Angler 119's Delaware River Fishing Report
Weekend Outlook.
Posted on May 04 2024
Home for a social obligation (grandson's law school graduation party) so no fishing today. The last four days were my best stretch of fishing so far this year. It has proved difficult to be in the right place to fish good hatches but I have had the good fortune of...
Wind Knots and Tailing Loops.
Posted on May 03 2024
The month of April is in the rear view mirror. Despite my complaints about not finding good hatches it was my third best April ever, in numbers of fish caught. The percentage of fish over 17 inches (36%) was down slightly from last year but the number of fish in...
Tell Me Why, Tell Me Why - - -
Posted on May 02 2024
Decided to skip the morning search for hatching caddis and Hendrickson spinners and rest up for the Hendrickson hatch and the caddis spinner fall. Tied a few caddis egg layers, did a crossword and a sudoku, made two sandwiches and it was time to go. Drove up river and there...
It Was Just An Any Old Kinda Day
Posted on May 01 2024
Had a busy day yesterday. Mark was on the road back to Greensboro before 8:00am and I began the process of catching up on things that were neglected during his visit. Broke down the accumulation of boxes in the garage, gathered up the rest of the trash and made a...
It's Better To Have Hooked And Lost - - - -
Posted on April 30 2024
Back on the river with pearly white teeth after driving home for my annual dentist appointment. Had a nice dinner out with Jean Sunday night, washed both the car and my clothes and was on my way back down by 9:00AM this morning. It's Mark's final day before heading back...
Come And Watch The Hills Turn Green.
Posted on April 28 2024
This will be short, there's just not much worth talking about. The weather - It didn't snow! Temp on the porch this morning started at 33. The sun quickly took it up to 60. From there, things went down hill. Clouds rolled in, the "warm" southern wind had all the...
It's A Short Distance From The Penthouse To The Outhouse.
Posted on April 27 2024
It's not easy being me, and it's certainly not easy being Mark. Yesterday was magic, today not so much. Yesterday the guide swung three times and hit three balls out of the park. Today, he never got a ball out of the infield. After a fruitless trip into a spot...
Miracles Do Happen!
Posted on April 26 2024
Yesterday was (hopefully ) as bad as it gets. High water, clouds, a cold north wind, frost, no bugs and no risers. As if by magic, at midnight things began to change, The NYC, DEP cut the releases on both the WB and UEB. The clouds went away, the wind...
It's Not That I Didn't Try.
Posted on April 25 2024
Left the fishing camp about 11:30 when a burst of sun sent the temp up to 58 degrees. Stopped at two places on the BE, hoping to find caddis. There were none. Reversed course and drove up to Hale Eddy, where the now cloudy sky, drift boats rowing by with...
Too Much Of Nothin' - - - -
Posted on April 24 2024
It's 6:00 pm on Tuesday night and I sitting out on the back porch with my PC and my PM for the first time this year. The apricot tree blossoms are done, the plum and peach trees are in full bloom. Only the blossoms on the apple trees and red...
Sunshine On My Shoulders Makes Me Happy.
Posted on April 23 2024
Went home Sunday to do a wash and get treatment for my windburn. With the Hancock air temperature at 28 and the water temps all around 41/42 this morning it was clear that we needed a bright sunny day to have bugs, and we got it. All rivers in the...
Too Much Of A Good Thing.
Posted on April 21 2024
The stage was set. The water's been a little too cold for a good Hendrickson hatch. But last night the temp stayed up in the mid forties. The sun came out mid morning and warmed the air up to 58 and the water up into the Hendrickson hatching range (except...
At Least We Are Saving On Suntan Lotion.
Posted on April 20 2024
There have been days when both Jean and I have wondered what we were thinking to come back from sunny, warm Florida so early. Thankfully, this was not one of those days (at least for me). Got to the river at 2:00 (paraleps usually hatch before Hendricksons), and the water...
I Feel Lucky!
Posted on April 19 2024
Started out at 2:00 today and headed over to the Beaverkill which was back up to over 1,400 cfs as a result of last night's rain. Why? There had been Hendrickson's there the last two days and the water temp was at 46 degrees, (Hendricksons will hatch at 48), and...
The Fragile Magic's Gone.
Posted on April 18 2024
Change's keep on changing. Todays cloudy weather kept the sun from warming up the water. Air temp got to 62 on my car thermometer but none of the rivers got up to 50 today. Used up the two best high water pools yesterday and my first two choices today each...
It Was A Day That Exceeded Expectations
Posted on April 17 2024
Was in no hurry leaving Lafayette this morning. Told Jean my plan was to start work on the fence replacement project, that I wouldn't be fishing today, and that my stay would be determined by if, how fast, and how much the rivers dropped. At present, even with today's drops...
Don't Even Think About It.
Posted on April 12 2024
It got up to 60 degrees today but without the sun there wasn't much improvement in the water temps. There was a downstream breeze that was a little troublesome at times, but the main problem was the lack of the sunshine needed to warm up the water. The bugs (all...
Don't let that that rain come down.
Posted on April 11 2024
My South Holston river friend, (one of only two people who will fish with me), (the other is currently on injured reserve), is up for a visit (he brought his boat) and today we floated. There might have been some question about where we chose to float (no one else...
We got our money's worth.
Posted on April 10 2024
It was a can't miss event. Motels were sold out two years ago at prices five times there normal rates. Traffic on I-81 near Syracuse was a solid two lanes of cars on both Saturday and Sunday all heading north into the "totality zone". Jean and I live in Lafayette...
IT'S APRIL 1st AND I'M NOT FOOLING.
Posted on April 01 2024
With a week of below average temperatures, rain, and snow in the forecast it's hard to be enthused about the fishing prospects. We came home early in part because the record breaking warmth of winter gave promise of an early start to the dry fly fishing. Turned out the joke's...
The First Trip Down.
Posted on March 28 2024
After being housebound for two days with ten inches of wet heavy snow on our long, winding driveway, I had no problem packing the car with items necessary to open the camp and heading for the Lordville Estate as soon as our shoveling and the bright sunshine got rid of...
IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK HOME AGAIN!
Posted on March 21 2024
It's Wednesday night, a fire is going in the fire place, an empty Perfect Manhattan glass is washed and back up on the shelf, 30 shrimp netted from Zane Gray Creek ((did you know that Zane Gray (famous fly fisherman and writer of westerns) was a dentist and that his...
All My Life’s a Circle…
Posted on November 08 2023
Headed down to the Lordville Estate about nine this morning after watching a nice buck decided not to tend the scrape I was perched above. Drove through Deposit where the Troutfitter Shop was dark and closed for the season. My fishing equipment did not make the trip. Had far too...
This could be the last time, it may be the last time, I don't know.
Posted on October 28 2023
Today was just so beautiful, it made me nervous. Why? I'm down at the Lordville Estate for perhaps the last time this season and it's sunny, warm (75 degrees) and I'm going out to fish with knowledge that the bugs probably won't show. Called Jean at about 2:00 to tell...
Save the last dance for me.
Posted on October 27 2023
It was just too nice a day to spend sitting in a tree. Scheduled an 11:30 hair cut at Vicki's in Deposit and drove down from Lafayette arriving at 11:27. Was out before noon which left me plenty of time to open the camp, put away my stuff, blow the...
Two out of three ain't bad.
Posted on October 22 2023
With over 35 years of bonefishing on open ocean flats, I'm not one wimp out when a little wind blows. Hendrickson time you know it's going to blow and you suck it up and fish. October pseudo fishing is another matter. With winds predicted to blow from the NNW at...
It's more fun than sitting in a tree.
Posted on October 21 2023
Apparently Mother Nature thought things were too easy yesterday. Today the "breeze" was again out of the south but at 10/15 which put waves on some of the pseudo sipping pools. At 4:30 (quitting time yesterday) I was lucky to have two fish. Spent a lot of time driving around...
Maybe I'll just stay a while.
Posted on October 20 2023
Was surprised, in recording todays catch in the log book, that it's been two weeks since I last wet a line. Came down once to mow the lawn and was tempted, but with a good hatch of pseudos on the water there was nary a riser to be seen and...
So you want to fish the pseudos hatch.
Posted on October 14 2023
I admit it, I've been bow hunting and have provided no helpful information on the status of the Delaware River fishing. Most of those fishing in October are hard core anglers and know what they are doing. They don't need my advice, but perhaps outlining a few basics will be...
Is bigger really better?
Posted on October 13 2023
Drove down to the Lordville Estate today primarily to mow the grass. I've only been away five days but, even with the sun shining and the temp in the high 60's the camp felt cold and empty. A squirrel had smelled the apples on the back porch and had ripped...
All The Changes Keep On Changin' - - - -
Posted on October 08 2023
If anyone is wondering, I'm back in Lafayette. After enjoying a delightful dinner last night at Indian Springs Club (my neighbors just up Warren Road) I went to bed hoping that the front would coold things down enough to get some bugs hatching. Alas, when I awakened at 7:15 the...
If you get what you ask for, it's best not to complain.
Posted on October 07 2023
Well I got the rainy, drizzly day I been asking for and just maybe I've been asking for the wrong thing. There were almost no bugs or rising fish in any of the three places that I fished. Went out at 1:30 sure the water would be covered with olives....
I've got better things to do.
Posted on October 06 2023
After sitting in a deer stand a couple times swatting mosquitos, I decided that there were better ways to spend my time. Jean was coming down to get new tires at CL Repair in Equinunk on Wednesday and I was able (with the promise of a dinner out) to get...
Beware, the pseudos don't like to hatch on 70 degree days.
Posted on October 01 2023
Well, it's October first, which is the bow season opener. Sat in one of my tree stands this morning and watched a combo of five does and fawns walk down an old logging road about seventy five yards away. With the temps scheduled to be in the high 70s and...
It's my party and I'll cry if I want to.
Posted on September 30 2023
The table was set. An all day drizzle was the featured guest. Ideal water level said he would come but only if all day drizzle kept his word to provide less than a quarter inch of rain. The bugs said they would come but only if Mr. Sun wasn't invited....
Gonna Find Me A Bluebird.
Posted on September 29 2023
Not a word of a lie. Two or three years ago I did the fall cleanout of the bluebird houses and the next morning I looked out the kitchen window and there were the bluebirds checking out the nest box as if to see if I did a good job....
Don't Stop Believin.
Posted on September 28 2023
I've been busy mornings and early afternoons this week. Got what will probably be the last six gallons of water from the Lordville spring this year. Finished the bluebird house restoration project. Went over to the Equinunk garage and ordered two new tires for Jean's car. Mowed the lawn which...
Try To Remember The Kind Of September - - -
Posted on September 27 2023
It was another mostly overcast day. Had to wait until noon to mow the back yard. Yesterday's fishing, while not great, gave me hope that the week wouldn't be a total loss. Left camp about 3:30 and once again drove up the PA side. Pulled in the Buckingham launch site...
How high's the water Momma?
Posted on September 26 2023
After another rainy weekend trying to get things done at home, I was surprised to find that today was to be a much sought after "rainy, drizzly day". My enthusiasm was quickly dampened by a check of water levels which were still fine at bed time last night. It was...
This that and the other thing.
Posted on September 24 2023
With helpful commenters having answered some of the more pressing problems I'll have to meet my minimum word contract obligation with some random thoughts. Jim Dygert was quick with the info on steaming flies. I keep an old tea kettle for that purpose. Be sure to use forceps to keep...
Splish splash I was takin' a bath - - -
Posted on September 23 2023
Despite yesterday mornings success I passed on another morning of fishing. Had several items on the to-do list and I just might have been a little tired from yesterday's double header. Had to do the end of season dump run, fill the wood stacker, shoot the bow and reorganize my...
Fish are looking up, throw them something to eat.
Posted on September 22 2023
Despite Tuesday's debacle this has been by far my best week in September. Why? Water temps and water levels levels are both low enough that I can fish where I want to, not where I have to. Monday it was on the UEB, Tuesday the BE, Wednesday the BR and...
Never gave using a Hebe a thought.
Posted on September 21 2023
Today was one for everyone who enjoys nature. Didn't get up until 7:30 and was out on the porch checking the temp when I heard the noise a hummingbird wings make. She acted like I'd invited her for breakfast, sat right down on the feeder and took a drink, then...
And I don't need to tie a single fly.
Posted on September 20 2023
Just a quick apology for my somewhat over the top reporting of yesterdays fishing. Those days just don't happen very often in fall fishing and perhaps I got a little carried away. Will try not to let it happen again. Was up early this morning (6:15), it was just starting...
Now I know why there were so many fishermen on the river this weekend.
Posted on September 19 2023
Didn't get an early start this morning and had several stops I had to make on the way down. Arrived just before noon and by the time I unpacked, put things away, and had lunch, it was time to go fishing. Drove up the PA side, there were bugs at...
Wind Knots & Tailing Loops
Posted on September 17 2023
It's Sunday morning. Watched Syracuse's win over Purdue last night so I didn't get started on answering your questions until this morning. Black Boat had me going again with his Casey Kasmiri, thought he was equating me with with a famous Indian fly fishing savant that I'd never heard of....
So maybe I've got a bone to pick.
Posted on September 16 2023
There's not much question fall has arrived. Spent a couple hours working both out in the yard and then up in the sleeping quarters and didn't sweat a bit. Somethings going on with the Lordville deer. There's been a button buck following me around the yard for the past two...
Country Roads Take Me Home.
Posted on September 15 2023
Woke this morning to a chilly 68 degrees in the fishing camp and 47 out on the porch. First item on the agenda was to close the upper level (sleeping quarters for guests) windows which suck out the warm air during the summer but let too much hot air escape...
YOU, Make(s) Me Wanna Shout - - -
Posted on September 14 2023
After overdoing it with the bow yesterday I decided to take today off (pitchers get 3 or 4 days off between starts, don't they?), tie a few of the brown caddis that were clinging to my waders last night, polish off the Monday and Tuesday crosswords and set out early...
Perspectives, I find, are always in need of adjustment.
Posted on September 13 2023
Those of you who have never been confronted by an angry landowner probably thought I'd nodded off to sleep again when writing the title to yesterday's page. The landowners and fishermen among us who have been confronted, know that "I've been fishing this pool for----" is one of the worst...