Ridley Creek FFO, Delaware County PA, 4/4-4/5/2015

[camdogrs]

Decided to head out for opening day and had really great luck all weekend. Hit the water about 7:15am both days and was into immediate action as there was a BWO hatch from about 7:30-9:30am. Air temps were climbing through the 40's and eventually made it well into the 50's with a good amount of sunshine. Caught 8 brookies, 2 browns, and rainbow on Sat. And lost count of how many fish I caught on Sunday but my best was a fat 17" bow while I was swinging a brown sparkle/rubber legged WB through some deep holes. All the fish caught were a good mix but predominately brookies in the 12" range. Had lots of luck with a double nymph rig using PT and a BWO quill body nymph tied like this.

https://vimeo.com/86408865

That pattern sinks like a rock and gets down in the zone quick. Plus if you have ever used the tactical barbless hooks the stick like you wouldn't believe and the wide gape helps on the small stuff.

Overall it was a great weekend even though my plans shifted from going out to White Clay. Also drive by Chester Creek on Sunday with hopes of giving that a go but after I saw people shoulder to shoulder, tents, and campfires I just kept on driving. Is that even legal to do?

 

[Longbow]

Didn't realize they stocked Ridley with Brookies. May have to check it out. Thanks.

 

[camdogrs]

I have a picture on my camera of one I caught at the falls that made me laugh. Thing was like 12" but had this huge belly.

 

[gozu]

I was there as well on Friday morning. Probably saw you. I ended up with 4 Brookies right at the base of the falls, all in the 12" to 14" range. I don't know if was just me but they seem to put up little to no fight at all.

 

[giantsjim]

Been about 10 years since I had fished this creek but work took me to the area yesterday so I hit the park stretch for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Air temp was around 60 degrees and water temp somewhere in the 50's I would guess. It is a guess since I misplaced my thermometer during the winter off season.
I started well below the bridge in the park and had no success even though there are several deep pools and great cut outs and tree falls for excellent shelter. Not even a bump.
Walked back up and fished the slow water just below the bridge and landed a few brookies on olive zebra midge. Worked my way up to the falls hitting pocket water along the way and pulling a few out here and there on the zebra midge.
Tried up at the falls and wasn't getting down far enough so I added a Barr Emerger BWO and more weight and I landed a bunch of fish. Mostly brook trout but also a couple of feisty browns and one muted rainbow. There were some sporadic midges flying about and the occasional cranefly.

 

[Mike]

Brookies: stocked by the Cooperative Nursery, not by the PFBC.