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Tom for April 3 Newsletter
 Tom's Important Update: DH Extension, Letters, Stream, Flies, Stocking, Family Fishing Day

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April 6, 2014 Tackle Shop Newsletter
     
     The ice is gone! Not only that but the Fish and Boat Commission already stocked from Waterville to Black Walnut Bottom, the old campground, the head of Schoolhouse Riffle, and above the mouth of Little Slate. This week the Brown Trout Club will begin stocking a record number of its big German Browns - and all will be ready for the traditional opening of trout season! In the first video above Tom updates us on the Delayed Harvest Extension, letters of support, stream conditions, flies hatching, stocking, and the Family Fishing Day May 17. The second video below shows the Fish and Boat Commission stocking above the mouth of Little Slate and some of the trout after going into Pine. The last is a short video of two fine browns looking for a meal on the old campground's flat rock shelves. 

The Pa Fish & Boat Commission Stocking Pine Creek 3-28-2014
The Pa Fish & Boat Commission Stocking
Pine Creek March 28, 2014


What's working...
     What would have been working in February and March if it wasn't for the ice, are still the best offerings this year in early April. There were a few feeds near the surface before the rain raised the water levels - probably taking a stone, BWO, or black midge a few inches under. I still like a Slate Drake as a strike indicator with a double-bead Yellow Stone #14 on three feet of 4X tippet tied to the bend of the hook. Under that, and again tied to the bend of the stone I like a Micro Stone - also in a #14. Instead of the Yellow Stone you could use black, and for the Micro Stone you could substitute a Prince or Copper John. I also like tying two feet of 5X to my tippet ring above the Slate Drake with a Rhycophila in a #16 on the business end (the Rhycophila is unweighted and this rig allows it to maneuver under the surface much as a washed-away natural). To keep from tangling this rig, only make one backcast  to reposition your flies to the current. This set-up works!
Two Beautiful Brown Trout on Pine's Old Campground Flat Rocks
Two Beautiful Brown Trout on Pine's Old Campground Flat Rocks


Just a few more casts...
          
     We all, at times, have experiences that we live vicariously. These times, relayed to us by an acquaintance or friend can come to mean much more as time goes by. Books also teach us so much, allowing us understandings without the pain and danger of the 1st person experience. And, these experiences can build on our own storehouse of understandings to give us broader perspective. Kevin Hines' story of his 28-inch German Brown is a perfect case in point. 
     Kevin saw our video of the Brown Trout Club stocking the big browns in the Delayed Harvest stretch. Kevin and his friends from Lancaster decided to take a trip to Slate Run months before the vacation became reality. They also saw the video that included one trout at the Old Campground, the 28-incher. And they dreamed. Kevin had not fished much before the trip, and did a lot of reading and getting ready. Hines is a spinner fisherman and knew the spot was Delayed Harvest and prepared what he thought he had to do to honor himself and the special fish he might catch. He took his spinners and converted some of the hooks from triple to single and pinched the barbs down. In his mind he assembled his equipment and made the casts time after time.
     When the day came he was pumped to say the least. He told me he really worked the water everywhere, looking for the fish he had watched so many times being stocked. Then, it hit. From nowhere, it was an attack on his spinner that was vicious - nothing like Kevin had ever experienced. He didn't know the size yet, only that he had on a denizen of the Delayed Harvest's deep. He worked the trout and the trout worked him - back and forth. "I have a huge trout on, bring me a net," Kevin shouted to his friend after realizing he still wasn't completely prepared. The brown bulldogged again to the bottom and crosscurrent before Kevin won the battle, twisted the hook free, posed for a quick picture, and released the large spotted specimen unharmed. The German Brown disappeared as fast as it had taken the lure and became one with Pine and the lure and lore of its water.
     In all seasons, there are trout in Pine's water that will call you back again and again regardless of age. The great hatches will have you take a slow breath as you step back in wonder. The wildlife living along the edges seem in harmony as they slip under the willows and sycamores.  Kevin was just as much a part of the scene that day, and in harmony, as he dreamed, prepared, cast, fought, landed, and gently returned a trout of a lifetime. Kevin did honor himself that day, and he honored the trout and the special water it came from. He put that great brown back so that it could, someday, give to other anglers the gifts it shared with Kevin. It really doesn't get better than that!
 
Kevin Hines and his Huge 28-inch Brown Trout
Kevin Hines with the 28" brown he returned...
     
Thanks for being with us again. We'll be back in another few weeks with the latest news about our trout, flies, catches, and scenes of our favorite waters! 
     Don't forget, we have fly fishing guided trips and float trips available - call the shop for more details. Call us or drop us an email to let us know what is on your mind - or call to find up-to-the-minute details on stream conditions and what is happening on the water. Please, stay in touch with Pine, Slate, and Cedar by going to our website slaterun.com - we'll update as often as possible.
     Thanks again for being with us!

 

Sincerely,

 

The Tackle Shop Team
Tom & Deb Finkbiner - Proprietors, etc.
Jed Grove - Sales Manager, etc.
Dave Wonderlich - Website, Newsletter, etc. 
Welcome
Tips
From The Shop
Sale
Quick Links
ORVIS
Test Cast Sweepstakes

Starting mid-April

(lasting 2 weeks) sign up at Slate Run Tackle Shop and test cast a Helios 2 rod to enter the sweepstakes.

Grand Prize is a trip to an Orvis Adventure Travel destination!

Plus... other valuable prizes! 


Orvis
Mid-April to 
Mid-May
SALE
Mix and match  any rod, reel, or line and get a 20% discount.  
Can be a whole outfit at 20% off, or rod, reel, or line individually. 
Sale does not include Encounter or Superfine Glass.
 
Family Fishing Day
May 17, 12-5 PM
Old Campground 
One mile below Slate Run
Free instruction,
Spinning & Fly equipment provided,
Free hotdogs & drink,
Children and adults - come and learn how to fish!
 (Sponsored by the Slate Run Tackle Shop with assistance by the Pa Fish & Boat Commission)
 
Ebay!
 
Many of the shop's closeout Orvis items can be purchased from us for less on Ebay.
Follow these steps...
1/ Go to Ebay, 
2/ To the right of the search button 
click on advanced search,
3/ On the left of the page 
click on the blue 
words "by seller,"
4/ Enter seller's 
user ID -
slateruntackleshop.
All of The Shop's "buy it now" and auction products will be displayed...
To be able to return to the listing later, simply "save search."
  
Helios2
Helios2 rods are in the shop! Come and give the latest advance in rod design a cast - it may be hard to leave 
without one!
Lighter... more powerful!
 

    

Waders 

 

Convert to waist high without removing suspenders with the new $259 Silver Sonic Waders - fully waterproof double-airlock interior pocket - new gravel guard makes on/off even easier - anatomically shaped feet - flexible - comfortable - breatheable - a pleasure to wear!

  

 

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   PO Box 1, Route 414,                                    Slate Run, PA 17769

 

Phone: 570.753.8551                   Fax: 570.753.8920                      info@slaterun.com

 

 

 Great flies, fly rods, and fly fishing supplies and accessories are in the shop's supply - stop in and check it out!