Posted on June 28 2024
Biggest accomplishment this morning was the finishing of both the sulfur and steno fly box renovation projects. Tied some new pink ladies as well as a few olives, put water shed on them, then took them out to the car in a little plastic box and set them on the dash to cure. That done, I read about the upcoming debate, Caitlan Clark's most recent heroics, and the failure to include Alex Morgan on the US Soccer team for the Olympics, ( IMO, at almost 35, she just isn't as good as the younger players and shouldn't be on the team ((and she was my favorite player)) , but then, no one asked). After a late lunch, it was time to go fishing.
Decided to break my rule about fishing the same place two times in a week, and went back to where I fished yesterday. The red barn pool was wall to wall fishermen, (sans Adrian?) but the Stilesville lot had just two cars and magically no one in the water, ( they probably walked down to the red barn pool). I walked up the road as far as you could go, and fished my way back to the car, met a Troutfitter regular who recognized me by the Panama Jack hat. He had come in below me and had promptly hooked and landed a nice fish. Said he had my book and would I sign it if he dropped it off at the Troutfitter? Told him I would, as I walked behind him in my journey down river. It took me almost three hours longer to do exactly what I did yesterday, fish catching wise. There was wind, lots fewer bugs and just not as many fish up.
Had a nice chat with another Troutfitter regular, and his landlord, who said the summer sulfurs had arrived in Deposit and that last night in the pouring rain every fish in the river was up eating sulfur duns. What he didn't say was that they were only eating sulfurs that didn't have hooks in them. I fished the pool and amassed an impressive number of refusals, as did the Troutfitter regular, mostly all from fish eating duns off the surface, with mouths agape,and if I'm not mistaken, smiles on their faces.
It's early days, but if you want to try your luck in the "Sulfur Zone" bring your "A" game and join the crowd. Just remember, refusals make for a very watery fish chowder.
Sulphur Curse. Even after fishing the upper Delaware over the last 18 years, I still consider myself a newbie to this system. Last night was humbling.
started around 3pm and fished until dark. I caught 5 fish up to 16 or 17 inch. But, I did not hook a SINGLE fish during the evening hatch. There were fish rising all around me. I went through my box of sulphurs and small BWOs. but, not even one hook up between 5 and 9:30pm. I tucked my tail and walked back to the car thinking that I needed to up my fly tying and casting game. Next time I will bring my A++ game to the evening sulphur hatch. This is why I LOVE this the upper Delaware. They day this river gets easy, I will probably lose interest. Good to know that even the sensei of Delaware river found it challenging last night. Cheers.
Angler119-Thanks for the update. The sulphers are on and it sounds like the fishing will be more difficult than usual. And it’s usually very difficult. JimN- Yesterday’s blog title was a good one “to get into the song game “on. The answer is cascading down around us. Have fun. Ed
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A119 thanks for information!!!! As usual I have a question. How does the Deleware river system compare to the rivers out west? I have only fished out west once and I am not qualified to form an educated opinion.
Glad the sulphers are here and let the battle begin!!!