you know one of the few threads I have ever seen on this subject just happened the other day
http://forums.fishusa.com/french_creek_cats/m_324868/tm.htm Unfortunately, I am not a french creek catfishermen. but then apparently few are; which is probably a good indication that its best to move on to other waters. Depending on where you live, there are three options that seem pretty good.
- North to the Erie
- South to Pymy
- East to the alleghany
I've fished both Erie and the alleghany. If it wasn't so darn far, Erie is an incredible fishery. Some of the biggest catfish I ever saw was in Erie and they are suprisingly easy to catch from shore this time of year.
The alleghany is a great place for cats. I go there all the time, its much better south of me. if you can get to oil city or lower, you can target the mighty flathead.
I used to live near butler and really miss the flathead trips. I never caught a lot of flatheads, but their such large powerful fish...
anyways I suppose this post much of an answer to your question. but it really seems like there's so few people that target cats in the french, that a good honest post steering you to other and better options seemed like a good idea.
If you are undeterred and do fish for cats in the french, the upside is that you might tangle into bowfin. You might also want to pm some of the posters in the other thread.