Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (Full Version)

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schwatk -> Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/7/2008 12:44:36 PM)

I am a fly fisherman from San Diego, CA..  My wife (who also fly fishes) and I will be out in the Slippery Rock area late July and early August for a Medieval War at Coppers Lake Campground.  We hope to get out a couple of days for some smallmouth bass fly fishing.  We don't have smallies in Southern California.  We are both strict C&R fisherman.  We were hoping some of you would be willing to share your knowledge regarding places to try, what color and type flies to use.  Or anything else you think might be helpful.  I wouldn't expect anyone to give up their honey holes of course.  Can anyone suggest a place to get a Pennsylvania fishing license in the area too.  Thank you for any and all help!

Take care!

Joe



gempens -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/7/2008 12:52:05 PM)

That time of year you should be able to catch plenty of SM in Slippery Rock Creek.  I've never spent much time there but I'm sure you'll get plenty of responses.  I'd use minnow pattern streamers or buggers.  Water temps will be pretty warm then but you may also catch trout.  They get stocked there quite a bit in the spring.



spoonchucker -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/7/2008 12:56:08 PM)

You will have access to 422 from the campground. Take it east to Rt. 19 turn left off the ramp, and O'Donnel's bait shop is less than 1/2 mile on the left. In the area you have Slippery Rock creek very close, and connequenessing creek near by. Both excellent Smallmouth fisheries. Since you would be unfamiliar with any landmarks that might be mentioned here, I would suggest buying an Atlas & Gazetter. You can fish the McConnels Mills state park ( less than 3 miles from the camp ground ), but do NOT try to wade this section. The folks at O'Donnels can direct you to accessable areas, as well as provide you a license.



crappiefisher -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/7/2008 1:22:52 PM)

 Another good place is near where the Conney & Slippery Rock meets the Beaver River. It's near Ellwood City off rt. 19 head west on 488. My old lady & Timmy my son work over at Coopers for that event. Timmys freind grand parents own it. I'll ask him when they stock the lake.



fisherofmen376 -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/7/2008 3:32:56 PM)

Slippery Rock Creek is a good place for smallies and trout. 
The creek is easily blown out with rain, but during July/August, the creeks are usually lower, so u should be good. 
I have caught fish on wooley buggers, sizes 8-12, mini foo micro jigs, size 1/32 and 1/64.  I have also used mini rappalas in silver and brown trout color with success.  And, I know this may be treason to those who hate bait, but I have even caught them on...nightcrawlers, I know, sinful[;)]

Slippery Rock Creek is a beautiful creek, full of large rocks, deep pools and shallow riffles.  It's hard to get a fly deep down sometimes on a fly rod, so I bring a spinning rod also, just in case the fish are way down deep (which that time of year, with higher water temps, they will most likely be).  And you really don't need to wear waders, the creek is narrow in most places, and you can catch tons of fish just by standing on a rock along shore.  Just read the water, cast upstream and get ready for some hits.  I have had success upstream and downstream of the Mill, at "McConnels Mill."  It's one of the main landmarks on the creek, and there are signs for it.  Good luck!



fisherofmen376 -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/7/2008 3:34:48 PM)

Oh by the way you can buy and print out your fishing license online at http://www.fish.state.pa.us
That way you are ready to fish when you get here. 



smallhook -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/7/2008 7:09:25 PM)

Here is the direct link to the license app area.

https://www.theoutdoorshop.state.pa.us//FBG/fish_secured/FishLicenses.asp?

I got bunches of good links at:

http://www.newstanton.net/fishin/fish.html

--
Rich



smallhook -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/7/2008 7:23:06 PM)

Here is what the licenses look like, don't try and use this, I made changes on it so it would be readily idenifiable as a fake by fish commisioners.

http://www.newstanton.net/fishin/mylic.html



B.G. King -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/8/2008 12:20:16 PM)

hello,
I camp and fisher at cooper all the time-Favorite spot. in addition to the great spots listed below. Coopers lake itself is great. pulled out a nice 3lb'er. Also lots of bluegill-fun on a fly. 
Not to worry to much but look out for the bats that usually hang around at dusk.



JEB -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/8/2008 2:30:37 PM)

The SR is loaded with nice smallies, you'll get some holdover trout as well.
Best best would be wooley buggers in black, olive or brown, crayfish or leach patterns. The bugger pretty much will cover all of these patterns. A 5 weight should be all you will need, there are some deep holes on the creek, the fish should be holding there that time of the year,  so I would also recomend bringing a sinking line too. Good Luck.



Fishin4Smallies -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/11/2008 12:20:36 AM)

What........are you guys serious there isn't any smallies in these waters.....what are you talkin about it's a terrible fishery that would just be a waste of anyones time that came all the way from Cali........yea thats the ticket.....If I were you I would just stay at Coopers Lake and do the Midievil War thing and suck down some good ole fashioned ale or go fishin 4 some trout...... yep thats what I would do! Good Luck  with the Midievil War thing let me know how it went and I'll just waste my time fishing this diplorable fishery and let you know how I did after you return back to Cali!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



ronnie84 -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/11/2008 12:47:15 AM)

There is an absolutely rediculous white fly hatch that usually occurs in August on Slippery Rock Creek and the smallmouth fishing is top notch at this point.



Fishin4Smallies -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/11/2008 12:56:41 AM)

Stop Lying? Like I said there are no fish here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



rapalacrazy -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/11/2008 9:15:56 AM)

if you wanna fish for smallies go to the conny-q tons of them in there




Fishin4Smallies -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/11/2008 12:39:05 PM)

WOW I HOPE THIS SITE SELF DESTRUCTS LIKE THE FISHING WILL IF YOU PEOPLE KEEP TELLING EVERYONE WHERE TO FISH. THESE SMALL STREAMS ARE NOT LIKE THE ALLEGHENY, SUSQUEHANNA & THE OHIO WERE THEY CAN HANDLE ALOT OF FISHING PRESSURE & HARVEST.......YOU"VE GOT A FRIEND IN PENNSYLTUCKY



Esox_Hunter -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/11/2008 12:44:36 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Fishin4Smallies

WOW I HOPE THIS SITE SELF DESTRUCTS LIKE THE FISHING WILL IF YOU PEOPLE KEEP TELLING EVERYONE WHERE TO FISH. THESE SMALL STREAMS ARE NOT LIKE THE ALLEGHENY, SUSQUEHANNA & THE OHIO WERE THEY CAN HANDLE ALOT OF FISHING PRESSURE & HARVEST.......YOU"VE GOT A FRIEND IN PENNSYLTUCKY


[sm=crying5.gif][sm=crying5.gif][sm=crying5.gif][sm=crying5.gif][sm=crying5.gif]



spoonchucker -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/11/2008 2:13:28 PM)

Fishin,

neither one could be considered a "small stream".



MuskyMastr -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/11/2008 3:31:42 PM)

The neshannock creek is also in close proximity to coopers and has good smallmouth fishing as well.. 



doubletaper -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/11/2008 3:45:01 PM)

oh no, not the neshannock, watch out for the amish slinging nightcrawlers.[:@][:@]



MuskyMastr -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/11/2008 3:51:55 PM)

Cmon doubletaper, anyone who fishes there knows they like to use corn much more than crawlers



ronnie84 -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/11/2008 6:10:55 PM)

First of all, Slippery Rock Creek is far from 'small' and second, the white fly hatch is pretty well documented. That shouldn't be news to any local.



fisherofmen376 -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/13/2008 4:17:01 PM)

Fishin4 smallies,
The guy who started this thread said he was coming to fish slippery rock creek.  HE ALREADY KNOWS ABOUT IT!  The "secret" is out.  No one is giving up information that most don't already know.  I told the guy to fish anywhere near the Mill at McConnels Mill.  Now tell me, is that place a "secret?" 

I respect that you want to protect certain fishing areas, I don't want places to be overcrowded either.  But you are going about this the wrong way.  Your passion for catch and release is commendable, your methods for advocating it are not[&o].



psbfisher11 -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (2/13/2008 5:02:43 PM)

The slippery rock creek ios great for smallies, and also has a nice trout or two in the mix, if i was you, use black wolly buggers and olive, try poppers to,

I have had several days where we caught over 20 smallmouth each. I caught a nice 4 pounder there one time, you shouldnt have a hard time finding a good place to fish...its a beautiful creek just dont wade to far out because of the deep pools



flyfishermanPA -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (8/5/2008 9:59:37 PM)

I'll be totally ohnest, the creek is beautiful with its very scenic mountain side that is just awesome. But the fishing not so much. I'm a trout fly fisherman and rarely do I get fish up there, though if you like bass & suckers its the place to be. I will say that the few fish I've caught I've used copper johns (red is the best in that creek!) and some ant & Beatle patterns come in handy with all the overhanging branches. I've fished the creek mainly in McConnells Mill state park, a wonderful place to hunt & fish, but frankly it's not stocked enough, and the water gets pretty warm in July and August, killing off alot of the trout. Bass thrive though. Good Luck!



cooljauman -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (8/6/2008 1:51:35 PM)

I have been fly fishing slippery rock creek close to slippery rock most of the summer and did not have much to show for it

you catch alot of chubs or fallfish that get really annoying after the first 5

there is still plenty of trout in the stream you just have to travel or get a canoe to find them

as for smallies, i have caught alot of them, but none of them were very big....



formerguide -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (8/6/2008 3:06:35 PM)

Slippery Rock is a very nice stream with marginal water quality- there is a limer on it to negate the effects of acid mine runoff. Having said that, there are a few spots that can yield some sizable smallmouth, as well as some truly toady carp. As others have mentioned, the trout fishing can become difficult due to thermal issues, but there are a few spring holes and deeper pools that will holdover trout well during the summer months, but you will have to find those on your own I'm afraid...

Best bet, bring a 5wt and some small clousers and buggers, maybe a handful of poppers, and some white wulffs, and you'll have a blast. It is easy to catch 50plus smallies in an outing on the rock at certain times  [;)] which I believe you may hit- otherwise, enjoy a few hours on the stream with your wife and get some casting practice in!

Where in SD do you fish/ Do you get down to Loreto or La Paz? Those roosters are the best- if I lived in SoCal, I'd be down in Baja every other weekend...

Good luck.



flyfishermanPA -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (8/6/2008 11:59:47 PM)

I forgot to mention use Stone Flies. Yeah Yeah i know not a common food source in such a creek but I used them a while back and had about 3 trout on them. I was amazed, it was early morning and yet I didn't land them they took it very hard. Geeze even a blind man could of set the hook! Good luck, and if you have any questions hit me up.



forelle -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (8/7/2008 9:38:56 PM)

Did that whitefly/sulphur hatch that starts in August begin yet?



flyfishermanPA -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (8/12/2008 12:22:48 AM)

And one last thing I forgot to mention, sorry I made like 3 posts on this forum! But definately if your fishing with weighs (probably should with July & August) prepare to lose some flies! Went out yesterday and lost about 3 flies.. and no trout action, yet very beautiful. I fished acouple holes that are well stocked from past experience and to my surprise they're very shallow! I couldn't believe it. Not many trout, and the few there are probably pretty heavily fished so definately look out for the white fly hatch, size 16. Pretty noticable just look around. Not much of an aquatic insect creek (stoneflies, nymphs, etc.) but the white fly is pretty well know. Any supher Dun would probably pass.. Good Luck!



flyfishermanPA -> RE: Fly Fishing the Slippery Rock Area (8/13/2008 11:55:07 PM)

Forelle, to my knowledge yes. I was out 4 times in the last week and I could tell the hatch was some what beginning. Saw about 3 supher flies, 22 size. Not many flies that small in my box, so I tried a small griffiths Gnat and to no avail. Good Luck.



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