Paint Creek reports/posts go here

[Steve]

here

[jnpcook]

Since Paint Creek is closed to fishing now obviously there won't be any reports for a while but thought it would be nice to hear some opinions of what others favorite stretch of the creek is and why. I usually fish upstream from Tienken Road and I enjoy this section because I seldom see any other people and I have found a few good holes in this area that always seem to produce a few fish each time. Also there are a few areas where I can get a decent enough backcast where I don't have to always be rollcasting or flipping my fly in front of me. Anxious to hear other opinions.

[Steve]

Hey, this is great...I've always wanted to BS with people about Paint. I hope we can get the members of CVTU in here too. By the way jnpcook, if it weren't for roll casts in Paint Creek, I'd be out of business.

[jnpcook]

Just curious, haven't seen any replies in here beside steve and myself. Does anyone else on this site ever fish or has fished Paint Creek?

[Steve]

jnp, you sure would think that there would be others. Tried to get the word out about this site to CVTU, but have had limited success.

[mtorzews]

Jnp just to let you know others may be reading the posts but not replying. I visit this forum nearly every day yet I have only posted once or twice. What you guys write is valuable even if others don't reply. Now for your specific question on fishing Paint Creek. I tried but never casted. I visited Paint Creek for the first and only time late last season. I stopped at the creek at several spots where the DNR says they stock. I hiked up and down the creek in these areas, but did not find one spot a trout could be hiding. The creek is small and shallow from what I saw. I could see from side to side from surface to bottom without seeing one trout. Maybe I didn't travel far enough down the creek or maybe the creek is fished out by the time I saw it? I'm looking foward to checking it out again early this year. Where do you guys find trout in the creek? How far upstream from Teinken road? Do fish live year round in the creek or is it a put and take in the spring? thanks and keep up the posts so that us guys in the wings have something to read!

[jnpcook]

mtorzews, thanks for the post. Yes, you are true in saying that the creek is small and relatively shallow. Where I fish it is maybe only 10-15' across and knee to waist deep. There are some holes that are over your head (or close to it) but yes it is a relatively shallow stream. Also there is usually not many casting lanes available for your backcast so rollcasting is a necessity in most places. A 20 or 30 foot cast is very far for this stream. Last year the water level was low all around this area so late in the year the fish may have been easily spooked. As far as I know there are fish in the creek year round and it is not considered a put and take stream. I read something on the map you can buy at the Orvis shop in Rochester about spawning habitat in the Tienken road area and I have seen fingerling trout (perhaps steelhead smolts as well)that would lead me to believe that natural reproduction is taking place here.I believe you should do better earlier in the year. I have done quite well last season in the spring with a green beadhead caddis pupa running it through the pools and runs near small waterfall type structure in the creek. As far as I know trout can be found in all stretches of the creek (I have caught browns, brookies, and a couple rainbows). I have tried most stretches of the river at one time or another but last year I mostly fished upstream from Tienken road to the first or second house on the bank. Fly Fisherman also concentrate on the section Downstream of Silverbell road and trout unlimited has added some structure for trout habitat (log structures, rocks and bank improvements, etc).I mostly have caught 8-12" trout in the creek but last spring I had one on that I estimated at 16-18" but unfortunately executed a long distance release. I have heard there are even bigger ones but haven't gotten into any yet. Check out the log area of this website for a real nice trout that Steve caught in Paint Creek several years ago. Hopefully that wasn't the last biggie Steve :). If you like fishing this small of a stream (sometimes the tree trout can get frustrating) you will often have the stream to yourself (in the right areas) and have a good chance to at least catch some fish while enjoying the scenery (I wish they would stop building so many new houses on the creek though. Hate fishing through people's back yards) Good luck this season.

[Steve]

I won't give out specific spots as this water is just too small for that. You will have to explore :0. The fish do survive in there for multiple years, see the logs section of this site. However a lot of the fish are put and take. They don't normally plant rainbows in there I don't think, but I have caught them in there and there are rumors of some big boys coming up there from the Clinton. Does the Orvis shop sell maps of the creek now? I will have to check them out again if they do. As for the size, in the late summer the creek can really get drawn down, you need to pick the times to go. As for fishing in people's back yards... the creek was there a long time before their houses were.

[jnpcook]

Steve, yes the Orvis shop (Paint Creek Outfitters) carries a nice map of the creek for maybe $3. It also has a nice hatch chart on the back and if I remember it describes some of the various sections of the stream as far as what type of habitat and bottom you will find. I believe I lost mine so I might pick up another one this year although I really don't need it. Also some of the proceeds go to the CVTU. Steve, maybe after that pitch you will hear from some of the CVTU members. :)

[mtorzews]

Thanks guys,
I live in Belleville and don't have any idea where the Orvis shop is? Could you give the cross streets or an address? This year I'll try to spend a little more time exploring. Last year I spent most of my time exploring the park, and then around Clarkston and Kern Roads. Where do you park near Teinken Road? Do you just walk up from the park? One more question ... Where I'm From (Arizona, moved here last year) most lakes and streams are public with no private homes on around water. I'm not sure of the legality issue of fishing behind someone's home. I know here in Michigan that the water is public, but do I need to wade to get to the places you fish or can I walk along the bank? Steve your Log section is what sent me looking for Paint Creek last year. Great Site!!
Michael

[jnpcook]

mtorzews, I can give you both an address and the cross streets. The address is Paint Creek Outfitters, 203 E. University, Rochester, MI 48307. The phone number is (248) 650-0440 and the fax is (248) 650-0442. It is owned by Kurt Knudsen. The nearest cross streets are Rochester Rd (maybe called Main St. in town and University drive). It is about one block east of Rochester Rd on the North side of University drive. There is a free public parking area just west of the creek at Tienken road on the north side of the street. I believe there is some public land owned by the railroad right of way (now the Paint Creek Trail) and you can use the banks in these areas although I have found the banks very brushy and it is much easier to stay in the creek. As far as fishing through back yards, definitely stay in the creek!!

[mtorzews]

Thanks,
Now all I have to do is wait for the season to open! 38 days

[perch boy]

I grew up on the Paint Creek and can tell you they do get to grow more than one season. I have seen 15-18 inchers (browns and rainbows) in several locations, through the downtown section of this river. I personally took a 21 in. brown before they killed all fish off about 15-20 years ago. I also know for a fact that the steelhead do jump the dam at Yates, so do the salmon. I have seen them in downtown Rochester. I have hooked the salmon but not the steelies and you do need to scout. I have a question, the stretch on the Clinton between Yates and the Paint, is this open for fishing? It's a nice strech.

[wildboar6768]

What time of year do the salmon and/ or steelies arrive in Paint Creek? Has anyone fished this stream with ultralight spinning equipment? I have a fly rod but I'm not very good with it. I guess some practice is in order.

[Steve]

Perch boy, they definitely get to grow more than one season. See our logs page on Paint Creek. Wildboar, I used to fish the creek exclusively with ultra light weight gear. I now fly fish it. It just takes some practice with your roll cast. As for steelies, they definitely do get up into the creek. I hooked into one a few years ago on opening day of trout season and it busted everything off in a matter of seconds.

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[jnpcook]

Steve:

You better get to the creek soon. Only a couple months left in this season. :) Don't worry I haven't been there in a while.

John

[wildboar6768]

I was wondering if anyone has tried wetting a line in Paint Creek in recent days? I was sickk all weekend and didn't get out. Hopefully I'll be able to sneak a trip in after work one night this week.

[jnpcook]

Wildboar,

I haven't fished the creek in quite some time but need to get over there soon. I looked at the water flow data in the logs section and now might be a good time to go. The creek has been very low and with that rain a few days ago the water is up a bit (Not dangerous to wade though based on my previous experience) and that might get some of those larger fish to start feeding. One of the last times I got over there early this summer I did well with an olive wooly bugger just after a rainshower. Got two browns in the 12-14" range. (I have seen a trout much bigger than that in the creek).

Have fun if you make it over there and leave the big one for me :)

John

[wildboar6768]

Well it's Thursday and still haven't made it out for a trip. (still battling strep throat). Hoefully this weekend for sure. I stopped by Paint Creek Outfitters and looked at flyrods, the staff was very helpful and provided me with a lot of ideas on how to get started. I don't know much about fly selection yet, I'm still using an ultra light with a panther martin spinner. I have had some success but nothing over 12" yet. Who knows maybe switching to flies will do it.

[jnpcook]

I'm still waiting to catch a big one myself. Can catch lots of small and lately more medium sized trout but still haven't gotten a real big one on yet. I have fun anyway. Wildboar, you might find fly fishing the creek at first to be a bit frustrating but stick with it and I think you will enjoy it. If you are new to fly fishing you might want to find a nice pond and get some bluegill and bass if you need a break from the tight quarters of the creek.

John

[wildboar6768]

Well, finally made it to the river this morning. Fished between Dutton an tienken, and had quite the morning, 7 rainbows and two browns. One brown was real nice about 12-14 inches. Caught all fish on ultralight tackle w/ a panther martin. All fish released for another day.

[Steve]

I assume a panther martin is a spinner of some sort?

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[jnpcook]

Good job wildboar. Sounds like a great day on the creek. I didn't make it over there this weekend but hope to soon. Steve, a panther martin is a small spinner similar to a rooster tail or mepps aglia.

John

[wildboar6768]

Thanks John, yes it was a great day on the river. It was by far the most successful I've had on it. I can hardly wait for this weekend so I can try a different stretch. I've only fished this river a handful of times and I am still learning my way around. In addition I thought I'd mention that my original plan was to start at Tienken and head north, however, upon arriving the parking area was closed off. It looks like the area was bought by developers.

[jnpcook]

Last year that area was closed off for a little while and then re-opened. I am not sure what the final plan is. Anybody know for sure? It seemed like they closed it off last year while they were doing some land moving but that maybe it was temporary. That would really irk me if that is a permanent closure. That is one of my favorite stretches that I have gotten to know quite well. At the rate they are going with development on the creek we will have to fish through someones boat house pretty soon. It would be nice if they could keep the houses away from the banks at least.

Just my 2 cents worth.

John

[jnpcook]

Well finally got back to the creek tonight for the first time since near the beginning of trout season. I fished downstream from the first railroad bridge downstream of Silverbell road using an olive wooly bugger. I caught one chub and fished a hole that I have caught trout in before. I missed a quick strike near the log jam in the hole and continued to fish it. I hooked onto the trout and had him on for several seconds but it got off the hook. It was about 10-12" since I have caught probably the same one from this hole before. It was a nice night out. Is it possible to fix a broken tip of the rod? I broke mine just below the tip right at the last ferrule. I am too embarrassed to explain how I did this so use your imagination. Just hoping I don't have to buy a new rod but if I do I can use the opportunity to upgrade since I am using a cheap Pfleuger Medalist rod (it has served me very well though).

John

[Steve]

I'm afraid they are not easy to fix. I tried to once without success. I too used it as a good excuse to upgrade. My biggest fish ever on that creek was taken this time of year.

[jnpcook]

I fished Paint Creek last wednesday and the water was real high. I thought I would get swept downstream. I usually fish around Silverbell but had to go all the way up near Kern road but was still rather fast water. Does anybody know do they do a draw down on the water up at Lake Orion each fall. It seems that the flow rates have not dropped very much recently and there really hasn't been any rain for about a week. I would have expected the creek to be fishable by now but the stage is still high and the flow rate is high as well.

John

[jnpcook]

Well I made it back to Paint Creek for one last time this trout season. I had borrowed a 7 foot 4 weight Cabela's Cahill rod from a friend since I broke the tip off of my rod last week. I fished downstream with streamers in the Silverbell Rd area. I caught one brown on a Muddler Minnow and later caught another on a black stonefly nymph. It was a great way to close the season. I had a lot of fun with that light rod although I think the ideal rod for this stream might be a 3 weight 5 or 6 foot rod. I also saw either a weasle or a mink but I am not sure what it was. It was standing on top of one of the logjams I was fishing and just looked at me for a few minutes and then headed back into the woods.

Hope all of you had a great trout season.

John

[Steve]

Thanks for all the great reports from Paint Creek this year John. What size where the trout that you caught? Until next year....

[jnpcook]

Steve:

They were about 9-11 inches. The one I caught on the stonefly nymph just inhaled that fly.

I would love to get a digital camera so I could post some pictures with my reports but I pretty much fish the creek alone and it would be kind of hard to take shots of the fish while trying to release them quickly. Besides I need to save for the rod that I need to buy to replace the one I broke.

When you take pictures of your fish do you have someone with you to take them or do you hold the fish in one hand and the camera in the other. (I would rather not throw the trout on the land to snap a picture if I am going to release them, which I almost always do)?

John

[Steve]

I take them myself and it is very difficult. I missed taking a picture of the biggest stream trout I ever caught this summer because he jumped out of my hand before I could snap. Later that day my camera took a dunking it did not recover from.