How do you rig your crawlers, on a split shot rig & bounce off the bottom while drifting?

No thanks!!! My sons did see a rattle snake near Ridgway on a canoe trip a couple of years ago. I was not with them at the time.

Hammerdown, are you a local who moved from the area? If so, did you go to C-L?

That is most definitely a Northern banded water snake. When you see a true Copperhead you realize that the 'triangular' head trait isn't nuanced, very obvious. Also, I don't think their coloring is all that similar, but have seen both in wild before. Copperhead is MUCH MORE ORANGE/YELLOWISH than a Northern Banded Watersnake, even one that has freshly shed its skin.

Always hate to read the 'misinformation' about not having to worry about Rattlers and Copperhead by the water. I've found that this time of year, both Copperhead and Rattlers will find their way down off the mountainsides to the River, especially the North Fork. Exercise caution when reaching or stepping around rocks/logs, and you'll be fine. I've never been more scared than the first time I came upon a Timber Rattler in Forest Co. as a kid while Trout fishing and he gave me a show. Would like to say I gave his wide berth and continued fishing . . . but I beat feet out of there and waited 3 wks until I had the guts to return. In spite of that scare, I realize that they beautiful and almost never intentionally aggressive to humans. Not so with the Northern Banded Water Snake, which will hold their ground when challenged.

GMan.. light line and little red hooks with the crawler hooked in the middle is the ticket. It takes time to get used to it but it definitely is a killer.

percheye, dont have no "little red hooks" all i have is a ton of eagle-claw razer sharp size 6-8-10's, but while up there i'll be looking for them thats for sure. But needless to say, most likely i'll be using my new setup i just bought http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_90836_100003000_100000000_100003000_100-3-0 spooled with berkley XT trilene 6lb in green color with a splitshot on the bottom. Now, you say use a "whole worm" why not a half???

Gman.. whole worms look more enticing when hooked in the middle.. plus bigger fish.. just let them take it then set, don't pull at first hit. Any hook 6-10 should be fine but don't get any bigger. Actually the slackwater by Clarion is about 2ft low and looks decent.. not sure about up north. Probably not too bad up there.. must be letting more water out or something.

 
Here is a pic of a Copperhead. Like said before,when you see one you won't forget it !!!!! I think they are more aggressive than rattlers. And I have ran into a couple 1st hand here in northern Butler Co.

Where's that picture? I'm anxious to see what you caught.

Cool. Nice catch!