Posted on May 27 2025
What more could anyone ask for than bright sunshine and warm temperatures after dealing with seemingly endless days of cold drizzly weather? Well some of the fishermen who spent the day in a drift boat today might well tell you that a few more clouds would have been nice, others might go so far as to say that they didn't mind the rainy days one bit. Why? Because fish don't wear polaroids and the glare bothers their eyes. There were plenty of bugs, but unless the clouds covered the sun, the bugs were unmolested. When the sun finally went behind the hills it was game on for both the trout and the fishermen. The trout were well rested but most of the fishermen who were in a boat since noon were tired and frustrated.
Our day - Started just after noon, wade fishing the middle section of the WB. There were a modest number of bugs, both caddis and an assortment of mayflies. The trout were looking up, but were fussy about what they ate and the rises were far and few between. We were fortunate to get seven to eat and land five.
At about 3:00, anxious to relive the glory of our previous floats, we ignored the increased bug activity, reeled it in, and prepared to launch the drift boat. By 4:00 we were anchored, eating our lunch, and looking for bugs and risers. There were a good many bugs of all sizes, but the only "risers" were fish chasing nymphs up from the bottom. We rowed, (Mark did), for a good three hours with nothing to show for our efforts, (guides getting sports to fish sub-surface probably did better).
About 7:00 the sun went behind some clouds, we went around a bend into a shaded area and there were feeding fish. From then until 8:45 when we reeled it in, we were into fish, and they ate our flies. It wasn't always pretty, (the expression cluster f--k comes to mind), but we landed another seven fish, which made it a more typical Delaware River day than our three previous float trip which were truly magic.
If you are coming - All of the bugs are hatching, the fish have big fat bellies and surprisingly hook mark free mouths, but they have been thrown at, they know the game and hooking one, (let alone landing one), on a dry fly is an accomplishment to be proud of.
Angler119’- Sounds like an interesting and fun day fishing with your friend Mark.Landing a dozen fish is a great day anywhere, especially on the Delaware. Dipping into the country song book, very cool. Dennis- Congrats on a good day on the UWB, three fish in the net including a 17” er is a wonderful day. Ed
A119, I haven’t left a message in a long time on one of your posts, probably with just how busy life has been for me these past few years. However, I read you blog everyday, whether I’m planning on fishing soon or not, which isn’t as often as I’d like anymore as I’m 2 hours up the road in a little town called Sylvan Beach. Reading your blog and having you answer my questions has taught me so much over the years. The fish were picky yesterday, splashy rises, avoiding the sun etc.. but I adjusted my game and had a great afternoon. I unfortunately lost a stud fish as I made my way back towards the bank for better footing and he came unstuck but that’s fishing. I had success on a captive emerger that I let ride low in the film, tricking quite a few nice fish. The community you’ve created over the years here is something special and I’m blessed to be a part of it. I love reading the comments from the guys that have jumped in on the daily banter and such as well. Tight lines everyone!
Floated all day yesterday, the sun was an issue. The fishing was just OK.
We had sporadic risers all day but nothing sustained. Caught some trout and learned a bit about rowing and leader repair.
Met some nice people in the river though. Today will be better.
I fished the upper west yesterday afternoon. It was a decent day for me 3 fish in the net. The largest a 17 in brown. I had 5 refusals. The fish seemed pickey but they were chasing emergers like A119 said.
A drift boat stopped above me and anchored. I saw some rising fish below me and started to move. The captain of the drift boat saw them too and rowed past me and said I’ll race you to the fish. It’s STARTED!!!!