{Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Piney Branch - heaven on earth - report for Bruce

December temps touching 70 and the glowing reviews on this post, I couldn't resist the allure of Piney any longer. Absolutely fantastic, brookies in all the spots you'd expect, healthy pools, relatively easy navigation up the stream. So much immediate action I got a shot of the first little guy, then put the camera phone away for good. Easy hike down, not so easy back up in the gear with the abnormal temps, but absolutely worth it. Great holes, accommodating fish, and little to no pressure. I notice a lot of folks talk about bears when the SNP is brought up-I saw a momma and 2 cubs on the drive in, figured lightning wouldn't strike twice during my hike down to the stream. adams with a nymph dropper did the trick.

On Monday, October 12, 2015 at 4:23:03 PM UTC-4, TurbineBlade wrote:

Hey Bruce -- We finally took your advice (I gave you my word!) and tried this one for the first time.  What a wonderful SNP stream!  We fished the entire 4-day weekend in the SNP and both thoroughly stink of fish slime.  I think the Piney tallied 5 total streams, but was the only new one.  

We thought Piney would be a bit smaller than it actually was, not that small is bad. It is full of plunge pools and actually holds some larger brookies than we imagined....especially further down from the first trail crossing. 

We hiked in 1.8 miles or so and busted our way to the stream just past the phone pole, right-of-way on piney branch trail.  You can hear the stream most of the way after the first crossing.  We could have gone a bit further, but we've hiked/fishing enough in the SNP to know how long it takes to hike back up to skyline (when you're tired and hungry), and knew we'd need to get ready for the beer tie this evening.  

Awesome, awesome stream.  We loved it.  Will go back.  

It's another one that "Rapidan fans" will like.  Unlike the Rap, you seem to get more fish in the good spots and they're a bit more naive.  Come to think of it, the Rap has probably taught me more about fishing than anywhere else.  

Anyway, I hate long reports.  It's like listening to someone talk about their crappy garage band and you keep nodding and wondering if you could fit through the bathroom window to escape.  (I played in more than one crappy garage band, so no offense meant).  

Saw one pair of hikers -- that's it.  No bears, surprisingly.  I don't think many SNP streams with a 1.5 mile or more uphill climb back to Skyline see many American fly fishermen.  

Gene 

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