Valley Creek - Chester County - 24/Nov/25

wgmiller

wgmiller

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 24, 2008
Messages
3,213
City
Lancaster County
I offered to run my daughter back to college for a day's worth of classes before the holiday break, so naturally I had to hit up Valley since I was in eastern Chester County. It was a beautiful fall day with temps starting off in the 30s and ending in the low 50s with ample sunshine. Valley was in its typical low water condition, so that coupled with high sun created some tough angling. All the water I fished was upstream of the Turnpike. I saw several other anglers out, who were also on the fly. A few were working the topwater with others going sub-surface. I moved a few better fish with the streamer as I worked downstream, but wasn't able to connect with any of them. A Walt's Worm did well at picking up the smaller fish.

I'm really starting to dig Valley and wished I lived closer so I could catch it during prime conditions (during or after a rain event, etc.). Regardless, exploring Valley is a lot of fun, because it's a stream that really seems to have a lot of identities. There are so many different feeders along its length that regulate water temperature, flow, etc. I even poked around Ecology Park to kill some time (not to fish), which is well upstream of fishable water. It's amazing with so much development in the region that Valley has survived.

Time fished: 08:30-1:30
Water temp: Didn't take temp
Water flow/clarity: Low and clear (15 CFSish)
Weather: 53, most sunny
Hatches/bugs seen: Very localized midge clusters in the afternoon
Flies fished: #16 Copper tung bead Walt's Worm (upstream), #10 olive jig streamer (downstream)
Fish caught: Half dozen or so wild browns, all under 7" or so
Rod fished: Orvis Clearwater 10' 2WT

IMG_3847.JPEG

Typical sized Valley fish of the day

IMG_3845.JPEG

Low sun, short days, and knowing winter is right around the corner...

IMG_3856.JPEG


IMG_3857.JPEG

Valley butter. I could catch wild browns all day long.

IMG_3861.JPG

Freakishly timid deer. There's six of 'em there!
 
Last edited:
Great report! The deer are out in force in that section, and in the park. Some are timid, some can careless about your existence. Saw a few nice bucks this fall. I saw a ton of redds last weekend, with some fish on a few still. Really cool to watch.

VC is my regular local stream, part of the reason why I enjoy it is the challenge that it changes frequently, but the one thing that stays the same is the brown trout. Sometimes you'll find a good one as well (Last year, mid-fall):

1764103181271.png
 
tjsingle said:
Great report! The deer are out in force in that section, and in the park. Some are timid, some can careless about your existence. Saw a few nice bucks this fall. I saw a ton of redds last weekend, with some fish on a few still. Really cool to watch.

VC is my regular local stream, part of the reason why I enjoy it is the challenge that it changes frequently, but the one thing that stays the same is the brown trout. Sometimes you'll find a good one as well (Last year, mid-fall):

Click to expand...

I have no doubt whatsoever that fish like that are in there. But they got to be that size for a reason - because they know how to avoid predators and when to step out of their comfort zone. She's a beaut, Clark!
 
wgmiller said:
I have no doubt whatsoever that fish like that are in there. But they got to be that size for a reason - because they know how to avoid predators and when to step out of their comfort zone. She's a beaut, Clark!
Click to expand...
They just don't like to cooperate all the time. Ironically, most of the bigger VC trout I've caught are on days where you wouldn't expect them (Blue bird skies, average flows, gin clear water, etc).
 
Busy today given the holiday week. I got one and had to wait a few hours to catch 3 in a row in the same spot. BWO comparadum parachute and BWO nymph worked for me. Nice to see bugs and rising fish in the light rain. I only stayed by Little Valley. Anyone notice the two hour limit parking sign? Who’s going to enforce that?
 
skiltonian said:
Busy today given the holiday week. I got one and had to wait a few hours to catch 3 in a row in the same spot. BWO comparadum parachute and BWO nymph worked for me. Nice to see bugs and rising fish in the light rain. I only stayed by Little Valley. Anyone notice the two hour limit parking sign? Who’s going to enforce that?
Click to expand...

My guess is the township put them up, as they are right next to the leaf site.
 
Beautiful pictures.
You guys have it made in PA.
If I caught a wild brown fish in an Ohio creek it would be a carp!
 
wildtrout2 said:
We really do! I'm most appreciative of it.
Click to expand...
Im starting to plan like a 3 day trip in mid to late April. Im not sure to where but I want to try and catch my first brown and a brookie.
Not sure it can be done in 3 days or in the same areas but im wearing out the internet researching it.
 
wgmiller said:
I offered to run my daughter back to college for a day's worth of classes before the holiday break, so naturally I had to hit up Valley since I was in eastern Chester County. It was a beautiful fall day with temps starting off in the 30s and ending in the low 50s with ample sunshine. Valley was in its typical low water condition, so that coupled with high sun created some tough angling. All the water I fished was upstream of the Turnpike. I saw several other anglers out, who were also on the fly. A few were working the topwater with others going sub-surface. I moved a few better fish with the streamer as I worked downstream, but wasn't able to connect with any of them. A Walt's Worm did well at picking up the smaller fish.

I'm really starting to dig Valley and wished I lived closer so I could catch it during prime conditions (during or after a rain event, etc.). Regardless, exploring Valley is a lot of fun, because it's a stream that really seems to have a lot of identities. There are so many different feeders along its length that regulate water temperature, flow, etc. I even poked around Ecology Park to kill some time (not to fish), which is well upstream of fishable water. It's amazing with so much development in the region that Valley has survived.

Time fished: 08:30-1:30
Water temp: Didn't take temp
Water flow/clarity: Low and clear (15 CFSish)
Weather: 53, most sunny
Hatches/bugs seen: Very localized midge clusters in the afternoon
Flies fished: #16 Copper tung bead Walt's Worm (upstream), #10 olive jig streamer (downstream)
Fish caught: Half dozen or so wild browns, all under 7" or so
Rod fished: Orvis Clearwater 10' 2WT

View attachment 1641246653
Typical sized Valley fish of the day

View attachment 1641246654
Low sun, short days, and knowing winter is right around the corner...

View attachment 1641246655

View attachment 1641246656
Valley butter. I could catch wild browns all day long.

View attachment 1641246657
Freakishly timid deer. There's six of 'em there!
Click to expand...
Really love the net picture !
Your VC reports always remind me ,there are a lot of fish that I'm just not good enough to catch on the regular but you give me confidence they are there .
 
RH1 said:
Im starting to plan like a 3 day trip in mid to late April. Im not sure to where but I want to try and catch my first brown and a brookie.
Not sure it can be done in 3 days or in the same areas but im wearing out the internet researching it.
Click to expand...
I would suggest making that trip later, like late May or early June, when stream temps are warmer. You will likely have better fishing.
 
RH1 said:
Im starting to plan like a 3 day trip in mid to late April. Im not sure to where but I want to try and catch my first brown and a brookie.
Not sure it can be done in 3 days or in the same areas but im wearing out the internet researching it.
Click to expand...
UP Michigan.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RH1
skiltonian said:
Busy today given the holiday week. I got one and had to wait a few hours to catch 3 in a row in the same spot. BWO comparadum parachute and BWO nymph worked for me. Nice to see bugs and rising fish in the light rain. I only stayed by Little Valley. Anyone notice the two hour limit parking sign? Who’s going to enforce that?
Click to expand...
If that township put up new signs, they will be diligent. The police station is just around the corner.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Montana Angler Fly Fishing
Montana Angler Fly Fishing
Harman's North Fork Cottages

Share this page

Back
Top