Posted on May 16 2026
With a beautiful forecast for the weekend and the Hendricksons finally arriving above Hale Eddy in numbers, I felt there was sure to be more than enough drift boats and wade fishermen on the WB. I decided to try the BK which at 900 cfs is no piece of cake to wade, but I've read reports that there have been March Browns and other assorted flies on the water with fish having actually been seen eating them.
Arriver about 1:30, drove a couple miles along the river without seeing an angler in the water, selected an empty pool and waded in. The water in the BK is twice the "normal" level for this time of year. Most of the dead algae has been washed off the rocks so it's not wicked slippery, but if you decide to fish it, do not look at the rising fish on the far side, you just can't safely wade within casting distance, concentrate on what you can reach. Rose two fish blind casting, one refused, and one ate. The fish I landed had a raw wound in the top of his jaw where someone had removed a hook, (or hooks), and part of his upper jaw. Saw two March Browns while I was there, the one I picked up to copy, and one floating down the middle of the stream unmolested.
Second pool, was probably fished by a commenter earlier this week. Waded in and saw a rise, made a cast while shucking out line, that was a good fifteen feet short of where the rise was and a fish ate it. He has an Angler119 March Brown souvenir. In the hour I fished the pool I cast at six fish that I saw rise, (within reach), and all six ate my March Brown, (three were fall fish). Saw more March Browns hatching and there were of course fish rising well beyond my ability to reach them, said "Maybe next week." Tipped my cap and left.
Third, and last pool had rising fish from the get go. Most of the fish were on the far side and every GD one of them that I could reach was on the other side of the big boulders that are in the middle of the pool.
How'd I do? Had a ball. No boats, never even saw another angler, the eagle that patrols the area was in a tree by the first pool and flew away, never to be seen again. Fish that hadn't been hooked this year on a March Brown ate my offerings with relish. Those that had recently experienced a March Brown with a hook in its ass didn't. Threw an assortment of flies and hooked fish on most all of them. Did OK on the browns but the 'bow's, even though some were still surprisingly sluggish, did a number on me. 3 for 4 on browns , but only 4 for 8 on rainbows. Two 18 inch browns and two18 inch rainbows tied for top honors in what was a quality group of fish.
Looks like finally lowering the release from Cannonsville….only 15 days past their own schedule! Now the complaints will shift from too many boats to too many waders!
Fished Deposit in the afternoon, there was a decent Hendrickson hatch and I caught and lost some. Each fish I hooked was a big fish, ( saw my backing for the first time this year). Where I was it was over by 4:30.
Fished below Gamelands in the evening, saw a few spinners and caddis, and had some rising fish but it was not an event by any stretch. Again, each fish I hooked was a nice fish, and angry.
I should have done better, but did not. Today, though….Angler119’- What a wonderful day. Bugs, rising fish , nice fish in the net and some solitude. Fantastic. Dennis- Congratulations. You had a wonderful day also.Six fish landed on the WB is awesome. All My Best. Ed
Beat day of the year!!! 6 fish landed in the net and 1 fish broke me off after a couple minutes of fighting. 5 browns and 1 rainbow. There were paralips and Hendricksons. It started out slow and finished with a flurry of fish up and eating. Only lasted 1/2 hr but it was great.
I saw a few boats and lots of fishermen!!