Posted on May 20 2026
My plan today was simple, fish the Hendricksons above Hale Eddy on the WB this afternoon, and try to find a spinner fall of some kind on the WB this evening. So what did I do this morning? Tied some March Brown emergers that I had success with the past week, (until I tried them on fish that had already eaten one with a hook in it). With the weatherman changing the forecast pictures of cloudy rainy days to bright sunny, (but cooler), ones, I left the grass cutting for another day and went fishing.
Arrived in Deposit about 1:00 to pick up my new fly line, only to find that someone???? must have sold it. Chatted with river friend Bill, (his dog was in the truck), who offered me one of his Cortland DT4 weights. Was on the river by 1:30, (didn't know that the hot water spill had ceased this morning, thus postponing the hatch until 3:00). First Hendrickson blew by me just five minutes before Mike the Cop arrived. It was a modest hatch the flies popped quickly off the water, the fish were unimpressed, never saw a Hendrickson eaten, splashes made by the fish were sorta like my salutes to rude rowers outlined in an earlier offering. By 3:45 I had accumulated a total of four refusals. Reeled it in and left.
After driving over to the BK on a fools errand that we are not going to talk about, I filled the gas tank and drove up, down, and around the WB, pondering my options. At about 6:00 I selected a spot to fish the spinner fall. To my surprise there was one, and there were fish eating them, (them being caddis). Picked up several from the water, matched them with one of mine and got one nose bump and dozens of ignores. Changed to a rusty spinner, (actually several of different sizes and colors), and the lights came on, the first three fish I cast at ate and were landed, then it became more difficult. The fish had been fished to, and were fussy about what they ate. Ended up getting four more to eat. Landed all seven fish that I hooked, (a 10 inch brown and six very nice rainbows). Got in the car at 9:01.
How do you think the fishing will be at the weekend with the weather change?
Fished the WB last night and had some rising trout eating small gray caddis. After it was too dark to see I switched to a spinner with a white post. Caught a couple but should have put on the spinner earlier or had some small gear caddis with white posts.
Fish were picky where I was but there was a lot of boats too, all of whom were polite and friendly .
Fished the BK this morning (dead) and by the bridge in Hancock (almost dead).
Was on the WB below Deposit at 7AM with my Brother-in-law (yes neither of us sleep when on fishing trips). As the fog lifted we were treated to rising fish. Small olive emergers (size 18-20) and tan caddis were the fare. My best was a brown just over 19. At 10AM the wind kicked in and it was all over…. Left for home at 2. Based on your report, I’m glad I didn’t stay and wait for the Hendricksons.
Was on the river around 1:30 as well yesterday in Deposit and experienced the same act. Lots of Hendos popping at times, saw just 1 riser and left at 3:30. 2 guys below RR bridge did well nymphing (hint).