May 20 Manatawny Creek

[BigggJack]

Well what can I say, scouting new waters can be frustrating.

The water is running crystal clear and feels nice and refreshingly cool to the touch, I haven't picked up a new thermometer yet. I explored the Pine Forge area a little bit, I dropped in at the end of Manatawny Street after getting in some range time at the Sportsman's Club. From that bridge I worked upstream to the foot bridge at the Pine Forge School, using a Size 14 parachute Adams with a 20" 5X dropper to a size 16 olive bead head dropper.

My stalking skills are RUSTY to say the least and using regular soft hikers instead of proper wading boots probably doesn't help. I managed a decent number of middle finger sized up to 5 inch chub looking fish, a few I didn't recognize at all and sported red tip fins. I will try and share some pics after I can shrink them to post.

I spent admittedly more time then I probably should have working up through the creek. Since I really have no knowledge of this section of creek and was trying to make sure I hit all the fishy looking spots, and there is plenty of them! Besides a few I saw skitter away from some of my missteps and slips on the rocks, I didn't get to see any trout to make a cast at. I climbed out of the water and up on to the foot bridge when i was done to see a handful of 16" plus Carp ( I think) just hanging out,but, didn't look to be actively feeding in a hole I had just worked about 10 minutes beforehand.

Anyway, for those that know the creek and are familiar with the productive spots, the water looks to be in great shape right now. After tomorrows rain? That is anybody's guess.

 

[polky]

I fish the same section you went through and like you have had a slow go of it in that area this year. The chub like fish you caught were probably common shiners in their spawning colors and the carp were more likely suckers. Downstream of where you started is a nice riffle into a deep hole that usually holds fish. Around and above Rt. 562 has been fishing better this year.

 

[Mike]

If that stretch is generally wide and somewhat shallow under normal flows, under the month or more of low flow conditions that occurred during much of the SE Pa stocking season the stretch may have been very shallow and, as a result, the fish may have moved to find more suitable habitat. Under normal conditions the stream has a shallow stretch just above there, but I thought that it had more favorable habitat in the area that you described.

 

[BigggJack]

Mike wrote:
...... but I thought that it had more favorable habitat in the area that you described.

Mike,

It looked like a great stretch from driving by & even after working it. I stayed wading on the North (Pine Forge RD) side and was working into the south side of the creek, it has plenty of pools, holes and spots along that tree lined bank. I would think it isn't far enough stream to see any wild trout, I was surprised though that I didn't see a half decent number of straggling stockers.

 

[BigggJack]

polky wrote:
I fish the same section you went through and like you have had a slow go of it in that area this year. The chub like fish you caught were probably common shiners in their spawning colors and the carp were more likely suckers. Downstream of where you started is a nice riffle into a deep hole that usually holds fish. Around and above Rt. 562 has been fishing better this year.

Thanks for letting me know, it wasn't just me. I will give a check above 562 to see what I can find, I just try to make sure I am dropping in without any access problems, first I am just hoping to find a spot where I can safely take my 10 year old for some light wading work and productive enough to keep his interest and have him gain some confidence in the long rod. Once, I find a spot or two for him to enjoy, I plan on hunting for some of those wild trout I've read about for my solo times.

 

[BigggJack]

Here is a pic of the fish with red tip fins

 

[Mike]

The species shown has the common name of Common Shiner. This one is in spawning coloration.