Valley Creek, Chester County, 3/30/20 (Thread is Locked - Read Only)

[mute]

Figured I would give this stream a go since the last time I did about 3 years ago. Air temp was about 50-60 degrees. Cloudy, overcast, peeking sun and then waves of rain.

USGS reported 50CFS. Waster was clear. I only ever fished valley twice before in my life and got skunked both times. I dont really know the hot spots on the creek but I think I did fairly well today. There was tons of activity pretty much all 3 hours i was fishing.

I fished starting from about 250 yards upstream from the metal bridge by the highway. I fished every bend of rapids\riffles and chutes all the way down to the metal bridge and picked up fish. I started by throwing a bugger but was not confident on my streamer techniques and switched to an Al's rat. I pretty much used that the whole time as i tried a few basic 16-18 nymphs and couldn't get a take.

I missed probably 15 fish or so and landed about 10. Here are the top few. Also, there was an osprey about 10 yards from me that swooped down and snatched about a 6 inch brown trout out of the rapids in his talons and flew off, that was a sight to see, and it being so close was insane.

WHat other common flies are people catching these fish on during this time of year \ conditions? I got kind of tired throwing the small sz20 midges but was surprised things like PT,HEs,CopperJohns, etc in size 16-18 wernt producing anything.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi8-riUKL1U

 

[theoriginalnickyp]

Was there today as well and had success with an olive caddis fished up and across and a small pheasant tail on the swing. Splashy risers likely targeting bwo emergers. 10 in an outing at Valley means you were doing it right.

 

[lestrout]

Yo mute - nice report, and yes - you did quite well once you decoded the bite. Was the stream crowded? Technically, where you ffished was in the Nat'l Park and the latest directive from the Park Service not just closed off facilities and parking lots, but also said no use of trails and open areas. I interpret that to mean in the water is also out, although the social distancing there is great. BTW, what is that last pic? I see the fish bones, but is that a snake skin?

 

[mute]

Yo mute - nice report, and yes - you did quite well once you decoded the bite. Was the stream crowded? Technically, where you ffished was in the Nat'l Park and the latest directive from the Park Service not just closed off facilities and parking lots, but also said no use of trails and open areas. I interpret that to mean in the water is also out, although the social distancing there is great. BTW, what is that last pic? I see the fish bones, but is that a snake skin?

Lestrout,

I know of the "shelter in place orders" and parks being closed and such. I didnt expect to be bothered to be honest and wasn't. Theres way too much grey area on any of the directives out there. If they didint want anyoneto be fishing, they should include the verbiage fishing and water imo. Ill keep all my political opinions out of it but i saw about 5 cars, all at the pull offs by the dam on 252. I dont get why people like that stretch of water to be honest, seems very flat and unappealing, atleast compared to where i fished.

I saw one fisherman pass me in the 3 hours i was fishing said area. The last pic is some sort of animal i believe, you can see the two arms and the main spine. Looked to be the size of a cat\raccoon\etc

 

[afishinado]

mute wrote:

Yo mute - nice report, and yes - you did quite well once you decoded the bite. Was the stream crowded? Technically, where you ffished was in the Nat'l Park and the latest directive from the Park Service not just closed off facilities and parking lots, but also said no use of trails and open areas. I interpret that to mean in the water is also out, although the social distancing there is great. BTW, what is that last pic? I see the fish bones, but is that a snake skin?

Lestrout,

I know of the "shelter in place orders" and parks being closed and such. I didnt expect to be bothered to be honest and wasn't. Theres way too much grey area on any of the directives out there. If they didint want anyoneto be fishing, they should include the verbiage fishing and water imo. Ill keep all my political opinions out of it but i saw about 5 cars, all at the pull offs by the dam on 252. I dont get why people like that stretch of water to be honest, seems very flat and unappealing, atleast compared to where i fished.

I saw one fisherman pass me in the 3 hours i was fishing said area. The last pic is some sort of animal i believe, you can see the two arms and the main spine. Looked to be the size of a cat\raccoon\etc

Valley Forge National Park is closed. That includes the stream which is part of the Park.

"Valley Forge National Historical Park is currently closed. This closure includes all park roads, parking lots, trails and open spaces."

Link to source: https://www.nps.gov/vafo/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

 

[mute]

Valley Forge National Park is closed. That includes the stream which is part of the Park.

"Valley Forge National Historical Park is currently closed. This closure includes all park roads, parking lots, trails and open spaces."

Link to source: https://www.nps.gov/vafo/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Again, sounds like a pretty vague definition to me that does NOT include water nor fishing. Your first statement sounds like your opinion because i cannot find that quoted anywhere. Im going to assume the few other fisherman and people walking through the woods would agree.

1. I was dropped off therefore I was not on driving on any closed roads
2. I had no car, therefore I was not in any parking lot.
3. I was not on a horse, therefore I was not on any trails.
4. I was not attending a public event nor flying a kite, so i was not in any open spaces.

 

[afishinado]

mute wrote:

Valley Forge National Park is closed. That includes the stream which is part of the Park.

"Valley Forge National Historical Park is currently closed. This closure includes all park roads, parking lots, trails and open spaces."

Link to source: https://www.nps.gov/vafo/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Again, sounds like a pretty vague definition to me that does NOT include water nor fishing. Im going to assume the few other fisherman and people walking through the woods would agree.

1. I was dropped off therefore I was not on driving on any closed roads
2. I had no car, therefore I was not in any parking lot.
3. I was not on a horse, therefore I was not on any trails.
4. I was not attending a public event nor flying a kite, so i was not in any open spaces.

Every area within the boundary of the Park is closed with the exception of public roads. The stream is part of the park and to access the stream even if you avoided the trails and parking areas you need to walk through "open spaces" to access the stream. The park is closed.

At PAFF we do not condone the breaking of any laws.

 

[mute]

Well, I guess well have to agree to disagree. Again, you're making you're own correlation and assumption based on the official statement "Valley Forge National Historical Park is currently closed. This closure includes all park roads, parking lots, trails and open spaces." that that would include fishing or stream access.

I would suggest the VFNHP board revise their statement to "Valley Forge National Historical Park is currently closed to ALL human presence. This closure includes but is not limited to all park roads, parking lots, trails, waterways, woods and area within park boundries."

I'm not telling anyone to break the law, I'm simply providing a fishing report.

 

[BradyS]

It sounds like the fish in the park will get some much needed rest from fisherman! I had very similar success recently with a #18 bwo perdigon and #18 hare's ear mid day during a lot of bug activity

 

[Swattie87]

FWIW - I think Afish's interpretation is largely correct, and the more prudent direction to follow. There are several nearby Special Reg sections (French/Pickering) that are stocked and clearly open to fishing right now, if you choose to get out in the midst of this. As long as the state and/or PFBC continues to allow fishing as an approved outdoor activity (with appropriate social distancing) you know you won't have any issues there.

At the very least, I would not recommend posting a fishing report on an internet message board confirming (with a date) that you were on National Park property fishing during the closure. (Even if the closure wording doesn't specifically say no fishing, I do think it's pretty clearly implied if the stream is on National Park property, and the whole park is closed.) Or, I suppose if you're intent on doing it, maybe give them a call to confirm first?

Edit: One additional thought. I have a general feeling that behaviors like this may help lead to a "no fishing, period" decision coming from the authorities, as has happened in other states. Much simpler and easier to enforce than any other approach that relies on good faith angler behavior. If you're going to fish right now, do it right...Keep an appropriate distance from other anglers, and do it in places where it's clearly, and without question permissible under the present regulations. If you call the National Park to clarify, and they say it's ok to fish Valley, then no problem...I suspect that outcome from a call is unlikely however. If you're thinking of fishing Valley and agree, but won't make a phone call to confirm, that should tell you something. (Not directed at the OP, but anyone who is thinking of fishing there moving forward.)

 

[CLSports]

I drove by the lower section of Valley on Sunday and saw 7 cars in the pull-offs along the road up to the covered bridge. Most were fishing. In the park. All parking lots and trail heads were temporarily fenced or barricaded.

I fished a less traveled section of stream that I rarely see anyone fishing on most days, and I ran into 5 people. One from NJ. Albeit, outside of the park. Quite crowded when nowhere else to go.

 

[mute]

Can confirm, fishing is allowed. Back to talking about fly fishing and filtering out all the CV19 and national crisis opinions that are putting a dampering on the forums subject.

 

[Swattie87]

mute wrote:
Can confirm, fishing is allowed. Back to talking about fly fishing and filtering out all the CV19 and national crisis opinions that are putting a dampering on the forums subject.

Very good. Admittedly, I'm surprised, but take your word. Care to share your source?

 

[marcq]

Park rangers are not stopping anyone from fishing.

 

[theoriginalnickyp]

I'm guessing everyone was parked at the pull off on 252 because it doesn't have a gate. All gated areas have been locked up.

 

[afishinado]

mute wrote:
Can confirm, fishing is allowed. Back to talking about fly fishing and filtering out all the CV19 and national crisis opinions that are putting a dampering on the forums subject.

marcq wrote:
Park rangers are not stopping anyone from fishing.

The park is closed.

Valley Creek is in the park.

Just because no one was ticketed or arrested doesn't make it alright to enter the park.

Please don't spread false info on this site.

If anyone gets any official word otherwise, post it for all to see.

 

[mute]

My word isnt more official then yours!? Cmon now Afish! And back to fishin! A request a moderator please remove this Stream report as its more about political opinion then fly fishing.

 

[theoriginalnickyp]

I'm actually interested in hearing a definitive answer. Mute, who said fishing was allowed?

 

[Swattie87]

I think this thread is ok to be left up, and don't see a reason for the mods to take it down. It is a good stream report, and in part deals with FFing and the CV's impacts on it. That's all fair game. Nothing political here. Just everyone trying to figure out where it's ok (and where it's not) to fish if they want to get out right now.

I reiterate my earlier recommendation that the OP share your source so others can feel confident in their fishing if they choose to go there now. Afish's has indicated his source - the National Park closure statement - as to why he (and a few others) thought it wasn't ok to fish there.

 

[mute]

I am providing the same source, the National Park closure statement, which does not indicate that fishing nor walking through the stream is prohibited. The streams are not roped off, the trails and parking lots are, as per the statement.

Sally from the hotline also stated that "fishing was not allowed" was unable to be stated to be factual at this time. As so did the ranger when i flagged him down and asked. Then again, was it that I asked "Is fishing prohibited right now? or was it "Will you arrest me for fishing Valley creek"? I dont recall...


I fail to see how anyones enforcement of "fishing is not allowed on Valley Creek" on this board is anymore factual then one anothers until it's seen on NPA.gov.

And NO im not telling everyone to go fish it cause its allowed either. In fact, dont fish it! Yes, stay away...far far away. Valley creek is a disastrous chlorinated fish containment of a swimming pool! Is that an opinion or a fact I wonder? (As I think about the last 3 fish kills...)