Valley Creek - Chester County - 22/Oct/25

[wgmiller]

With the rain we had overnight Tuesday, I saw a slight bump in the USGS gauge (30 CFS), so I decided to give it a shot Wednesday. I had to be in Malvern for my daughter's game at 4, so that gave me the day to fish. I saw no signs of spawning fish or redds, but know that time is right around the corner. I moved a few nicer fish from their undercut lairs, but on a sunny(ish) day with clear water, they were non-committal. If I lived closer to Valley I'd be out during/after rain events all the time, because I know the creek has some nice fish. But they don't play in low and clear conditions, so off-color is the ticket. I saw a few other anglers (one in the park waters, one much further upstream), but other than that, had the stream to myself.

Time fished: 09:30-2:30
Water temp: 56(ish)
Water flow/clarity: Low and clear (18 CFSish)
Weather: 63, most sunny, partly cloudy later
Hatches/bugs seen: Very localized creme midges (#22/24)
Flies fished: Prospected with a 1/64 jig head copper/silver Kreelex minnow, then quickly switched over to a tan Perdi Juan, which was the workhorse.
Fish caught: Half dozen or so wild browns, from dink to 9" or so.
Rod fished: Orvis Clearwater 10' 2WT

My nicest fish of the day

Knox covered bridge

It's hard to beat the beauty that comes with fall and the changing of the seasons, even if the fishing is tough.

Valley wild brown - they all count on Valley!

Did a little sightseeing afterward. It was very quiet with the government shutdown in full swing.

 

[tjsingle]

Nice report! Waters been low lately, so it being anything above the 12 CFS is has been is welcome. When its low like this I usually selectively fish it on cloudy days, regardless of flow.

Last year redds didn't show until mid-November

 

[wgmiller]

Nice report! Waters been low lately, so it being anything above the 12 CFS is has been is welcome. When its low like this I usually selectively fish it on cloudy days, regardless of flow.

Last year redds didn't show until mid-November

I keep Valley as a favorite in my RiverApp and have seen that +/-12 CFS seems to be the "norm". I'm sure like so many other creeks, the average flow used to be much higher. I have no doubt that a cloudy day is a much better option for fishing on wary wild brown trout. I have to strike when the iron's hot, so I try to make lemonade out of lemons. Low, clear water and bright sun is good for analyzing the stream bottom and habitat, so all is not lost.

It's always a relief landing that first fish on Valley, because then the "skunk" is off. My first one the other day truly was a dink, but someday with any luck he'll grow up to be a nice fish.

 

[Streammagic237]

I'm still trying to figure out a good way to fish the double wall stretch , without casting from 10 ' up or wadding to my chest . Any advice ? I know there are other nice stretches I just think it looks extra fishy but never feel like I fish it well .

 

[Mikey2006]

Nice report! Waters been low lately, so it being anything above the 12 CFS is has been is welcome. When its low like this I usually selectively fish it on cloudy days, regardless of flow.

Last year redds didn't show until mid-November

Do you think that’s the norm on most of our states limestoners? Is that because the water temp stays relatively consistent so it doesn’t get low enough to trigger spawning behavior until later in year or is that just stream specific?

 

[tjsingle]

Do you think that’s the norm on most of our states limestoners? Is that because the water temp stays relatively consistent so it doesn’t get low enough to trigger spawning behavior until later in year or is that just stream specific?

I think its probably a little bit of both, I was on a well-known stream in central PA yesterday and did not see redds yet either.

 

[tjsingle]

I keep Valley as a favorite in my RiverApp and have seen that +/-12 CFS seems to be the "norm". I'm sure like so many other creeks, the average flow used to be much higher. I have no doubt that a cloudy day is a much better option for fishing on wary wild brown trout. I have to strike when the iron's hot, so I try to make lemonade out of lemons. Low, clear water and bright sun is good for analyzing the stream bottom and habitat, so all is not lost.

It's always a relief landing that first fish on Valley, because then the "skunk" is off. My first one the other day truly was a dink, but someday with any luck he'll grow up to be a nice fish.

View attachment 1641245865

Very true, I agree with that! Usually fall is around 12-15CFS, last year was pretty similar. FWIW, I've had very good days on VC when the flows are as low as they are now. Some of my biggest fish on VC have came on days where you'd think you'd be lucky to catch anything. Then again when I lived in Wayne, Valley was basically my backyard, so I've put plenty of time in there 🙂

 

[tjsingle]

I'm still trying to figure out a good way to fish the double wall stretch , without casting from 10 ' up or wadding to my chest . Any advice ? I know there are other nice stretches I just think it looks extra fishy but never feel like I fish it well .

For that section, fishing up high is no good, gotta wade and pick a side. Essentially wade down to it. It is deep, so you'll want to be careful of the muddy bottom. The fishing in that section is tough, the fish are discerning and spooky. You also get the added bonus of people throwing rocks into the water as you fish!

FWIW, I do think that section was better when there was more downed trees in it, right now its more or less a drainage ditch.

 

[Streammagic237]

For that section, fishing up high is no good, gotta wade and pick a side. Essentially wade down to it. It is deep, so you'll want to be careful of the muddy bottom. The fishing in that section is tough, the fish are discerning and spooky. You also get the added bonus of people throwing rocks into the water as you fish!

FWIW, I do think that section was better when there was more downed trees in it, right now its more or less a drainage ditch.

Thought that only happened on white clay 🪨!!

 

[bringthepain]

Where is the double wall stretch? Used to fish valley a lot never heard of that?

 

[Rainier42]

Where is the double wall stretch? Used to fish valley a lot never heard of that?

Downstream from covered bridge I believe.

 

[skiltonian]

There was a big old fish in that section a few weeks ago. I didn’t bother casting to it as there was no way to land it and it was getting dark. It was that windy week so had the pin out (5” diameter).