Chester Creek, Del. Co., 5/14/2014

[Van_Cleaver]

Out of work a little early I hit a popular stretch of this stream, but avoided the stretch that had just had a derby and was bound to be swarming with meat hounds. Water was higher than average and dead clear. No real insect activity though I saw a couple of risers and missed two on top. Water temp was sixty and it was cloudy (weather); just about optimal for feeding. Despite that the fish were not reckless and I missed a higher ratio than usual. Hooked four within seventy feet of my truck and in a fast riffle landed two. Another nice rainbow from the tail out in shallow water. Three bait guys were pounding one of my favorite runs with little success. I caught four or five more as they moved upstream, and then foul hooked a rainbow that went just over 20". Had to revive him after a long fight but he swam off and seemed ok. A buddy showed up around 5:30 and we fished up and down a run that was loaded with trout; many laying out in shallow water with a sand bottom. I was catching most with a slight downstream drift with some subtle twitches. Caddis and ant duo was all I needed. That said, these fish are getting pounded and I had to make adjustments like changing out my orange strike indicator for chartreuse putty. My friend only got one while I was there, but he fished another hour after I left and called to report he ended up bringing ten to hand. I hooked, rolled, or otherwise educated better than thirty trout, landing around half. A pleasant evening, and close to home, too. Also there were a lot more browns in the mix, and nicer condition than the usual stocked fish.

 

[mute]

Van, do you have a section or long\lat of a stretch i should take a buddy who im trying to get him into his first trout with the fly rod. I know you probably know this stream like the back of your hand.

 

[Van_Cleaver]

I'll send you a pm....

 

[mute]

anyone who lives over this area know how fishable Chester is today after that rain? Im guessing based on chester co streams its up past the 90% percentile where 75% is the norm.

 

[Van_Cleaver]

I live nearby and wouldn't even consider it. Twice what is was running and that was a lot higher than normal. I have family obligations anyway but.......There are a lot of smaller streams that would fish better, Valley for sure, and Ridley, which clears pretty fast. That said, without looking at them it's hard to say. Sun. would definitely be a better option.

 

[mediafly]

Van is right on the moneg. I fished chester for a few hours this morning with decent success. Water was clear with sulphers coming off but nothing eating on top. Caught fish from deep pools and riffles alike on CJ, caddis pupa and prince nymph. Started getting overrun with bait guys after lunch so I called it a day.

 

[Van_Cleaver]

I actually fished there for a few hours today as well. Didn't see any Sulphurs where I was but decent amount of tan caddis. Water was still tinged and ripping; probably twice the median flow. I would have fished White Clay, but had many hours of mowing waiting, and couldn't allocate another hr and a half drive. Did best short line and high stick in fast runs, but it was challenging due to the flow and I lost more than I brought in. Caddis pupa and ant caught several fish each. The bait guys were annoying, and when I tried my favorite run, some guy immediately came up from below and took over the best part of the run before I could fish it, within one drift distance wise. I had hooked two fish in the first couple drifts which meant I must be in the "magic spot". At least I think that's how their brains work. Anyway I just reeled in and dropped below, but it sucked cause I was already past my time allotment so I was fishing too quickly at that point. Still I caught some fat fish up to 14" and every one was a good battle.

 

[camdogrs]

I fished Chester on Friday 5/16 in the rain as the flows came up. Hooked up with two large fish that rolled at the surface on tan and green caddis pupa. Water lever rose quick so I was out of the water by 10am. Fished there again on Sunday 5/18 from about 1030 until 2pm. I had zero luck with trout but a crazy amount of bluegills. Still haven't fished any of the faster waters there need to start walking more.

I saw two spinfishers that had some pretty large fish on the stringers that looked to be about 16-18". The said they were using Gulp! worms. Guess the fish can't resist them.

Van some how the mods deleted the email you sent me before. any chance you still have it and can re-forward it?

 

[mediafly]

The good news is the chester was fishing well this evening. Prince nymph and caddis were the ticket again....the bad news is that this is the 3rd day in a row ive been down there and my wife thinks im having an affair! I tried to explain the importance of timing and hatches/feeding fish., but she doesnt understand.....Anyway, back to the important stuff: fish were rising in clear water with a few feeding aggressively on top, but no takers on sulpher or tan caddis. Still trying to get it right and land my first 'dry fly' fish of the year. Looks like I'll just have to keep trying....as long as my wife doesnt leave me first.

 

[Mike]

Just bring a few trout home for dinner to prove it to her. C&R is not convincing if that is what you have been practicing.

 

[govtmule]

Swing the fly an pop it up to those risers...try using some dry flow powder to coat your fly and pull it under a couple feet before the rise and it will popup...sometimes this works well