Posted on April 18 2025
Looked at the forecast on Tuesday morning, worked around the fishing camp until noon in beautiful 65 degree weather, and then packed up and headed back to Lafayette. Temperature dropped to a low of 43 on the way home with winds in 30/40 mph range. Woke to a day long lake effect snow storm Wednesday, and I don't care how many fish people may have caught, I'm glad I wasn't here fishing.
There was bright sunshine, but chilly temps this morning. Arrived in Deposit around 11:30, where the temp was up to 47 degrees but a biting northwest wind was cutting the smoke off just above the top of the chimney by the Deposit exit. Decided to stay in Deposit where I could get a little protection from the wind.
The fishing - I've gotten reports of fish feeding at about 1:00 and for a change I was there on time. Saw a pod of fish rising in an unprotected windy spot. There were at least a dozen fish going like it was chow time at the fish hatchery. Suited up, got into position, and promptly hooked a bush on my first back cast. Tied on a new tippet and fly and was in ready to go. Hooked seven or eight fish in about half an hour. What was hatching? Tiny black quills. How big were the fish? You had to ask. The three wild fish I landed were all between 10 and 11 inches. The three hatchery fish were even smaller. Stuck one decent fish that came off almost instantly.
With the pod subdued, I moved into quieter water and was able to find enough quality fish to keep me occupied for about another hour. I then took a good walk along a nice run without seeing a single rise. Was in the car by 3:00. The fishing was over at least half an hour before then. A 17 inch brown was fish of the day.
Stopped at a place on the lower WB and one on the BR while driving down to the Lordville Estate. Wind was both cold and relentless. Saw a good number of boats on both the lower WB and the BR as far down as Lordville. Talked with a fisherman who was taking out at Buckingham and he said he caught "a couple" on dries, but that he thought the nymphers were doing well. I saw nary a rise or bug at either stop.
Hopefully things will improve with the warmer temperatures that are predicted for the coming week.
A119 sounds like a tough day but a good day!! I am heading down to the river today and will report on my efforts.
Angler119- oh boy, what difficult day. The darn wind makes it cold and almost intolerable. A 17” brown was a nice reward for sticking it out. Hopefully the Hendricksons will come soon. Ed