Posted on April 28 2023
With both reservoirs being allowed to spill, the decision on where to fish became more complicated.
650 cfs at Harvard is certainly wade able but is not ideal and probably will result in some people putting in drift boats and floating. The water temp at Harvard (50 degrees) indicates that they may have bumped up the release, as surface water would probably have been warmer. The WB spill seems to be unmitigated (no increased release?), as the temp at Stilesville has gone up. The river at Hale Eddy is now over 1,200 cfs which restricts many waders, but the increased water temp might well trigger a bug bonanza and a resurgence of the WB Armada.
The spills also affected the BR where the flow at Lordville is again up over 3,000 cfs (risky and intimidating for the majority of anglers). The EB is back up to about 1,650 cfs which makes it difficult to wade in most places.
What did I do? Tied some new rusty spinners, reorganized my Hendrickson and spinner boxes and went fishing. It's fun not to know where you are going to fish when you leave the fishing camp. Usually the decision is made for you as you drive along the river system. Went east again today (five days in a row) but had little desire to fish the BE again. The UEB held no allure for reasons stated in paragraph two above. That left the BK which I hadn't visited in over ten days. The BK at 700 cfs is fishable, with care. You can't cross most places and those fish on the far bank gulping every fly that comes down the river can't be reached and are considered to be out of bounds.
The Fishing - If the three knockdown rule was in effect I would have been TKOed in the first round. There were bugs, rising fish and adrenalin present in abundance. The fish ignored my Hendricksons so I added 6x tippet and switched from a size 12 Hendrickson to a size 16 caddis. Lost six of the first eight fish I hooked. Settled down and had a delightful day. Managed to land over 50% (of the fish hooked), and landed at least one 20 incher for the third consecutive day.
Ang
great stuff angler 119< i really enjoy and appreciate each post. Sam
Angler 119. Thanks for the report. Cold and damp morning .With BK at 700cfs went to the Willow. Water was too cold. Nothing doing. Ended up on the lower no kill of the BK. Sun and lots of bugs around 3:00. Some sporadic .As you mentioned the best fish were on the far bank just out of reach . Went to the Willow to meet my son in law at 4:30. . Fish were taking Hendrickson fund and later some spinners . We didn’t have as good a day catching as you did but did land a few “nice ones”. Always a lot of fun
A119 I can’t believe what I just read!! I did a float trip with Addie Lasorte yesterday. The fishing was fantastic and he did exactly what you described in your blog. He switched to 6x tippet and smaller fly with great success!!!!!! We landed 9 fish with the smallest being 16 and the largest was20. I lost 3 and had 2refusals.
I go with Adrian every year to get a fishing and casting tune up!!!!! His style is second to none. His intensity and knowledge is overwhelming.
Reading your blog and fishing with Adrian I have access to unlimited knowledge of fishing the Deleware system. A119 Please keep the posts coming you are a valuable resource to all fly fisher persons
Thank you A119 and Adrian Lasorte. You have made me a better angler