Posted on May 22 2026
It's become obvious to me by reading our angler's comments, that the A-119 team is getting badly out fished by the group of photo happy, bobber rigging guides over at the DRC. I may or may not have previously mentioned that there have been no "Got This One On A Dry" comments under their photos this year. And an embarrassingly large number of twelve to sixteen inchers finding their way into the photos, but still, they are kicking our collective a$$es.
What to do? Associate Editor Jim N., (tier of exquisite flies) was on top of this in his late, but still timely post this morning, (or was it afternoon). He said in part, (and I don't know how Mr. Buffet got into the mix), "you've got to double down", and today, without even reading Jim N's tardy post, that's exactly what I did.
The bugs - Yesterday I fished PARTWAY through an upriver, (Deposit), Hendrickson hatch and left empty handed, today I fished an ENTIRE, (entire and partway being important words here), Hendrickson hatch, in the lower WB. Long after the hatch was over, I picked a red quill, (the male Hendrickson), up off the water in the home pool at Lordville on the BR.
The fishing - Lost what was, probably by four inches, the fish of the day not three feet from the net at the end of my outstretched arm. A big brown took a look at me and decided he wasn't as tired as he thought he was, turned and broke the leader at the five-x-to leader connection. He's got my caddis and a length of both 5 and 6 x tippet in his mouth as a souvenir.
Was on the lower WB for the entire Hendrickson hatch and if the fish were eating duns, it would have been a perfect hatch, enough to get the fish up, but not so many that the fish wouldn't see your fly. As the hatch started to wain, I had but one fish, when the hatch was over, I had seven. Piggy fish that are still hungry when the hatch is almost over start, eating duns, and sometimes turn what for the last hour had been a clueless, inept fishermen into a fish hooking machine. It's lots of fun when that happens.
Finished up the day in the Lordville riff, where I was able to get enough rainbows to eat my flies to restore my confidence that I can still play the game.
Redemption! Had a great Thursday on the lower WB, bugs going from 1 until 4 with the best fish being a 20+ inch Brown. Only had one drift boat get within a couple rods length, everyone else was courteous. Spent today on the lower east and had a trickle of bugs from 10am on and plenty of risers. Great couple of days
Fished the UE last night and this morning. Fishing was improved with the lower flows.
14 spinners last night and 18 Blue Wing Olives this morning.
Angler119’- Sounds like you had a great day.
Rising fish and fish in the net.That’s why your the captain of the A-119 team. I , on the other hand , am in danger of being demoted. Spent the day on the Willow/Bk and fished or checked out the water from the CFFM to Peakville. No bugs, no fish , an o-fer. Hit the Nerversink around 7:00. Some caddis in the air. A few March Browns and few one-time risers. Managed two fish on an olive x-caddis an 11”er and a 13 “ browns
, which hopefully will keep me on the A-119 team , even as a DH. Good luck to All this Memorial Day weekend and please remember all the brave men and women that gave their lives so we could get to fish in a free country. Ed
Where to begin from yesterday’s ass kicking…first trip down started when we suited up at the Power Station on the Willow…no bugs..no fish ..Scooted over to the Beaverkill..same scenario..not a lot of fishermen so that was a clue.. continued to finish off the Wegman’s sub and stay hydrated..Drove up to Deposit to look what was happening there. The Red Barn lot was full as was the river..someone with a hotdog cart could have made a fortune there.. went below the 17 bridge and was greeted by a spate of egg laying caddis with a few not really interested fish looking up. I hooked a small rainbow that threw the hook and that was it. My fishing partner caught a small brown on an emerger and that was that.. water temp was 46 degrees at 6:00. Total bugs were a few sulphurs and caddis egg layers with a few olives thrown in to confuse you. After getting frustrated with a new Orvis vest all day I am going back to my trusty old Orvis Tackle Pac. Sometimes you don’t mess with what works..
A119 congratulations on sticking with it!! Sounds like a good evening on the BR. Hopefully I can get out Sunday and will report on my efforts.