Posted on July 14 2026
Last week I carried a magic wand wherever I went. I walked into good hatches, had lots of big rising fish and they were happy to eat my flies. Today, not so much. Fished a pool where I have probably caught more fish than any other pool in the WB. Last year I caught but three fish there, this year, in two trips, none. Hooked two fish and lost them both, neither fish was over 13 inches. Pricked five other fish when they refused the fly and had numerous other fish turn up their noses and refuse whatever I offered. Never saw an adult fish, most were yearlings or two year olds. They are probably there because there aren't any big fish there to eat them. Don't expect to visit the pool again this year.
There have been 100cfs surges the past three nights. The cold water usually slows or stops the hatch. With the temp expected to reach the mid to high 90's tomorrow I felt sure the surge would be increased to a point where wading would be difficult and the evening hatch would probably not occur. Drove back to the Lordville Estate at 3:00, took a nap and at 6:00 I headed over to the UEB to see if I could find a little evening fishing. Went up route 30 all the way to the Corbett Bridge. Saw two cars at the Buckhorn access with an angler taking off his boots by one of them. Didn't see another parked car or fisherman the entire trip.
Picked a place that fishes well in low water and suited up hoping to find a good sulfur hatch and feeding fish. There were sulfurs, (Dorotheas), but clearly the hatch has moved further upstream than my chosen spot, and the few sulfurs that did hatch attracted only yearlings. Hooked one 13 incher on an iso and four fish ranging in size from a countable one, (over 10 inches), which I lost, down to 8 inches.
It was a quiet night, a beaver swam by me four times dragging a mouth full of knotweed, he smacked his tail when he was past me each and every time. A rack buck crossed rte.30 in front of me as did three different yearling does, never saw an eagle, osprey, mink, or otter all of which are commonly seen on the UEB.
Sorry I didn't mention the possibility of an increased surge in yesterdays report. The release is up to 900cfs as I write. Hope everyone got back to their cars safely.
Fished below the bridge over the west branch from 11:30 to 3:30 . Had rising fish in front of me most if the time especially from one to two pm . Problem was an upriver wind which didn’t help my drift . Had one slash at my sulfur but otherwise no luck . I did however enjoy casting numerous times through 3 fly changes to a really nice brown who was eating every fly that drifted over him except mine . Also if anyone finds a fishpond net that came lose I’d appreciate a call . My phone is 201-446-1550. Thx !
Fished upstream of Hale Eddy this morning but no risers. Very sporadic Caddis and other small flies. Limited hatch activity. Nymphed all morning and no hits. Lots of algae/lettuce on my nymphs.
Visited a friend with river access near Hancock at noon and saw emerger rises. Bugs were also hatching in greater numbers. Nymphed and dry fly. No hits on good dead drifts.
Went back up to Deposit for evening hatch. Saw a emerger rise and casted a variety of wet flies at it. Didn’t bother using a dry fly that floated. No hits
Called it at 6:30 (gotta work tomorrow). Left with a sunburn and perplexed.
Great sulfur hatch on the WB yesterday afternoon near Deposit. However, the fish weren’t there. Not one riser spotted from 1-3:30. Where did they go? Watched an eagle make a low pass and attempt to pick up a fish but was skunked as well. Are the nightly surges moving the fish down river?