E BR Brandywine Creek, Chester Co., 9/6/09

[PSUFishMenace]

Fished the lower 100 yds of DHALO and further downstream from Dowlin Forge Rd from 10 a.m-2:30 p.m. Water was very cold when I got there but started to warm up around noon. It was still chilly though so I kept fishing. Aside from a horse fly attacking my leg I did not see much in the way of insects, but I was using a bugger so I wasn't really looking.

I saw 8 trout, mostly browns, drew short strikes from 3 of them and managed to land one pretty little rainbow. I caught several nice big sunnies as well, four over 7" on consecutive casts, that was fun! Also caught two baby smallmouths. I didn't bother keeping track of how many fallfish I caught, it was at least 30.

I had never fished this particular stretch before, and I think it will be worth a return trip in the spring. There are lots of deep rocky areas with moderate to fast current, which is the type of water I do well in. I saw a few very nice (and frightened) smallmouths and I may have to go back for them soon. All in all, the trout fishing wasn't great but the number of other fish caught made up for it. Good day for me.

 

[marcq]

nice looking fish good job.

 

[Mariner]

Come on, show us the fallfish, there's no shame.

 

[PSUFishMenace]

LOL not worried about that, just never bother taking pictures of them. unnecessary risk of dropping my phone in the water. Next time I get a big one I'll take a picture.

Thanks marcq, for once my phone's camera did the fish justice. First trout with the fly rod in at least a month, it was nice to catch something with spots for a change🙂

 

[groove790]

Hey Rookie, I'm from Pittsburgh and I've never fished out there before. i have a trip planned this coming weekend and I am camping just North of the DHALO section near Marsh creek state park. What flies do you suggest I bring with me. I'm not picky I'll try to catch anything but I prefer trout. i am also a rookie in this sport. Any information you can share would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[ryguyfi]

Groove's a buddy of mine, so if anyone can give him some advice on the brandywine I'd appreciate it!

Ryan

 

[PSUFishMenace]

Groove I will get back to you, outta time now, check tomorrow afternoon.

 

[mrchunk]

Groove - not Rookie but I'll help you out. For dries - Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulators, Para Adams and Para Hare's Ear should pretty much cover you. If they are looking up, they usually arent picky.
Nymphs - the standards do pretty well. Bead Head PTs and Hares Ears. Black hares ears if you have em but gold ribbed do ok. Caddis pupae and nymphs in green and tan colors work pretty well. San Juan's will take the rainbows everytime. Isonychia is a hot nymph this time of year on that stream too.
Streamers - Buggers in olive and black are most productive as are white zonkers in various sizes.

 

[PSUFishMenace]

I agree with everything mrchunk says above. Spot on. I have just about no experience with dries, the only one I have is a POS elk hair caddis that will probably unravel the next time i catch something with it like the other one did. I would like to add that if you end up trying for smallies and can't get them with any of the above flies, try a big black clouser minnow slow near the bottom (make it look like a leech).

I would also recommend fishing Indian Run in nearby Springton Manor farm park if you get a chance. lots of wild browns, generally 6-8" but a decent amount of larger ones. You may even find a native brookie or two here. small streamers, nymphs and probably attractors should work here although I always spinner fish this stream so I don't know for sure. Get flies tight to big rocks in the middle of the flow and right in the middle of the heads of larger pools. Don't pass up any pools no matter how shallow they look at first glance. Tight lines!

sorry it took a while didn't have time to post yesterday

 

[groove790]

Thanks for the info guys! I'm definitely looking forward to getting out there this weekend. Now I just have to figure out how to occupy my wife so she will let me fish!

 

[PSUFishMenace]

Let us know how you make out, Brandywine's pretty muddy but hopefully you can make it to Indian Run.

 

[Mariner]

This is probably too late, but Marsh Creek doesn't allow camping. Good luck with the fishing, though.

 

[salmo]

Can anybody suggest a wine to serve with poached fall fish?

 

[groove790]

I had plans to camp at a campground that was right on the brandywine. There was so much rain that the entire campground was flooded so we ended up going to French Creek state park instead. There were no rangers in sight so i couldn't find the stream, only Hopewell lake. Needless to say i didn't get any fishing in while I was there. I was definitely disappointed in the conditions but I'll get back at some point and try again. Thanks for all the information.

 

[jayL]

Groove,

If you're talking about being unable to find french creek:

My understanding is that the stream begins at hopewell lake. It's technically a tailwater. The fact that it's sourced by top release dam on a warmwater lake explains why it's predominantly a warmwater fishery. Most of the fishing in french creek is actually outside of french creek state park.

The park contains class A brook trout streams. It is also a very short distance from hay creek, which fishes better than french in almost every way IMO.

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

Jay,

I never fished Hay in the area everyone else does but have you ever tried the upper reaches of it? It isnt easy to find unposted land and it is very brushy, but it has a very nice population of wild brown trout.

 

[PSUFishMenace]

Jay,

streamS with an S? do you mean the one plus its trib or are there others?

 

[jayL]

Sal,

Yeah, but there are pockets of solid wild populations downstream. I fished the upper reaches occasionally, but asking for access was a pain. Same with beaver.

I grew up on the stream, and found wild populations throughout its entirety. Even some native brookies in low numbers. It's nothing special, but they are there. I fished it often when it was within walking distance.

Rookie,
I've only fished the ones listed by the state, but have heard about other places.

 

[PSUFishMenace]

I just checked out the map online and saw there were a few other streams in the park. I was thinking french and sixpenny were the only streams in the park, thanks Jay. I should have known better I camped there a few years ago at a summer camp and there were little streams everywhere how did i forget. I might go up there saturday and check some out but it's a pretty long drive for me so maybe not.