Valley Creek, Chester County 9/7/19

[Foxgap239]

My son is starting to get interested in fly fishing and will be heading out to Linn Run State Park later this month with friends and wants to take some of my gear with him. I had him out in March but he wanted to get a day on the water to go over techniques again as he's only had a couple of days on the water. So I took him to an area where I knew he wouldn't be in trees all day inside the preserve. Water was low and clear so we were out at dawn and off the water by 10am. Fishing was extremely difficult and we spooked a ton more fish than we caught but it is always awesome to share any time on the water with your offspring. We had 2 rods, 1 rigged with a nymph and another with a dry/dropped setup. Surprisingly, he hooked 3 fish but only landed 1. Still an awesome way to spend a morning.

On another more sad note, I was very disappointed when a we came around a bend where I've had good success due to the vegetation causing nice shade and safe zones only to see the stream bank essentially clear cut which at first I assumed was due to flooding but as we got closer I could see the branches were cut with a saw not broken by water flow. While we were there a man and his toddler son came out of the house and down to ask us about fishing there as he apparently recently bought the property. As the conversation progressed I began to realize that this gentleman has cleared all of the bank-side vegetation for a good 100 to 150 yards. I assume since it's his property he can do that although it is preserve land so I'd be curious if it is permissible. I'm sure he had no idea the detriment his clearing caused but still sad nonetheless.

Fox

 

[Acristickid]

I live very nearby Linn Run and it is very low right now, hopefully there will be some significant precipitation in the days before your son heads out.

In a few weeks there will be a fall stocking, he might want to try Laurel Hill or Loyalhanna. They are little larger and might be easier to fish with multiple anglers.

Here is Linn Run at Flat Rock yesterday-

 

[Foxgap239]

Yikes and thanks. We do need rain everywhere in the state for the streams.

 

[acesedgley]

So Fox, did you educate the gentleman about the need to maintain shade and cover for the fish?

 

[Foxgap239]

I did not as I did not know how to approach the subject and as disappointed as I was at the time, didn't think I could do it diplomatically. Since I did not know where the preserve property started and his ended, the last thing I wanted was to p him off where he restricted access to water further down the creek. As you know, Valley Creek runs through some rather pricey properties and the last thing I wanted to do with my son there was to get into an argument about what a homeowner can do with his property. People who know me would never nominate me for any ambassador-ship. So that discussion is better left to others who know how to handle such situations. The reason I posted that paragraph is because I'm hoping to get some advice from any Valley Forge TU members on this site. They (or Preserve Staff) might be better equipped to have that discussion with said property owner. I did not publicly say where on the creek this was done because I did not want to seem like I was calling out that property owner. If someone from the preserve or TU contacts me, I'll gladly give them that info.

 

[troutbert]

You said that he owns the land, but also that it is "preserve land."

I'm not clear on the situation.

If the land is owned by a conservancy, or if it is privately owned land with a conservation easement from a conservancy, in either case, contact the conservancy and describe the situation, and let them handle it.

 

[acesedgley]

Ok, was just wondering since I took your statement as he was asking about the fishing, but I can understand your reluctance to bring up the negative effect his clear-cutting would have on fishing in that spot. I too can forget to be diplomatic, especially when behind slow golfers!

 

[Foxgap239]

LOL, exactly why I quit golfing and took up fishing. If I'm going to spend 6 hours somewhere on a weekend, I'd rather be stalking fish than lost golf balls!

 

[Foxgap239]

Thanks Dwight. To your point, I have no idea whose property the stream bank resides in so I will contact either VFTU or the Conservancy to reach out to the property owner. Seemed like a very nice guy and should be receptive to information from a more knowledgeable person than me.

 

[orthofly]

Sorry to hijaack but was there today on9/14 and must have dropped my car keys in the river upstream of the library rd parking lot. If anyone finds a Mini Cooper key gob let me know.

 

[Dave_W]

orthofly wrote:
Sorry to hijaack but was there today on9/14 and must have dropped my car keys in the river upstream of the library rd parking lot. If anyone finds a Mini Cooper key gob let me know.

I'm going to post this in Lost & Found as well. I'm assuming it's valley Creek, not Linn Run.

If you wish, I'll delete it or change the stream (let me know, otherwise I'll leave it).
DW

 

[orthofly]

yes. It was on Valley and thanks. Wife made the long drive from the city to get me.

 

[Foxgap239]

Just an update. I did reach out to the preserve management and apparently the property in question is close but not in the preserve boundaries. The preserve manager told me he knows the area and was going to contact to the property owner to educate him on the benefits of stream side vegetation.