Posted on July 02 2026
There may be no cure for the summertime blues, but if you want to beat the heat, put your waders on and go stand in the WB, you may not catch any fish, but you won't complain about the heat. Today it was advantage wade fishermen as the guys in the boats fried like eggs on the griddle.
Last Friday I looked for the Dorotheas and all I found were the empty nymph husks, (was downstream from the hatch). Called Jim N. who spent the last couple of days in the middle of the hatch and he put me in the right place. Crowded? From 12:00 until 2:15 when I was back in the car, I saw nary a fisherman or a boat.
The bugs - The Dorotheas are coming. Judging by the cars and fishermen they are now in the lower part of the WB no-kill in numbers. The Invaria, don't appear to be ready to leave any time soon. Again judging by the anglers, they are to be found in numbers from Butler Brook up to Cold Springs Brook.
Things that drive me nuts - Been writing these reports for at least ten years and try to give advice aimed at helping people catch more fish on the Delaware. I watch fishermen and I'm convinced that either no one reads the reports or no one believes a thing I say. Please, if you want to catch fish, be willing to believe that the fish are at least as good at this game you are. I could list the ways trout have upped their game since catch and release became a thing, but I would be scoffed at by a huge majority of the fishermen out there who's only concern is that "They can't figure out what they're eating."
The fishing - Being in the right place for both the Dorothea and Invaria hatches helped make it a good day. Found some noses out of the water eating both Dorotheas and Invaria. It wasn't until the evening spinner fall that I got my tail kicked. There was fog, spinners on the water, some rising fish, and me with no answers. The fish ignored whatever I threw. When I didn't even get refusals with flies on the water, (both duns and spinners), I looked for midges, (when the Delaware trout key in on midges you need to just reel it in), but I couldn't see any in the fog.
The Delaware is the equivalent of a black diamond ski slope. All are welcome but you should get a few lessons before tackling it.
First time comment here. Fished the system 25 years ago (parenting and career got in the way for a while) first time back on the WB last weekend just before the heat and the thermal releases. Finding things are different. Found Invaria and then Dorotheas around Hale Eddy and a bit downstream on June 29-30. Had working fish, a few adults, no good looks. I don’t know how to get more than a few feet drifting drag free with a 40+ foot reach cast even with stacking mends. When the wind came up, game over. My son did catch his first fish, a yearling, on a dry fly on his first night with a fly rod, so we’ll take that. After several no looks, the fish took a small cream cahill.
A-119
I read your reports daily, not for the advice but just to hear from another experienced Upper D guy…
I am 33 and have been fishing the D for about 20 years. Started on the BK at 7… Caught my first trout on a fly in the campground section then.
I fish the D for the challenge- 1 fish from the D is worth 5 stockies any day!! To add to your above about helping others I think the biggest factor is the drift or lack thereof. Most folks cannot identify the slight drag their fly has. I fish very simple patterns and still pick off fish quite frequently.
My tips- 6X ONLY when you can’t get the drift with 5X; LONG leaders (I fish about an 18ft leader)- this helps with both drift and laying the fly down quieter on the water. If you see the fish refuse your fly, change patterns don’t keep casting expecting another outcome, these fish are to educated to fall for that. Casting 100ft is cool but good luck with the micro currents, get closer and manage that drift.
With all this said sometimes the fish win regardless. My last ditch effort is always a size 20 BWO CDC emerger.
Thank you for your commitment to these reports and sharing the knowledge and not gatekeeping! I’ll be there Sunday (seems to be least amount of traffic on this day) If you see a younger guy with worn out G3 waders and still wearing a traditional vest say hi!
This is a sport with many “experts”.
They have expertise on hatchery trout on home waters but the WB is well beyond their skill level. They don’t have the “A” game fishing the WB requires. They need your sage advice but discount it. “Not to worry”.
You are appreciated by many! Keep up your good work!
A-119 … you always give great advice which I’m sure most of us readers appreciate.
On a separate note, you mentioned you occasionally have muscle cramps. I’ve used a product named “elete” electrolyte I purchase from Amazon. It’s a balanced mix of salts in water and yet is not relatively high in sodium like some others. A recommended number of drops are added to a water bottle based on the size of the bottle. No sugar or calories … just hydration. Works for me even during winter steelhead fishing. Hope this helps.
Thanks again for sharing your expertise.
A119,
Great to talk with you yesterday. I hope my info helped you find some fish. Always happy to help friends!!
So is it poor etiquette at these temperatures and when no fish are rising to drop your gear on the bank and sit in the river to cool off? 🤣
Dennis,
Keep up the good fight!
I can assure you your advice is being used .
Angler119’-Thanks for your insights and advice. You’ve helped me up my game on the always difficult Delaware.Glad Jim N was able to point you to an uncrowded spot that had rising fish. Dennis – You haven’t lost your mojo. It’s bright , sunny and a 100 degrees. Very tough conditions. Take care. Ed
Again I fished the UWB yesterday and it was a difficult day. I had a refusal and when I pulled the line it became a tangled mess. I was fishing the far bank and this older gentleman walking behind me cast to a fish and caught a very nice fish while I was casting at fish in front of me. The fish were very picky but there was a good hatch of bugs. I ended up catching one fish18 in. My mojo is gone!!