Valley Creek, Chester Co - 2/7/2016

[jrj]

Water 42
Air 45
Water - running a little high and off color

5 fish in 40 minutes. All taken on the surface with a small grey slate.

 

[huntfish]

Nice. The fish in the third and fourth pic look very similar. Same fish maybe? The tail fin looks like it has has a cut in the middle of it.

 

[Longbow]

Almost don't look like Valley Browns.

 

[jrj]

Longbow - I agree with you. These were caught between the dam and the bridge and were quite feisty. I have not had browns from Valley jump as much as these did. Right time, right place I guess.

 

[Longbow]

Nice, I haven't fished that far down in quite a while. Tends to get hit hard, but I'm sure not this time of year.

 

[3wt7X]

Nice report...winter trout on dry flies is always a good thing!!! That split tail is a gullible or hungry little guy, if my eyes serve me right, he was caught 3 times in the same trip.

 

[Millsertime]

Were the fish rising to naturals or were they simply opportunistic with your dries?

 

[jrj]

They were rising to the naturals. I started with a scud and they ignored it. I would have passed up this spot had I not seen them active on the surface.

 

[pcray1231]

Pic 3 and 4 are the same fish, no doubt about it. I've done that before, just get the pics mixed up.

Hard to tell size here, no reference. #1 looks like the biggest?

Nice day, I need to get out. How small? I'm guessing BWO's have started, as opposed to this being midges or something?

 

[lestrout]

Yo jrj

How big was your slate dry? Most bodacious for this time/year.

 

[jrj]

The slate was either a 18 or 20. They would not hit on a 22/24 BWO or a 24 black gnat so I was just throwing anything at them to see if they would hit. And hit they did. These were all in the 12-14" range. I need to carry a tape. 🙂

 

[KGStine]

jrj wrote:
The slate was either a 18 or 20. They would not hit on a 22/24 BWO or a 24 black gnat so I was just throwing anything at them to see if they would hit. And hit they did. These were all in the 12-14" range. I need to carry a tape. 🙂

Google Rodrule, it's a decal you apply to your rod. They are extremely cheap, easy to apply and it's always right there to measure. But I did discover that since I got them I seem to be catching smaller fish!

 

[pcray1231]

The slate was either a 18 or 20. They would not hit on a 22/24 BWO.

Valley Creek springtime BWO's are typically 18's, FWIW. So, I guess they've started. It's a little early, but not much, and it has overall been a warm winter....

 

[BrooksAndHooks]

Had some hatch up here the weekend previous. Crazy stuff happens with weather this warm.

 

[geebee]

Longbow wrote:
Nice, I haven't fished that far down in quite a while. Tends to get hit hard, but I'm sure not this time of year.

yup they tend to be very spooky in that flat water but easy to spot even for the walkers.

has anyone ever caught anything in that dam pool, i always throw a few casts in there but never any luck. in my mind there should always be a big old brown trout in there lol.

 

[flyman123]

Aren't there a few dams? I know there's one on the flats along Rt. 252 and maybe another one well upstream, but I can't remember. I know a lot of people fish well above the Knox Covered Bridge.

 

[pcray1231]

I know a lot of people fish well above the Knox Covered Bridge.

lol. I've never fished below it!

That said, I've only fished in the park itself once or twice. Most of my Valley Creek trips are well upstream of there. Even up to Ecology Park.

 

[Longbow]

I wasn't the only one who had the idea to get out and take advantage of this beautiful weather on VC today. Saw very little surface action despite there being some nice midge hatches last week where top water action was good. All fish caught near bottom today with a size 20 zebra midge, PT and of course the GW. Most fish in the 8-9" range with two around 12-13. Water was clear, but not as clear as usual and current was slightly faster than normal. Saw one fish that was easily over 20".

 

[chrisdm4]

Was at the upper sections on the 12th. Had a lot of mayfly coming off and fish were hitting drys but mostly emerges. #16 PT was working best for me. Ended up with 7 fish all in the 11 to 7" range. Did not think that was to bad for my first time fishing that section of the creek. Great day on the water!

 

[jackstrawphilly]

I've been fishing weekly iron bridge and above and doing well with small shop vacs, rainbow warriors, and bwo Klinkhammers. Haven't seen any hatches or consistent top action but ready if it ever comes! I leave the water at 2pm. Maybe I'm just missing them?