Joy in a Small Creek

I have searched for articles about fishing small creeks and haven’t found a lot that pertain to small rural streams. Most articles are about fly fishing which is great, but for a small child this is a little too difficult. Some of the most fun a child can have is to find a small creek that is loaded with usually small fish that haven’t seen a lot of hooks through the years.

The first part is the most obvious which is to find the creek. This can be easy, but finding the right creek and the right spot can be a challenge which adds to the fun. Creeks are abundant in rural areas but many don’t seem to be deep enough to fish. With enough driving and some walking even shallow creeks may have deeper pockets thanks to natural terrain and sometime the help of friendly beavers. Let me say that the term friendly beavers depends on whether or not their handiwork is admired or hated. Many landowners would love to rid the creek of beavers but that is another article.

Pulling off the side of the road where most people fish and usually these fish are accustomed to seeing hooks and every kind of bait imaginable. Sometimes just moving a few hundred yards up or down the creek can produce some great fishing. Please remember to be careful when exploring due to our friends without legs that many times love living in a small creek. Once the right spot is found it may be necessary to clear a path to allow children to access the fishing spot safely.

Deep pockets many not be very easily found, but since there aren’t many of them sometimes this is where the fish are congregated. In a few larger creeks a small Jon boat or floating device can help access the honey hole. Sometimes just some old fashion wading can be the trick, but many can be accessed on land with a little preparation. Finding the right spot is many times half the fun, but we must always be careful to not offend landowners and seeking permission is always the best policy. Sometimes the landowners can even suggest the best way to access the creek and may even give you exclusive access which can make it even better.

The gear of this type of fishing is the best part of the whole deal. A few dollars (and I mean very few) is all that is needed to rig up for this type of trip. An old fashioned cane pole or a small reel and rod combo is all that is needed. A small tackle box with some slip-shot lead and some small hooks will usually be all that is needed. Of course the right bait is important, but you can’t go wrong with the staples of small creek fishing, redworms and crickets. Experiment with all types of bait to find the best and sometimes the creek can provide the minnows with a little help from a small casting net.

Fall is a great time to go on a little excursion with those you love to spend time with and can provide for a memorable experience. There is a song out today entitled, “She Thinks We Are Just Fishing” which sums up the real treasure in this type of fishing. Even if the fish aren’t biting many kinds of wildlife can be found and there is always the joy of throwing things in the creek when the fish really have lockjaw. I hope this helps you have great experience with a special fishing buddy.