Got back Wednesday, late. Thought I’d take a short drive down to see ‘The Stretch’.

Not sure when they started the ‘actual’ work but it’s clear that they’re working on the re-direction of Navel Run Road – the ‘temporary’ bridge. After it is traffic-worthy they’ll start on dismantling the old flagstone bridge that is currently there over Little Slate Run. And yes, the flagstone has been spoken for. I believe DCNR Forestry has dibs and will get the material that I have been eyeing up for over a year wondering where it’d go. Not to worry, they have had their eye on it.

I was informed that the new bridge will NOT be a double plastic culvert design. I believe it will be an open span concrete allowing the streambed to exist completely under the bridge. This is the temporary bridge configuration.

As you can see there isn’t a lot of room to work in this area. While I can understand curiosity, please try to refrain from congregating in the area with large crowds please. They need room to do the work.

Also, you may want to be on the lookout for a yellow rattler as it seems one has been spotted residing in the flagstone of the old bridge. Please don’t go sticking your hands into places they don’t belong as you may find your day, if not vacation, taking a downturn if you do so. Please practice some common sense if you must visit the site. I’m presuming the DCNR is recommending to stay away from the site while the work is going on (although I haven’t spoken directly to them about this) and this sounds like good advice to me.

Then there was this… <sighs>

The trout are now congregating at the mouths of the feeders into Pine Creek. There’s signs posted everywhere advising to not fish these areas as doing so causes undue stress on them and very likely kills a great many. Oh, there will be those that say the fish was fine when they released it – and it may look fine at that point. But looking at that fish a few hours later may reveal a different story. This sort of stress on the trout takes its toll and increases their mortality tremendously. So please, do not fish these areas and put more stress than the fish already have them – especially when the air and water temperatures raise to these summertime levels (even though we’re technically still in late spring).

Till we see each other again, & live from Slate Run … UB

addendum to the post: I just got the Slate Run Tackle Shop E-Newsletter and see they’ve got a great ‘write-up’ about the bridge repair. Check it our if you happen to get the Slate Run Tackle Shop’s Newsletter. And if you don’t receive it, go to the shop and sign up for it. They do a great job updating the public on what’s happening in the area. UB