Western PA\Clarion-Brookville

[flyfisher101]

Hey Guys,
I will be in the Clarion\Brookville area this weekend and would like to get some fishing done. I have never been in this part of the state(I think the farthest west Ive been is York), therefore I know absolutley nothing and will be doing alot of exploring. I've done a little bit or research and found the Clarion River and Trout Run to be fairly close to Clarion. I was wondering if I could get some info on fly patterns and whatever else you are kind enough to share with me. Also would I have to purchase a Erie stamp? Any other good water in that general area?

On another note, Is there Elk in this part of the state? I would love to see one of those majestic beasts roam around in its habitat.

Thanks in advance for any info you are willing to share.

Carlo

 

[Acristickid]

Carlo-

I am no expert on that area as I have been there a few times but I can share what I know.

The Elk I think are a little further east and north of Brookville closer to Benezette area. Google Brookville and you'll see it on the map. Other folks probably know much more than me on that topic.

The Clarion River is fairly close by- rt. 36 north toward Sigel. The river does warm- if your trout fishing the upper reaches probably wont be as warm, might try there.
Loves Canoes has river access points and flow info etc. Might want to call them.

http://www.ncentral.com/~dlove/


Oil Creek is further west and north. Never fished there so can't really help. But might be worth googling.

I fished a Red Bank creek up that way once near a spillway from a lake if my memory is correct. Not sure if that is too warm or not. And don't remember exact location except I think parts were under I-80.

Also, the Allegheny River is a little further west as well. If you were fishing warm water species you have lots of choices. Hopefully some folks will fill in the blanks where I left off- but at least it's a start. Good luck.

 

[JackM]

That area is just outside my range and to the extent I roam, heading eastward benefits me more so than heading north. However, when I travel, I like to consult the Interactive County Maps at the PFBC web site: http://www.fish.state.pa.us/county.htm

The Clarion River will likely be better for smallmouth, though trout may still be around in select areas. Look for cold-water creeks that flow into the Clarion if you go and fish downstream of them. Oil Creek would be a similar proposition. All of your Class A's in that area should be cool enough to fish. You would not be terribly far from any of the dozens of miles of good trout water in Cameron County. Due south would get you to Little Mahoning which other Board participants really admire, though it may be a morning and evening thing if the heat continues as it is today. Red Bank Creek has an interesting mix of warm and cool water species.

 

[David]

Like Acristic said, follow 36 towards siegel...You can fish the Clarion (at this time of year...first thing in the morning and late in the evening) for some large browns and during the day for smallmouth. The access to the river is very easy in Cooks Forest state park...just pull over every couple hundred yards and watch for surface activity.
In Cooks forest you will also find Tom's run (and it's feeder streams) with some wild brookies.
Also look for signs (before you get to Cooks forest) for Clear creek state park...clear creek has wild brookies in it's upper reaches as well. These spots are all very easy to get to from Brookville.
Also as stated, red bank runs through Brookville and has a catch and release section. (Took a ten point buck with a 20" spread on the banks of red bank just south of there.)
There certainly are other options, but those are real easy to get to, and at least one of them should produce for you.

 

[allegheny]

Carlo,
I cannot expand much on the good info you have been given.
As you know we are entering the dog days of summer. Mid-day trouting in the Clarion-Brookville area may be tough. You can brush-bust into the mosquito-ridden brookie streams in the sweltering heat of the day, or as David suggested, drive along the Clarion River at strategic points to look for risers. The best trout water of the Clarion is probably the upper section around Ridgeway to Johnsonburg, about 50 miles away from Clarion, but as others have suggested, areas of the middle river where creeks enter may be productive.

If the days were cooler, I would direct you to the C&R section of the North Fork of Redbank at Dr. Walter **** Park in Brookville (where Acristic was referring). I stopped there two weeks ago, but did not fish as the stream temp at mid-day was 71F. Oil Creek, the Beaverkill of PA, is about 30 miles from Clarion, but is suffering from high water temp (71-74F) despite recent rains.

As for flies, I would suggest Cahills, Isonychias, Tiny Blue Wing Olives, caddis, and terrestrials.

Best of luck and report back.

John

 

[tomgamber]

search those maps for Mill Creek (just beyond Strattonville), Cathers Run, Redbank Creek (N Fork), Clear Creek (thru the park) is a quick, easy bet.

 

[Bruno]

Stop at the general store in cooks forest and get yourself a Cornplanters Kingdom Map. Every Stream is on it and despite the hokey look of it is a very good map. They are like 2 or 3 bucks. Ask for it at the counter.

 

[flyfisher101]

Thanks for all the replys so far guys!!!! You all have given me good info\options on where to start. Like you guys said I planned on "trouting" before breakfast and smallies and anything else once the heat gets going. I will report back, really looking forward to this trip and exploring new country!

 

[dryflyguy]

Besides all of the good info that's already been given on that area, I would also like to add that the east branch of the clarion river stays cold year round, and holds some large trout.
You can fish it anywhere from below the dam, to the junction with the west branch in Johnsonburg

 

[Crotalus]

Those guys gave you good info in regards to fishing.

For the Elk you will need to detour up around the Benezette area to stand a good chance of seeing them. We were up to our camp last weekend and didnt see any but that was mid day. They are most active in the early morning and late evening this time of year.

 

[pcray1231]

I'm not real familiar with the Clarion drainage, other than to say there's supposed to be some excellent streams and I fully believe it. I think the towns of Clarion/Brookville are a bit far south for the prime trout regions.

I can put you on some excellent streams farther north. Tionesta, Oil, Allegheny River drainages. You're talking an hour or so from those two towns. I hit some streams last weekend, they've got plenty of cold water at this time, and I did very well. E-mail or PM me and I can give a few specifics.

Speaking in broad general terms, the NW part of the state is the nation's worst area for acid rain, and the geology doesn't lead to much buffering capability. However, the same streams are totally untouched by other forms of pollution, and it is wild country with very good riparian shading. Drainages are long, and the bigger streams do warm up. So, in general, by the time a stream reaches medium or large size, its a stocked marginal stream. But for the most part, the upper ends hold good populations of wild trout, mostly brookies but some browns in places, and these same regions get runs of stocked trout seeking thermal refuge. Different streams have different temperature break points, some of them the only wild trout are in absolutely tiny sections, while other streams stay cold into medium stream sizes. In July, a thermometer is an important tool.

 

[flyfisher101]

Again thanks for all the info. Im gonna try to go up to the Benzenette area Fri evening to see if I am lucky enought to spot something.

 

[tomgamber]

Opening weekend I saw elk as far south as Sabula, 10 miles past DuBois. Keep your eyes open the whole way up routes 255 and 555.
There is some decent fishing in that area too...

 

[flyfisher101]

Thanks Tom I'll try to check it out...how is the Elk population in w. pa? Are they as common as white tails in the eastern part of the state? I'm not a hunter yet, but elk is definetly a species I would like to hunt for one day.

 

[FarmerDave]

I wish I could contribute some to this, but Brookville is just a little east of my old stomping grounds, and the trout fishing is not very good close to Clarion IMHO. I don't have anything new to add, just more of the same. I fished most of the tributaries of the Clarion River. Someone mentioned Tom's Run. It stays cold, and they stock the crap out of it. I'm sure there would be some left. Lots of small native streams up around there, but none of them are great. The River is great for smallmouth if we are talking numbers, and some big trout can sometimes be found near the mouths of cold streams this time of year. Was at the mouth of Cathers Run once and the trout were stacked like cord wood. Seen some big ones near the Gravel Lick Bridge. Also did a lot of fishing in more remote areas of the Clarion between Cooksburg and the resevoir and did very well on smallmouth and the occasional trout. Not sure if you can still access those places or not. I hear there is actually some good musky fishing too, up around Hallton (I'm bouncing all over the river now). Have done well on Spring Creek more recently, but never fished it this late in the year. Clear Creek stays cold. Used to do well on the lower end of Maple Creek many years ago, but i beleive that is now posted because of the two legged pigs that used to party down there at the old swimming hole and leave trash all around. It was the last time i checked. Had always done well at the mouth of Tom's Run (years ago), but I'd imagine it is crowded there this time of year.

Mostly old info, but it probably still holds true.

Can't help you with the Elk, but if you make it up that far, there are also lots of trout streams up there.

 

[tomgamber]

flyfisher101 wrote:
Thanks Tom I'll try to check it out...how is the Elk population in w. pa? Are they as common as white tails in the eastern part of the state? I'm not a hunter yet, but elk is definetly a species I would like to hunt for one day.

No, not nearly as common as deer but you will usually see them in larger groups then deer. Keep a good eye for any open space along the roads as soon as you get near Pennfield and the whole way up 555. Have seen them as far as 15 miles east of Driftwood on 120. It is summer though and they may be up a little higher...ther are signs for lookouts posted along the roads...I have never seen them at these lookouts but I know others who say they have...Most fo the elk I have seen were just in open fields along the roads in herds of anywhere from 5 to 25...