Any advice on Slate Run and Big Pine Valley creeks?

[JimKennedy]

I'm planning to spend a few days in that particular wilderness and would love to hear any suggestions. Not spots, mind you, but tips on time of day and whether there's any value in hitting the Big Pine. Suggestions on technique (long cast, tight line, etc.) and fly selection (streamers, dries, nymphs, swinging wets) also much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Nocktavius]

Big Pine is all stonkers, so whatever you use on your local rubber trout is fine. As for value, that's for you to decide, to me they're worth less than dirt. Personally, I'd skip the big water and focus on the local smaller creeks/runs (such as the one you named above and it's nearby brethren) that all hold wild browns and brookies. Some of the creeks in the drainage to the north and east are impacted by AMD so the area around Slate Run/Black Forest is a good focus. The Laurels should be in bloom, the hike-in small stream fisheries up there are gorgeous, and the bugs should be popping off especially with higher water than usual. Hatches should pretty well mirror the State College area with perhaps a slight delay (March Browns, Green and Slate drakes, Sulphurs, Tan Caddis). I'd plan to do a decent bit of dry dropper fishing with more heavily hackled patterns that can stand up to the sharp gradients in these mountain runs. Euro/tightline with a micro leader should also be effective if you're more comfortable with that.

 

[TimMurphy]

Dear Jim Kennedy,

To echo what Nocktavius said, hatch matching is an option but not a necessity on Slate Run, or most of the mountain freestone streams up there unless it's the choice you want to pursue. Yellow and olive stimulators and humpies in size 12 to 16 will get hit especially with the higher-than-normal water right now. A bead head GRHE or pheasant tail can be added if you want to spread the love around and fish two levels of water.

Pine Creek has more larger fish due to the stockings by both the State and the local clubs. As you go further up the Pine above the Gorge you will run into more wild fish, but there are wild fish in the big crick, mostly close to reliable year-round cold water tributaries.

Have fun,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[shortrod]

I'm planning to spend a few days in that particular wilderness and would love to hear any suggestions. Not spots, mind you, but tips on time of day and whether there's any value in hitting the Big Pine. Suggestions on technique (long cast, tight line, etc.) and fly selection (streamers, dries, nymphs, swinging wets) also much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

This is the year to do it. Pine is in better than normal shape for this time of year. Fly selection and tech are situational and the conditions change quickly. You could try to hit the Olive Morning Dun hatch on Pine or the "runs". It really depends on what you want to do, but this year you have more options than some years.