salmo
Well-known member
That's good advice. I also used to fish above the dam but have not done so for years so I'm not sure of the conditions there with deadfalls.
Clark Creek
- Thread starter salmo
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Trails and trout
Active member
There are less dead falls, more plunge pools and native brook trout
I remember fishing exactly that stretch some years ago and enjoying it, so I think the advice to fish that section is good.
But you might also continue downstream a bit further into what I call the "sand pit" area, where you can see the fallen trees that people have been talking about, and the massive sand deposits. I'd be curious to see what your observations are about that area.
(Why is it that the special regulations sections often have poor habitat? Is that just a coincidence? Or am I imagining things?)
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Funny that you should ask that specific question because in the PFC days when FFF projects were created, the agency was accused at times of devoting the best habitat to those projects.
When stretches were later selected for DH Areas, I don’t recall if it was a requirement, but it made sense to me to choose stretches with good habitat since we wanted trout to have the potential to reside from preseason until at least June 15.
I may have been imagining a pattern where one really doesn't exist.
The problem could be that poor habitat is common on our streams overall.
Bamboozle
Well-known member
Somebody correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the "Appalachian Trail" section, Section 03, the section just above the FFO? If so, the upper limit of that section is the dam spillway.
Therefore, references in previous posts about "fishing ABOVE the dam" are confusing because that would be above DeHart Reservoir and the posted areas of the backwaters in Section 02.
That is nowhere near the AT crossing.
GoldenRfly
Well-known member
Appalachian Trail Parking Lot is at Mile Marker 10 on Clarks Valley Road.
The Fly Fishing Only area ends at the Gun Range parking lot which is around Mile Marker 6.
Bamboozle
Well-known member
Which means Section 03 is above the FFO and neither are above the dam. which is my point...
Is all of Clarks Creek above the lake now posted? It didn't used to be.
JimKennedy
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- Feb 27, 2016
- Messages
- 487
I'm pretty sure the section upstream from the lake (DeHart Reservoir) is on state game land, so not posted.
There is the issue that fishing is not allowed in DeHart Reservoir, but is allowed in the creek upstream from the lake. The first good spot to fish above the lake is commonly regarded as an access spot for the Appalachian Trail. The creek is a short walk from the parking spot. The creek pretty much hits the slack water of the lake just a few pools downstream from the access trail crossing.
The creek is stocked up there from time to time, and it does hold fish through the summer. After a heavy autumn rain, there's fish stories about big browns running up out of the lake. But there's also smallmouths and suckers that run up out of the lake.
The fly only areas are downstream from DeHart, and there's a small, but consistent cold water release from the dam that makes the downstream section (most of the creek) a reasonably reliable place to catch a few wild browns plus holdover stockers. When I was a kid, the fly fishing sections were glorious, but in the past 20-plus years the beautiful hemlock forest has been ravaged by disease (Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, I think).
If you've got a kid who's interested in trout fishing with you, the lower section near Dauphin has a kids only section and the local club makes sure it's got plenty of trout in it pretty much year round. They have a co-op hatchery at the kids section, and they stock a ton of fish throughout Clarks, but a lot of them get pulled out by the meat guys early in the season.
If I were going for a few hours, my first choice would be the fly fishing areas, second choice above DeHart. But if I were bringing a kid, the kids section with flies and possibly a few nightcrawlers, just in case.
There is the issue that fishing is not allowed in DeHart Reservoir, but is allowed in the creek upstream from the lake. The first good spot to fish above the lake is commonly regarded as an access spot for the Appalachian Trail. The creek is a short walk from the parking spot. The creek pretty much hits the slack water of the lake just a few pools downstream from the access trail crossing.
The creek is stocked up there from time to time, and it does hold fish through the summer. After a heavy autumn rain, there's fish stories about big browns running up out of the lake. But there's also smallmouths and suckers that run up out of the lake.
The fly only areas are downstream from DeHart, and there's a small, but consistent cold water release from the dam that makes the downstream section (most of the creek) a reasonably reliable place to catch a few wild browns plus holdover stockers. When I was a kid, the fly fishing sections were glorious, but in the past 20-plus years the beautiful hemlock forest has been ravaged by disease (Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, I think).
If you've got a kid who's interested in trout fishing with you, the lower section near Dauphin has a kids only section and the local club makes sure it's got plenty of trout in it pretty much year round. They have a co-op hatchery at the kids section, and they stock a ton of fish throughout Clarks, but a lot of them get pulled out by the meat guys early in the season.
If I were going for a few hours, my first choice would be the fly fishing areas, second choice above DeHart. But if I were bringing a kid, the kids section with flies and possibly a few nightcrawlers, just in case.
Bamboozle
Well-known member
The upper end of the reservoir (the backwaters) IS and has been posted forever but the signage is easy to see as you drive north on PA Route 325. When you stop seeing NO TRESPASSING signs, pull over...
Clark's Creek above there (Section 02) is NOT part of SGL 211 or 210. What isn't Capital Region Water property is Rush Township or private property, I'm not positive which, where...
As far as the "Appalachian Trail" parking area ABOVE the reservoir goes, that may be a good starting point but I'm not sure if that's where the signage ends.
What I am sure of is THAT may be part of the confusion (at least in my head)...
The OFFICIAL Appalachian Trail (AT) and OFFICIAL AT parking area is BELOW the reservoir and above the SGL shooting range in Section 03.
The AT comes south down Peter's Mountain, crosses PA Route 325 and Clarks Creek at that location and runs on the OPPOSITE side of DeHart and Clarks Creek along Sharp Mountain to Rausch Gap then down towards PA Route 72.
The "Appalachian Trail" parking area ABOVE the reservoir is actually the "Sand Springs Trail" trailhead which is considered an "AT Side Trail" for through or short hikers that want to do some side hikes.
That trail heads north towards Lykens and is NOT an access point for the AT. However it will get you to some streams on the Natural Reproduction List.
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gweisinger
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- May 17, 2011
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- 25
After reading all the posts, I have to add my two cents to an already beat to death subject. The Clark Creek FFO section is still clogged with deadfalls. I saw in an article of the Trout Unlimited bulletin a while back where someone was complaining (with good cause) about the stream conditions. TU's response was "wood is good". So, it looks like the Fish Commission won't help this stream out and neither will TU. That's really unfortunate. I have fished this stream for 30 or so years and I long for the days of the Great Olive Speckled Dun, a moderately long gentle cast and a subtle take. I just visited the stream last Thursday and it's not getting any better. Little or no flow, silted bottom and the water has taken on a tannic appearance. Did I catch, yeah, but that's not the point. Catching is the icing on the cake...fishing, in my opinion, holds the real enjoyment and much of the enjoyment has been taken from this stream.
firmdog
New member
firmdog
New member
Looks like my comment got removed when attaching images. Here is what I said:
I was able to visit Clark Creek today for only about 2 hours. First I had a look at mile 10 (Clarks Valley Road Appalachian Trail Access) and did see some large deadfalls. So I drove down to the 9.5 mile marker and walked about 500 feet through the woods to hit the stream. Caught 3 Browns each about 6-8 inches. Fished for about an hour in total. The other hour was walking, exploring, and getting my line out of the trees and bushes lol. It's tight, tough to case, but very nice to enjoy nature.
Yeah, lots of trees down on the stream, so lots of very slow moving pool water. Not many riffles.
Took 3 photos to show everyone. They are attached. Thanks for all the good information in this thread. I will fish this stream again since it's easy access and on my way to my camp near State College.
Edit: All 3 photos are within about 1/4 mile at around the 9.5 mile marker, which is 1/2 mile downstream from the Appalachian Trail crossing
I was able to visit Clark Creek today for only about 2 hours. First I had a look at mile 10 (Clarks Valley Road Appalachian Trail Access) and did see some large deadfalls. So I drove down to the 9.5 mile marker and walked about 500 feet through the woods to hit the stream. Caught 3 Browns each about 6-8 inches. Fished for about an hour in total. The other hour was walking, exploring, and getting my line out of the trees and bushes lol. It's tight, tough to case, but very nice to enjoy nature.
Yeah, lots of trees down on the stream, so lots of very slow moving pool water. Not many riffles.
Took 3 photos to show everyone. They are attached. Thanks for all the good information in this thread. I will fish this stream again since it's easy access and on my way to my camp near State College.
Edit: All 3 photos are within about 1/4 mile at around the 9.5 mile marker, which is 1/2 mile downstream from the Appalachian Trail crossing
firmdog
New member
Ha, good question. I have so much to learn about bugs and nymphs and what trout eat now that I am back into fishing after so much time off. I just completely guess and see what happens. I don't even know the names of these guys, but the one on the right was my point fly and I think all 3 took that one.
TicTac for scale as I cannot find a coin. BTW, it's a miracle I did not lose a nymph today, even with all the tree shrub tangles. Typically I lose at least 3 or 4 nymphs or more.
Let's see if my comment stays when attaching an image....
TicTac for scale as I cannot find a coin. BTW, it's a miracle I did not lose a nymph today, even with all the tree shrub tangles. Typically I lose at least 3 or 4 nymphs or more.
Let's see if my comment stays when attaching an image....
Trails and trout
Active member
They looks kinda like caddis, for Clark’s I really like midges and small baetis mayflies
