Rainbows on Knapp Creek

Scott met a fisherman (Mark) at Orvis and they got to talking about Mark's Private trout water in Marlington, W VA. Mark invited Scott to fish and Scott asked if he could bring me along!  Scott and I left at 0345, drove through the rain and arrived at Mark's home at 0800 on Tuesday 13 November.  We were warmly greeted by new friends Mark and his daughter Ann.  After a hearty breakfast and introductions we hit the river and Mark showed us/recommended to us some holes and stretches to fish.  The water was cold and gin clear running in most place 1-4 feet deep.  The rainbows were visible but docile in the cold of the frosty early morn.  Neither of us had success in the first 45 minutes or so,  Mark then pointed us to a hole we'll call satisfaction hole where we immediately started catching fish in the 12-16 inch range.  Beautiful acrobatic, feisty rainbows.  After wearing out the hole and tattooing  a huge smile on our faces Mark guided us to the far end of what turned into a horseshoe (that would end back at satisfaction hole).  We fished the length of the horseshoe spending time and catching gorgeous bows at the different named pools per Mark's suggestion. About half way through the horseshoe we hit a deep pool (lunker pool) where I hooked into a 22inch rainbow in the 4-5 lb range.  He hit on a #8 green sparkle wholly bugger.  Scott helped me land him and almost fully submerged in the process!  A good fishing partner as the water was in the high 30s. We continued fishing the rest of the horseshoe and killed-em though the last 4 holes.  Our greatest success through the day w our 4~wts was w green buggers.  We caught  25-30 fish each. Mark obviously took alot of pressure showing his guests a good time and sharing with us the secrets of his river. At the end of the day we met Mark's friends Joe and Jeff who were fishing in the vicinity of satisfaction hole. We ended the day with chicken pot pie cooked by Ann and beers by Mark's fire place.  Scott and I turned in early.  We repeated our horseshoe trek on day two caught about ten fish or so each in even colder weather. Scott actually re-caught the 22 inch lunker in the lunker pool as well as a truly gorgeous 19 incher. At the end of the horseshoe we were lucky enough to share some fly-fishing tips with Joe, Jeff and cousin Mike and put them on some fish.  We again shared lunch and camaraderie at the lodge before we said many thanks to our gracious hosts Mike and Ann and hit the road for NOVA.  What a treat!