Stream Improvement Work Gears Up on French Creek by Larry Heimes

Transcription

1 Volume 2 Issue 3 Quarterly Newsletter of the Dame Juliana League September 1996 Stream Improvement Work Gears Up on French Creek by Larry Heimes I t was gratifying to see such a good turnout at our two stream improvement days in July and August on French Creek s Delayed Harvest Fly Fishing Only (FFO) Area. At our July stream improvement meeting, a trail was cut up the south bank to the top wire and many of rock dams that were leveled by the ice and high water this winter above Sheeder Mill Bridge were repaired and refurbished. Interestingly, there was no trash in evidence along this stretch which is testimony to the care exhibited by our fellow fly fisherman. Although the August date was rained out with high water and muddy conditions we were still able to identify additional problem areas that need attention. Many thanks go to Mel Walters, Sheldon Toombs, John Gerhart, Ed Nugent, Joe King, Andrew Brennan, Bob Molzahn, John Burgos, Joe Flather, Jim Younker, and Dick Allebach for turning out and providing much needed help. Lunch was provided at the July meeting by Bob s Haven Deli (a plug) in Phoenixville (Charlestown & Buckwalter Rds.). It certainly hit the spot. What I found most positive on both days was that water levels were up and water temperatures were cool. Fishing has also been decent with reports from a few fellow fly anglers that rising trout in the early morning and evening hours can be coaxed into taking a fly. Hopefully, the cool conditions will also revive the great mayfly and caddis activity that were a hallmark of our home stream. Only time will tell. Our biggest problem now appears to be the rock dam above Sheeder Mill Bridge. Heavy water has torn down the south bank and made a new channel where only a small channel existed before. The banks have been undercut and several small trees have fallen into the water. If left the way it is, significant erosion will occur and several large trees may eventually fall in to this stretch. We are investigating the possibility of putting in several rock gabions to deflect the flow to the middle of the stream, thereby controlling this problem. We will be talking with the PA Fish & Boat Commission and Chester County Parks to determine what, if any, permits are needed for these improvements. We will definitely require our member s help on this project because of its magnitude. More to come... Downstream, more work still needs to be done as several trees have fallen into some prime areas and several wing dams have been moved around and flattened. The more we do in the FFO stretch, the better fishing will be next spring. Just pray that Mother Nature will be kind to us this winter. The latest Farmer s Almanac doesn t think so. I will tell you more about our plans at our September meeting. Our next Stream Improvement Day is scheduled for September 28 at 900 AM. We need your help so please give me a call at French Creek Stream Flows Threatened he old timers in the club will T tell you that the flow of water in French Creek is not what it used to be. They also say that the great sulfur mayfly hatch that was a hallmark of French Creek is a thing of the past. From my perspective stream flow, temperature, and sedimentation have a lot to do with it. The summers of were killers with prolonged spring and summer droughts and high ambient air temperatures. The flow in French Creek was almost a trickle and temperatures into the upper 80 s were the norm. I could blame it on global warming but I believe the real culprit has been development and the extraction of groundwater by new homes and water companies in the watershed. During the warmest months of the year springs sustain the flow of French Creek. Groundwater usually enters the stream at a fairly constant temperature in the low 50 s. A high and shady tree canopy will keep stream temperatures cool for a good distance downstream. However, the more cool water you have recharging the stream the better the temperature regime will be. Homes that use well water and have septic systems usually consume about 10% of the water withdrawn from the ground, mostly through evaporation. Homes that (Flows is continued on page 4) Articles, news, and fly tying tips are gratefully accepted. Please send them to Bob Molzahn, 210 Nottingham Drive, Spring City, PA Editor and Publisher -Bob

2 Page 2 t is important to recognize that I the League received a whole lot of support in swaying the Commission s decision on the Delayed Harvest Fly Fishing Only extension by a lot of other concerned individuals and organizations throughout the tri-state area. Frank Thompson, Chairman of the Mid- Atlantic Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers and a member in good standing of the Dame Juliana League was instrumental in bringing the matter of the French Creek Delayed Harvest Fly Fishing Only extension to the attention of Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commissioner Inky Moore. Inky is certainly a friend of the fly fishing community, and he wrote a very strong letter to the Commission staff indicating his support of our proposal. There is no doubt in my mind that his letter, combined with the numerous letters the Commission received from our members and many supporting organizations made the difference. In fact, several inside reports I received indicated the Commission was most surprised, if not overwhelmed, by the response. Our regional representative, Don Lacy of Reading, who is now the Chairman of the PA F&BC was contacted about this issue but never responded to our mailings. Unfortunately, I can only assume that Mr. Lacy has no interest in the fly fishing community. There were a number of other organizations and individuals that helped us in many ways, by sending in letters, getting petitions signed, providing valuable advice or a forum to describe our situation, and personal contact with Commisioners and others. I would like to acknowledge these folks (in no particular order) because they really helped us. French Creek FFO Extension Revisited by Bob Molzahn Bill Hayes of Angler s Pro Shop Dick Patton and the Ray Nerle (South Jersey) Chapter of Trout Fred Bohls of the Coalition of Concerned Pennsylvania Anglers Ed Koch of the Harrisburg Fly Fishers Rob Rohrbach and the Little Lehigh Fly Fishers Ralph Heister of the Green Valleys Association Mike Friedland of French Creek Outfitters Delaware State Chapter of Trout Falling Springs Outfitters Joe Petrella of Fly Fishing Only Barry Statz of The Sporting Gentleman Mary Kuss and the Delaware Valley Womans Fly Fishing Association Delco-Manning Chapter of Trout Larry Myers of Pennsylvania Trout Representative James Gerlach Columnist Bob Ballantyne of the Mercury Columnist Steve Morgan of the Philadelphia Inquirer The above organizations are those that we are aware of. I am sure there were other organizations and individuals who I have missed and who also helped out. A very big round of applause and thanks to all of you! Lastly, I hope that this will be just a bump in the road and that we can continue to work effectively with the Commission and its local Federation of Fly Fishers Plans Annual Conclave representatives to help improve the fisheries The Mid-Atlantic resource in Council our region (MAC) for all of the fisherman, Federation regardless of Fly Fishers of terminal (of tackle. which we are a member) is holding a 1000 Fly raffle at its Annual Conclave in Pittsburgh on November 8-10, MAC needs flies from member clubs to fill up the box. Given all the help they have provided us with the FFO issue on French Creek, it certainly seems appropriate that we should participate in providing a bunch of flies for the box. If every member could tie a half dozen (any shape or variety) and send them to me (Bob Molzahn, 210 Nottingham Dr., Spring City, PA 19475), I will gladly send them on to MAC. MAC needs our help and I hope that many of our members will respond. One of the other reasons for our support is that we would like to apply for financial assistance to help offset the costs for some stream improvement work on French Creek. By the way, we will be selling 1000 Fly raffle tickets at our upcoming meetings. Next year we will also be cosponsoring the Conclave in Wilmington, DE with the White Clay Fishers and the South Jersey Fly Fishers. -Sage Scott Powell- -Redington- -Green River Bamboo Rods- -Charleton Abel Lamson Reels- TWO LOCATIONS Call Now For A Complete Schedule Of Clinics, Classes & Trips

3 Page 3 Get Ready For Our Big Fall Raffle by Joe King Our FALL RAFFLE this year features the prize of a brand new Old Towne 17 4 Discovery Series Canoe in forest green. The canoe is made of an extremely durable plastic resin and can easily hold a family of four. Thanks go to Clews & Strawbridge of Frazer who were kind enough to donate the canoe at cost to the club. The canoe retails for more than $850. This raffle is extremely important to the club as the proceeds go towards the support of our operating expenses, speakers fees, and most important stream improvement projects. Our club dues and our raffle proceeds are all that support the club and its activities. The canoe raffle is a major source of funding. It is important that all of us sell as many tickets as we can. This year, the tickets will be selling at one (1) for $1 and six (6) for $5. For any member that sells 10 books ($50) worth of tickets, you will receive a book of six tickets free. You can put your name on these or give them to your favorite relative, spouse, child, significant other or friend for Christmas. The drawing will once again be held at our January, 1997 meeting. We hope that that all our members will buy the 12 tickets that are enclosed and sell many more. More tickets can be ordered by calling Joe King or Bob Molzahn at The Results Are In...And Other Stuff I would like to thank the 19 (33% of our total membership) club members who returned the questionnaire provided in the June, 96 issue of. Although I was hoping for at least a 50% response (since we did provide return postage) we received a number of good comments and suggestions. It was clear that most members wanted to hear talks on Pennsylvania Fly Fishing, Fly Tying, and Fly Fishing Techniques. The Fly of the Month demonstration was generally a good idea. Most members wanted to have fishing trips scheduled but a smaller percentage felt they would be able to attend. Some good suggestions for new destinations were provided. The clear majority of those who responded said they would like to participate in stream improvement work. That was great to hear as we certainly need our members to support this effort. There were a lot of other good comments and the Executive Committee will be considering all of them for implementation in the future. The spring fishing trips were a lot of fun for those who attended. The Gunpowder trip, which is my favorite, yielded a good number of healthy browns and rainbows, some in the inch range. This river is not always easy to fish and it can take some time to learn the techniques and the best spots. Nymphing is certainly the most productive and beadheads, San Juan worms, and Hendrickson emergers seemed to work best in late April. I have fished it a number of times since the club trip and a tan, LaFontaine s Sparkle Pupae fished dry or as a nymph has been a consistant producer. I hate to say how many fish I caught on this pattern on the Gun this year as no one would believe me. The camping trip to the Farmington River in Connecticut with the Long Island Flyrodders was a tremendous amount of fun. The campsites and facilities were great and certainly the hospitality and friendliness of the Flyrodders made it most enjoyable. Fishing was fairly tough during the day as water levels were still coming down from heavy spring runoff and it was bright and sunny. At dusk, however, the fishing really turned on. Small midge patterns in grey and tan and black ants on 7X did the trick for me. It was a great time and I wish more folks could have joined us. As I mentioned in the last, we have some great programs coming up this year. Check them out in the enclosed insert and be sure to attend. Your participation makes a difference and makes me keep doing what I am doing. See you there! Thanks for your support! Favorite Fly Patterns Joe King sent me a few good patterns which have been working well for him the past few years. They are both basically variations of patterns you have all heard about. The Ausabler This pattern is basically a Wooly Bugger using olive marabou. The big difference is that the palmered hackle is a a webby hen hackle in a dark dun color. The other difference is that it has big (commercial grade) buggy looking bead chain eyes tied in at the head. Joe swears they whistle under water and attract fish like crazy. The Swimming Beadhead Nymph A variation of the beadhead nymph, this pattern has a marabou tail and body. Joe usually ties it in olive, but black and brown work well also. Tie it on a straight, nymph hook in sizes using a gold bead. Swing it down and across, nymph it dead drift, or twitch it downstream. come alive. The marabou makes it NOW! 20% Off Selected Fly

4 Page 4 Flows...(continued from page 1) waste water by watering their lawns can use a lot more. Home development is one thing but water companies are a different animal, especially when they come from France. That is right, the Perrier Company (owned by Nestle) is seeking to pump 100,000 gallons per day of cold groundwater out of the ground to enrich their coffers. That proposal is on top of the one proposed by property owner Stan Hess who is seeking permission to withdraw 48,000 gallons per day from a tributary of French Creek. Township officials have opposed both projects but the technical and court battles are just getting underway. The Green Valleys Association along with other concerned environmental organizations have come out strongly against the projects and have advocated that these commercial enterprises take no The Dame Juliana League P. O. Box 178 Kimberton, PA FIRST CLASS MAIL more than their fair share. The League has been following the developments in this battle and will be asking members to provide vigorous support. The bottom line is that if bureaucrats continue to issue permits for these kinds of projects, the quality of the French Creek watershed, insect life, and trout Chester Valley Bait, Tackle & Arch HOURS: M-F 6 PM-8 PM SAT 5 PM-8 PM SUN 5 PM-6 PM Did you know that the League has videos and fly rod/reel outfits for loan to members? If you would like more information on what we have call COMPLETE LINE OF FISHING & ARCHERY EQUIPMENT BART McLEOD RT. 113 & SEVEN STARS RD. PHOENIXVILLE, PA fishing will be adversely effected forever. Tackle Tips TIP #1- If you have a four piece travel rod and have been experiencing problems in keeping sections of the rod together over a long day of casting, use some parafin on the ferrules. It may save you from casting your rod tip off, breaking off the fly, and running downstream after it as floats out of sight. TIP #2- If your shoulders are cramping up from lugging that heavy vest around, try a shoulder or fanny pack. There are many styles and sizes on the market today made especially for the fly fisherman. Believe me, once you use one you will never go back to your old, hot vest. TIP #3- Ever have problems with cutting off those tag ends on your tippet or fly and having to search for your nippers. Try putting your nippers on a zinger and pin it to your hat. The ll be right there when you need them. Inside This Issue- French Creek Stream Improvement Projects Canoes and Fall Raffles- Perfect Together French Creek Delayed Harvest Extension Revisited June Survey Results Printed on 100% postconsumer recycled paper

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