Posted on May 03 2025
There are three factors worthy of consideration in trying to assess the reasons for what I thought was a very difficult April, fishing wise. The wind, the low water, and the lack of bugs.
The wind - As I have previously stated, the "Hendrickson winds", are an understandable event. The sun is high in the sky, It heats up the ground, there are no leaves on the trees to both keep the ground from heating up and to keep the heat from rising. The thermals rise and create wind which peaks when the Hendricksons are hatching. It happens every year. What makes this year different? There were neither Hendricksons nor rising fish to distract us.
The lack of water - It started last fall. Call it whatever you want but it was so dry that NYC cancelled the repair work on the pipe under the Hudson for fear of NYC running out of water. Releases were cut back, fish couldn't get up the tributaries to spawn, spawning beds in the tailwaters were left waterless when flows were reduced. The reservoirs didn't fill, and the WB tributaries filled the WB with silt which has not been flushed out by reservoir spill water. Many of the effects of the low water probably won't be felt for a year or two, (reduced survival rate of fingerlings from 2024, and lack of young fish in the tributaries because spawning fish couldn't get up the tributaries to spawn.
The lack of bugs - It is now evident that both the pseudo, (aka blue quill), and Hendrickson hatches on the freestones, (BR, EB, and BK), were virtually non existent. The hatches I have witnessed have been nothing more than a smattering of the bugs insufficient to even get fish up and feeding. The jury is still out on the tailwaters. I've heard reports of both pseudo and Hendrickson hatches on both the UEB and the WB. I've seen and caught fish on Hendrickson in the WB. However, the bugs I saw hatch were a mere shadow of what you would call a hatch in prior years. Why? I have no clue, but if something has affected all of the may flies the way it has affected the pseudos and Hendricksons, we are in for a very challenging season.
My Delaware River and dry fly experience is very limited. That being said I did manage 1 fish on each trip in October 24.. Both browns , 1 on BK the other the main stem both on rusty spinners.
After reading these reports my skill set would push me to nymphing and streamers as opposed to becoming very frustrated with no takes on a dry.
Lucky for me have an experienced cousin to help me . That being said my boat will have 3 rods all with different setups. I ll do the work !
Your insights are very much appreciated.
Historically low warm water in a previous summer/fall equates to lack of bugs the next season. Add silt to this and you have disaster.
The entire Northeast suffered form heat and adequate rain last year.. these are the consequences.
Angler119’- My observations are similar to yours and the other posters. A “smattering “ of Hendricksons on the Willow/BK/UEB, a decent blue quill hatch on the lower BK. Joe Fox had similar experiences and wondered if the hatch come off early during high water. Who knows??? I would think, regardless of last years low/ very warm water that some micro habitats would have sheltered enough bugs for a fishable hatch. Jim N hasn’t seen any hatches on the Saucon either.Let’s hope the March Browns, etc activity is better. Ed
I’ve been fishing the upper Delaware system since 1969 and this this is the worst bug year I can remember. I always wondered if insecticides, other lawn, farm and railroad Agent Orange chemicals, as well as highway salt could have something to do about reducing the bug life? Of course, the amount or water in our rivers would be the ultimate deciding factor as to whether the chemicals would be diluted and carried away quickly.
As being relatively new to this game of fly fishing I appreciate the knowledge you guys have on the spectrum of flyfishing. Its impressive the understand all of you have on bug life and river flows and the affect they have on the fish. I can’t thank all of you enough for sharing.
Fished the Neversink yesterday, about 6 miles north of route . 17, and there were plenty of caddie but no risers
I had a good pseudo hatch on the Willow on Monday, and the fish were eating the duns. But with that bright sun overhead, I had a hard time convincing them to eat my imitation. I think they knew I was there, and dined accordingly.
Good analysis… I ventured to a local stream near me the other day and noticed not one rise or absolutely no bug activity..none. Kind of an odd year. I was on the water at what would have been an optimal time. It will be interesting when the Sulphur’s hatch this year.
A119
Great analysis.
I’m getting the same feeling about this season.
Something s off up there….and on other waters that I fish closer to home. No bugs…
And just add in that each fish caught will become hook shy.
Good luck everyone. Enjoy each fish that you catch because you earned it.