Posted on August 06 2025
With a family of skunks following me around after my two one fish days, I got out of bed this morning resolved to do better. Had breakfast, checked the temperature, (62), and left for the UEB hoping to find tricos. It was 65 when I headed up route 30 past the Sunoco station. Saw a car parked just upstream of the Sunoco station at the "crusher pool" that may or may not have been a fisherman. The only for sure trico fisherman was in the five star spot. Saw neither waxwings nor tricos over the riffs but there were fish rising in a pool I passed up because it's hard to get good drifts over the fish there. The spot I chose came with a decent walk and required faith that when you got there there would be fish rising. There were. It was my first trico trip of the year and to be kind, I didn't start out very well. Added 7x to a long piece of 6x already part of the leader and it just didn't turn over and lay out. When I finally got a fish to eat he effortlessly broke the 7x. I then broke the 7x with my hands, (it's probably been in my vest since before covid). Cut off the 7x, paid attention to what casts got a look and got both more looks and more tooks. Don't know what time I started but I finished up at 12:00. Two of the last three fish were 18 inch rainbows, drove back to the Lordville Estate much less concerned about the erosion of my fishing skills.
Had lunch, did an hours worth of work in the yard, took a shower and rested up for the evening fishing.
Left at 6:30, took a leisurely drive up the PA side of the BR, stopping at both Buckingham and Shehawken. Saw a red pickup at Buckingham, and one trailer and seven cars at Shehawken. Kept going. The Balls Eddy lot had two pickup trucks and no trailers. With no trailers at Balls Eddy and but one at Shehawken I could fish almost anywhere from "Barking Dog " down in solitude. Chose a spot and not ten minutes later a pontoon boat came by that appeared to be rowing out, they gave me lots of room. It was my only encounter with other fishermen while on the water all day, kinda like it like that. There were no fish rising upon my arrival but there were little olives hatching. A fish ate my olive on a blind cast, and then I saw a few rises. A fish I saw rise ate my olive and I gave him my olive as a souvenir when I struck just a tad bit too hard. Got another fish to eat a blind cast, then things went quiet. The olives continued to hatch but the fish weren't rising. Finally after I'd changed to a fly I could see, the fish started to rise and they weren't fussy about what they ate. Not saying I was in a frenzy but I hooked four fish, and landed two. The fly came out of the fish's mouth in the net on both fish I landed. Cut off both flies, tied on new ones and both times failed to see that the leader was wrapped around the rod, (many times), with no one else on the river I just might have let the world know what I thought of the situation.
Waded out with the flashlight on, laughing at my self while thinking how much how much fun it is to get to do what I get to do. Thanks Jean!
I fished yesterday on the UWB. The fishing was not great for me. Not many bugs and not many risers. I landed one fish 12in. I did have a few refusals. I fished from 1-5 and at 4 it was deathly quiet. Hopefully things will get better
“Waded out with the flashlight on, laughing at my self while thinking how much fun it is to get to do what I get to do…”
You are blessed A119. Many of us would be thrilled to experience one tenth of what you do. Tight lines!!!
Fishing with 7-8x is psychological as well as physical. Get your head out of it and let your abilities take over.
If you are apprehensive you’ll never be successful
Fishing with 7-8x is psychological as well as physical. Get your head out of it and let your abilities take over.
If you are apprehensive you’ll never be successful
If you’re losing fish on 7x, give solardini fluorocarbon a try. The breaking strength of the 7x is nearly 4lbs, which at least gives you a fighting chance with these picky browns. If it’s a rainbow, just kiss your ass goodbye.
FYI, I have had good luck with Trout Hunter 6.5X fluoro. Bought from Troutfitters. The knot and breaking strengths have been very good.
Fulling Mills ultimate dry fly hooks (FM5050) in size 20 has a nice design (down eye and barbless). I never had issues threading the tippet through the eye.
Not crowding the eye during tying and not using and head cement/glue is another key for me.
I poked around for tricos last week without much luck. I am not very familiar with the likely places for tricos in the upper Delaware. I am glad you found them. One of my favorite summer hatches to fish.
Wonderful report. Solitude is so precious. Not just for fishing, but for the purification of the soul. I am glad that you left the hypothetical “family of skunks” in the dust. I for one live vicariously through you. Keep it up my friend.
Jim D- Thanks. I fished the 3wt/7x on limestone steams in Pa. and Mt.In Pa,We were using #24 and #26 trico duns and spinner patterns back then .I had younger eyes and better reflexes then. Not so sure I could pull it off now. Ed
I had to switch to 7X last week just to get the tippet through my size 20 sulphur. Lost the first fly with a bad cast (snapped it off). and the second fly when the fish of the trip jumped and snapped it off. This was brand new 7X tippet, just purchased at Trout-Fitters.
Which is why I asked about the Daiichi 1110 wide eyelet hook.
I wasn’t sure what artist The Boss was referring to..Don K I believe was going with the Pete Rodriguez version and honestly I don’t remember that one..Ed you are brave with a three weight and seven x for tricos…gotta hand it to you!
Angler119’-a very interesting , frustrating and successful day all rolled into one. Congratulations on landing the two nice rainbows. Yeah leader material doesn’t last forever. I have some old stuff I should throw out. Also, just a thought,it’s difficult to fight big fish on 7x on a 5 wt. I usually fish a 3 wt which is softer action. Jim D- Yes the DC 5 song is also now an ear worm for me. Very cool.Ed
A119 great day on the river!! I’ve never caught a fish on a trico. I’ll have to fix that!! I am going today. I’ll report.
That was a great read!!!
Ah Tricos and a Latin Vibe..brings back High School memories.. ; -)
Great read today… I’ve done a few trico trips and have been thoroughly skunked. As far as the blog title it was originally done by Chris Kenner but the version I remember most is the one by The Dave Clark Five..one of my favorite bands.. now I have The Name Of the Place stuck in my head!