Valley creek frustration

[wgmiller]

A stream 15 to 20 min further is sixpenny creek which id like to spend some more time with. Had some luck on one of its tribs. As far as valley goes, I had days last year with nearly 10 fish. Them same spots I've had luck at, can't even get a bite after multiple trips. I don't like to fish the pools really especially if they are slow. I'd rather get a good drift at a spot with some flow than a slow pool. Also less likely to spook the fish. As far as flies go, I usually use a size 18 with a size 20 dropper. I'll use size 16 for dries sometimes but if it's a dry dropper, I like the size 18 elks hair since it's bushy and won't sink as easily with a dropper on it. Today was a bad day for me. I wasn't patient and let my emotions get the best of me, which ultimately led to bad technique and no fish.

Go just a bit further and check out Hay. Park at the bottom (Rustic Park) and work your way up. It's a stocked stream that also supports a robust population of wild browns. The truck chasers hit the lower stretch in the early season pretty hard, but then once things settle down and the hatches start, it's a fun stream with some nice fish and easy access.

 

[hendeylathe]

And that's why long since past on WTAE-TV news reporter Adam Lynch once said, "That's why its called fishin", not catchin'."

 

[Nocktavius]

Not spot burning every decent wild trout stream in SE PA in a single thread challenge.

Level- impossible.

This is why DMs exist, boys

 

[wildtrout2]

Not spot burning every decent wild trout stream in SE PA in a single thread challenge.

Level- impossible.

This is why DMs exist, boys

The whole world knows about Valley. 😉

 

[mszoke1802]

I’ve also been wanting to check out six penny. I’ve caught brookies out of a trib but never fished the main stream.

it's tight and my advice is to get in there before it grows over. I've caught some nice brookies from there. This creek also fishes better after rain, otherwise it's low and clear.

 

[flyguy93]

Not spot burning every decent wild trout stream in SE PA in a single thread challenge.

Level- impossible.

This is why DMs exist, boys

The sad part is we definitely did spot burn all 2 of the good streams down here haha.

it's tight and my advice is to get in there before it grows over. I've caught some nice brookies from there. This creek also fishes better after rain, otherwise it's low and clear.

I went to the trib last year around labor day at the headwaters. I don't know how I made it out in one piece. I took a nasty fall over some log I didn't see covered in brush. I was happy I caught my first Brookie though.

 

[Mike]

Not spot burning every decent wild trout stream in SE PA in a single thread challenge.

Level- impossible.

This is why DMs exist, boys

Valley and Hay have been frequently discussed here and Sixpenny has been mentioned a few times as I recall. I don’t know how you spot burn a stocked trout stream (Hay) known to most Berks Co anglers for decades and has the upper section (unstocked) on the Class A for decades too. Sixpenny is no secret and I believe that I even mentioned it in a dam removal thread….went to Class A once the stop logs were removed from the dam at Sixpenny Lake back in the late 1980’s. Note: I’ve been told, but have not verified, that the stream is posted from Rt 345 down to the Schuylkill.

Side note: the trib being mentioned here is one of the ST streams that was in the 2004 statewide wild trout stream angler use and harvest study.

 

[flyguy93]

Valley and Hay have been frequently discussed here and Sixpenny has been mentioned a few times as I recall. I don’t know how you spot burn a stocked trout stream (Hay) known to most Berks Co anglers for decades and has the upper section (unstocked) on the Class A for decades too. Sixpenny is no secret and I believe that I even mentioned it in a dam removal thread….went to Class A once the stop logs were removed from the dam at Sixpenny Lake back in the late 1980’s. Note: lower end of Sixpenny is private and posted and I’ve been told, but have not verified, that some public land is posted too.

Side note: the trib being mentioned here is one of the ST streams that was in the 2004 statewide wild trout stream angler use and harvest study.

I don't think many anglers are as interested in these streams as many would believe. My coworkers refer to my valley creek fish as minnows and aren't interested. I don't hear many people talk about trout past spring stocking. I never checked out sixpenny past the trib, but I have a spot saved on my map for when I decide to check it out. It's by the headwaters.

 

[sixfootfenwick]

 

[wildtrout2]

I don't think many anglers are as interested in these streams as many would believe. My coworkers refer to my valley creek fish as minnows and aren't interested.

That's great they're not interested in fishing Valley, but there are actually some very good size wild browns in Valley, they just don't come easily. Some of them have been posted here in the past.

 

[tjsingle]

Valley Creek is a tough, yet rewarding stream. This past year the flows have been a little bit below average, as mentioned by others its technical fishing. Valley Creek changes after pretty much any rain event, but that's part of the fun/challenge.

I'd consider myself a VC regular at this point, I usually am there a couple times a month. Presentation is incredibly important, along with knowing what flies to use when. My advice is to keep at it, explore new sections, and don't get discouraged. Even after years of fishing Valley, there are still days where I can't figure them out. Learning to fish multiple different conditions is important.

The crowds can be annoying at times, but honestly even when there are a bunch of guys out, there's always fish to be had.

 

[mszoke1802]

Go just a bit further and check out Hay. Park at the bottom (Rustic Park) and work your way up. It's a stocked stream that also supports a robust population of wild browns. The truck chasers hit the lower stretch in the early season pretty hard, but then once things settle down and the hatches start, it's a fun stream with some nice fish and easy access.

I should revisit hay, last time I was there I tumbled down the hill into creek. fun times. looked like a fun little creek

 

[wgmiller]

Valley and Hay have been frequently discussed here and Sixpenny has been mentioned a few times as I recall. I don’t know how you spot burn a stocked trout stream (Hay) known to most Berks Co anglers for decades and has the upper section (unstocked) on the Class A for decades too. Sixpenny is no secret and I believe that I even mentioned it in a dam removal thread….went to Class A once the stop logs were removed from the dam at Sixpenny Lake back in the late 1980’s. Note: I’ve been told, but have not verified, that the stream is posted from Rt 345 down to the Schuylkill.

Agreed. Hay certainly isn't a secret by any stretch. As you mentioned, it's ATW and has been known by anglers from the region for years. The Class A water above the ATW is posted in most sections, so there's no real concern of that getting overrun by anglers.

You're also right about Sixpenny mentions on the board in the past:

Sixpenny thread #1

An entertaining Sixpenny thread...

Bottom line: Valley is no secret, Hay is stocked trout water with wild browns mixed in, and Sixpenny is a bear to fish with its best water posted. I'm all against keeping certain streams off the radar, but there's no concern in naming these streams on PAFF.