Sinnemahoning Creek, Keating twp., Clinton County 8/18/2023

[tomgamber]

Water was up on arrival. About 1200cfs but dropping. Wading was hard and tiring. As the day passed, rocks emerged. Fishing the tailouts behind the largest rocks with a 6 tan bead-head bugger produced smallmouth from 8 to 16 inches. One hole gave up the 2nd and 3rd largest of the day and one (approx.) 20 inch Fall Fish with a serious attitude problem. Fished a 10' 7wt cuz I like this rod and knew I might have to make long casts with big flies but fished the same fly all day. Fished from the bridge in the first pic, upstream for about a 1/4 mile upstream to about 200 yards past "camp" and exhausted myself wading back across the "creek" to get back to camp. Fished with slihhtly less enthusiasm the next day with mu h less exciting results. Great day. Always good to get to camp. Left Sunday with flow at about 600CFS. Go figure. Last pic is what happens when the Steelers play when you're at camp.

 

[Roofin' Trouter]

Good pics. Glad you had a good time, Tom. Did you see any elk? I heard a bull bugling around dusk last Wednesday (upper FFS watershed). Last week was a beautiful time to be up in that neck of the woods.

 

[tomgamber]

No elk this trip. Bald Eagle and a tiny milk snake. that was about it.

 

[troutbert]

I've fished Sinnemahoning Creek for smallmouth a few times and caught a few. It was fun and it wasn't crowded!

Have you noticed any changes in the fishing or bug life in Sinnemahoning Creek since the Bennet Branch got treatment for mine drainage?

 

[tomgamber]

Not sure when that was but I came here 30 years ago and waded in old sneakers with confidence. Now wading is as difficult as Penns. Thought we might have lost it all after the train wreck but it's come back even better. Fish in the Susky, another 200 yards down is big. Smallies, channel cats. Fall fish, carp, even a few trout. Not 30 years ago. I'm told tgatvat one time pickerel ruled this stream.

 

[Prospector]

Not sure when that was but I came here 30 years ago and waded in old sneakers with confidence. Now wading is as difficult as Penns. Thought we might have lost it all after the train wreck but it's come back even better. Fish in the Susky, another 200 yards down is big. Smallies, channel cats. Fall fish, carp, even a few trout. Not 30 years ago. I'm told tgatvat one time pickerel ruled this stream.

I had heard there were lots of pickerel in ponds along 555, Southwest of Driftwood. That was in the 1960s or 1970s. I’m not sure if those ponds are still there. I remember them as a kid.

 

[Wetfly01]

Always wanted to float Sinnemahoning Creek from Sinnemahoning to Keating about 12 miles. Was wondering if you ever floated that over the years and how did it fish. I wade fish over on the Driftwood Branch for smallmouths but can't seem to hit it when its floatable. I look at Sinnemahoning Cr as I am driving back to camp on Kettle Cr. There are some deep runs and pools in that section that should hold some good fish.

 

[tomgamber]

If you float it at the level it was at last week it would be perfect and you'd catch fish. Trout from Driftwood to Sinnemahoning. Less of those as you get closer to Keating. Only a few vehicles at the take out. At least one of them came up out of the Susky. I think a lot missed out. I enjoyed the peace.

 

[wbranch]

Do people launch boats from what appears to be a gravel road down to the waters edge?

 

[tomgamber]

Yes, there is a PAFBC put-in/takeout just past the bridge. People access the Susky and the Sinnemahoning using it. It's not uncommon to have 20 to 30 vehicles parked there on holidays if the water level obliges.