HELP!! My wife has a class reunion this May near Westchester PA. If I can't find some good fishing I'll jump off a building. You've got to help me! I'm a good person! I fish dry flies, for God's sake, help me!!

Fran

Fran,
More fishing you can imagine! and good fishing.

go to our <a href="http://www.flyfishingconnection.com"><b><u>home page</b></u></a> and click on the state of PA and check out all the streams.

Larry

yeah, right larry. nice "map"

fran

Fran,

There are several streams you can try down here. I was doing some reasearch for next weekend as I am coming up to Lycoming County to visit some friends and fish for opening day and I noticed your post.

There are several Streams you can try.

1) Valley Creek, which runs through Valley Forge Park. It is listed with special Regulations on the PA fish commission website. (http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/fishpub/summary/miscwaters.html)
Used to have some trophy trout in there since it is only a catch a release stream and there are bait restrictions. Even more info from this website: [www.flyfishingconnection.com])

2) Ridley Creek, which is located approx 8-10 miles East on Route 3 from West Chester Univ. In the center of Ridley Creek Park. They have a fly fishing only section. For more info: (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/ridleycreek.aspx)

3) Darby Creek, I just walked it today and from what I have read has been stocked with around 10,000 trout. (This placed is mobbed on opening day) Most people congregate near the bridge on Sawmill road. You just need to walk further down stream. Saw 4 Palomino's. (This is also close to Ridley Creek)

4) Itan Creek. Never been there but have heard a lot of people talk about it.

The closest Bait shop that I know of is Gordon's Sport Supply which is On Route 3 Past 252 on the right side, in Broomall.

Another would be Eylers Fly and Tackle (An Orvis dealer) in Brwyn Mawr, PA
Tel: 610-527-3388.

Hope that helps you some.

Ollie

Oh, and there is a Dick's Sporting Goods in Downingtown, about 15 min. from west Chester on Route 30

Ollie'

You are God. Thank you so much. This is just the kind of info I was looking for plus some.
If you're ever headed to western Mass. (the fishing isn't bad) I'd be glad to set you up.

fran

hey -

i'm in southern chester county (West Grove) and we are devotees of the little Octoraro creek just over the line in lancaster county - took four beautiful rainbows there last week on nymphs (yes - year-round water). From west chester it would take maybe 45 minutes to drive there, but it's a really beautiful stretch of water and there are nice fish to be caught. - there's also the big elk creek and the white clay creek - somewhat over-fished but still nice fish to be had on a good day. feel free to email me with questions... bdywrks@comcast.net

--Pam

Fran,

Just thought you might be interested. You can also purchase your licenses online from the PA Outdoor shop at [www.theoutdoorshop.state.pa.us], just in case you like to get all that taken care of.

I did it last year at the last minute and allowed me to print a license with the option of receiving an official one w/ trout stamp in the mail.

Ollie

Ollie',

Yeah, I caught that. Then our printer went bad and after we got it back up we ran out of ink!! But that's the way I plan on buying my license. PA seems to have an excellent Fish and Wildlife Dept. Why doesn't Mass give them a call? Too proud, maybe. Any how , thanks again for the com. I look forward to being in touch as the season progresses. We'll be out in PA the first week in May> I'll let you know how it goes.

Fran

Ollie and Pam

Thanks again for the info. Had a great time fishing. The Ridley was great. Valley Forge not so good. Found a really good creek in Pheonixville I recommend, the Pickering. Some great riffles leading perfectly into small, deep holes. plenty of fish. Nothing of any size but lots of trout. I'm fishing the east branch of the Westfield river in Cummington Mass this weekend. It's usually pretty hot.

See ya

Fran

Hey Fran,

Good to hear you found some trout! I was up in Potter county fishing this past weekend. You should give that a try. It is amazing up there. Beautiful scenery as well as beautiful streams. Caught some stockies on spinners. Had a nice Brown spit the hook. Also caught some really pretty brook trout. Another fellow walking down stream caught three large 19" browns on wooly buggers. I'll find the name of the stream up there, near Costello, PA.

Ollie

Ollie

Sounds great! I made out pretty well on the Westfield last Saturday with 11 landed out of 13 hook-ups on nymphs and egg imitations. nothing over 16 inches. The Deerfield is producing but no heavy days yet. Landed a 2 lb bass on a grey ghost today.

fran

Hey guys...I fished ridley yesterday and pulled out 2 browns both about 12 inches...fished darby creek last week and caught 3 including a very nice 15 inch brown...I was wondering if you guys know how to get to and where to fish chester creek...i know its around cheyney university but can anyone be more specific? Thanks in advance..

-Mark

Hey guys...I fished ridley yesterday and pulled out 2 browns both about 12 inches...fished darby creek last week and caught 3 including a very nice 15 inch brown...I was wondering if you guys know how to get to and where to fish chester creek...i know its around cheyney university but can anyone be more specific? Thanks in advance..

-Mark

Mark,
I'm actually clueless about the area. Ollie and a few others were kind enough to send some suggestions to me and I was very appreciative. You should check out the Pickering in Pheonixville though. It's real nice with a lot of fast riffles dumping into nice pot holes that seem to hold good numbers of small browns and rainbows.Good luck and keep us updated on your adventures.
As an aside, I talked to someone who works at the hatchery in Sunderland, Mass and he told me the Deerfield River was loaded up including what he described as some very nice browns. I've been finding a lot of 14 inch rainbows this year, not that I've landed too many yet. I still haven't had any epic mornings landing 18 inchers one after another but it's still early.

Fran

Thanks for your reply Fran I will definently look into Pickering...where is the Deerfield River located...I am right outside of West Chester and it takes me about 15 minutes to get to ridley...I will probably try Darby Creek again this week...good fishing.

-Mark

Fran,
Also is there any place near Pickering so that I may get directions from mapquest? Thanks alot

-Mark

Mark,

The Deerfield River is in Massachusetts and runs from the Mass border with Vermont to the Connecticut River in Turners Falls. The upper 11 miles (a guess) is catch and release artificial lures only. A new C&R area was established this year in Charlemont off rout 2 near a stretch called the Zoar Gap.
The lower Deerfield is more accessible to Rte 91, the main north south highway through Mass. I tend to stick to this stretch, focusing mostly on the Stillwater area below where the highway crosses the river. My familiarity with the area affords me a pretty high success rate and I always bring friends to this area to guarantee action. The Deerfield is a classic free stone river varying from 80 feet or less in width to 100 yards or better in the lower area.
Nymphing is a good method most hours but it's great after the sun gets below tree line. The trout are pretty happy to take light cahill's right into night fall.
The nearest landmark for the Pickering is Windy Hollow (Road?) which dead ends in a development above it. A quarter mile from this dead end is a bridge on a local route that provides a few parking areas.

Tight lines

Fran

A very good spot near Pickering is French Creek.....maybe 20 min from Pickering if that. Was there opening day caugth well over my limit on mepps lure....black with gold spinner.........released most of the fish.

Going to Slate Run the second weekend in June...........fly only.

Usually do Darby, Ridley, Chester and Ithan..........all good streams......but have to get away from all the worm dunkers.



Biker

Hey gang.

In these dog days of summer, I just thought I'd ask where y'all are fishing for trout. Darby Creek was still working late in the evening for me, but went to Ridley yesterday and the water was like a bath. No idea where to fish that one, or if it is even worthwhile in the summer.

Haven't tried Itan (how do you get there?) or Valley Forge. What's up with Mill Creek? Where can you access it? And is anyone having any luck on the Schuylkill? Inquiring minds want to know!

Best wishes,
James

we have been taking some beautiful fish out of Big Elk Creek in Southern Chester County and Octoraro Creek in southern Lancaster County.

You might want to try Valley Creek near Downingtown. There are some nice rainbows and brookies hidden in the less traveled sections. Near the quarry is a artificial only section that can yield some decent fish.................

looking for some help fishhing darby creek. i am looking for some good trout fishing. I fish a strech of the stream near a flower shop called bonies but all a catch are panfish and some big rock bass. were have all the trout gone. can anyone give me directions to a trout hot spot.

if so email me at bobglenolden@aol.com

thanks from a frustated angler.

Hello Mark

I know your questions were from 2 years ago,I just happened on this site by accident and saw your question about fishing near Cheney University.I live about 10 minutes from there,and if you have not found out already,Chester Creek flows through the area around the school but it is not stocked and not fished much any more.Back in the 1970's and early 1980's it was stocked around the area of Rt926
and Creek road but acces to fish on private land dispearded and the State stopped stocking it.The stream runs through some very expensive areas and traffic/trash complaints from landowners ended any stocking efforts.The creek is to small and shallow anyway.It holds suckers,fallfish,sunfish,eels and the occasional wild Brookie that comes in from a small un named tributary near the University.If you come out RT352 North to Rt926,make a left and go to the second traffic light,you will see the signs for the Unviversity on the left.Turn here and the creek will be on your right.You will go through the campus and look for Creek road
which will take you back to the village of Glen Mills.It is a very nice area but at best you might catch a Smallmouth Bass or two or some Fallfish.I have fished the area for 25 years and only have caught 1 Rainbow and 1 Brookie.
Good luck and disreagard all this I guess if you already discovered the area.
Thanks

-Bob

My story is going to include chester ridley and skippack creek Lets see i caught about 52 trout so far this year and my friend caught 50 . we went fishing about 9 times so far this year.he got a 21 inch rainbow at chester creek 2 days later he caught a 19 incher on baby nightcrawlers .they stocked trophy trout there may 6. thats the spot on duttons mill rd and bridgewater.Ridley i only caugt a coupleon a minnow lure.skippack was the best spot i ever went to .The book trout are so big and pretty icaght three 19 in in one day at skippack with worms.thats why they call me trout draw mcgraw

pamela Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> we have been taking some beautiful fish out of Big
> Elk Creek in Southern Chester County and Octoraro
> Creek in southern Lancaster County.