Trout Fishing a TINY Creek!! (3 Days of Fly Fishing)

I spent 3 days looking for native trout the Appalachian mountains. I explored 3 different areas and fished creeks I had never even laid my eyes on. The goals was not only to explore some cool areas, but to hopefully show you all how I find new water to fish.
On day 1 I found arguably one of the coolest places I've found so far in the mountains. I found a small stream with 2 pretty major springs feeding it. One had a small hole in the ground with a brook trout in it, and the second had a cave with a brook trout in it. Catching the fish in this creek was a challenge, but it was fun.
On day 2 I fished a larger creek in hopes of catching some big fish, but I was unsuccessful. It was one of the toughest days of brook trout fishing I've had in some time.
Day 3 is when the fishing got really good. I was able to catch several good sized trout with my fly rod, 2 of which were pushing 10 inches. Which for an Appalachian native brook trout is really good!!
Fly fishing and exploring nature is always a treat, and I wanted to show you all how much work goes in to finding new water to fish. I hope this video answered some questions and will help you catching more fish in your future adventures!
#nature #outdoors #adventure #fishing #fish #flyfishing #troutfishing

[@sclewell777]

This is one of my favorite videos that you've done. When I was your age I used to blue line. We came upon a small no name stream in the moutains here in PA. The four of us fished it on a 2 mile stretch. 4 hours later we caught 175 trout. All small native bookies. We also came up on 2 small tributaries that were only 2 to 3 feet wide. Loaded with brook trout. Thanks for this video. You made this 59 year old happy bringing back memories.

[@hardmanfishing]

That's awesome!! Glad I could bring back some good memories, thanks for watching

[@leehjones]

1:50 I love a guy who can be walking up a tiny little sorta-creek, think that there's no holes, no fish, whatever. And then say, "Man, it is so beautiful up in here. Look at the sun coming through..." This is a man who knows how to enjoy the moment. 7 Also, I know you don't give out locations (nor should you) but this looks *so* much like southwestern Virginia (Grayson/Smyth counties) or northwestern NC (Ashe/Allegheny counties). Which do indeed reward you exquisite scenery, even if you get skunked.

[@jeffs7773]

That was one of the best fly fishing videos I’ve watched in a really long time. And I watch a lot of fishing videos

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks for the kind words!!

[@Thermopylae2007]

With just two more weeks before our season opens in Ontario, you got me stoked for some brookies!

[@artpetty1591]

Best fishing show on KZbin. 👍🏻

[@hardmanfishing]

Appreciate that!!

[@johnd5643]

Very educational. Thank you.

[@renaudbonneville]

Nice video, as always!

[@bauhausoffice]

The elusive cave trout…😮

[@chesterpielock8824]

You sound like a geologist!Cheers,Chet

[@henryleslievermont6004]

Love blue line fishing, when you find a killer one...BOOM! The fun begins :) Enjoyed

[@WildBlueDiscovery]

Great video! With all that West Virginia landscape has been through this is great to see! Tightlines!

[@bensb4534]

This is incredible! Exploring random spots and making something out of the adventure. Finding fish in these spots is awesome. Being in PA this makes me want to go out and try.

[@randymyers2252]

Subterranean brooke trout? What an interesting situation to find naturally. Thats awesome! Love it 👍🏻

[@hardmanfishing]

I've not seen it in my fishing until I was out there filming this video!! There's a first for everything I guess though

[@ericharvey3698]

This happens all over Appalachia

[@sepboingfishingadventure1735]

Wow the best amazing fish 👍👍

[@user-rr1ct9iu4r]

Several years ago I was in New Hampshire visiting a place called the Polar Caves. There was a pocket of deep water with native trout. I saw monster trout. It had to be about 20 inches and it was fat. I wish I had rod and reel!!!

[@tylerdatuin3534]

Man this was so dopeeee

[@tonywalkingstick8883]

Awesome job Jon. Loved this video, from the cave all the way to the brookie at the end. Have always loved blue lining even though when I was a boy we just called it exploring bringing our fishing tackle with us usually what would easily fit into a fliptop metal band-aid box: line, leader, couple of tiny splitshot, couple of flies, and a couple of cotton balls or a piece of foam cushion. Anyhoo really beautiful creeks and always tight lines.

[@hardmanfishing]

That's awesome! Glad you enjoyed the video Tony

[@SteezyGreezy]

So jealous of those rock ledges and open banks for casting, you're truly blessed to have those experiences. -A fellow brookie bushwhacker (Northern Michigan)

[@humphlc4]

your enthusiasm is so Addictive, thanks for the Vids you post

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!! Glad you liked the video

[@viking7560]

Doesn’t get any better than this.

[@hardmanfishing]

I couldn't agree more!!

[@jeffrey4869]

Those were some very nice natives! You really get it done.

[@hardmanfishing]

I do my best! Thanks for watching

[@wvlongshooter3912]

Man, I feel ya on the miles and time involved in blue lining. So many times it’s a bust for me but so dang rewarding when one does find fish or new fish. I’ve driven several hours in the past two days looking for fish with no luck. I’m not giving up, I’ve found lots of fish by using this approach. Researching maps right now looking into why I haven’t found fish in the past two days. Seeing your video inspires me to keep looking. Thanks!!

[@joutdoorsmen23]

Awesome video and that must be one tuff rod too thanks for sharing and what you do

[@kylebunga]

Great video! Thanks for explaining what Blue Lining was. I've heard it quite a few times and generally understood what it was, but thanks for the definition. Exploring like you did is such a fun way to fish!

[@patjordan1955]

U just keep doing what u are doing and love! Love your videos everyone!

[@cretudavid8622]

Amazing stuff!

[@user-bl6to5eq8m]

I went brooke trout fishing not to long ago in a brook like this , they are in the odest spots ever. Lol

[@Fishingoutdoor22]

Nice fishing

[@christianpelchat2155]

Thanks for the rig explanation.

[@jshada58]

Wonderful video. Very helpful when you explain what and why you are doing things. Thank you so much. Keep up the great work.

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@robinson8888]

A very enjoyable watch! Thank you, clearly took a lot of effort to put together.

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!

[@bennettkilleen9136]

Anyone else notice that nice deer scrape at 4:38 haha cool video btw

[@larryhudson4511]

Excellent video! Great days on the water!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks Larry!!

[@Troutbitten]

Good stuff.

[@earthsciteach]

Great video!

[@tombragalone7250]

That was cool!!

[@troutowl]

Gorgeous fish. Awesome video, and really inspiring to get out and try to find some blue lines on the map.

[@hardmanfishing]

Go for it man!! And good luck out there

[@jimtanner4310]

One of your best videos glad you add your gear at the end of your video always nice to know what you are using. Good job keep it up

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you so much!! Glad you enjoyed the video

[@GLWhitt]

I have caught NBT in limestone spring caves in VA. So cool. Love these ice age relics and ancient mountains.

[@hardmanfishing]

That's awesome!!

[@briljantje9583]

This vid was a real Hardman fishing adventure. Loved it! 👌

[@hardmanfishing]

It really was!! Thanks for watching

[@robertwilcken8431]

Nice blue line day. Now you know to go or not in that area. Gotta do the work first. nice video,

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed

[@wvlongshooter3912]

Off the hook awesome content!!!!! Thanks!!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!!

[@dawgcollector6927]

Great video…. Looks very familiar. Unfortunately the woolly adelgid has killed most of the hemlocks in my area. In turn the only shade in the stream that is left are the rhododendrons (laurel) that are not prepared to serve as the main canopy and break in winter storms. Between the water temperature change and erosion/sedimentation, the once abundant brookies are mostly gone.

[@georgepretnick4460]

Great video. I have opportunities to fish tiny Appalachian creeks like this, but I don't seem to get any hits if I get as close as you do.

[@troutbumdiaries4420]

Good stuff man!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!!

[@leehjones]

10:17 "Thanks buddy" to a 3" Brook trout. ❤

[@darrelbaillie7829]

Hi there John. I have never caught a brook trout; I don't even think this species even exists in my country. What I find of interest is that this particular species tends to be very small. Not big compared to rainbows or browns. Thank you for the interesting videos. PS, you answered my question from several videos ago- I asked if you fish with a 3 weight line. It appears in general that you do 👍. Take care 🙂

[@michaeltighe7827]

I've never fly fished nor caught a trout in my life, but this video makes me want to start. Luckily I live in WV so I hope I can adventure the same way you did here and get some.

[@hardmanfishing]

I’m also from WV! Plenty of water to explore

[@brianpitts310]

Great video! I fish a very similar creek(day 3 creek), how far is your dropper away from the dry??

[@obozomustgo5449]

Jon, awesome episode. Love those little tiny streams in the middle of nowhere that so many others never go to. Also, where's Andrew and HFA West been lately?

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you! And he's just been busy working. Also Colorado has actually had a pretty major winter so when he does have time to fish he's struggled pretty bad

[@appleseeD552]

Dude, great vid....1st off....2nd, thank for the info on the gear AND the serious realism on the catches. Serious bro...(no bull s:@#!).👊🙂 This gives me hope in the future for, quite possibly, looking for sumthin like in the near future. Keep these vidz comin my friend. Peace ✌😎

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks man!!

[@jasonmcvicker8703]

Love the video! What weight and length pole are you using?

[@johnwright9372]

Really difficult to fish small holes among all those snags. Respect.

[@alanloudermilk3422]

Another Friday upload! LET’S GO!!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks for watching!!

[@chrisyazzie4508]

How do you do that “bow and arrow” type of casting?? That looks cool to try but I just started fly fishing and I’m trying to learn what I can

[@arnoldscott389]

Hey man, are you still using the simms flyweight boots, and if so how are they holding up?

[@turneroneal]

What fly rods and reel do you use?

[@timjk32]

What rod and reel set up is that? Interested in getting one

[@noahmckinnon707]

What would you say is you favorite overall type of fly to use for trout?

[@leehjones]

So, how do the trout get into these spring-fed blue lines initially?

[@tonypana9461]

They've always been in there, they're native from those springs .

[@connorfellin5775]

how much ft of leader do you use for fishing such a small area like that? 9 ft?

[@hardmanfishing]

Yeah usually

[@wishywashy378]

How do you find creeks to blue line without trespassing? Had the cops on me last week and I was in the right but close nonetheless 😅

[@hardmanfishing]

I use OnX hunt, but any app that shows pubic vs private land works. It's also worth noting that most of the blue lining I do is on national forest, so maybe try going to go to a big section of public land (if any is available) and try that.

[@soho7873]

are trout ever in glacier fed creeks?

[@Conorkinsella]

What flys would u recommend for brown trout

[@e4t662]

Woolly buggers, weighted nymphs.. Streamers..works every time.

[@Black-March]

What kind of wading pants are you using? As those kayaking pants?

[@hardmanfishing]

Nope they're made by dryft

[@Black-March]

@@hardmanfishing Which model is it? And are you using them because they're good for walking or something?

[@hardmanfishing]

@@Black-March I believe they're called "SEEKR" waders. They're convertible so I can turn them into pants when it's warm, but they're not better than any other waders for walking necessarily

[@Black-March]

@@hardmanfishing Alright, makes sense then. I was curious if maybe they were something similar to the ultralight waders seen from brands like Patagonia. But I guess not.

[@kevincle4669]

How far is the dry fly from the nymph?

[@hardmanfishing]

Depends on water depth. In this video is was probably a food below the dry fly, but in deeper water it can go lower

[@Dennon21]

What rod is that?

[@FlyFishingStory]

I'm surprised a trout can go up this high. Is there a bear in the hole? ^^

[@hardmanfishing]

I didn't see one but it also wouldn't surprise me

[@bb-fe9ur]

A tiny amount of habitat improvement would make both viable fish holding habitats.

[@hardmanfishing]

Agreed. What little habitat there was had fish

[@akazfam]

what's Ur net rig ????

[@tedted6126]

❤❤❤👍👍👍🇬🇪

[@toddrobinson8852]

What state is this in?

[@Golden_Trout]

First

[@jojinsbagins8657]

Why don’t u go to Canada and catch fish 20x the size in small creeks

[@hardmanfishing]

Time? Money? Literally a hundred reasons why I can't go to Canada LOL

[@davesmullen7547]

Man don't come to Ireland, what you call Blue lines we call rivers. That being said your welcome, I can show you what I know, including Atlantic salmon but maybe not the fly fishing your used to

[@rfickes87]

BUCK SCRAPE? @ 4:38