Posted on August 03 2024
Why?
1- It has rained almost every morning in Lordville for over two weeks and with a departure time of 11:30am to be in Deposit for the mid-day sulfurs, I have been unable to work on what has become a long list of weather dependent projects.
2-I get bored fishing the same pools over and over again.
3- The fish in the zone are now refusing to play fair.
What good comes with not fishing the Sulfur Zone?
1- Don't have to clean green algae off my fly after every cast.
2- My landing net is free of algae for the first time in six weeks.
3- Was able to start tying olives while waiting for the grass to dry.
4- Worked on the yard from 9:30 until 12:30 with no worries about missing the mid-day sulfur hatch.
5- Was able to clean up, rest, and relax for over three hours before heading out to fish.
6- Took a leisurely drive over to the UEB, where I watched the water flow by at numerous vistas, with nary a rise to be seen.
The fishing - Returned to the lower WB and with the sky's darkening and rain in the forecast I decided to try to fish ahead of the storm. Caught a nice rainbow and a yearling brown in the 10 minutes before the rain came. Waited out the first downpour in the car and returned to the river in a gentle rain. There were a few tiny olives on the water, but I went with one of my brand spanking new size 16 olives, (which appeared on the water later), and hooked three browns that were all within a quarter inch of 17.
When I finished fishing the first spot I headed for a second lower river haunt, only to find it occupied by two anglers. Drove to yet another lower river place that is usually well populated by fishermen, and when I saw no one there, I parked, walked down to the river and waded in with rising fish all around me. From 7:00 until 8:40, when I was back in the car, I hooked ten fish, all but another 17inch brown were hot rainbows. Anyone who says quitting cold turkey is hard, obviously has never tried it.
7- In case you are wondering, quitting cold turkey has nothing to do with Perfect Manhattans which have been exempted by executive order.
Warning - Quitting cold turkey is not for everyone. To make it work you need hot humid weather, which requires a DEC mandated surge of at least 800cfs to cool the water, cloudy overcast skies, a light to moderate rain, and bullshit luck. If by chance you get that combo, enjoy it to the fullest, I know I did.
A119 great day on the river. One more day of member guest and I’ll be on the river but not in the SZ. I like the idea of new scenery!!!
Please keep me posted
Jim N. That was great. Thanks. I’ll work on it. Ed
Ed,
Love it.
Step 1, admit your addiction to the Sulphur Zone.
Step 2, hand over all size 18-22 Sulphur patterns.
Step 3, agree to not fish above the Deposit bridge until September.
Step 4, go fish the Gamelands or below with caddis, olives and ISOs.
Step 5, catch a Main Stem Bow.
That’s all I got…..5 steps not 12.
Jim N – I have to admit I also am addicted. Maybe Angler119 and I can attend a SZA meeting(sulpher zone anon). Probably held in the Red Barn. Jim thanks. Ed
Admitting you have a “Sulphur Zone” problem is the first step…..
Angler119-Glad you were able to dodge the rain and catch some nice browns on the lower WB. If the “zone” is dead to you, is it worth a try? Is the sulphur hatch basically over? Did you encounter any slop on the lower river? I think I’ve reach my quota of questions. Thanks .Ed
Your are funny! I was thinking the same thing about starting to hit my non-sulphur spots for some of the same reasons. Thank you for the encouragement.