Last weekend, my dad Chuck and I headed out to Slate Run, a small cold-water tributary that feeds into Pine Creek in central Pennsylvania. This spot is a favorite of ours because as Pine Creek warms up in the summer, trout will migrate into Slate Run’s cooler flow. They stack up in the narrow channel, making it a perfect spot for fly fishing.
We arrived just before sunrise and loaded our hopper-dropper rigs. The hopper float on the top fly imitates a grasshopper landing on the water. Below it, the dropper nymph hangs at just the right depth, where hungry trout wait. It is a simple setup, but it works every time in these conditions. As the sun edged over the hills, the creek came alive.
First cast, and we felt that telltale tug. A strong rainbow leapt from the water before we eased it into the net. Almost without a break, another fish took the hopper, and then another. By mid morning, we had landed brown trout and rainbows in every shade from bronze to silver. The cold water in Slate Run kept the fish active. They did not want to leave even when the air temperature climbed.
What makes this place special is the mixing of cold and warm currents. Pine Creek’s main channel holds warm water that trout avoid once it heats above their comfort zone. The cold tributary acts like an air conditioner for the fish. They crowd into Slate Run’s riffles and pools. We simply cast into those seams, let the hopper drift, and wait for the strike. It felt like fishing on fast forward.
Midday brought more action. We switched spots and found a deep pool shaded by hardwood trees. There, the trout were bold. I landed three fish in a row from the same run. Dad was getting photographed mid-catch as he wrestled a chunky brown trout. We paused only to snap a few photos and refill our water bottles.
The highlight reel of our day features close shots of rising fish, me landing a hefty brown, and dad’s grin as he held up a silver flash of scales. You can see the ripples where the hopper lands, the sudden bend in the rod, and the payoff when the fish comes tight to the shore. The calm forest and the sound of water rushing over rocks make it feel like time stops—until the next strike.
By late afternoon, we had lost count of how many trout we had raised, hooked, and released. It was a perfect father-son day on the water. As we packed up, we agreed this trip will be hard to top. If you ever get the chance to cast a hopper-dropper rig into Slate Run, do not hesitate. The trout are waiting, and the creek is calling.
Tight lines, and thanks for joining us for another fishing adventure. If you enjoy seeing real-time action in a scenic PA stream, hit subscribe and let us know where you want us to fish next.
Add comment