Posted on June 06 2025
Did yard work early to avoid the heat, I didn't, came in soaked, put my clothes out on the porch to dry and took a shower, had lunch, tied flies, waited until after three, and took a drive up to Deposit. Started yesterday at 5:30 and both the bugs and fish were going. Today from 3:30 until 4:45 when I left, neither the bugs nor the fish had made an appearance. Why'd I go? As you know, I don't like to fish the same place twice in a week, let alone two days in a row, and when three guys came sloshing their way up into the tailwater, I left. Drove by the place I fished the day before and the same two cars were by the camp where the four fishermen entered the stream last night. I was on Rte. 17 and drove right on by heading east.
First stop was at a place on the EB where I have had mixed results, (best day of the year, and several meh's). There was a boat anchored right in "my" spot, throwing at fish, exchanged waves and watched a good number of fish rise all over the pool while they continued to cast at the same fish. Moved on to the BK where I saw neither bugs, nor fish, nor fisherman, did a uie, and drove back to the EB where the boat had left. It was now about 6:45 and I was eagerly anticipating a pool to myself with rising fish. Got the pool to myself, but the bugs weren't hatching and the fish weren't feeding. At seven-thirty, I reeled it in and headed for the Lordville Estate. Stopped at Junction Pool and watched the water go by while swatting mosquitoes. Did the same thing at the Lordville Bridge and called it a day.
Let me tell you where it's at - Not, the BR or the EB,or the BK, (or if it's still on, the UEB, with the number of boats that have been fishing there). It's happening on the WB. There are an untold number of boats, wading is limited, (but getting better every day). Take a "Buspirone, or a Benzodiazepine, (was going to say quaalude but they were outlawed back in the '80's), (but you can still get them from Mexico), (perhaps Mrs. Haskins would at least smile at this paragraph before giving me "the look"). There are Invaria and assorted remnants of the "big bug hatch", and the fish there don't know it's over yet, go before someone tells them.
Ed Smith – I agree. It’s just fishing. I am sure though more than a handful of fisherman read this blog. It all adds up.
Andy B and Jack M – Thanks for the nice comments. You (Jack M) have the nerve to wish someone dead. Come on. And by the way, the “good old days” will never be back .I would never call someone an ahole for his/their opinions. Certainly lots of opinions are right on and do not “stink”. Not a great saying by the b-ball “coach” at all. I am not negative either, just stating how things are now on the Upper Delaware System from my observations since 1980. In a lot of fisherman’s view, it is quite disgusting with the river traffic and propaganda. Degrades your experience.
And in the scheme of things, all this bs doesn’t really matter. Everything changes in this world.
As a guide from Kamchatka once told me, the fishing here is like it was 50 years ago because it is untouched by humans. Humans tend to change things for the worst.
My HS basketball coach had a great saying that fits here: “Opinions are like arseholes. Everybody has one and they all stink.”
Keeping this point in mind, I do not offer unsolicited opinions.
I am grateful for this blog and have learned more about water, bugs and trout than anywhere else. Thanks to A119 and the other group of kind and friendly anglers here.
Hey Ed Jones maybe the good old days will come back when you’re gone. You seem like a real prick.
If you don’t like the blog switch the channel asshole.
Your the first jerk to be so negative in the 5 years or so of reading it.
Ed Jones/ No disrespect to You and I’m not about to have “a chat room argument ”Everyone is entitled to their opinion . After all it’s ONLY fishing.. I just want to note that I and others that post could care less about how many fish we catch – none of, one , 10. we only post how many to give a feel for how good the fishing is. Also the guys I know are all wade fishermen. As for us “idiots”( just a little insulting) we all spend money in the area for food, gas, etc. One would hope that helps the local economy. The Delaware has been written about extensively for 20 or 30 years. I doubt the handful of people who read this blog adds much to the numbers of fisherman on the river. Oh well, remember, it’s only fishing. Enjoy your day.Ed Smith
119 – Your note is certainly understood.
However, you are indirectly in the business of renting rooms, selling fishing equipment or filling guide boats. You write for Troutfitter for God’s sake. It all adds up to overcrowding and more abuse to our wild fish year after year.
You yourself, as I, have seen this awful overcrowding and abuse as the years have passed on the river. Yes, I know the good old days are long gone. Talk to any true local and they cannot stand the influx of all the “idiots” as they call them. It’s shameful that a good portion of fish become “pin cushions” as the season progresses. Just a suggestion, but, perhaps you should just stick to your “band of brothers” and text back and forth. I mean no disrespect. I am simply expressing my opinion.
To Jack McDonald and the rest I say get out of your banana boats and become “real” fly fishermen……and it is not a numbers game that all of you seem to embrace. Doesn’t impress one bit. Oh boy.
To Hacklehouse::I looked up the Cannonsville Dam on Wiki..It came into operation in 1964. I also read in the article it is being considered for a 14 MW power facility…A119..any truth to this or is it old news?
To Ed Jones: This whole Delaware tailwater system has a ton of big fish in all the branches. However, they do not suffer fishing fools gladly. 20 years ago I was lucky to catch a few in a weekend. Last year in “big bug season “ I put 35 fish in the boat in 3 days over 15 inches long and a few of 19 to 21 inches. The difference, learning to cast in wind, a reasonably proficient reach cast and a good guides help through the years. A month later (late June) it was 12 or13 fish over a 3 day period. What changed? Pressure and the bugs. So, please don’t harp on A-119 – the people who read this blog regularly suffer fools less than does the Delaware River.
Always appreciate the reports from Angler119. Myself and a group were up there for a week. We left Tuesday and some wade spots on the WB are just starting to open up at the end of our stay. Have to know where and be careful wading but there are some open spots with little foot traffic. We floated the majority of the time but towards the end of the week, wading options were coming into play in a few spots. Plenty of boat traffic but also plenty of space to get away from the fleet. I also stayed at the Troutfitter ahead of the main group one day. Its a great place to stay and Dave was kind enough to accommodate a late check in. It’s a much better place under new ownership! Great shop as well. Looking forward to staying again in a few weeks.
Cheers
60 years on the system….. 1965
Check to see when the dam was built !
60 years on the system….. 1965
Check to see when the dam was built !
I am considering coming up this weekend but don’t know if it will be safe to wade with the forecast. Have to make a decision to cancel my reservation in the next few hours… any wisdom? Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge over the years, I’ve learned a ton and it’s a pleasure to read.
Angler119’s-Boy, just a tough day. The sunny days and high air temps aren’t helping. Dennis- well said. Angler119’ has no vested interest in bringing fisherman up to the UWB, in fact he would prefer to fish alone. And when he talks about how good the fishing is on the main stem, BE or the BK they are 30+ miles from the WB.So I don’t why he’d be hyping anything. I assume Ed Jones misunderstood or it was said in jest. Life is to short to get into a debate over something like this. Good fishing to all. Ed Smith
I would like to respond to Mr. Ed jones. A119 has been fishing this system for over 60 years. He knows what he is talking about and has diaries to back it up. From my experience this year I’ve caught more fish from 14-19in. Than any other year. To me they are good fish. If you were a steady reader of this blog you would appreciate the information A119 imparts on his readers and his willingness to share his knowledge. Read the blog more often and see what other fisherman are saying.
Here’s to Big FISH!!!!