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Post by Jake on Dec 29, 2014 16:43:03 GMT -5
Has anyone ever tried fishing the spillway/tail water between the dam and the Brandywine Creek this time of year for panfish or bass? I was thinking of heading out there sometime over the holiday break to try my luck and was wondering if it was worth my time. I have fished this area a bit over the summer and had little luck but never tried it this time of year. Thanks for the help!
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Post by teb67gt on Dec 30, 2014 8:58:13 GMT -5
I just checked out the entire stretch this past Friday (12/26). Fished from the main spillway just below the lake all the way down to the trestle pool. I managed 1 fallfish and 1 sunfish for my efforts. Some years I have caught trout below the spillway falls, at least during a really cold stretch. I believe those were stockies from the Brandywine that were attracted to the somewhat warmer water coming out of the lake. I did not see anything but the occasional sucker here and there. I was disappointed that the trestle pool no longer had and real cover in it either. There had been a large tree there which held fish but is now gone. With the water low and clear I could see all the way to the bottom of that pool, which means either my vision is getting better or the pool has filled in with some sediment. Used to catch all kinds of fish there in the winter but not much seemed to be holding there last week at least.
If you go soon wear orange. That entire area, including both sides of the spillway creek, was crawling with small game hunters. There were at least a dozen working that area during the afternoon of 12/26.
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jake
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Post by jake on Dec 30, 2014 13:19:47 GMT -5
Sounds good, thanks for letting me know.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2014 3:54:08 GMT -5
Those are deer hunters. Orange would be good. I have fished it in the past during winter but only caught chubs, suckers.
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Post by Soof on Jan 23, 2020 19:51:06 GMT -5
I check that stretch out about once a month or so. It used to be a sleeper before they put the parking lot in. Before then it took some real effort to get to that area. Now it is too easy. I cannot tell you the last time I was there when I did not come across at least one other person, between the spillway and the trestle. Not too mention the inevitable worm containers, lure packages, line, etc. I always find strewn about there.
My last two trips yielded only a couple of Fallfish there. Not too long ago I would catch lots of trout (coming up from the Brandywine, presumably from the slightly warmer water temps coming from the lake vs the creek itself in the winter). The occasional musky would be there as well, though that issue seems to have been corrected as I haven't seen a muskly in there for a while, some decent bass and some nice sized carp - which have probably been cleared out due to the relatively consistent bowfishing that occurs there.
Certain times of year, especially after a big release from the lake, will have fish there. They will not be around long because, if you have been there you will see the paths are pretty well worn these days. That parking lot killed that stretch.
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Post by Soof on Jan 24, 2020 13:39:16 GMT -5
I check that stretch out about once a month or so. It used to be a sleeper before they put the parking lot in. Before then it took some real effort to get to that area. Now it is too easy. I cannot tell you the last time I was there when I did not come across at least one other person, between the spillway and the trestle. Not too mention the inevitable worm containers, lure packages, line, etc. I always find strewn about there. My last two trips yielded only a couple of Fallfish there. Not too long ago I would catch lots of trout (coming up from the Brandywine, presumably from the slightly warmer water temps coming from the lake vs the creek itself in the winter). The occasional musky would be there as well, though that issue seems to have been corrected as I haven't seen a muskly in there for a while, some decent bass and some nice sized carp - which have probably been cleared out due to the relatively consistent bowfishing that occurs there. Certain times of year, especially after a big release from the lake, will have fish there. They will not be around long because, if you have been there you will see the paths are pretty well worn these days. That parking lot killed that stretch. Do you mean that little parking lot coming down the rd. from Shamona Creek Elementary ? I used to park on the side when there was not really a parking lot there and there would be nobody there! now everyday I drive past it on my way home there are at least 2-4 cars there. I tried the spillway one day and the water was very dark, super calm, almost spooky in an odd way. I did not have any luck but it was also when I first started fishing and did not really know what I was doing. Not that I do now either though haha. Sorry to bug you ... but what exactly is the trestle? Is that a bridge or something? I must not have made it all the way down to that area. No bother. I should probably create a login at this point but I generally don't post much, except lately obviously. It must be cabin fever setting in! Yes, coming from Shamona Ck Elementary, just as you start to head downhill on Dorlan Mill road, there is a narrow road that is gated by the DCNR that leads to the dam. There really is little room to park there without blocking - which I am sure nobody would want to do. Just off the side of that there is a small dirt lot that was made maybe 10 years ago or so, possibly a year or two under that. Lots of people use it, not just fishermen. In fact I bet the bulk are people who are hiking or riding mountain bikes. The past few times that I have been there the water coming out of the lake was on the high/swift side but I have seen what you have described as well. To get to the trestle you would need to follow the creek downstream. The trestle is where the creek coming out of the lake meets the Brandywine creek, just behind the old paper mill. That has a decent sized pool and can hold some fish, but again is easily targeted.
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