Clarion River Sept. 19th-20th

[Acristickid]

Headed up to the Clarion for the second time in my flyfishing career. The first time (late June of this year) I spent more time driving around between Johnsonburg and Ridgeway etc...to search out likely spots. This time I had an idea of where to go. Basically there is alot of flat water that I skipped and headed to more riffled stretches. Access is very good for long stretches due to the state forests and games lands. Now the first trip this year I fished for a day and caught 4-5 large browns
(15 inches+ is large in my book). This past week I caught 2 browns again both large in 2 days. My novice accessment is that there are very large brown trout there but there is not too many of them. So far this year I have not caught a trout less than 15 inches on the Clarion. Also, in 3 days of fishing the Clarion this year I caught maybe 7 seven fish. I found it very strange that I did not catch 1 fish that was not large. Why is this? I would have thought you might catch a smaller stocker from a Clarion trib.

I am going to do the canoe rental sometime. I really think that is the way to fish this river. I saw a profuse midge hatch near dark both evenings. Also, I did not see one rising fish in 3 daysthere this year. Camped out along side the Clarion up river from Hallton area for free. By camping I mean unfold the cot and throw the sleeping bag down after coming back from the bar in one of the pulloffs.

ps I almost plowed into a trophy buck on Spring Creek road 4 miles outside of Ridgeway on Wednesday night.

 

[tomgamber]

The Clarion is a lot like the Yough in that its a tailwater... Is a smallmouth fishery with some really nice trout in it. The trout are there but you have to work for them and they are large. Many say both rivers are void of decent hatches yet I have experiences good bugs in both places. Also there are plenty of places to drink when the fishing isn't so good.

 

[dryflyguy]

Acristic,

I fished the clarion thursday - it was pretty dead. I caught 3 fish all day - 1 nice one about 18 inches, 2 that were under 10. Besides the midges, I saw a decent winged ant hatch about 5pm until dark, but the fish didn't seem to notice them.
I camped on the river down below Hallton wed and thurs night.
I thought about stopping in the Hallton Hilton thurs, but had second thoughts about going in there by myself. Did you stop there?

I fished Kinzua below the dam on friday morning. Saw fish rising there, but they were all fingerlings - I guess they just stocked it

 

[Acristickid]

Close by but did'nt stop in. It is so funny how many people know of the Hallton hilton- the divest of dive bars. Do you know if they serve food? I wonder if they only serve deer and elk meat? I went to Ridgeway about 15 miles away instead- got gas, snacks, dinner and some drinks.

 

[dryflyguy]

Divest of dive bars describes that place well, although I've never been inside. A buddy of mine has - didn't say anything about food, but he drank his beer from a bottle only. You couldn't pay me to eat in there
When I drove past it friday morning, there was a guy with a long scraggly beard sitting in the drivers seat of a pickup outside it, slumped over the wheel. I guess he was still passed out from the night before? I didn't stop to investigate - just kept going.

 

[snookpirate]

I was in there a couple years ago. It was quite the experience. The menu was burgers and fries. After looking around we agreed on just the fries. They were the frozen kind but not bad. The restroom...well, just have to see that for yourself lol. But we got talking to some guys from there and they brought out old pics of what the river and town used to look like back in the day. A lot of history in there and that was really cool. Good luck on the Clarion. I always enjoy it up there fish or no fish.

 

[jaybo41]

I've fished the Clarion and have had similar results, so generally when I'm in the ANF, I stick to the tribs. I believe the fishing up above that area is supposedly very good. It's also good around St. Mary's but I believe that's the East Branch.

If you want good food up that way, go to the Kelly Hotel in Marienville. The Kelly burger is killer, literally. It's an obscene amount of meat, but oh so good.

 

[tomgamber]

Try the Vowinkle hotel....

 

[Bruno]

Don't forget Vince's Tavern. Fried pickles . MMMMMMMM Good.

 

[jaybo41]

Try the Vowinkle hotel....

Always on the list of places to stop. The wings are outstanding and very large.

 

[ryanh]

"The wings are outstanding and very large."

They should be, they are turkey vulture :lol:

 

[jaybo41]

:-? :-? :-?

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[tomgamber]

My Father in law has a camp less than a mile from the Vowinkle...had those wings in July...they were awesome. I don't get up that way enough..especially since I went to Clarion...