With a little luck, occasionally we can find respite from the crowds and pace of DC.  Shenandoah National Park (SNP) and its mountain streams are a great option when looking to get away from the city.  My brother-in-law Brad and I left town early, I’m talking pre-dawn early, on Saturday to stalk SNP brookies with our full flex 1 wt’s (see Hurricane Rod Building post) on the lower Rapidan.  Water levels were decent for this time of year thanks to the southern tropical storms and hurricane season side effects early this fall.  We fished long leaders with Chernobyl Ants, parachute adams and elk hair’s.  Bites had to be earned more than expected, but we didn’t see another fisherman from 8 to noon.  Just two guys, their 1 wt’s and the occasional splashy rise to a well drifted dry… and one mean-looking snake.  Anyone know what kind that is?