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It’s time for trout

February 26, 2009

Rainbow trout
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A look at the calendar will tell you that spring is still over a month away and won’t officially arrive here until the equinox occurs on March 20. But a visit to the banks of your favorite local trout streams this week might suggest a different timetable. For avid trout fishermen, spring begins when the folks from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) arrive at streamside carrying buckets full of feisty trout as that most anticipated rite of spring, preseason stocking, finally begins anew.

Here in Chester County, preseason stocking begins Wednesday when trout are set free on the Fly-Fishing Only stretch of French Creek and the Delayed Harvest, Artificial Lures Only stretches of Pickering Creek and West Valley Creek. Then, on Thursday, the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only stretches of the East Brandywine Creek will get a visit from the folks from the PFBC and their volunteers laden with more fresh trout stocked for the enjoyment of county anglers.

If you’re eager to try your luck on these uneducated trout, here’s the list of Chester County waters where you can legally practice your angling arts without fear of getting arrested by your local Waterways Conservation Officer – as long as you have a current 2009 Pennsylvania fishing license and trout stamp, immediately release all the fish you catch, and use the designated flies and/or lures.

Brandywine Creek, East Branch – Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only – 1.2 miles; From the Dorlans Mill Road downstream to Forge Road.

French Creek – Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only – 0.9 mile; From the dam at Camp Sleepy Hollow downstream to Hollow Road.

Pickering Creek – Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only – 1.5 miles. From SR 1019 (Charlestown Rd.) downstream to 330 yards upstream from the railroad bridge.

Valley Creek and tributaries (Chester/Montgomery) – Catch and Release All-Tackle – Valley Creek at Valley Forge and tributaries including Little Valley Creek. Special bait restrictions exist within Valley Forge National Historic Park.

White Clay Creek, Middle Branch – Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only – 1.7 miles; From SR 3009 (Good Hope Road) downstream to the confluence with the East Branch.

West Valley Creek – Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only – 1.2 miles; From the mouth of Colebrook Run downstream to about 0.25 mile below the railroad tunnel.

Later in March the PFBC forces will be out with more fresh trout slated to stock Big Elk Creek and the East Branch of Big elk Creek on March 4, the East Branch of White Clay Creek and the Middle Branch of White Clay Creek on March 13, more trout on both French and Pickering Creeks on March 18 with other stockings slated later in the month in anticipation of opening day of trout season here on April 4. Incidentally, once again there will be two opening days here in the Keystone State with April 18 serving as the opener for all commonwealth counties that lie beyond our southeastern counties of Adams, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York counties.

According to Chester County Waterways Conservation Officer Bob Bonney, the streams, although cold, are in great shape, as they should be this time of the year. “Water temps are in the mid 30’s at the moment, which means the trout fishing will be slow for the next couple of weeks. Hares ears and pheasant tail nymphs fished slow near the bottom and wooly buggers in olive, white and black should produce well. Spin fishermen should consider jigs, and trout magnet type lures,” reported Bonney, who added, “The best fishing in Chester County at the moment is Marsh Creek Lake. Good size perch are being caught on minnows and jigs as well as crappie and bass.”

Bonney also reminds anglers fishing on the special regulations stretches to make sure you don’t have any live bait or non-artificial baits (like corn, cheese, bread, or Power Bait) on your person. Having it in your possession is considered the same as using it. In light of this cautionary tale, better double check your fishing vest or tackle box to make sure you don’t have any residual bait still left over from last season hiding in that pocket or tackle box compartment or a fine day on the stream could turn into a, well, fined day on the stream, if you know what I mean.

And speaking of policing our waterways, the Southeast Law Enforcement Region of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is looking for individuals interested in becoming a Deputy Waterways Conservation Officer (DWCO). DWCOs perform work in fisheries conservation and watercraft safety under the jurisdiction of the Commission, blending law enforcement and public relations skills. Interested candidates can contact the Southeast Region Office at 717-626-0228 for more information.

Here in Chester County, preseason stocking begins Wednesday when trout are set free on the Fly-Fishing Only stretch of French Creek and the Delayed Harvest, Artificial Lures Only stretches of Pickering Creek and West Valley Creek. Then, on Thursday, the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only stretches of the East Brandywine Creek will get a visit from the folks from the PFBC and their volunteers laden with more fresh trout stocked for the enjoyment of county anglers.

If you’re eager to try your luck on these uneducated trout, here’s the list of Chester County waters where you can legally practice your angling arts without fear of getting arrested by your local Waterways Conservation Officer – as long as you have a current 2009 Pennsylvania fishing license and trout stamp, immediately release all the fish you catch, and use the designated flies and/or lures.

Brandywine Creek, East Branch – Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only – 1.2 miles; From the Dorlans Mill Road downstream to Forge Road.

French Creek – Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only – 0.9 mile; From the dam at Camp Sleepy Hollow downstream to Hollow Road.

Pickering Creek – Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only – 1.5 miles. From SR 1019 (Charlestown Rd.) downstream to 330 yards upstream from the railroad bridge.

Valley Creek and tributaries (Chester/Montgomery) – Catch and Release All-Tackle – Valley Creek at Valley Forge and tributaries including Little Valley Creek. Special bait restrictions exist within Valley Forge National Historic Park.

White Clay Creek, Middle Branch – Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only – 1.7 miles; From SR 3009 (Good Hope Road) downstream to the confluence with the East Branch.

West Valley Creek – Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only – 1.2 miles; From the mouth of Colebrook Run downstream to about 0.25 mile below the railroad tunnel.

Later in March the PFBC forces will be out with more fresh trout slated to stock Big Elk Creek and the East Branch of Big elk Creek on March 4, the East Branch of White Clay Creek and the Middle Branch of White Clay Creek on March 13, more trout on both French and Pickering Creeks on March 18 with other stockings slated later in the month in anticipation of opening day of trout season here on April 4. Incidentally, once again there will be two opening days here in the Keystone State with April 18 serving as the opener for all commonwealth counties that lie beyond our southeastern counties of Adams, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York counties.

According to Chester County Waterways Conservation Officer Bob Bonney, the streams, although cold, are in great shape, as they should be this time of the year. “Water temps are in the mid 30’s at the moment, which means the trout fishing will be slow for the next couple of weeks. Hares ears and pheasant tail nymphs fished slow near the bottom and wooly buggers in olive, white and black should produce well. Spin fishermen should consider jigs, and trout magnet type lures,” reported Bonney, who added, “The best fishing in Chester County at the moment is Marsh Creek Lake. Good size perch are being caught on minnows and jigs as well as crappie and bass.”

Bonney also reminds anglers fishing on the special regulations stretches to make sure you don’t have any live bait or non-artificial baits (like corn, cheese, bread, or Power Bait) on your person. Having it in your possession is considered the same as using it. In light of this cautionary tale, better double check your fishing vest or tackle box to make sure you don’t have any residual bait still left over from last season hiding in that pocket or tackle box compartment or a fine day on the stream could turn into a, well, fined day on the stream, if you know what I mean.

And speaking of policing our waterways, the Southeast Law Enforcement Region of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is looking for individuals interested in becoming a Deputy Waterways Conservation Officer (DWCO). DWCOs perform work in fisheries conservation and watercraft safety under the jurisdiction of the Commission, blending law enforcement and public relations skills. Interested candidates can contact the Southeast Region Office at 717-626-0228 for more information.

By: Tom Tatum
02/24/2009

©Tri County Record 2009


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Written by fandw08 · Filed Under Fishing