Posted on April 20 2021
If you don't think I was a bit antsy sitting in the Dr.'s office at 12:00 noon today, you don't know me. Sunday was near biblical. Monday, I dutifully returned to Syracuse for an eye exam that didn't exist. Today was the last day to fish before hell freezes over. Was on the road by 12:45, stopping only at the rest area near Marathon to lighten the load and thus save fuel. When I got to Hancock it was 2:38 so I stopped at the Golden Arches and ordered a number 4. Timing was perfect, ate the last greasy fry at the East Branch Sunoco Station and was trying to get my rod out from under the new porch screen door (yes all 36x80 inches of it road along with me from Home Depot), at 3:00pm.
Had seen Hendrickson's and risers from the road and clambered down a steep bank to teach them a lesson or two. Very first cast hooked a holdover hatchery fish. Visions of an instant replay of Sunday flashed through my mind but, alas, it wasn't meant to be. There were bugs (Hendrickson's) and there were fish ( all very big), but Tuesday isn't Sunday, no one touched me on the shoulder and said you are the chosen one. The hatch, every where I went, was sparse. The fish had played the game before (50% refused the fly). Did I catch fish? Yes. Were they good ones? Every fish that eats the fly on the Delaware is a good one.
The fish of the day is worth mentioning. Had been refused by two fish that I saw eat Hendrickson duns when I saw another fish rise. Made the cast and a good fish came up and ate it. He didn't get into the backing but he ran downstream and I waded down and over near shore to get him out of the current. When he got within 20 feet I saw that he was a real good fish. He saw me, and darted away. Felt him shake his head a few times and when next I saw him he had a tail on each end. Too tired for another run, the fish shook and rolled and in the process disgorged a 10 inch fall fish. The brown measured 20.5 inches. The big question is why he ate a Hendrickson after first consuming a meal that size.
The fishing - very cold weather is predicted. Paraleps and olives need to step up to the plate. I need to remember to put on long johns tomorrow. You might consider waiting for the warmup on Friday.
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