Posted on May 12 2026
Do any of you understand why it's good to have a Joe Btfsplk, (who, beside Ed S. remembers who Joe B. was, or why Li'l Abner was cancelled), contributing to the blog? He's said lots of things that we all know are true, the Delaware system is more crowded than anyone wants, and the fish are beat-up and stressed, unfortunately he also states, as truth, many things that have little basis in fact. His beliefs are no doubt sincere, 2012, the year he referenced for example, was also my best year on the Delaware. Why? The river had one of its biggest populations of trout ever, the bugs came early and in big numbers, there weren't nearly as many boats or people fishing as today, and the river system didn't suffer a single "blow out " from a rainstorm all year. BUT, at the tender age of 81, my second best year on the Delaware was 2024. There were boats galore and wade fishermen everywhere, the fish were beat-up and stressed but, as Hackelhouse said last year, you have to learn to adapt to catch fish (it also helped that the survival rate of the 2018 year class of browns was the best ever on the Delaware River system). Ed J., the fish have adapted to the new threats to their existence and we need to either sit and lament about the current state of affairs or figure out how to make the necessary changes to our fishing techniques to catch them. Today with the with parking lots and launch sites jammed with cars and trailers, I had two boats float by and never had a wade angler within 150 yards of me.
The fishing - You think I was just going to beat a dead horse? Left the Estate at 1:00 and drove up 17 to Deposit with a plan. From the road I could see that the middle section of the WB was crowded with waders and that boats were on the way down. Chose the warmest water in the WB and was rewarded with an early hatch of both paraleps and Hendricksons. Might have done better if the sun hadn't gone behind the clouds. There were rising fish, unfortunately, I wade more conservatively than I use to and many of them were out of my reach. When things slowed down, about three, I headed downstream below the cluster of now both wade fishermen and drift boats. Found enough Hendricksons to get fish up, but again the high water kept me from reaching many of the rising fish.
By 4:30 it was over. Drove around to see if I could find either bugs or rising fish. Saw rising fish that couldn't be reached, and but a few caddis. The free stones appeared dead and drifters were rowing out of the tailwaters at 6:30.
How'd I do? Hooked 8 fish. Landed two nice 18 inch browns, with the remaining four fish I landed being two and three year olds.
I don’t agree with Pat regarding drift boat etiquette. Most guides are respectful of wading fishermen and will go out of their way to not cause a situation, but there are a few who do not give a damn. It’s a problem and we just have to accept it!
Other Dennis,
Copied from a few years ago.
Three ounces of a Canadian rye, .75 of an ounce of M & R sweet Vermouth, .75 of an ounce of M & R dry Vermouth and a twist of lemon all stirred briskly over lots of ice. My wife, who is a beer drinker, says the first couple sips taste like lacquer thinner but after your “nips get lum” it’s not so bad. A word to the wise, never ever let more than two lemon twists get together in the bottom of your glass.
Thanks A119!!
Is your “Perfect Manhattan” a standard Manhattan that is perfect. Or is it the formula that uses both sweet and dry vermouth to the rye? I’ve given up trying to live up to your standard on the river (my decimal point is one to the left of yours), but figure I can do so in the bar.
I don’t agree with Pat regarding drift boat etiquette. Most guides are respectful of wading fishermen and will go out of their way to not cause a situation, but there are a few who do not give a damn. It’s a problem and we just have to accept it!
Agree with James. The number of guides and Drift boats should be regulated. It’s ridiculous to see so many boats on a river that’s so easily wade plus boat etiquette is minimal.
Agree with James. The number of guides and Drift boats should be regulated. It’s ridiculous to see so many boats on a river that’s so easily wade plus boat etiquette is minimal.
A119 -Thanks for the report, going with Harry Chapin !
Floated Balls to Vinny’s and saw the heaviest Hendo hatch I’ve seen the season. Olives and caddis mixed in and the fish were hard during the hatch, but beginning and end were good.Very few waders due to water level.2012, you’re a Pup here! Good to see the amount of bugs and feeding fish.Fish do 3 things, eat, hide and reproduce. If you were tasked with 3 jobs your entire life, you’d get good at it as well! It’s like a battle, watch where the forces line up and make adjustments.
Floated WB yesterday….too high for my dad to wade. Hoping to see good hatch….careful what you wish for. Middle WB was covered with them all afternoon….too many of them! Was tough convincing fish to choose your fly over the millions of real ones. Caught fish….some nice ones…but not as many as should have considering. Was nice to see river healthy with millions of bugs and tons of hungry rising trout! Hoping levels come down soon….much prefer wading to drifting….I always do better on my feet than in a boat.
I believe the number of guides should be limited. Great report. Thank you!