Clarks Creek, Special Regs, Dauphin County, March 11, 2013

[Letort]

Fished the FFO section of Clarks Creek today. Air temp was about 55*, light breeze, water temp 47*, very low for this time of year and crystal clear. Fished for about 2 hours, had one take on a caddis nymph and brought either a wild or holdover to hand - bright orange spots (no red), about 10" in length.

About 8-10 cars scattered along the 2 mile stretch. I fished about 1 mile of the steam, but only ran into two other fisherman at either end of my journey. One fisherman reported finding bait containers in two of the lower holes in the FFO section and not many fish in the deep holes (it was just stocked less than 10 days ago).

I saw a couple of fish in areas where the big white buckets visited, close to access points. Clarks Creek is probably one of my top 3 streams that I have fished over the last decade, but not in the FFO area. I have got to say, and will probably take heat from some of the regulars that frequent it, that it is not an impressive stretch of water. I would say that about 85% of the mile stretch that I hit today wouldn't, couldn't or didn't hold fish. Very shallow water, not much cover and the bottom was covered with silt. Sure, there are nice areas in the FFO, but they seem to be the exception. Its been a while since I was last there and it will be a while before I return.

The blue heron that I kept bumping into, however, seemed to like it.

 

[IdratherbePhishing]

for the most part i agree with you but there is fish that hold up in that slow stagnant water. I havent fished the ffo for a while either just because I prefer other areas with less crowds.

 

[wbranch]

I used to do well on the FFO section back around 1988 - 1995 almost any time but especially when the green inch worms were hanging off of the trees. But I agree with both gentelmen above in that there are many sections, that when low, are virtually just too shallow to hold any self respecting trout.

It seems like a perfect place for cheaters who might like to dangle a garden hackle off the end of #12 PT. I've seen bait containers here and there and often, especially during the week, there is no one fishing there.

One time though I was fishing one section about 3/4 of a mile below where there is a parking lot on the right side, going north, set down in a hollow. Well I was very intent and fooling around with something in my vest when out of nowhere I see a CO approaching me. He says "How you doing" and he was eyeballing what I had in my hand and looking at my vest. He said he'd been watching me for ten minutes with binoculars back in the bushes.

I should note though that was on an Opening Day and that is likley why he was there because it the couple of dozen other times I've been there I've never seen another CO.

 

[IdratherbePhishing]

I have been checked there often. Especially when the new season starts there everywhere out there. So if your going to fish it soon have your license with you. There is a couple stretches in the FFO that are far better than the most common ones people go to.

 

[krayfish]

Took my nephew there on the 9th. We walked about a 1/4 mile section in the middle of the ffo section. We saw 2 fish. That's it. Neither fish let us even get a cast off. I was even wearing camouflage jacket. The amount of downed trees in that section was staggering. The ffo has a ton of sh*t water. I live 5 minutes or less from Clark's. I might fish it twice a year just because I have cabin fever. I might take some flack for this....but....its a pretty stream but not much.of a fishery. Hatches aren't very impressive either. Guess you could say that I don't really care if I ever fish it again but to each his own and there are plenty of guys that absolutely love that stream.

 

[IdratherbePhishing]

I do love the stream but your right. The hatches are far better at night on stony in the slow water by the inn. Although I have ran into a Lime sally hatch that was crazy on Clarks.

 

[Gorosaurus]

I personally prefer the sections surrounding the FFO section. Some really beautiful water and scenery in those ATW areas

 

[Biggie]

see spot burn directly above ;-) ;-) ;-)

 

[Gorosaurus]

Those areas would be even better if there were any fish!!

😉

 

[Phish_On]

Gorosaurus wrote:
Those areas would be even better if there were any fish!!

😉

The fish are there. Gotta try harder. Lol j/k

 

[Biggie]

sometimes the fish are there and sometimes not

 

[Phish_On]

Biggie wrote:
sometimes the fish are there and sometimes not

Most of the time they are there. Getting them to eat, well that's a different story all together.

 

[jdaddy]

Phish_On wrote:

Biggie wrote:
sometimes the fish are there and sometimes not

Most of the time they are there. Getting them to eat, well that's a different story all together.

Magic bro. Magic.

 

[Phish_On]

yes sir

 

[JakesLeakyWaders]

I see lots of fish on Clarks but I avoid the ffo area mostly there are plenty of good stream miles to Clarks other than the well used fly stretch. It reminds me of some nice brookie streams I used to fish up north.

 

[Biggie]

double spot burn! :lol: 🙂

 

[Mike]

Spot burn????????? You're joking, right?! It's a stocked trout stream and listed in the Summary Booklet that comes with every license.

 

[Biggie]

Mike, yes it's a joke................see those little yellow things???? 🙂 :lol: ;-)

 

[Letort]

"Took my nephew there on the 9th. We walked about a 1/4 mile section in the middle of the ffo section. We saw 2 fish. That's it. Neither fish let us even get a cast off. I was even wearing camouflage jacket. The amount of downed trees in that section was staggering. The ffo has a ton of sh*t water. I live 5 minutes or less from Clark's. I might fish it twice a year just because I have cabin fever. I might take some flack for this....but....its a pretty stream but not much.of a fishery. Hatches aren't very impressive either. Guess you could say that I don't really care if I ever fish it again but to each his own and there are plenty of guys that absolutely love that stream."

I have to wonder if a tornado touched down, because the number of trees in that one area, from both sides of the bank, was as you say, staggering.

During high water, I would think that it will act as a levy to some degree, because of the number of trees. They may be enough to back up the water upstream appreciably.

 

[IdratherbePhishing]

Im not exactly sure if the tornado touched down in Clarks. But it did touch down on my street and tore some gigantic trees down. And I will tell you what a weird feeling. When it came it was like everything froze and you couldnt hear anything. Luckily didnt hit my house.