Greetings! December 20th, and there are fly fishermen on Pine, some on Slate and it seems, more on Cedar. And, they are catching trout and seeing many more. At the tackle shop or along the stream we have talked to many of these anglers. By far, the largest percentage of these fishermen have always considered winter one of their favorite seasons to fish, and they catch trout on Pine and the runs throughout December, January, and February. The second part of the anglers we've spoken to are new to trout fishing at Slate Run in the winter - for the most part, their experiences have been the same as the old veterans. It is a pleasure to see the increased numbers enjoying our streams at this time of the year, and an even greater pleasure to experience the excitement they exude at unlocking the "secrets" of winter trout fly fishing on our own fabulous freestone Pine, Slate, and Cedar.
 | | Tom Finkbiner talks about winter fly fishing at Slate Run |
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Anglers On Pine
Juli & Brook on Schoolhouse:
notice the switch rod Juli is casting...
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Julie & Brook fishing a Helios Switch Rod
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Nymphing Schoolhouse Riffle
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Shawn Crocker on upper Naval Run riffle Pool
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What's working...
We continue to get a lot of great feedback on the Newsletters - we'll keep them coming as our seasons move forward. Stream conditions and the photo gallery updates will occur as often as possible so you are aware of what is happening. We hope January and February will provide an opportunity for you to experience winter fishing on Pine for yourself! All our water has been fishing well and a surprising number of exceptional trout have been caught the last few weeks. The flies below are working.
Midge hatches are definitely present, and occasionally caddis flies of differing patterns can be seen above the water. This week I saw a few large caddis flies that I believe were hatched Rycophilia (these are a many varied group of caddis, but all free-swimming - I'm wondering if I'll see them all winter?) What would we suggest carrying? - A cream or white midge 18-22; BWO's in sizes 16-22; Brown Caddis in a 14-16; Tricos in 18-22 (16-18 if you're lucky); some good nymph and pupa patterns such as hare's ear, pheasant tail, Prince, caddis larvae and pupa. An especially good pattern matches the Rhyacophila - a free swimming green caddis called a rock worm. Add to these a yellow bead-head stone, a black/brown bead-head stone, green weenie, and a few buggers, muddlers, and sculpins. Some of the smaller larva and pupa are good fished as droppers. I will be using a Slate Drake as a strike indicator with a bead-head caddis as a dropper, and a green Rycophilia pupa as a dropper off the bead-head caddis dropper... It's working!
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Just a few more casts.
Walking along Naval Run Road toward Little Slate Pool the middle of December was a task. I left the Tackle Shop at 3:00 and only had a little while before grey consumed Pine. A stiff breeze was moving upstream and the chill almost seemed like an invitation to stay out of the water. The trout that normally are in a channel near the edge of the stream were gone... The scene appeared a bit forlorn... Then, on the ripples made by the wind in the broken, deeper water, there was a small splash, then another, more... Trout were feeding all along the wind-blown channel near the opposite bank. It could have been May, nothing else existed in my world - no temperature, no worries, no fading light, no wind, no fog, it wasn't even December any more... - just A HATCH AND FEEDING TROUT! If you are a fly fisherman or fisherwoman I know you understand!
The middle of December, how much I did not know! My main fly was a well dressed Slate Drake (love that white post for visibility), and a bead-head Sili Skin Caddis as a shallow dropper with a second dropper using a Rycophilia. It took a while to get into position - "please don't stop feeding!" The line touched down and the three-fly spread straightened and drifted to the surface. The white-posted Slate Drake rode high as its burden of immature pupa sank from the top. It was as fast as a kid fishing a worm with a bobber on a blue gill pond. The slate disappeared, the rod tip raised, and the trout was on. This is not an advertisement! but, I have to say it, there is nothing like catching a trout with my Superfine Touch rod and Hydros large Arbor reel! The current helped the spunky brownie put up a good fight. After a few minutes and a twist of the hook, the trout sank then darted to the depths. I had another nudge when the Slate was pulled under again, but nothing was home. After a few more casts, it seemed someone flicked the switch and the feed was over - wish I had gotten on the pool a little earlier, still, an interesting December afternoon.
I kept the waders on so there was time to stop at the bridge to see if anything was feeding toward Slate. Not only was the grey advancing quickly, but the fog was also rolling in. I stood there thankful for the fishing experience I just had, to have seen the feeding activity, caught a trout, and to be standing on the Slate Run Bridge just taking it easy. Then, just just as I was going to call it a day, I decided to take a picture of Pine, the white branches of the sycamore and black limbs of oak reaching to the fog. The camera adjusted to the low light, and from the fog came a Bald Eagle. The picture is above. Pine never ceases to amaze...I just stood there...Hard to wait to see what the next day would bring...
 | Pine brown trout in Little Slate Pool
This is the trout I had been looking for at the beginning of the above story. I see him often, but he was with many more browns in the deeper run near the opposite side... |
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Thanks for joining us; we'll be back again in a few weeks as December and January trout fishing moves along, insect activities change, and we have more stories, pictures of catches, and videos of some of the fish and the streams we love. Please call us or drop us an email to let us know what is on your mind - we want to hear from you... Remember, stay in touch with Pine and Slate and Cedar by going to our website slaterun.com and clicking on stream conditions - we plan on updating as often as possible.
Thanks again for joining us!
Sincerely,
The Tackle Shop Team
Tom & Deb Finkbiner - Proprietors, etc.
Jed Grove - Sales Manager, etc.
Dave Wonderlich - Website, Newsletter, etc.
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NOW
THROUGH
CHRISTMAS
$50 off all
Hydros reels
free backing and
mounting with purchase of line!
Free shipping and gift wrapping on all Orvis products now until Christmas!
call to order
gift cards
available
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Closeout Sale
Continues until product is gone
Severe cuts and close-out prices on certain items. Some of the waders with Close Out Pricing include: Silver Label 3 Convertible Stockingfoot Wader reg. $295, now $195; Pro Guide Stockingfoot Wader reg. $395, now $225; Silver Label Bootfoot Wader with Eco Trax soles reg. $475, now $299; Sonic Weld Pack & Travel Wader Pant (x-large), now $198. Wading boots with Close Out deals include: River Guard Ultralight Boot with Eco Trax soles reg. $198, now $148; River Guard Easy-On Brogue Boot with Eco Trax soles $198, now $148. Also on sale are Orvis Trout Bum Shirts in burnt red, light blue, and olive reg. $65, now $43; very limited numbers of the Under Wader Fleece Suit reg. $129, now $99.
Fly Line close out Wonder Line fly Line & Orvis Silver Label - floating, sinking, sink-tip, various tapers and weights reg. $69, now $29.95.
Helios
Now 30% off
all Helios
fly rods
Helios, the power presentation taper
and the most decorated rod in history.
free shipping and gift wrapping
Take advantage while supplies last!
Bring your fly reel into the shop and we will inspect the line, and clean and lube the reel free of charge.
Take advantage keep your reel in top shape
The New Silver Sonic Convertible Top Waders are in!
Convert to waist high without removing suspenders - fully waterproof double-airlock interior pocket - new gravel guard makes on/off even easier - anatomically shaped feet - flexible - comfortable - breatheable - a pleasure to wear!
Come in and try a pair on...
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