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Neversink revisited and "Sulfur Zone" boundaries set.

Posted on June 28 2018

After the all day soaker of yesterday,  the heavy thunderstorms of last night and the scattered showers today, the entire system was either stained or muddy.  It was a much needed infusion of rainwater into the systems tribs and the lower water temps will at least help when the coming heatwave hits.

Decided to take the day off and drive over to the Neversink and look for sulfurs and rising trout. Found both, unfortunately not in big numbers.  The sulfurs were spaced out and any trout feeding in the slow water pools (which is where they were) had to keep moving to get enough to eat.  The fisherman's parking lots were empty and there are no paths along the bank.  In two and a half hours of fishing I cast at perhaps a dozen fish.  Most times it was one cast and the fish was done. Hooked and landed two fish, lost one, was refused by two and ignored by the rest.  The water flow of a little over 100 cfs is slow, the water clear and the fish count the sulfur's legs before eating.

Was asked, "Exactly where is the sulfur zone".  A fair question.  There are no signs which say "Entering the Sulfur Zone".  Budget constraints have prevented me from erecting any.  There is no such thing as a "Sulfur Zone", it is just my way of referring to that area where the tailwater sulfurs hatch.  The more cold water released, the farther downstream the hatch goes.  When I first started fishing the WB the release was at a minimal amount until June 15th when about 320 cfs were released. This flow continued until August 15th.  I don't remember the restricted flow amount (45cfs?) but the WB got so warm below Oquaga that that was the downstream end of the summer sulfurs.  With the increased minimum flows we have had under the more recent release programs the zone has often been extended to the bottom of the "No-Kill" section or even farther.  If you are new to the Delaware,  count the boat trailers at the NY launch and takeout site near the bottom of the no kill.  If the sulfurs are hatching most guides will stay up river and take out there.  The wade fishermen will fill the parking lots at the launch, the men's club, the sewage treatment plant, the little lot above the red barn as well as parking along the road where ever permitted.  There will be bugs there mid afternoon all summer.  There will also be rising fish.  Good luck catching them.

1 comment

  • chris pitts: June 29, 2018

    I’ve only caught two decent fish in that “zone” ever. one was the biggest trout I have ever caught and i think had more to do with pure luck than anything else. Both took a very very long time to get and were on olive emergers size 18 and 20, when eveyone was throwing sulfurs, in a little eddy like spot that never seems to have someone standing or casting. That liittle spot has bad casting angles and have to cast upriver with a exaggerated hook cast. The deleware is always a learning experience or a humbling kick in the butt

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