Donegal Creek FFO, Lancaster County - 22.Sep.10

[wgmiller]

I was able to sneak out for a few hours yesterday and hit the FFO stretch of the Donegal in Lancaster County. It had been months since I fished the creek as I had been laying off of it due to the high summer temperatures.

On my first cast I slapped down a #14 foam Japanese beetle and landed a nice, colorful 12" rainbow who willing rose to the fly. I fished up and down the stream about 1/2 mile from the "red horse barn".

Some particulars on my trip:

Water temp: 60 F

Air temp: mid to upper 80's

Stream color/clarity: Gin clear to lightly stained

Flow: stream is running low and the pools were running very slow

Insect activity: Not much that I saw. Had a few rises, but not much visible.

This is the first time in quite some time that I can remember being able to sight fish. The water is low enough and with polarized glasses, the clarity good enough to be able to sight fish which was a real joy. Too often I'm fishing "blind" or to likely holding water. The fish aren't stacked up, but they aren't spread out either. For those who know the creek, you know where they are!

All of the rainbows I caught during the trip had beautiful coloring and were in the 12" +/- class.

Beautiful fall Donegal rainbow

 

[JakesLeakyWaders]

Nice colors, I've scouted Donegal after work before but have never fished it. I wasn't sure about access in a few areas. Looked like it was kind of like the Codorus in size. I was talking with the land owner one day at the mouth where it enters Chiques Creek.

By the way did you solve your kayak loading situation ? I posted some stuff in your " DIY kayak loading thread ", and then it kinda got hijacked. My bad.

 

[wgmiller]

Access can be limited along the Donegal, but once you reach the stream it's fairly easy to walk along the banks. The best fishing is located between Rt. 23 and Rt. 772; not so much down where it enters the Chiques Creek. I've also heard a story or two about guys getting hassled by a landowner not far upstream. Look up "Donegal Creek Rd" and park where see you an old horse farm. Drop down in from there and you can walk up or downstream.

I have a roof rack for my car, but found the "load assisters" to help in getting my kayak onto the load bars. That thread you mentioned is priceless and your artwork is too! :-D

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

I wonder which side of the stream they were on when they got hassled and why.

Not any posted signs back there, but there are fish commission signs. *shrugs*

 

[wgmiller]

It would be on the west side if you're heading upstream from the confluence of Donegal/Chiques...

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

Ah ya.....there is one house there that the guy gets upset. He does have a posted sign on that property. Not sure why those guys wouldn't fish the other bank. Its easier to walk and wide open.