Posted on June 13 2026
Having been soaked to the skin twice within an hour yesterday, I resolved to keep a close watch on the weather today. The weatherman said showers, and thunderstorms, ( some severe), starting at 2:00 and lasting until 5:00. His prediction was perfect. Twice I started for a pool only to retreat to the car after hearing the thunder or seeing both the dark clouds and the number of drift boats and wade fishermen already there. Both times I made it back to the car before the rain. At 4:56 the sun came out. Where was I? Filling my gallon water jugs at the Lordville spring.
At 7:00 I went out again and drove up the river catching glimpses of both drift boats and wade fishermen in the dense fog that enveloped the river after the afternoon rains. Some days it's just not meant to be. The rain is once again pounding down on the porch roof as I write amen to a fishless Friday.
A large number of guides have departed. Yes, Barking Dog, Balls Eddy, and Shehawken are busy, but Stockport had but two trailers and Buckingham has been empty all week. The freestones are both too warm to fish and too low to float. If there is fishing on the UEB it is almost certainly the last hour of the day and it too is too low to float. The WB has both bugs and rising fish. It also has all of the guides, everyone with any kind of a boat and all of the wade fishermen. I girded my loins and fished there all week, today, I just didn't have the stomach for it. By Monday, I'll probably be ready to go.
Drove to different spots on Upper West Branch. Decided not to fish because of the number of boats and anglers in that stretch of the river. Hats off the the fish for still coming to the surface even with all these pressure.
Drove to different spots on Upper West Branch. Decided not to fish because of the number of boats and anglers in that stretch of the river. Hats off the the fish for still coming to the surface even with all these pressure.
Thank you for all your work
I was in the crowd on the upper WB yesterday. The hatch was fair at best. Some fish were up and very picky. I didn’t put a fish in the net but I stopped at the troutfitters and got new wading boots. Highlight of the day. The fish rose through the rain and then the fog made it so you couldn’t see anything. Might go today!! I’ll report if I fish.
I will be adding to the crowds on the WB from Monday – Friday. I so look forward to reading this blog and with my annual trip just hours away it’s even more meaningful. Would love it if you could save a few of those hendricksons for Monday afternoon.