Is it really Chester County? I have no idea, but saw others say that's where it is, and being new here I don't want to break protocol : ) I live in King of Prussia, about 10 minutes away from the metal bridge.
Let me preface my report with this: I'm basically a complete newb to flyfishing. I started flyfishing about 6 years ago, fished a lot in area streams for a year, and then when my first child (of two) was born I just never had the time or energy for a few years. Another reason for not fishing was I made the mistake of loaning my father-in-law my waders/boots...he didn't tell me that he was going to use them to clean out a pond at the school campus he works at. He tore em up and after telling him they cost me $150 the look on his face was so sullen I just told him don't worry about paying me back....enough of the woah is me stories : )
Well, I'm back fishing and, after purchasing the requisite gear, I gave Valley Creek a try. I fished it 2 or 3 times back during that year I fished a lot and never even saw a fish there, let alone catch one. After not having casted a flyrod for so long I didn't expect to catch one today either, but at least I saw a few fish!
I got there late, right at 7pm. I have a thermometer on order that hasn't come yet so I have no idea what the water temp was like, but as you can imagine, it was a very hot and muggy evening. I didn't see any insect activity other than some gnats, and moths. When I had fished Valley before I had gone downstream from the metal bridge. Since I never caught/saw any fish I figured I'd go upstream this time. I was surprised how little access to the water there was. I walked upstream along the path for about 3 or 4 minutes and then saw a path down to the creek and walked down into it. I knew I was totally blowing any prospect of hooking into a fish once I got into the water as I was trying to get my 'wading' feet back under me and kept slipping slightly on rocks and the like, knocking rocks with my new wading shoes, etc. I fished for a little over an hour using a horribly tied yellow/black woollybugger (tied by yours truly). I never liked woollybuggers (I always preferred nymphs or dries) but I figured that might be my best shot as I didn't see any fish rising at all and my extremely sloppy casting would just ruin any dry flies.
As you can imagine, I didn't catch a thing or get a bite, but it was great to be back out there. Honestly I miss Ridley creek or the Little Lehigh, but it was great to be on a creek regardless. I was the only one on there. I saw two mountain bikers when I first parked by the metal bridge (they were screaming by on the path that has signs on both sides of the road with a big 'no biking' symbol on them). Then, after seeing no one for an hour or so, ss I was getting out of the water a couple was walking along the creek and asked me if I caught anything. I responded, "Nah. Well, a real little one!" : ) They then said that there are a few right upstream from me. They leave, and I rush up there, on land of course, to take a peak. Nothing. (tonight I realized that I gotta get my eyes checked : )
So, with about 20 minutes or so of daylight left I decided to walk further upstream to check things out. I eventually got to a spot where there was an underpass (fast driving above...I suppose it is either the turnpike or 76?). I look down and there were 2 fish sitting there, swimming around. I couldn't help myself....from the bank I strip some line from my reel (I still had the woollybugger on there) and dropped it in about 6 feet in front of where I saw the fish and let it drift towards em. I never saw those fish again! : )
I walked further upstream a bit, looked around, and then decided to head back as it was getting dark quick. I peeked at the spot under the overpass again and there was one there, but this time, with me coming towards him and being in his line of vision I guess, he spooked and darted off right away.
No fish yet, but it's good to be back flyfishing. I'll be posting many questions on this site I'm sure over the next few months!
mark
www.elearninglive.com
Let me preface my report with this: I'm basically a complete newb to flyfishing. I started flyfishing about 6 years ago, fished a lot in area streams for a year, and then when my first child (of two) was born I just never had the time or energy for a few years. Another reason for not fishing was I made the mistake of loaning my father-in-law my waders/boots...he didn't tell me that he was going to use them to clean out a pond at the school campus he works at. He tore em up and after telling him they cost me $150 the look on his face was so sullen I just told him don't worry about paying me back....enough of the woah is me stories : )
Well, I'm back fishing and, after purchasing the requisite gear, I gave Valley Creek a try. I fished it 2 or 3 times back during that year I fished a lot and never even saw a fish there, let alone catch one. After not having casted a flyrod for so long I didn't expect to catch one today either, but at least I saw a few fish!
I got there late, right at 7pm. I have a thermometer on order that hasn't come yet so I have no idea what the water temp was like, but as you can imagine, it was a very hot and muggy evening. I didn't see any insect activity other than some gnats, and moths. When I had fished Valley before I had gone downstream from the metal bridge. Since I never caught/saw any fish I figured I'd go upstream this time. I was surprised how little access to the water there was. I walked upstream along the path for about 3 or 4 minutes and then saw a path down to the creek and walked down into it. I knew I was totally blowing any prospect of hooking into a fish once I got into the water as I was trying to get my 'wading' feet back under me and kept slipping slightly on rocks and the like, knocking rocks with my new wading shoes, etc. I fished for a little over an hour using a horribly tied yellow/black woollybugger (tied by yours truly). I never liked woollybuggers (I always preferred nymphs or dries) but I figured that might be my best shot as I didn't see any fish rising at all and my extremely sloppy casting would just ruin any dry flies.
As you can imagine, I didn't catch a thing or get a bite, but it was great to be back out there. Honestly I miss Ridley creek or the Little Lehigh, but it was great to be on a creek regardless. I was the only one on there. I saw two mountain bikers when I first parked by the metal bridge (they were screaming by on the path that has signs on both sides of the road with a big 'no biking' symbol on them). Then, after seeing no one for an hour or so, ss I was getting out of the water a couple was walking along the creek and asked me if I caught anything. I responded, "Nah. Well, a real little one!" : ) They then said that there are a few right upstream from me. They leave, and I rush up there, on land of course, to take a peak. Nothing. (tonight I realized that I gotta get my eyes checked : )
So, with about 20 minutes or so of daylight left I decided to walk further upstream to check things out. I eventually got to a spot where there was an underpass (fast driving above...I suppose it is either the turnpike or 76?). I look down and there were 2 fish sitting there, swimming around. I couldn't help myself....from the bank I strip some line from my reel (I still had the woollybugger on there) and dropped it in about 6 feet in front of where I saw the fish and let it drift towards em. I never saw those fish again! : )
I walked further upstream a bit, looked around, and then decided to head back as it was getting dark quick. I peeked at the spot under the overpass again and there was one there, but this time, with me coming towards him and being in his line of vision I guess, he spooked and darted off right away.
No fish yet, but it's good to be back flyfishing. I'll be posting many questions on this site I'm sure over the next few months!
mark
www.elearninglive.com
