French Creek, Chester Co., 5/24/2022

[Frederick V. C.]

Fished late morning to late afternoon. Water was mid sixties and running well above median flow with a little tinge still. Almost no bug activity though I did see one Sulpher and one tan caddis. Should probably mention that I started fishing this stream at about age ten, and cut my teeth fly fishing here as well.

My set up was a cheap 10' 3/4 with a sighter and 4x to a bh caddis (14) with an ant dropper about 18" above on 5x. fished nothing but fast runs and riffles. There were plenty of trout and they were challenging considering the flow. That said I hooked at least two dozen and landed most. Was proud of myself; didn't break any off. Only lost one fly and that was when I hand lined the leader in a tight spot to try and get it to net. Talk about a lucky day!

Only my second time out this year and the stamina still isn't back, so happy not to have taken any spills cause it was slippery! Wading staff and studded boots helped but still needed more breaks than usual. Bittersweet since two brothers that used to fish this with me are both gone. The area fished was just below the FFO and there were some nice fish within 20' of the road. Spread out nicely and decent sized; average was 12-13" and one probably went 16. All and all had a great time and probably overdid it but that's just who I am.😉

 

[jgish92]

Was there last night from 5pm to 8pm. A few sulphurs coming off but very sporadic and did not see fish rising. Stocked rainbows on black stonefly and small light colored emerger patterns. Around 8pm, finally convinced a decent brown to whack a dry fly.

 

[Frederick V. C.]

French doesn't seem to have the reliable Sulphur hatch it once had, similar to other streams in our area. Used to fish the Fly stretch a lot many years ago when I lived nearby. Sulphurs went into light Cahills and it lasted for weeks; good dry fly action. Pretty sure the housing boom and associated sedimentation along with the gradual de watering of the stream were to blame. Good looking brown though, and still nice to see decent flows. Also comforting to know fish are still in some of the same runs I caught them on spinners 45+ years ago.

 

[TPrettyman]

French doesn't seem to have the reliable Sulphur hatch it once had, similar to other streams in our area. Used to fish the Fly stretch a lot many years ago when I lived nearby. Sulphurs went into light Cahills and it lasted for weeks; good dry fly action. Pretty sure the housing boom and associated sedimentation along with the gradual de watering of the stream were to blame. Good looking brown though, and still nice to see decent flows. Also comforting to know fish are still in some of the same runs I caught them on spinners 45+ years ago.

Suplhurs were better last year. This year the hatches on French have been so-so at best.

Also, I think the FFO section this year has much higher sedimentation than last year, probably from hurricanes.

 

[jgish92]

I agree that the creek has changed quite a bit since the mega flood last year. Shifting sedimentation, new obstructions, etc.

 

[Frederick V. C.]

Haven't fished the FFO in years despite it being the place where I became hooked on fly fishing. Too many other spots offer good fishing and plenty of trout that aren't seeing artificial flies constantly. Also makes me sad remembering what it used to be. Only get out there occasionally but still tend to fish spot that my two brothers (passed away) with me years ago.

 

[TPrettyman]

Haven't fished the FFO in years despite it being the place where I became hooked on fly fishing. Too many other spots offer good fishing and plenty of trout that aren't seeing artificial flies constantly. Also makes me sad remembering what it used to be. Only get out there occasionally but still tend to fish spot that my two brothers (passed away) with me years ago.

Well if you’re in the area next year and wanna fish with a young gun let me know!