Posted on April 28 2026
First of all, thanks to everyone who jumped in with their on river experiences, it all helps to form a more accurate picture of what is happening. The past two years have produced very few stories of heavy Hendrickson hatches, which is concerning. I've found fishable Hendrickson's both years on the Neversink but, so far, not on the Delaware.
Today, I drove around a lot. Wanted to get a feel for the pressure, the hatches and angler success. There were far fewer boats/trailers/cars, at the launch sites than late last week. Despite the higher water levels there were quite a few wade anglers having at 'em. There were caddis throughout the river system. The freestones had the lions share, but there were caddis on both the UEB and the WB. Saw rising fish in quiet pools that were out of the wind and sun. Saw very few mayflies and nothing resembling a Hendrickson hatch.
Other anglers - Talked with an angler taking out at Shehawken who had put in at Balls Eddy and had caught fish, (enough that he lost count) both on dries and subsurface. Said there was a modest Hendrickson hatch around 2:00 at the DRC that got some fish up. Saw an angler catch a nice one on the BK, and another angler catch two on the EB, (or BE or East Branch).
Even with caddis egg layers bouncing around all day, and apple caddis hatching everywhere, the trout were reluctant to rise in the bright sun. Cadis like the sun, fish don't. Tomorrow is supposed to be overcast, with rain. Will there be caddis? If not, will there be anything to get the trout up to feed?
The fishing - Is, for me, difficult right now. Higher water limits the wading possibilities. Pools are crowded with boats and wade fishermen, and the trout just don't seem to want to rise. Landed five fish with the only brown being fish of the day at 18 inches. Caught an 11 incher, which is the first fish I've landed on the Delaware this year under 15 inches.
I fished the main river below junction pool. The wind was not kind to us at all.
I saw only 1 Hendrickson dun, but did see spinners on and off from 3-5. The risers were very sporadic.
I managed to hook 5, 4 rainbows and 1 very nice brown that had his way with me and came loose after a lengthy battle.
Difficult day for sure, but it beat sitting home thinking about fishing.
Dang I wish 5 fish were a “difficult” day. Started yesterday mid-afternoon on the Willow. Tons of caddis, no rising fish. Headed to the BK. Sparser caddis, some Hendricksons / Blue Quills, no rising fish. (Heard another report of a guy who caught 10 on fish rising to caddis on the BK. Not at my spot! Dang!) Ended at the Neversink / Bridgeville. Some caddis, sparse Hendricksons / Blue Quill, some rising fish. Caught 1 stockie, dropped 1, missed 3. Fish were chasing emergers, tough to get a rise on a dry.
Angler119’- Glad you caught some fish. Are the Hendricksons later than recent years because of the winter ice??? Or are the heavy caddis hatches a sign that the stream biota is changing? Beats me. Going to try the Willow/BK tomorrow with Dennis and Jim N.Can you join us? Ed
Your difficult fishing is exceptional for others, lol.