In Search of the Wild, West Virginia Slam

I fished this stream in 2009, during the Elk River cleanup and caught wild browns and rainbows. At the time, the stream was chocolate milk so the fishing conditions weren't optimum.

2009 Photos:

Reports were this stream held all three wild, West Virginia species and I had to find out. I've never caught "the slam" from the same stream and I thought this was my opportunity.

I have a new addition to the arsenal in the form of a 7'6" 4wt Thomas & Thomas "Caenis" taper bamboo.

SugarKane Rods Ltd.

I needed to meet the rodmaker on the Elk, so I thought while I was in the area I would give the small stream another shot at the slam.

Recent rains had the stream only slightly off color this day, but still in good shape. I started off with my usual set-up of a 16 EHC with an 18 BHPT dropper. I quickly picked up a couple of browns.

It's never a good thing when you pull the camera out to turn it on, and it's already on. I don't know how long it has been on (probably days) because the battery indicator showed "empty".

I was able to snap off a few pictures of the wild browns.

I fished the stream to the extreme headwaters, where it split into two very small trickles. I caught ZERO rainbows and saw no sign of brookies. I did, however, speak with a friend who fished it a couple of weeks earlier and caught all rainbows. I also spoke with the individual who thought verified brookies a few years earlier and he said he caught ZERO brookies.

I would still love to catch the wild, West Virginia slam but it appears I won't do it on this stream.

Chris