Greetings fellow anglers! 
I was wondering if anyone has had any luck fishing the section of the Shenango river (I believe most people have referred it to the upper Shenango) that flows out from Pymatuning.  We have a cottage in Jamestown and the stream runs right behind our neighborhood.  I have floated the river on canoe a few times down to Greenville, but have never spent any time fishing.  I plan on trying to do a majority of my fishing up in Crawford county this year and was wondering if anyone could speak to any successes they have had on the river.  I am also interested in fishing French Creek, another body of water that I am unfamiliar with.  I've obviously heard a lot more about French Creek as far as the biodiversity and amount of fish that flourish in this watershed.  Which of these areas do you guys prefer?  Should I just focus on French Creek instead of Shenango?  Shenango would be more convenient due to access points by the cottage, but I am open to any and all suggestions.  I have heard that they stock Shenango with trout, but I am more interested in fishing for smallies, walleye, pike, and musky.  I have the option to wade or float by canoe or kayak.  I don't have a large boat for the reservoir so I was hoping that I could do some productive fishing on the streams.  Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks again everyone!
 
Dante

I have had pretty good luck fishing the upper shenango  over the years. 

Both good options. I'm pretty knowledgeable of the Shenango(more so below Shenango Lake, but also between Pyma and Shenango), and I'm also starting to get to know French as well.
 
For what you're after, I would say French might be a better bet overall but the Shenango is great too. I tend to prefer Shenango because it's closer to home so I've had time to learn it, but if I lived closer to French I'd probably change my mind. If you want some specifics on either river/stream send me a pm and I'll be happy to help if I can, but yeah give both a try. Can't go wrong either way.....just get out and fish them.
 
Also, no trout in the upper Shenango unless they swim out of a stocked trib. Only trout are stocked below Shenango Lake down a few miles..

If you have a cottage in Jamestown I would be fishing there. Just a tip from past years. About time for some fresh pics on the photo thread Troutguy. We need some fresh fish porn !

Well, in terms of the actual fisheries both are terrific. Regarding how easy the fish are I would have to agree with you maniliketofish, but French has some quality fish. My PB smallmouth has come from there, the top two biggest non Erie 'eyes I have ever seen in person have been from there, and it's got some big muskies. Not an easy creek to figure out, but it's got some nice fish. It's loaded with forage though so that is probably why it's tougher than Shenango.
 
I'd definitely fish Shenango more since you live right there, but if you don't mind a little drive by all means give French a try if you're up for it.
 

CAPTAIN HOOK
About time for some fresh pics on the photo thread Troutguy. We need some fresh fish porn !

I've been out two or three times since my last post in that thread, so yeah some new pics are destined to be added. I don't ice fish so this winter has been tough. I reeeeaaaallllly can't wait for spring!!!!

Thanks guys for your insight, I really appreciate it.  Just to be sure, are you referring to the upper shenango or the lower shenango (below the dam) when you speak of good fishing.  I'm sure you may be a little reluctant to give up your favorite spots, but are there any particular areas on shenango that you guys prefer?  Again, I am only familiar with the stretch from Jamestown to Greenville.  There are some nice pools along that stretch that I'll be sure to hit.  How about at the mouth of the Pyme dam?  I always see guys fishing from shore up there but never gave it a shot. 

Naming one waterway over the other would be tough for me because of personal experience. Although I've fished the upper Shenango more often and have had good success, the very few times that I've fished French Creek have been very good trips also. Based on ratio alone, it's natural to choose the upper Shenango. The only reason I've gone there more often was because of proximity.
 

Fish5000, 
When fishing the upper shenango are you floating or wading out?  Also, do you have a particular stretch that you usually fish?  If you don't mind me asking that is... I know some fisherman are apprehensive about relinquishing their favorite spots.  

Sorry to change the subject, but I just picked up a new walleye rod.  Its an eyecon MLF6'6''.. I'm looking to match a good reel with the rod and was wondering if you guys had any suggestions for a good spinning reel under 100 bucks.  My fishing buddy is an avid shimano fan but I'm finding it hard to justify paying more than 100 bucks and he has been harassing me at the thought of buying anything less than the symmetre.  I've considered some options from Pflueger.  The last spinning reel I purchased was about 10 years ago and was an Abu Cardinal.  I loved it at the time but I know that model has dropped off a little in quality.  Your opinions are appreciated!

Your probably thinking of little Shenango in Greenville for the trout. They do swim though, my buddies caught a few right by the spillway below just below the outflow.

I have caught musky, walleye, crappie, perch, bluegill, carp and a few LM bass in upper Shenango below the outflow and the spillway...

French creek has produced all of the above plus pike. The last 2 years FC has proved better than Shenango for me and I live 5 mins from the outflow of pymy, and fished FC more because of the low catch rate on Shenango.

Don't hesitate to take the yak out on pymy main lake to fish either... I fish ALOT out of my yak on the main lake and plan on fishing even more out of it this year (and I do have multiple "regular" boats for pymy). It's a blast on the yak.