook ups lasted all day. What can I say though, he's got 12 plus years experience fishing this stream. He knows it well and his experience and knowhow really showed that day. Now, I did hook and loose several more fish throught the day, but I was in picture mode so I snapped several pictures today. Beaver finished the day with over 10 fish and when you catch 10 or more on this river, you have recked house.

Of Beards and Broadheads

Im a little late adding this to the blog, but nevertheless here is the most recent trip report. Last Monday evening, while sitting in the stand I noticed some movement out in front of me. About 8 gobblers were heading my direction. Seeing as how I didn't have a facemask or gloves on, I stood up, grabbed the bow, and readied myself as I knew this encounter was going to happen quickly. There was 1 gobbler that was out in front of the rest and as I was waiting on him to get within range, the others made a b-line straight for my tree. I drew my Mathews DXT, picked out a bird, settled the 30 yard pin and let the RAGE 3 Blade fly. The arrow hit the bird in between the neck and the wing butt and broke the leg on the opposing side and exited. The RAGE had put a hurtin' on this bird. I didnt offically weigh the bird, but I would guess it weighed about 20pounds and it had a 7'' beard and 1'' spurs. Not the biggest gobbler, but with a bow. Thats as good as a 10pt in my book.

Hunted this morning on my landlords property right above my house. Left the house here at about 6:30 in the stand and quiet by 6:50. Cold morning, 37* when I left, when the sun came up and hit the woods things started moving. I saw 1 squirrel at about 7:45 and I noticed 3 does moving my way at about 8:15. One of the does didnt like what she saw or smelled and when she turned they all left in the opposite direction of me. I decided I would give it until 9:00 and I was headed for the house for some breakfast. At about 8:35, I noticed another deer heading towards my stand on the path that looked like I-68. I saw that it was a buck but didnt concearn myself with that, because I was going to shoot at it regardless. He came trotting by at 25 yards and I mouth grunted to get him to stop and I let the Rage 2 Blade Carbon Xpress Maxima arrow go. It slammed through the drivers side ribcage got both lungs and the buck ran about 45 yards before piling up in my sight. This buck is my first buck of the year, and biggest buck with a bow.

Fall Steelhead Journy #1

Today I left Preston County at 2:55am. I met up with Beaver in Morgantown shortly after and we were Lake Erie bound, geared up for our first Steelhead trip of 2009. We arrived at our destination around 7am and were fishing by 7:45am. Low water greeted us depsite the recent rains. We began searching for fish and quickly found a few holding near the tailout of a long run. Beaver and I both tried most everything in the fly box, and eventually Beaver hooked and caught the first Steelhead of the day. Later in the morning, reports of more fish farther upstream motivated us to head up the creek to another spot. The reports rang true and we found far mor fish farther upstream. Shortly I had hooked and landed 3 Steelhead on various patterns. The afternoon brought us to a different creek altogether and we found more fish, lots more people, and high winds. Beaver hooked and caught 1 more Steelhead, and soon it was time to call it day and make the agonizing drive back to Morgantown. All in all it was a fantastic trip and hopefully it wont be the last of the fall run.

The Last or the First

This post is a hard one to catagorize. Its either a fishing trip into the last of Summer or the first of Fall. Either way today was no let down. I left the house for a quick jaunt into the wilds of Preston County for some Brook Trout and some early fall colors. I was not dissapointed for either of my quarries. Today I would be fishing 2 native Brook Trout streams in the greater Cheat River drainage. I began at the headwaters of a small stream that I had previously fished and had done well at in the past. I lined up the boo and tied on a #10 Rubber Legged Stimulator and began my way upstream. The water was a bit on the scarce side, but I managed to scrounge up 4 trout and letting 2 more off. I headed for the truck and made my way off the mountain and down to the mouth of another stream I had no clue about. I was still using the same fly and began hopping rocks and boulders upstream looking for a decent pool to begin at. After spooking a few nice fish, I landed a few here and there. I wrapped it up after catching my seventh fish of the day and headed home. More fall brookies to come.... Stay Tuned

The Last Hoorah

Today, I traveled south from Preston County into Tucker County in search of Native Brook Trout. I left Clifton Mills around 7:30am and arrived at my destination around 9:15am. After gathering my stuff, and loading up the pack, I hiked over the mountain and down into a rather steep gorge and began fishing a stream where stories of legends are born. I strung up "Salvelinus" my favorite bamboo brook trout fly rod, and tied on a size #10 chartruese rubber legged stimulator. I began catching fish after fish in every pool that the fly hit the water. Although I didn't catch any over the 11 inch mark today, I enjoyed being outside and the time alone fishing a new stream. I believe I ended up landing 18 fish and letting a few more off.

Summer Rain

A lot of people dont tend to think of July as a typical month to trout fish, but with this summer's out of the ordinary rains, July has been a rather exceptional month to trout fish. Taking advantage of the weather, I talked Chris Mitchell into heading to Southern WV. We arrived at our starting location around 8am and lined up our rods. We both began using large wooly buggers to dredge the water. The stream had excellent flows today, but the water was a little off color so black was the color. The day started off a little slow but that soon changed. Today was largely dominated by Rainbows and only a few Browns. Chris and I both brought a chunky Brown and countless other acrobatic Rainbows. We finished the day out with about 20 fish between the 2 of us.

Floating under the Sun

Today my I spent the day floating down the New River with my wife Andrea, brother-in-law Shawn, and his wife Trista. We floated about 7 miles of the lower New River and while we didn't boat a lot of fish, we did catch some that were very nice in size. The sun was very hot and consequently we all caught a few too many sun rays. It was a great day out to be away from work, and the everyday life. No clue as to how many we each caught, but Andrea caught the biggest of the day. We released all the fish.

Canyon Madness

Today Mike Snyder and I decided to go spelunking, I mean fishing. I say that because our destination of choice was in a very deep, rough, rugged, and physically demanding canyon river. We met at about 2pm and the weather started off being overcast making for a very good day of fishing. After gathering our gear we made ready and headed down a trail that would have been better suited for a mountain goat. We finally made it to the river and decided that we would hike, climb, and clamber over the rocks to make our way downstream to have more water to fish. I started the day with a #10 black stonefly, and Mike tied on a large peacock stonefly imitation. In the first pool after a few dead drifts Mike hooked up with a nice 16'' rainbow. Shortly after I hooked up with a strong 14'' rainbow. Following the rainbow, I caught a little redeye. The rest of the day we made our way upstream slowly dead drifting nymphs and picking up a few more trout including a 10'' brown that Mike caught. We ended our ascent in a beautiful tannin stained plunge pool of a fantastic waterfall. I added some serious lead to my leader and tied on a #8 Black woolybugger and began picking up more trout. I hooked into a very nice trout in the 17'' range, but unfortunately he threw the hook. Mike and I ended the day with 11 trout brought to hand/net.

Today Andrea and I decided to take the one man pontoons down the New River. We started at the Bluestone Dam at about noon. We were floating to southside. The skies were very overcast and the water was heavily stained. I started with a chartruese 3'' Gitzit G-tail and Andrea was fishing a pumpkin/chartruese 3'' Berkley Powergrub. After catching a few bass, I hooked a nice fish that I first thought was a nice bass, only to see an orange tail making me think I had foul hooked a carp. After a couple more minutes of the fight, I soon realized I had hooked a musky right in the top jaw. I jumped out of the pontoon and snatched that guy up against my chest. As Andrea was trying to get the camera ready for a trophy shot, the fish slithered out into the water again and broke the line. Ironically that was the only chartruese Gitzit I had and consequently the fishing went down the tubes quickly after that. I put on a Berkley Powergrub like Andrea was using and did hook very nice bass only to have it come unhooked later. A few more smallish bass later and the float was pretty much over.

Campin' and Fishin' with the Guys

Just got back home from a camping trip that has sort of become a tradition for some of the men in my family. Spent the past 3 days with my Dad, Uncle Ron, cousins Ronny, Jacob, Nathan, Michael, and Chris. Needless to say it was time well spent away from work, phones, problems and just everyday life.

Day 1
Spent the morning and afternoon hiking upstream into the wilderness area of where we had our tent set up. Chirs and I picked up a few brookies and wild browns in this stream, but neither of us landed anything really big. Suprisingly we found a few ramps that were as big as tulip bulbs. Who would have thought ramps on Memorial Day.

Later that afternoon we headed down to a beautiful bug factory of a river to catch a sulphur spinner fall. The action wasn't as hot as I had hoped for, however, I wont complain. Chris and I fished until almost 9:30pm and Chris brought 4 rainbows to hand while I brought 6 Rainbows and 1 Brown to hand.

Day 2

We awoke to some kinda iffy weather with rain and thunderstorms in the forecast. We headed for a tributary stream of a great wild rainbow stream. We only spent a short amount of time on this stream but we did manage to bring a total of 8 fish to hand. All brook trout.

After leaving the first stream, we headed to the headwaters of a major tributary of the Potomac Watershed. With it raining hard we pressed on. Picking up fish here and there even with the rain, We found ourselves on a dandy of a trout stream. Chris brought 4 to hand, and I ended the day with 6 to hand, with one brook trout topping out the tape measure at almost 12 inches.

Day 3

Today was the day to break camp and head back to our everyday lives. After packing up at camp, Chris and I headed north to Tucker County in search of plunge pools and large brook trout. Weather indeed was in our favor today, and that made for some great fishing. Plunge pool after plunge pool, tanin stained water and beautiful Brook Trout was today's results. Chris and I ended the day with 17 total brook trout, several nearing the 10inch mark.

The Forest

Today Andrea and I discussed it would be a good day to take Brandon out to somewhere he could run wild, yell, laugh and have a good day. Brandon is always wanting to know where the forest is. Its as if he thinks it is a magical place so I thought of no better place to take him than the Savage State Forest in Garret County, Maryland. We packed the cooler and headed east. After a nice lunch, Brandon started riding his bike and we headed up the Monroe Run trail head. We took our time today looking at flowers, bugs, and catching a few little Brook Trout. Enjoy the pictures from todays outing.

Beyond The Rainbow

Today I decided to go do some small stream fishing and look for some wild Rainbow Trout. To do this, I decided Pendleton County was going to be the destination of choice. I arrived in the Seneca Rocks area at about 2pm planning on fishing until dark. I first began on a small tributary of a tributary of the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac. This particular drainage was a hot bed of a plethora of insect life, running through a very rich limestone bed, just teaming with wild rainbows and brook trout. Shortly after I had begun, I began picking up a few fish. I had landed 3 rainbows and 1 brook trout on the first stream. Having to choose my time wisely, I pressed on. I arrived tributary #2 to find the much of the same setting as the first stream. Mayflies, Stoneflies, Caddis, and Midges were coming off everywhere. I began fishing my way up the narrow stream. Quickly I began bringing fish to hand. I had caught 3 rainbows and 3 more brook trout. Now, on my way to tributary #3. I took a lunch break when I got to this stream, and only decided to fish a couple of spots on the this creek. I caught a very nice rainbow for this stream, it was about 11''. I had to leave this creek so that I could go meet Grant. Grant and I had decided to meet at 6pm so we could do some evening fishing. We headed over to the N. Fork of the S. Branch Potomac so that I could catch a fallfish. I tied on a #8 BH Slumpbuster and after a few casts, I caught a very nice 15'' rainbow. Quickly after, I was hooked up into my first and only 2 fallfish, followed by a smallmouth thrown into the mix. Grant and I headed back upstream into the drainage I had been fishing all afternoon. Grant was broke off by something he said was about 16 or 17''. Not too long after that he hooked and caught a WV bonefish (sucker) and several nice rainbows and a couple of brookies. I brought another 4 rainbows and 1 brook to hand to finish up the night.

Brown Town

Today Andrea and I headed to Pocahontas County for the headwaters of a very well known river. We started downstream at about noon. After about a 40 minute hike, we started fishing. Andrea was using a panther martin and a rapala husky jerk and I was throwing the big streamers on my 7 weight. The day started out slow, but soon I moved a large 20'' plus brown on a double bunny. Not expecting it, I got excited and jerked it right out of its mouth. Shortly after, Andrea brought a brown to hand that was about 12''. She caught it on a husky jerk. Fishing was slow for a while after that and we decided to have a streamside lunch. After I finished my lunch, I decided to pick up her spin rod and throw the panther martin a time or two. First cast resulted in a brown that measured 18 and 3/4''. After releasing this trophy we headed back to the truck to call it a day.

For The First Time

My Father has been alot of places I haven't but today I took him somewhere he's never been. I took him to a quality wild trout stream smack dab in the middle of McDowell County. We left Hinton at about 10am with a stout wind and some rain. We decided to go anyways. When we arrived at the stream, the sun was slowly poking out and the temperature was on the rise. We rigged up and hit the water at 11:20am. I was fishing the ole faithfull #8 Olive Bead Head Wooly Bugger and I rigged Dad up the same way. The water was a little on the high side so we began fishing the pockets, eddies, and current breaks. I think Dad was a little skeptical about this creek's potential until I hooked and landed a chunk of a Brown Trout that was a solid 16". Soon Dad had his first hookup and he never stopped the rest of the day. He ended the day with 8 and I finished with 3. He said he would be back. I know I will.

Down South

Friday while brookie fishing, Chris and I discussed heading down to the other end of the state for a chance to find some Blue Wing Olives, Browns, and Bows. We did exactly that. We arrived in McDowell county promptly at 10am and found the water to be less than perfect than what we wanted. We decided to head upstream into the headwaters and fish the small water and look for whatever would bite. We both started the day off with Olive Bead Head Wooly Buggers and fishing was a little slow. We both picked up a few fish by high sticking pot holes and current breaks. After a couple of hours, we decided to make way for a little out of the way spot we call the meadows. We figured that the slow water would be the place to look for the BWO hatch and we hit the nail on the head. We both began picking up fish on Parachute BWO patterns fishing them to sporadically rising fish, and just like that the fishing was on. Chris caught 5 and I brought 8 to hand. Not a perfect weahter and water day for fishing, but you know what, it sure beat being at work.

Ramps and Brookies

Today Chris Mitchell and I headed north for Pocahontas County. We left Hinton at about 9:00am and the weather looked perfect. Shortly after we reached the stream we thought we were about to be rained out, but being the persistent weather warriors we are, we pushed on and headed upstream. It wasn't too long before we spotted the first patch of ramps so we decided to dig a few. After we dug all the ramps we wanted, we continued upstream and shortly we began catching some brookies. Both Chris and I started off with dry fly patterns and maintained that strategy all day. Most of our fish were caught on a #14 Orange and Chartruese Stimulator and a #16 Cottontail Usual. Chris and I finished the day with over 25 fish brought to hand and countless others that were missed or let off.

Time With Dad

I had asked my dad if he wanted to go look for some brookies and ramps with me, and he agreed without any hesitation. We left Hinton around 11:00am and headed for Greenbrier County. After getting to where we wanted to start, we geared up, and headed down over the mountain. The sun was beating down and no doubt was going to make for some tough fishing. Dad and I began to leapfrog one another upstream in search of brookies. Dad caught the first one and shortly thereafter I proceeded to land one. While we had found a few brookies, we did not find any ramps. I told him that I thought a couple more weeks and they should be sproutin' up. After a while, we both decided we werent done fishing, but we were done with this particular stream, so drove over the mountain to a stream that has been a good one in the past. We began to leapfrog again and I picked up a couple of brookies. When we reached the waterfall we called it a day. At the end of the day we had definitely not put up any big numbers, nor had we found any ramps, but I thoroughly enjoyed the day spent with my ol' man.

A Little Heavy Liftin'

My good friend and hurgan durgan trout chaser Grant and I left Preston Co. at about 10am. We were headed east for the neighboring state of Maryland, Garret Co. to be exact. We were on the hunt for some hungry Brown Trout. Armed to the teeth with 6 and 7 wt rods and monster streamers that resembled a Rapala we finally hit the water at around 11:30am. Grant was the first to hook up with a really nice brown. I was moving fish left and right, but I just couldnt connect. Finally after a lunch break, we hit a lower section of stream and I finally hooked up with a really pretty brown that had some awesome color and spots on its adipose fin. Grant finished the day with 5 brought to hand leaving me in the wake with a solid 1. All the fish were top notch quality brown trout that ranged from about 14'' to 18''.

Cold ... Yeah, but I was Bored ! !

Today I left work at about 2:15pm, and decided since there was litterally nothing else to do today, I thought why not go fishing. I headed home, quickly gathered my waders, boots, and the trusty Sir D bamboo rod and beat feet over to a quiet little wild brown stream. I decided to tie on a #8 olive/brown wooly bugger. I started in the bottom of a fairly large run, only to drag the bottom with nil results. This negativity continued on for the next hour or so until I finally added too much split shot and subsequently got hung up. I made the executive decision that it was high time to quit and make like a tree and leaf. No fish harmed, hooked or spotted today, but I did snap a few pictures.

Spring is Here... Well, not quite Yet

Austin and I left Hinton southbound for Pearisburg, VA with the intentions of finding some quality weather and time well spent on a quaint little trout stream that is nestled in the mountains of VA and emties into the New River. This particular trout stream is teeming with native brook and wild rainbow trout. After we left the parking lot, we began the walk up the trail and started fishing after about a 20 minute hike. Soon after that, we started picking up a few fish here and there. I caught 7 brookies and 1 rainbow and Austin caught about the same. All fish brought to hand were caught on either an olive wooly bugger or a black/chart. trout magnet.

South For The Winter

JANUARY 13, 2009

Today my cousin Chris Mitchell and I headed to the southern most county in WV to search for some wild rainbows and browns. We werent dissapointed nor did we have any problem finding fish. I started out with a size 8 olive wooly bugger with a copper beadhead and Chris decided to fish a similar wooly bugger. Neither one of us changed our flies all day. We stayed in the upper reaches of this creek today opting to fish the smaller water and look for the low flows. Chris brought 6 fish to hand and finished the day with 12. The fish of the day went to a chunky brown in the 14'' range.

A Cold Start to '09

JANUARY 2, 2009

I started 2009 off with what to some people may be a slow start. Accompanied by my 2 cousins Chris and Jason Mitchell, we headed for the headwaters of one of the longest rivers in WV and found ourselves in the wilds of Pocahontas County. We arrived to a halfway sunny day and a bit of a chill in the air. The water was a little on the low side but it was gin clear and beautiful. I strung up the 7 weight as I prepared to sling some big meaty streamers in search for a big brown. Chris and Jason were going to nymph fish and hopefull try and move a few fish as well. While we didn't move many fish we did see more than enough to make us want to make another trip when its a bit warmer. About halfway through the day, I hooked and landed one of the most beautiful wild Brown Trout that I have ever caught. I didnt pull the tape out but this fish was a solid 16inches. It made my day and my trip. As the day turned into evening, we heaed for the truck with not another fish landed and only 1 more hooked.