Forks of the Credit Flies

[threeparrots]

Looking to do some fishing around the Forks of the Credit between July 10-17. Not having fished there before, or very many places either, I am not familiar with what fly patterns would work best there. I've looked at the hatch chart on the Credit River Association website -- can this be followed with success?

I know some good areas along the forks (have seen people fishing with success -- so I'll just go there!) but I just need to know what to use Also, I am familiar with the regulations -- catch and release, no live bait, single barbless hook.

Thanks!

 

[Joel52]

Chart's probably good. I do well with a tan Elk Hair Caddis - pretty much all season long. Gold beadheads are also good. Have fun!

 

[FrankTheRabbit]

I've never fished there either, but am planning to head up there this weekend. Is it a big or small river system? I'm planning to float fish, so would a 13' rod be too big or something more in the lines of a 10' float rod?

I don't have a fly rod, so I'm limited to float some flies.

 

[Joel52]

No kill zone, single barbless hook, no live bait. This applies to everything flowing above the Old Baseline Road. If you want to float fish, I suggest you go downstream of that boundary - long weekend and COs, pretty good mix. Float rod with flies - 10' is lots. My fly rod is 9', and it does get pretty tight in spots.

 

[threeparrots]

Chart's probably good. I do well with a tan Elk Hair Caddis - pretty much all season long. Gold beadheads are also good. Have fun!

How familiar with the area are you? I am planning on entering right off of Highway 24 Charleston Side Road, or perhaps down by the cataract? Could you PM me any spots you know of?

 

[Joel52]

Here's one of my blog posts from last September
Forks of the Credit on the fly
Late September still offers excellent top water opportunities. You may need to work a little harder for big fish, but there's plenty of action with small brooks. This area has special regulations - artificial lures only, single barbless hooks, catch and possession (0) zero.
Getting there
From Yorkdale Rd., take the 401 westbound to the 410. Follow the 410 north right to the end, and stay on hwy 10 to the Forks of the Credit Road. The Forks road is a scenic drive that will take you right to what is known as the Forks of the Credit. Park just before Dominion Street on the right shoulder. Parking is free, and this spot will give you access to both branches of the Credit and the south park entrance if you want to go up there.
http://tinyurl.com/24e92r4
Forks of the Credit Provincial Park
From the Dominion St. bridge, the south park entrance is about a 10 minute walk. (there is no parking allowed anywhere on Dominion St.)
The trails heading into the park are well groomed and markers identify which path you're on. It's easy going and there are several footpaths through the bush that will get you down to the river. The river is very tight up there except for a few locations, so you'll need to adjust your casting often. Roll casts are useful and can be rewarding to the persistent fisher. The park's nice, but I prefer south of the Forks myself.
South of the Forks
This stretch of river is my favourite. It holds some very nice size Brooks and Browns. My personal best is an 18" Brook, but there are many in the 10 - 15" range that reside in this area. There are plenty of runs, holes, rocks and logs. Today I was fishing with a #14 Tan Caddis - dry fly. I hooked several small fish (5-8") and just missed a really nice one. It's good to see all the small ones - this appears to be a very healthy river at the top end. Let's hope it stays that way. Only a few more days and the season closes until next April. I'll try to get out again tomorrow.
Pictures added
Forks of the Credit from the Dominion St. Bridge
Sign posted
Small Atlantic Salmon

 

[float^drifter]

thnx for postin joel. been fishin upper credit but never fished that far up, might give it a shot this week. might even hook my first brookie :smile:

 

[Joel52]

I haven't been up there yet this season - to busy. Ha!...imagine that, too busy to fish. G'luck with the brookies, there are some nice ones up there. The Humber up around Bolton has some decent trout.

 

[FrankTheRabbit]

Thanks Joel for the wise insight. I picked up a 9'6" Fenwick ultra lite and I'm anxious to give it a go! Will try my luck over e course of this great weekend!

 

[Joel52]

Have fun... patience is key. There's so much to learn about. Sometimes I feel like I don't know anything.

 

[float^drifter]

i got out for a few hour today, first time using my fly gear since last summer. Got my first brown of this year i think my biggest ever on a fly rod lol. Lotta fun patience was the key and tryin out different patterns. Also gotta be stealthy these fish get spooked very easily if the stream is very small. Here's one from today:

 

[salmotrutta]

Darn, nice brown.

I normally catch 12 inchers and sometimes 15. Over 17 and I am over the moon. That one looks at least 15.

Caught these smaller ones a few days ago. They look very similar and were caught from the same pool, but upon careful inspection I think they are different. I am amazed at the number of spots where I can catch half a dozen browns this size within a half hour or so. It makes me wonder whether these streams are equally packed with large specimens - or whether the larger ones are back in the lake. I rarely catch large ones - but I know that the bigger ones will feed mostly on fish and mostly at night - so there could be plenty of them too.

These were caught in the Spring:

And some from last year:

I am not experienced with artificial flies - but I will often throw a beetle, grasshopper or other similar sized insect on my hook because they are a surefire way to catch trout.

 

[salmotrutta]

lol I can't believe the word "da mn" was autoedited to darn

 

[fisher12]

Nice trout,I hope to catch my first this year, Was this at the upper credit?

Darn, nice brown.

I normally catch 12 inchers and sometimes 15. Over 17 and I am over the moon. That one looks at least 15.

Caught these smaller ones a few days ago. They look very similar and were caught from the same pool, but upon careful inspection I think they are different. I am amazed at the number of spots where I can catch half a dozen browns this size within a half hour or so. It makes me wonder whether these streams are equally packed with large specimens - or whether the larger ones are back in the lake. I rarely catch large ones - but I know that the bigger ones will feed mostly on fish and mostly at night - so there could be plenty of them too.

These were caught in the Spring:

And some from last year:

I am not experienced with artificial flies - but I will often throw a beetle, grasshopper or other similar sized insect on my hook because they are a surefire way to catch trout.

 

[salmotrutta]

Not the Credit, these are mostly from a creek that is only a few feet wide.

 

[Alfiegee]

I have fished the upper Credit around the forks and Hwy 24 for 40 years, it is an excellent area for flies, but it is mostly trial and error at this time of year. Grasshopper patterns are a solid though for Specks and Browns. I would suggest starting with darker patterns in the morn and going to lighter patterns as the sun rises.
The upper Humber as someone mentioned around Bolton and further up near Hwy 9 also holds nice Specks and Browns without all the tight restrictions the Credit has.

Someone said the upper Credit is a no kill zone? I am a catch and release guy in most cases. Is no kill zone not a contradiction to the regs? Legally you are not allowed to waste a game fish, you have to take it home for the table. In a no kill zone am I supposed to release a 2 lb Speck that was gill hooked? So the snapping turtles and seagulls get their feed?

Alfie.

 

[staffman]

I have fished the upper Credit around the forks and Hwy 24 for 40 years, it is an excellent area for flies, but it is mostly trial and error at this time of year. Grasshopper patterns are a solid though for Specks and Browns. I would suggest starting with darker patterns in the morn and going to lighter patterns as the sun rises.
The upper Humber as someone mentioned around Bolton and further up near Hwy 9 also holds nice Specks and Browns without all the tight restrictions the Credit has.

Someone said the upper Credit is a no kill zone? I am a catch and release guy in most cases. Is no kill zone not a contradiction to the regs? Legally you are not allowed to waste a game fish, you have to take it home for the table. In a no kill zone am I supposed to release a 2 lb Speck that was gill hooked? So the snapping turtles and seagulls get their feed?

Alfie.

Yes you are correct a no kill zone means that all fish must be released regardless of where they were hooked.