French Creek, Chester County, 5-20-09

[greenlander]

Fished French Creek for the first time yesterday from around 5pm to 8pm. Fished the fly section from the bottom (covered bridge) up to the first big bend in the stream, then fished below the covered bridge a bit.

Saw lots of midges and risers chasing sporadic cream caddis around 6, another bunch of risers chasing I don't know what (during which I missed about 5 takes of the size 16 adams I had on) around 7:30, then saw a decent sized sulfur hatch around 8:15 of what I took to be Ephemerella invaria based on their color (wasn't able to grab one to ID better, surprisingly).

Unfortunately, left the creek troutless. All that came to hand were 3 chubs. A friend who joined took one brown around 14" on a large white attractor dry just as the lights were going out, 20 mins or so after I'd headed back to the city.

All in all, a very nice stream, though I really would have liked to have landed a few trout.

 

[Giventoflyfish]

Agreed, my it's my favorite stream in the local area. Can be tough at times. I only managed 1 on a BWO the other day when I was there.

 

[greenlander]

One big detractor was the absolutely HORRENDOUS traffic headed west on 23 on the way out there. Sure, it was rush hour and all, but for being quite a ways outside the city, I wouldn't have expected the absolute torture session that ensued.

If I head back out there, I'll be looking for an alternate route.

For those familiar with the creek, how late into the season does French provide quality fishing? I'd like to try it again, but don't want to if the fishing is starting to decline already.

 

[jayL]

All summer...

But I enjoy smallmouth. :-D

Traffic is bad all the way through Phoenixville. If you're coming from the city, take 30 to radnor high. From there, take king of prussia road to the mall. 422 or 23 are both options from there on out. You'll still sit, but it will cut out a good half of it.

 

[Van_Cleaver]

Re how late the fishing remains good on French. It's a numbers game; rainfall and temp. Thermal issues have long been a problem, especially in the fly stretch. In a typical year it will be good into mid June or later; there is usually an evening hatch. I had a great outing there a few days before, but didn't fish the fly area. You might want to try the top end of the fly stretch; it doesn't get poached as much, or the open water, where there are trout who don't see flies on a daily basis. There are still lots of trout out there, and they should be willing., especially with the Sulphurs hatching. Sometimes, (most times) they are keying on other stages of the insects and you won't do well with just the duns. Good fishing.

 

[jayL]

Note that french creek is dammed at camp innabah, along pughtown road. I believe it's a few fractions of a mile downstream from rt 100. In your search for summer fishing, I'd imagine the dam would be a factor.

 

[marcq]

i dont know much about french creek in the summer. i fish it a lot after they stock it. if you are looking for a stream that holds fish all summer is valley creek.