Monongahela monster show

West Virginia's Monongahala National Forest plays host to a diverse and thriving ecosystem that harbors one of the elite trout waters in our region. Located 3 hours from The District (a breathtaking drive through the Shenandoah and Blue Ridge Moutain ranges), the South Fork of the North Branch of the Potomac River (can we change it to Monongahala River or river of three ofs?) is an accessible fly fishermen's paradise and with over 90 miles of fishable trout water, how could you not fall in love? Having attempted this trip previously (our crew got snowed out in March), Cullen, Kenny, Trent, and I descended upon Monongahala's Smoke Hole Canyon with the full intention of getting away from it all, drinking a few beers, and ultimately - sticking some trout in the face. 

We made our way into the park around 10pm Saturday night and after accidentally squatting overnight in a family campground (the locals were cool with it) under the brightest moon I've ever seen, we woke up to that stillness you can only find in the mountains. It's hard to describe when the shackles of 4G and cell service are lifted - a strange elation of knowing you're doing what you love and there are literally ZERO distractions or things to pull you away from it. In other words, we were going to have a full day on the water. As we packed up camp at 6:30AM the next morning, a few tops were popped (bud light and makers mark is a good a heathanistic sacrifice to the trout gods) before tying up the laces of our wading boots, throwing the wands (fly rods) on the roof rack, and hitting the road. 

Our campsite, which ran next to the river through the put and take section of the South Fork, had some good looking trout water so we decided to not waste any time and get after it. Splitting into two "teams" - Kenny and Trent vs. Cullen and myself for A) biggest fish and B) most fish (spoiler alert: pay up boys) - we spent the morning fishing from 7am-12pm and managed to get into some fish. 

The morning, highlighted by Trent's solid 12" brookie, was mostly spent catching small rainbows, fall fish, and the occasional smallmouth. Although the fish were smaller in this section, action was plentiful and the fish wild and absolutely gorgeous (no ugly stockers here). I spent the day throwing nymphs (size 16 prince, pheasant tail, or hare's ear followed by a foot and a half of 5x and size 22 midge) and managed to catch 25 trout in the morning to put our team up 29 to 26.  

Meeting up at noon to crack a few more tops and pound some turkey/bread sandwiches we traded notes and rerigged. The absence of a Monongahala Monster was peculiar. Not one person had hooked into a trout over 12" in a river reknown for Hawg Johnson encounters. We decided that it'd be best to fish the C&R section by working our way upstream from the section just below it. Although the "competition" was still on, I fished with Trent while Kenny and Cullen paired up s little ways downstream. 

Upon moving a little further up from Trent, I noticed what I thought were three palominos (orange rocks) in a good looking pool and decided to beat it to death with my nymph set up. After pulling a few small bows, the indicator shot under and a solid 18" bow erupted from the water. Luckily, Trent was nearby with his GoPro and after helping with the netting, managed to get some incredible underwater release footage. With our first "big" fish out of the way, we could relax, the instagram itch quelled, our beloved website/blog/reputation salvaged all upon the survival instinct of a wild fish. We pulled a few more nice fish from the pool before heading up to fish the first few runs of the C&R section to cap off the day.

Splitting off from the group, I managed to find a great looking pool at the start of the C&R section. I made an adjustment to my rig (upping the split shot and tying on a size 18 egg pattern), the indicator shot down and a healthy 16" bow flashed.  After getting some more underwater footage, I went to picking the pool apart and eventually ended up pulling a solid brown (15") and a couple more rainbows before I was distracted by the victory wails of my compatriots.

While I was in the run below them - Trent, Kenny, and Cullen were doing quite well up river. Kenny landed a bigger brown, Trent his best bow of the day, and Cullen chipped in with a few nice fish himself. Occasionally looking upstream to see how they were doing, I noticed Trent was shirtless in the middle of the pool. Weird. A few minutes later, he was still there, Kenny and Cullen looking on excitedly. Then I heard it - a combination of yehti screech and triumph. An eruption of emotion that is only appropriate when one holds what they seek. To Trent - that was a 22" rainbow trout. After taking some pictures, we released the fish back into the depths of its pool. 

The perfect end to our day? Fuck that.

This is only the beginning Monongahala.


Stay fly.

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