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Located in Southeastern Pennsylvania, French Creek is
a quality, early-season trout fishery. This well-stocked,
medium-sized creek provides anglers with room to cast
and a chance to catch trout just a short distance from
Philadelphia. There is a 0.9 mile stretch from the dam
at Camp Sleepy Hollow downstream to Hollow Road of Delayed
Harvest Fly Fishing Only, holds trout
into early summer due to the regulations placed upon
it.
The creek begins its 14-mile descent from Lake Hopewell,
finally spilling into the Schuylkill River near Phoenixville.
The entire 14 miles of river is stocked, and a few
fish will hold over especially during years with cool,
wet summers. Some of the best fishing can be found
through the 0.9-mile DHFFO area located from the dam
at Sleepy Hollow downstream to Hollow Road. This is
one of the better areas to fly fish and escape some
of the early-season pressure of spin fishermen.
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French
Creek consists of long, slow pools, areas of short riffles,
and runs. Beautiful trees line the banks and help provide
shade through warm weather periods. Fallen logs and a
few boulders add to the creek's makeup and also provide
good habitat areas for trout.
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Most
of the better trout fishing begins near the creek's origin
by St. Peters and continues to Wilsons Corner, which
is just downstream from the fly area. Below Wilsons Corner
you'll also find good trout habitats, but this area has
a better population of smallmouth bass due to warmer
water temperatures.
Hatches on French Creek mainly consist of Caddis,
but there are a few dependable Mayflies such as Sulphurs, Olives, March
Browns, and Light
Cahills. Terrestrials also play a big
part from mid-spring to late summer, if conditions
allow. Nymph fishing is another good way to approach
the river. General, all-purpose nymphs such as Hares
Ears, Zug
Bugs, and Pheasant
Tails will produce. Woolly
buggers, Matukas, and
other small streamers will work well during periods
of high water.
If you're going to be in the Philadelphia area and
you'd like to trout fish, be sure to visit French Creek.
Although it's not a premier trout fishery, it still
offers consistent fishing and hatches through most
of the spring and early summer.
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