Posted on May 17 2026
With a beautiful weekend on tap, a Hendrickson hatch in full bloom in Deposit, the freestones out of the doldrums, (but still a challenge to wade), and a plethora of anglers anxious to get on the river, it's not hard to imagine this being a record breaking weekend for both shuttle operators and number of drift boats on the river.
Stopped at the Troutfitter on my way back to Lafayette to chat with a group of long time fishing friends. At 10:00 am people were worried about getting a parking place at both the Red Barn and the game lands. Flies were being purchased by the dozens, boats on trailers were lined up in front of both the motel rooms and the fly shop, Anthony and Andy were spreading mulch under the hedge, and five ***** "Accommodation Specialist" Janet was trying to drive her vehicle through the congestion to prepare rooms for incoming guests. It was so busy and congested that I'm sure no one noticed that I slipped my bag of trash into the dumpster. After six days of fishing in cold, cloudy, and breezy weather, I was ready for a break, but the sunshine and warm temperature made it hard to leave.
If you are one of the many people on the river the next few weeks, please be courteous to fellow anglers, both waders and drift boaters alike. There have been some less than favorable comments about the number of boats on the river recently, and I understand the frustration, BUT I am a wade fisherman, have hired exactly one guide on the Delaware River, have fished from a boat less than 15 times in almost 40 years, and in those few times in drift boats, have learned how difficult it is not to screw up other peoples fishing. Guides, by my account, do a fantastic job being both polite and courteous to both wade fishermen and other boats when working their way down a crowded river. It's frustrating, but there are things everyone can do to help.
Wade fishermen can fish above put-ins early in the day and below take-outs late in the day. If a boat is coming down river towards you, politely let the oarsman know where you would like him to go, and thank him when he obliges. Don't make someone row all the way across the river to go behind you if they can go by in front of you without disturbing your fishing.
You can often get useful tips and information by talking to the people in boats as they go by, BUT do not ever ask how they are doing and do not tell them how well you are doing, people's skill levels vary and no one likes to hear that someone is catching fish when they are not, (especially a guide hoping for a tip when rowing a hapless pair of anglers down the river). Ask about what bugs are hatching, if they've seen any risers, where they put in and where they're taking out, all useful information when planning the next days fishing.
When the inevitable happens and someone rows over the fish you are working on, or worse yet throws at the fish you are casting to, there are several things to do. First try to determine if the egregious act was done out of arrogance or ignorance. Verbal confrontation serves little purpose in either case. Most often I've found the release of the bird in your hand is the most effective response to the perceived offender. Arrogance deserves a single digit, they know what they did and there should be no ambiguity about your feelings in the matter, ignorance on the other hand, gets, from me, a three finger salute, so I can see if they are smart enough to read between the lines.
I fish out a drift boat because I want to .No excuses here ,one of the few rivers I can. I wade fish for steelhead all over so I know the challenges from that side. When i come around a corner and see 20 guys all casting to rising fish in both directions its not easy to pick my way thru. Someone is likely to get offended no mater how careful we are. We also deserve some courtesy and leeway. Those in waders can also pause and wait 1 minute for us to pass. All drift boat oarsman are not guides/ experts either and sometimes its not that easy.
I have found nearly everyone on the river to be exceptionally courteous and helpful . I expect no less from myself and those in my boat. Sometimes however shit just happens maybe a wrong read of the current etc. and it can happen quick. We all need a little more patience , the fish demand it and we give it to them. So give it to your fellow angler as well.
Great posts!
I fish from a drift boat 12 to 15 times a year due to severe back issues. I would prefer to wade , but have no choice. All of the guides that I have had have been courteous to other boats and to wade fishermen. Some have better guiding skills than others. That is to be expected, but all were professional and have provided positive experiences.
Made the trip down from Syracuse area yesterday with the good weather on deck. Stopped in stilesville as it was not busy at the red barn mid morning. If you haven’t seen yet, there are two brand new additions to the cow pasture. I must have arrived just shortly after the event as the whole pasture had come to welcome the new younglings. Ironically, I have about two weeks to the birth of my first one. This may well have been my first and last time out this season (let’s hope not), so I will be living vicariously through this crowd.
Paraleps and hendricksons were on the water from 12:30 until I left around 4. Blankets of Hendricksons from 2-3:30 or so. The trouble was fighting the wind and pairing that up with a consistent riser. Most of the rises were splashy shows, clear indication of chasing emergers. I was able to trick two fish, one being a healthy 18er. The gentleman next to me also landed 3 to 4 in the challenging conditions. With the bright sun and tough wind, I don’t think the fish cared to eat up top.
I may try to sneak in another trip before my big event but I wanted to say thank you to all the folks that contribute here, especially A119! Excited to read all the stories from the sidelines this summer and cheer the group on. Tight lines friends!
Angler119’-An excellent blog on stream protocol.Lets be nice to each other. It’s fishing, not open heart surgery Jim D- I agree. Cool response. I going to look in my funk and wagnels maynnoise jar for equally cool response. Ed
Great post, and timely. Thank you.
In my experience it’s not the guides that cause the issues. 95% of the people I have met in boats while wading are great, super courteous and helpful.
Yesterday I fished the Beaverkill in the am, landed a really nice chub.
Hit Deposit for the Hendrickson hatch. Started about 2 where I was, lasted until 3:30ish, was intense, but the only a few fish were rising.
Moved downriver for the evening, and the egg laid g caddis were abundant. All I thought o saw were apple caddis, but the had to go down to 18’s and 6x to get any interest.
Had a nice day on the river.
It seems the lack courtesy and etiquette of the Salmon River has inexplicably followed some anglers and guides down to the West Branch. It would be lovely if the Salmon River culture, or lack there of, was left at the Town Pool.
In my estimation everyone should abide by the golden rule which is ‘one’s fishing should never come at the expense of another’s.’ Give everyone space. Don’t low hole or high hole. Be friendly and communicate. Simple courtesy’s are not difficult. Let’s all catch what we’re seeking.
Tight lines.
Great post today on a little stream etiquette…and to the rubes on the rivers..”May an elephant caress you with his toes”…