Propelled by a delicate roll cast, the green caddis larvae fly landed lightly in the clear, cool water of the West Branch of Caldwell Creek.

The modest current washed the size 12 fly downstream to a submerged tree branch, where a 12-inch wild brown trout shot out from the protection of a nearby undercut bank and seized it.

The determined trout put on an energetic fight but soon gave in to the strain of the 4-weight, 7.5 foot fly rod.

Less than a half-hour in to the trip and the ice had been broken, a nice way to start off the morning on a stream we’d never visited before, and under tough, low/clear water conditions.

My good friend Tom Ference and I were in the middle phase of a recent weekend trip during which we’d also fish for native brook trout and river smallmouth bass, using my northern Clarion County camp as a base. The night before — before darkness settled in — we’d managed to land a few native brookies from a mountain run close to camp.

Following our Caldwell adventure we had a decent evening trip for Clarion River smallmouth bass.

The West Branch of Caldwell Creek — located in southwestern Warren County — is a large tributary to the main stem of Caldwell.

The West Branch joins the upper portion of Caldwell Creek near the town of Selkirt. Caldwell continues its journey southward for about 10 miles before joining with Pine Creek in southeastern Crawford County, which in turn joins Oil Creek near the Drake’s Well museum.

The section of the West Branch that Tom and I fished is managed with Catch and Release regulations.

Trout fishing is permitted year-round, but no trout can be killed or had in possession.

Tackle is restricted to flies and artificial lures.

The special regulations section extends for over three-and-a-half miles, from West Branch Bridge (located on Flat Road) upstream to the mouth of Three Bridge Run.

While the section above Three Bridge Run is stocked, the project waters are not, replying on the supply of stream-bred trout and the catch and release restriction to sustain the fishery. A short distance below the downstream boundary of the project waters the West Branch joins Caldwell Creek proper.

Tom and I parked at the lower end of the special regulations section and fished nearly a mile up from the Flat Road bridge. The low flow and clear water eliminated many areas that would likely be productive during wetter times.

Rocky runs, in many cases, didn’t offer much in the way of cover under the low flow.

But there are many deeper pools complete with log jams, as well as numerous undercut banks.

The limited access to this section ensures an experience that includes a strong sense of remoteness.

This stream is heavily wooded, which greatly aids in its ability to stay cool.

While some areas are covered with hemlock, which means a fairly open understory that’s easy to navigate, many areas have thicker growth which is more difficult to hike through, particularly when wearing waders.

There is also at least one significant beaver dam and meadow that requires a by-pass. Fishing the stream entails some effort, particularly if you plan to get back from the road a good ways.

Water quality in the West Branch is good.

It supports a fine population of mayflies, stoneflies and caddis flies.

We observed a good number of minnows as well as crawfish.

The main stem of Caldwell Creek also offers good trout fishing.

While it is stocked with hatchery fish it also has a good number of wild fish, and has a reputation for holding over stocked trout.

There is a Delayed Harvest — Artificial Lures Only project near the Dotyville Bridge that runs for nearly 1.5 miles.

Jeff Knapp is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle.