East Brandwine, Chester Co., 6/13/2011

[ezatnova]

Stopped in at the East Brandwine for the first time, yesterday. Weather was so nice. Parked up at the north tip of the DHALO, at the lot by the bridge, and headed south. Made it about halfway down the DHALO area by noon, when I lost my last indicator, so I headed home.

Water seemed quite warm. Basically no activity on the surface except some little panfish going after ants falling off the banks. This was from 8:30 - 12.

Opted for an olive bead head (my normal go-to) and had no success with any trout. Got 8 other fish...6 panfish, a little bass, and a silver fish that made croaking noises (chub?).

Not sure if I saw any trout. A school of 8-12 fish about 8" or so in length came right by me...they were either browh trout or chubs.

Also saw a fairly large (12"+) striped looking fish, which I 'm guessing was a perch.

Anyway, either I was using the wrong stuff for the trout there, or they're all gone from the EB, or maybe the water was just too warm.

 

[PSUFishMenace]

The silver fish making croaking noises was a fallfish (usually just called chubs). It's also likely that's what you saw swim by you. I would be surprised if there are many trout left in that section, I doubt you were using the wrong stuff since you didn't see any trout either. Below downingtown the water temp has been hitting well over 80 degrees, not sure what it has been up there.

 

[surveyor06]

I was there two weeks again and found the same thing. Two rainbows caught and two fallfish. The water was really warm, being that i was above the DHALO section I was considering keeping the trout. They barely fought. The fallfish fought better. That was the first time I fished that stream, didnt think it would warm so early. Wont be going back there again this season.

 

[Fishidiot]

I'm seeing the same thing over here in the southcentral - local ATWs are warming very quickly.

Which county is E. Brandywine Creek located in?

 

[mrchunk]

Chester

 

[Nickyboy]

The East Branch Brandywine can be a great early season stream but they get hammered and beat over the head by spin and flyfisherman alike. I fished it once this year in March but by now those fish will start to cook. That water warms up pretty quickly once the air temperatures rise. Those trout don't stand a chance in the DHALO section. Their has been talk about natural reproduction in the upper reaches of the stream but the stream gets really warm in the upper reaches as well. I don't believe it but it would be great if it was true.

 

[bam]

I can't verify, but according to some reputable people there is a fishable population of wild brown trout above the dam. Amazingly enough I've caught 2 wild fish in the DHALO section but it does get pretty warm in the summer.

 

[PSUFishMenace]

I have also caught 3 wild browns in the DHALO and 2 further upstream, this is from about 5 years fishing that part of the creek. Some stretches probably have more than others but I wouldn't call it a fishable population because after the stockies are mostly gone, most trips you will not catch any trout.

Usually if I fish it in the summer I am going for smallies way downstream of the ATW section.

 

[pcray1231]

I've only fished it once since I moved here. Caught 4, all wild.

I'm a little confused, though, or maybe I just don't know the area well enough. What dam are we talking about?

 

[bam]

Marsh Creek Dam

 

[pcray1231]

I'm going by google maps, which could be wrong, but according to it the E. Br. goes near, but not through, March Creek Dam. That would be Marsh Creek.....

If its the E. Br. Brandywine that runs into the lake, then I was not on the E. Br. If you're just talking about where it goes near the lake, then I was WAY upstream of there.

 

[bam]

Humm... you could be right. I just assumed it came from the dam since it's just upstream.

 

[pcray1231]

Yeah, when you said dam, I was thinking the Robert G. Struble Lake just NE of Honeybrooke, which is much closer to the source of the E. Br., though I don't know what streams are what up there.

 

[PSUFishMenace]

I think the dam refers to the one just off the struble trail above downingtown which is just below the downstream end of the DHALO. Bam you said you heard it from other people, did they just say "the dam" or did they say Marsh Creek? And Marsh Creek and a few other streams feed into the lake, you were on the east brandywine pcray

FWIW Marsh creek above the lake is an EPIC fallfish stream! A few scrawny wild browns too but not enough to make me want to return.

 

[pcray1231]

you were on the east brandywine pcray

Thought so. He just got me a little confused for a sec.

I simply stopped for a little while on my way home from work one day, I thought 4 fish in 2 hours or so was a pretty good sign, specially since I didn't stay till dark. They were smallish, though.

I'm sure you can figure out just about exactly where I was from this post.... If not, ask.

I also plan on trying that other trib I cross fairly soon. Any interest Menace?

 

[PSUFishMenace]

I think I have a good idea of where you were, I think it's the same area where I have caught them (outside of the DHALO). Agree that it's a really good sign if you caught four.

Last time I hit that trib I had a good day, I'd be interested, shoot me a PM when you're thinking about going. Gotta warn ya, the trees on that stream have something against my fly line, I'd slow you down some with all the untangling I will be doing.