Posted on August 05 2025
It was an eventful weekend.
On Saturday Jean drove down and we took in the Summerfest at the Fly Fishing Museum in Livingston Manor. Watched some of the casting competition, looked at the displays of old fishing rods, reels and miscellaneous other equipment, chatted with a few old friends, and walked through the buildings. It didn't take as long as we thought it would and we decided to head back to Lafayette rather than overnight at the Lordville Estate. Jean is heading to Florida with one of our daughters and granddaughters to visit the other daughter and granddaughter and had last minute things to do before leaving.
On Sunday while I was out gathering food for the coming week's trip to Lordville the car, with only 139,000 miles under it's belt, decided to get cantankerous, the engine light came on and it started to vibrate when starting up and when going up hills. I checked the air pressure in the tires, the oil and window washer fluid levels, (the only things I know how to do), and told Jean that if we were going out to dinner it would have to be in her car. Had another really good dinner at Dasher's in Homer, (thanks Denny for the recommend).
This morning, I drove the shuddering car, (it was like driving your dog to the vet), to the Dealers Service Department where a myriad of service technicians hovered over the car, checking the vin#, mileage, and asking what time my appointment was. Of course, I didn't have an appointment and was promptly told to go in and see the manager. I told her that if I knew the engine light was going to come on I would have called two weeks ago just to be sure the car got the attention it deserved. She said not to worry there was an opening Wednesday. Since Jean will be gone until late Friday, I said that would be fine.
The fishing - Loaded up Jean's car with my fishing gear and provisions, then drove down to the Delaware in time for the evening fishing. I needn't have bothered. After netting but one fish on Friday, (albeit a good one), I was eager to atone. Lets just say any atonement will come later. There was a dearth of bugs. Saw very few risers and most all rose not more than once. Hooked seven fish, two came unstuck right away, two about half way through the fight, one, (the good one), came unstuck as I attempted to pull him up to me in heavy current, Landed an 11 inch rainbow and a brown that failed to hit the 10 inch mark.
On the drive down, there was a heavy blue haze that obscured the hills, when I went by the wind TURBINES they were all standing still.
Fished Tuesday at the stone plant / Deposit; and down toward the Gentlemen’s Club. Drew a blank. Trout rising in front of me, sipping, and absolutely refusing a variety of sulphurs / BWO’s. Could not make out what they were taking, but very small. 15’ 6X too. any word on what the bugs might have been? Midges????
I love these comments and your home life described. I think a play should be written… But being new, I have little idea what most of the jargon means, in terms of hook sizes, area references, “tying down…” But again, I LOVE IT!
Jack,
I use the 1110s quite a lot.
Absolutely required when tying down to 26.
Light wire so you may bend them as was previously stated.
Hey Jack, I have used the 1110 a lot and love them, especially in low light when I need to tie a knot quickly. It is a light wire hook, and I had one bend open once, but that was more my fault.
I also tie small flies in the 1260. It’s a good hook for dries, spinners and emergers, and uses standard wire.
Check engine light:
Could be something simple as loose gas cap or expensive as a catalytic converter or a number of situations in between.
Angler119- Sorry to read about your car trouble. Hopefully , it’s something minor. Like a bad check engine light. The fishing sounds difficult. Kudos to Dennis who, despite the conditions, landed some nice fish. Aldo congratulations to Jim D who , as usual, was right about the Platters. As you can tell, I love commas. Please don’t tell Mrs. Haskins. Ed
Fished the upper WB last week: Wed, Thur, and Friday. Being cheap, I got to Stilesville early enough to get one of the free parking spots just beyond the Red Barn. Question: why are so many anglers willing to pay to pack in almost shoulder to shoulder at the Red Bar, when there is plenty of space up river? Wednesday and Friday were tough, but Thursday I was Singing in the Rain, when at about 3PM there were at least a dozen rising fish within casting distance, all willing to take a size 18 olive.
Evenings saw the fish turn to size 20 sulphurs, which brings me to Q#2: does anyone tie using the Daiichi 1110 hook, that has a larger eye?
Nice surprise this trip was running into Al C. at Barking dog, and we told Stories of the old days when it was the DRF Vs. FUDR. And how so many fishermen complain, having no idea how much work a few folks have spent trying to improve the fishery.
Going back a bit with The Platters! A co-worker of my wife has a place on Oneida Lake..she said this year there was a definite drop of mayfly activity on the lake..could this be a year where mayfly activity is down in most bodies of water in NYS?
I needed a night of relaxation after the member guest golf tournament at our course. Day one was great day two awful no money won this year!!
I went to the lower west and had a nice night 3 fish in the net (12-16-15) and one got off after a couple of minutes. Not many bugs. Rising fish were inconsistent at best. I am going to try to fish Wednesday. Will rerport!!