Valley Creek, Chester County, 12/26/20

[JackNiem]

Weather: Mid to high 20s and sunny

Water temperature: 45 F

With the big storm the other day it finally looked like flows were going to be right in the sweet spot early this morning around sunrise, but the cold temperature and a few beers last night kept me off the water until around 11-12. As I had hoped the water was still flowing good and was still a little off color by the time I got there. Started off tying on a big streamer and started working around my favorite big fish holes. A few short swipes from fish in the 10-14” range and one that looked to be around 16” had me encouraged when finally the one I had been looking for came out of the depths and inhaled my streamer. After a nice fight I slipped my net under a gorgeous 18” wild brown trout. Really feels special to land a fish of this size out of such a small creek, especially Valley, which everyone complains only has small fish in it. Only fished for another hour or so with only a few more short strikes, but my day had already been more than made. Didn't see hardly any bugs on the water, but saw, plain as day and only about 10 feet in front of me, a fish that would put the 18 incher I caught to shame slowly come up and take exactly one fly off the surface. Waited for another sign of that guy for some time, but I never saw him again. I promise you will never have caught the biggest fish in any wild trout stream! Always another fish to chase and that's what I love about wild trout!

It amazes me that the general perception of Valley Creek is that big fish don’t exist in the stream. Just simply untrue. Are the big fish in the stream extremely smart and hard to find due to the high angling pressure, often low, gin clear water conditions, and lack of big fish habitat? Absolutely, and under normal circumstances along with the average anglers approach to fishing Valley Creek, the big fish are certainly almost impossible to see and/or catch. In my fly fishing experience, with much of my time being spent on Valley Creek, I have learned that it pays to try something different and do things in ways that are NOT what is the easiest or most obvious. How many pheasant tails or black zebra midges do you think a large brown trout has seen in its 10+ year lifespan? That well worn path that leads right to a prime looking bend in the creek with plenty of casting room? You spend an extended period of time every outing in that spot with no success just because it looks too good not to give up a fish or two right? Honestly how many “perfect” days (hint hint) in a year do you think an angler is sitting in the exact same spot thinking the exact same thing as you are? These fish learn to avoid predators and get better at it throughout their lives. The big fish have learned to avoid finding their way onto the average angler’s lines better than smaller fish.

I know this advice is nothing revolutionary, but yet I tend to see most anglers on Valley in best looking holes closest to the parking lots and I bet those are all the same people who claim there's no big fish in the creek. As I move away from the parking lot and start making my way through some brush, I tend to find myself alone and the bigger fish seem more eager to take a fly.

This advice does not only apply to Valley and I'm sure it can uncover fish you never though existed in your favorite small stream.

TO CATCH FISH THE AVERAGE ANGLER DOESN’T, DON’T BE THE AVERAGE ANGLER!
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[timmyt2]

Amazing fish my dude. I haven't fished Valley in 10 years but i used to fish it regularly when i worked close by. I never caught anything over 12 or 13 inches but I had no doubt they existed. Fly fishing is a metaphor for life, work hard and try new things, good stuff will happen. Well done!!

 

[Nymph-wristed]

Great fish! I have caught several over 16 in the creek over the years. They are in there.

 

[Dave_W]

Welcome Jack.

Good report, beautiful pics, and some good general FF advice.

 

[mute]

Great fish and report, welcome

 

[timmyt2]

Nymph-wristed i thought of you right away when i saw the OPs fish

You are the only other angler i have seen catch beasts like that in valley

 

[mute]

timmyt2 wrote:
Nymph-wristed i thought of you right away when i saw the OPs fish

You are the only other angler i have seen catch beasts like that in valley

Same. I myself am still trying to find one over 15".

 

[tjsingle]

Fished Valley on 12/26/2020 as well, from 1PM to Dark. The section I fished was not super active for the streamer bite, but nymphing worked very well. Didn't get a big guy, but did catch 40 brown trout. Congrats on the 18"er!

You are right, the big fish are out there. I've caught a few myself, just need to seek them out!

 

[mute]

Wow 40. That's incredible. Most Ive had I. A 300cysrd stretch was probably only 12 or so in a few hours.

 

[TYoung]

I fished it today(12/28) and caught ten while nymphing in and just outside the park. The park was very crowded for a Monday.

 

[timmyt2]

Thats a real nice fish for Valley mute, real nice, well done

 

[timmyt2]

A 40 fish day is incredible too. The best day i ever had there was 9. I'm not very good at nymphing though

 

[Mike]

JackNiem,
Your last line is the best. Most anglers for many species, not just trout, are not opportunistic enough to have great fishing days. They suffer from perpetual mediocrity or worst. It’s either too early, too cold, too late, too wet, too muddy, too high, etc. I have always considered timing to be an “angling technique,” just like casting, terminal tackle selection to match conditions, etc, and with good timing an angler can have below average physical angling skills but do well anyway. I have seen it plenty of times.

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

Not everyone is retired and can fish when conditions are good.
Not everyone has the gas or time to change regions based on conditions.

You fish when you can and where you can.

 

[mute]

While those statements are true and I agree with them, I dont think the original comments or concepts are false in any way either. Obviously if 90% of the fisherman fish when its convenient for them and don't imply science or conditions in their equation, then the 10% that do, catch 90% of the bigger fish that "dont exist".

 

[larkmark]

I usually watch the weather. I am fortunate to have some flexibility so I can go when conditions are right. I agree that going to places other anglers don't frequent can be a good tactic but have also caught some dandy fish right in the holes with beaten down banks with v sticks right by road. That's a nice fish for Valley. I have only fished it a few times so not real familiar. Did well each time. They're in there for sure. I wonder if there is some movement of bigger fish from the river up into Valley?

 

[Mike]

I have known opportunistic anglers who have been fishing that way for decades and not just for trout. None has been retired until recently and some still aren’t. Depending upon the individuals, they have variously fished for trout, panfish, walleye, smallmouths, stripers, wipers, shad, and channel cats. Some have been ice anglers who have had most of the day’s catch on the ice before most other anglers were getting out of bed. Likewise, angler interviews, angler counts, and observations of angler behavior during other field surveys have revealed the same pattern within the greater angling community...the relatively rare but usually quite successful opportunists.

As for driving great distances, that is not required to have good fishing. Plenty of people live close to Valley Ck, for example, yet few here appear to have the successes of the two anglers here who report catching larger fish in Valley. Both appear to be opportunists with respect to flows and storms.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

Mike wrote:
I have known opportunistic anglers who have been fishing that way for decades and not just for trout. None has been retired until recently and some still aren’t. Depending upon the individuals, they have variously fished for trout, panfish, walleye, smallmouths, stripers, wipers, shad, and channel cats. Some have been ice anglers who have had most of the day’s catch on the ice before most other anglers were getting out of bed. Likewise, angler interviews, angler counts, and observations of angler behavior during other field surveys have revealed the same pattern within the greater angling community...the relatively rare but usually quite successful opportunists.

As for driving great distances, that is not required to have good fishing. Plenty of people live close to Valley Ck, for example, yet few here appear to have the successes of the two anglers here who report catching larger fish in Valley. Both appear to be opportunists with respect to flows and storms.

I agree with both of Mike's post. I am working on 97 fishing days for 2020 if I get out tomorrow (98 on the 31st?) and I feel lucky not ****y about it. I have a job, a family, and I am even in a graduate school program. There is no substitute for time on the water and the flexibility to fish on the days you know you need to be there. And making time. The best fishermen I know fish more than me.
To Mike's other point, Valley was too crowded for me this year, so I fished all the Lehigh Valley limestoners within an hour of home for 75-80% of my fishing this year. Mike's post applies to them and also to my final comment: In reference to the OP, I have caught a couple pigs in those well-worn holes on many creeks, even this year when they were even more well-worn. If the habitat and cover look good, regardless of how worn the path, they are usually good spots. Fish will change behavior due to the pressure, but that does not always include moving to marginal water or something too crazy. A "big fish hole" will hold a big fish at least some part of the day, week, season, even if they have more than one haunt. Also, a hole may be dead because the best fish in the creek has everything else on notice...

 

[JackNiem]

Some great conversation and counterpoints being made as was part of the intention of the report. Love to hear the different views other anglers have. Few things I would like to clarify/add. First off, by no means am I saying that you should not fish any day of the year you have the opportunity and desire to get on the water. Unless the creek is completely blown out, any day on the water can be productive or be a valuable learning experience. I have had my fair share of great days quantity wise in low, clear, sunny, and crowded conditions. But for example, on a creek like Valley, in the typical gin clear conditions, I’m very happy to catch any fish over 10” and anything over 12-13” is a fairly rare occurrence for me. When it comes to catching the biggest fish in a given creek I 100% agree with Mike in that timing is part of technique and is equally if not more important than fly selection, location, etc when chasing big fish. Large fish follow feeding patterns to give them them the best chance of survival. Feeding at night, during low light conditions, and high, muddy water gives them the best chance at both an efficient meal and survival. Learning these patterns as an angler will give you the best chance at catching a large trout.

 

[marcq]

I’ve changed my opinion on valley after this spring. I’m not sure if there is a fish in there that is pushing 24 inches in the stream but the amount of fish from 10 to 16 inches was very surprising. My biggest is around 18 inches and have definitely seen on in the low 20. Just had to change up tactics. Anything over 60 cfs the fish turn on. 100 cfs is ideal but flows drop fast on valley.