The lawn needed mowing, the trim painting project is on going and the weather forecast said 80% chance of rain. When the sun burned through the fog and the lawn dried, I mowed and painted. When the sulfurs come like they did yesterday you only need to fish seven 'till dark to have a good day.
Got done with the work (forgot to mix new fly float and to tie more flies) and went out about 4:30. Got...
Angler 119's Delaware River Fishing Report
Who needs olives anyway.
Posted on July 01 2020
Awakened Tuesday morning to a steady rain that put the kibosh on the paint job and moved lawn mowing to the top of the list for tomorrow. Spent the morning tying up some killer sulfurs. A counterclockwise rotation of moisture laden clouds kept it raining in one or more places most of the day. A raincoat was required at all times.
Seemed like a good olive day from the get go - it wasn't. Drove...
Seemed like a good olive day from the get go - it wasn't. Drove...
Adrenalin is no friend of the dry fly fisherman.
Posted on June 29 2020
Returned to the "Lordville Estate" after a relaxing weekend back in Lafayette. Arrived at 8:30 this morning and painted until noon. Had lunch and got occupied putting the food and clean clothes away, filling bird feeders, watering the orchids and before I knew it it was 2:00.
Set out for the WB where I enjoyed good fishing last week. First stop was one of my secret places - the Hale Eddy Bridge....
Set out for the WB where I enjoyed good fishing last week. First stop was one of my secret places - the Hale Eddy Bridge....
For what it's worth.
Posted on June 28 2020
Last Sunday the weekend crew attempted to answer questions that had come in as well a thank those who had left comments. It resulted in the publication of a half written page and required Dave's computer skills to straighten out on Monday morning. Hopefully they do a better job today.
Chris Z and Kip H - When I write of the UE I'm talking of the East Branch from Downsville to East Branch. It...
Chris Z and Kip H - When I write of the UE I'm talking of the East Branch from Downsville to East Branch. It...
The sulfurs are hatching (and their spinners are falling).
Posted on June 26 2020
Cooler days and hatching sulfurs have fishing on an upswing. The water levels are excellent for wading while challenging for drift boaters. All fishermen and guides should refrain from fishing the BR below Stockport and on most days even fishing below junction pool should be avoided. A significant rise in the water combined with cooler temps would sure be welcomed by all.
Painting (and cleanup)...
Painting (and cleanup)...
Afternoon sulfurs were seen on the upper WB
Posted on June 25 2020
The trim painting seems to be settling in as a morning job. Since I didn't like painting in near 90 degree heat mid afternoon, the decision was an easy one. With the freestones (BK, BE and BR) up in the 70 most of the day, the fish have either left the rivers or are in thermal refuges and should not be fished to. The two branches are full of both fish and cold water . The water is so cold that...
Fish perked up with weather change.
Posted on June 24 2020
The rain early this morning amounted to little more than a heavy dew. The rivers didn't come up but the air changed. It was noticeably cooler with a very nice breeze. Spent the morning working on my trim painting project and didn't get serious about fishing until almost seven in the evening.
Drove up to Deposit and found plenty of room to fish (had a pool to my self). There were a few stenos...
Drove up to Deposit and found plenty of room to fish (had a pool to my self). There were a few stenos...
Should have spent more time painting today.
Posted on June 23 2020
Went out this morning and fished two places on the WB that I haven't fished in several weeks, one above Hale Eddy and one in the middle section. There was a pulse of about 750 cfs sent down the river from Cannonsville yesterday to help cool the BR. The flow was back down in the WB this morning but the water was in the low 50's and there was no hatching or rising.
This evening I drove up the UE...
This evening I drove up the UE...
100.4 temperature recorded in the Arctic yesterday!
Posted on June 22 2020
It's summer, the calendar says so and so do the temps, in fact they've been saying so for at least a week. It's been very hot, dry and sunny and the flows in all of the rivers have dropped, while the water temps have soared. The river system that just a few days ago offered fishermen over 80 miles of fishing has shrunken to a mere 30.
The latest flow regime which was instituted last year with the...
The latest flow regime which was instituted last year with the...
The longest day revisited again.
Posted on June 22 2020
For many people who share the outdoors in the shadow of the Great Lake's, June 21st is the melancholy beginning of the long downward march of ever shortening days that leads to the clouds and gloom of November and December in upstate New York. Yes, it's the longest day but the tide has turned. You won't notice it at first but you'll be getting done fishing a little earlier each night, the birds...
Paying Homage
Posted on June 21 2020
On r&r at home paying bills and mowing grass. Spent a few minutes looking back at comments (some of you sneak them in a day or two late and I miss them). The number of positive comments is gratifying. In the six years I've been writing there have only been a couple of drift boaters that might have been a tad sarcastic (don't blame them a bit - we see sometimes see things differently).
One of the...
One of the...
Oops a daisy.
Posted on June 21 2020
Someone in the publication department here at Angler 119 inadvertently hit the publish button on an untitled, unedited and unfinished blog page. An internal investigation has been launched and once uncovered the wrongdoer will be terminated (we take our jobs here seriously).
The blog page entitled "Paying homage" can be seen in its entirety by Googling "Angler 119's Delaware River Fishing Report"...
The blog page entitled "Paying homage" can be seen in its entirety by Googling "Angler 119's Delaware River Fishing Report"...
Hang in there.
Posted on June 19 2020
With the freestones near the 70 degree cut off point I decided to go early and try Junction pool. Seven cars in the lot at 8:00 changed my mind. Went further upstream and got into feeding fish. After starting out 1/4, I settled down and landed some fish. Finally managed to get one of the big rainbows that have had no trouble shaking free of the hook, into the net.
Was back at the camp by 10:30...
Was back at the camp by 10:30...
Learn to love 12 inch fish.
Posted on June 18 2020
As most regular readers know, it is unlikely you will find me in any of the "A" spots where drift boaters line up both to launch and to take out. Crowds on the river are not my thing.
That said - This morning I took it on the chin fishing not one but two places on the freestones. The water temps were ok (this morning) and I knew there would be no boats and few if any waders. Was right on all of...
That said - This morning I took it on the chin fishing not one but two places on the freestones. The water temps were ok (this morning) and I knew there would be no boats and few if any waders. Was right on all of...
Mamma said "There'd be days like this".
Posted on June 17 2020
This morning was a carbon copy of yesterday, in the forties at dawn, bright blue skies and little to no wind. Picked another riff on the BE and waded in. There were olive spinners over the water and the fish were already going. Man were they going but not for spinners. The rises were all splashy and one right after another. Couldn't see a thing on the water or hatching. Perhaps fry? Really don't...
We could do with an all day drizzle.
Posted on June 17 2020
First time in four days that I have gotten to fish a "full day" which right now translates into both a morning and evening trip.
With the cool early morning temps there was no rush to be on the stream. Arrived about 10:00 and found spinners dancing over the riff but no trout rising. Within half an hour there were spinners (sulfurs and olives) on the water and trout up. Had risers to fish to from...
With the cool early morning temps there was no rush to be on the stream. Arrived about 10:00 and found spinners dancing over the riff but no trout rising. Within half an hour there were spinners (sulfurs and olives) on the water and trout up. Had risers to fish to from...
It's time for the sulfurs to start doing their thing.
Posted on June 15 2020
Left my annual eye exam at 3:30 happy with the knowledge that my corrected vision is still 20/15 in both eyes. Walked out of the office into the bright sunshine with dilated pupils as big as Owl's eyes. Figured I'd do great about 9:15, when it got dark and I wasn't far wrong.
Stopped at the Troutfitter in Deposit to catch up with the latest fishing news. Buckingham was reportedly full of...
Stopped at the Troutfitter in Deposit to catch up with the latest fishing news. Buckingham was reportedly full of...
A dozen things I just know to be true.
Posted on June 14 2020
Haven't lectured lately on things that I just know to be true, so here goes:
1-On this river, it's harder to fool fish with a big fly than a little one.
2-Trout NEVER miss a dry fly they want to eat, if you don't get a hookup when one rises to your fly, something was wrong with either the fly or the cast.
3-Never throw the same fly back at a fish that refused it, it just confirms his decision.
4-Trout...
Give the fish a chance to eat your fly.
Posted on June 13 2020
Had time this morning to fish before heading home. Chose a place on the big river, the water level and temp were ideal. The air temp and wind were another matter. There were neither bugs nor risers and I was relegated to blind casting for the entire three hours I fished.
Have always been one who enjoys blind casting. Why? You get to cast, which I enjoy. It makes you a better caster. It teaches you...
Have always been one who enjoys blind casting. Why? You get to cast, which I enjoy. It makes you a better caster. It teaches you...
It's time to sharpen your game.
Posted on June 12 2020
Things are almost back to "summer" normal. By that I mean the rivers are almost at early summer flow levels, all are reasonably clear with levels safe for experienced waders. The predicted temps should keep the freestones below 70 degrees and thus fishable this weekend.
The weekend outlook - Don't get your hopes up. The fish are still between the banks, there will be bugs hatching and fish rising...
The weekend outlook - Don't get your hopes up. The fish are still between the banks, there will be bugs hatching and fish rising...
We got the rain we needed - and then some.
Posted on June 11 2020
All of the streams were hit by the early morning gully washer so I stayed in camp, lent some order to my fly boxes, made repairs to a few battered flies, tied some new ones and watched the graph on the Beaverkill hit 3,000 cfs of very muddy water. If things settle down enough I'll probably drive around this evening looking for a place to fish.
With time on my hands this afternoon (it was hot, sunny...
With time on my hands this afternoon (it was hot, sunny...
A change of pace hits the spot.
Posted on June 10 2020
With the warm weather likely to put the freestones over 70, thunderstorms predicted for early evening and my wife due to arrive at noon with clippers and scissors there was no choice but to fish early.
Found fish feeding on a morning sulfur spinner fall. The feeding lasted about an hour and a half after my arrival (they were going when I got there) and after finding what they wanted to eat, was...
Found fish feeding on a morning sulfur spinner fall. The feeding lasted about an hour and a half after my arrival (they were going when I got there) and after finding what they wanted to eat, was...
Both the temperature and fishing were hot today.
Posted on June 09 2020
After yesterday's morning debacle (no bugs and four lost rainbows), I was anxious to right the ship. With the weather forecast calling for two days of high 80's, this morning offered a "last chance" opportunity to fish the BE. I took it.
Although the temp was 46 at 6:30 there was no reason to dillydally as you could watch that little red line scurrying up the thermometer. Was in the water fishing...
Although the temp was 46 at 6:30 there was no reason to dillydally as you could watch that little red line scurrying up the thermometer. Was in the water fishing...
Monday, Monday can't trust that day- - -
Posted on June 08 2020
Monday morning with reduced crowds and cool temps gave me no warning of what was to be. Delayed my departure until 9:00 to give things a chance to warm up and then headed for the big river.
The bugs must have forgotten to set the alarm and over slept. Nothing on the water or in the air.
It was almost 11:00 when the caddis showed up, the fish remained unimpressed. At about 11:30 the first olive...
The bugs must have forgotten to set the alarm and over slept. Nothing on the water or in the air.
It was almost 11:00 when the caddis showed up, the fish remained unimpressed. At about 11:30 the first olive...
Who said the drakes were done?
Posted on June 07 2020
Because the Covid-19 virus has eliminated a couple of the things I do when I'm home in Syracuse, (Saturday morning gatherings at the Troutfitter and Monday lunch with old friends) I have spent additional time social distancing here in Lordville. It has resulted in me trying to find places to fish on Sundays. Time was when almost everybody fished Sunday morning then headed home leaving the rivers...
The reprise.
Posted on June 06 2020
Thursday was special. Walked into an open spot in a crowded WB and caught fish, lots of 'em. In the evening I fished a place on the EB that hadn't treated me well in three previous visits and knocked 'em silly. It will be my best day of the year.
Friday morning, full of confidence, I tried a pool on the BR, well below the Buckingham put in. There were no bugs and no risers. In the afternoon I...
Friday morning, full of confidence, I tried a pool on the BR, well below the Buckingham put in. There were no bugs and no risers. In the afternoon I...
What you need to know if you want to go.
Posted on June 05 2020
Decided to do a little recon in order to catch up with what's up on the various sections of the river. Went up the PA side from Lordville to Deposit.
Buckingham had 5 trailers destined for Long Eddy (pity them), and three trailers waiting for fishermen coming down river. Just two days ago trailers were parked out on the road. Stockport had 3 trailers and 9 cars. Skipped Shehawken and drove by...
Buckingham had 5 trailers destined for Long Eddy (pity them), and three trailers waiting for fishermen coming down river. Just two days ago trailers were parked out on the road. Stockport had 3 trailers and 9 cars. Skipped Shehawken and drove by...
It doesn't have to get any better than today.
Posted on June 04 2020
After a couple of days where things just didn't fall into place and the fish were hard to come by, today seemed heaven sent. It was easily my best day to date and the odds on favorite for best day of the year. Had rising trout every minute I was in the water. Bug hatches were super and for the most part good casts got looks and a lot of takes. Landed all but three fish I hooked with a 20 inch...
Picked up a "White gloved howdie spinner off the water above Hale Eddy tonight.
Posted on June 04 2020
The fishing report need not be long. The sun came out about noon and dried the grass, which needed cutting. Made my departure from camp of 3:15 about two hours too late. With every drift boat east of the Mississippi fishing between Balls Eddy and Callicoon it was an easy decision to fish the river with the most fish and fewest fishermen (the WB). Found only one car in the coveted two car slot on...
Just a dream, just a dream.
Posted on June 02 2020
Was it all just a dream? The last two days there were bugs (the big ones) everywhere. Today almost nothing. Saw some olives, sulfurs, a few golden stones and a handful of gray foxes. There seemed to be enough spinners late to get the fish up but apparently they are protesting fisherman brutality and refused to eat.
There were over twenty five trailers at Buckingham, some to be shuttled to Long...
There were over twenty five trailers at Buckingham, some to be shuttled to Long...
They're all hatching at once!
Posted on June 01 2020
You know the river is on fire when a fleet of drift boats float Buckingham to Long Eddy in the bright sunshine, rowing into a 15 mph wind.
Left camp at 1:30 and took a drive. There were big bugs everywhere. Buckingham ramp had march browns, gray foxes, green drakes, sulfurs and several different caddis. Added the big golden stones to the list at Cadosia on the EB. The bugs were hatching in the...
Left camp at 1:30 and took a drive. There were big bugs everywhere. Buckingham ramp had march browns, gray foxes, green drakes, sulfurs and several different caddis. Added the big golden stones to the list at Cadosia on the EB. The bugs were hatching in the...
From the Penthouse to the Outhouse.
Posted on May 31 2020
It was a cold day with a biting wind that no one should be required to fish in. Many people didn't. For a Sunday during the peak of the "big bug" season there were surprisingly few boats and wade fishermen on the river. They were the smart ones.
This morning when the temp got above 50, I ventured into the Lordville riff. There were a few caddis surfing on six inch high waves. My hat blew off...
This morning when the temp got above 50, I ventured into the Lordville riff. There were a few caddis surfing on six inch high waves. My hat blew off...
It's still awesome!
Posted on May 30 2020
Started the morning with a drive up the EB and UEB all the way to Downsville and over the mountain to Horton on the BK. There were morning hatching march browns and gray foxes on the UEB near Harvard (the trout were unimpressed) and a handful of both dragon fly and iso nymph husks on the BK rocks.
Found myself in line at Burger King in Deposit at about 12:15 where after puzzling over the menu...
Found myself in line at Burger King in Deposit at about 12:15 where after puzzling over the menu...
The River System doesn't get any better than this - rating Awesome!!!
Posted on May 28 2020
Yesterday morning I disdained my raincoat even though it started to drizzle when I was only 50 yards from the car. Caught up with those pesky caddis (remember that they only hatch in the sunshine), and a bunch of BR fish. It was a carbon copy of two days ago and I told any caddis that would listen that I was in it for better or worse until death do us part. The rain didn't even dampen my spirit....
Why I love caddis.
Posted on May 28 2020
Each year the Grannoms and Apple Caddis hatch in profusion on the Delaware River Main Stem and the Big East (below the Beaverkill junction).. For dry fly guys the hatches aren't much fun as the trout eat the emerging pupa and seldom touch a dry fly. If, however, you are fortunate enough to be on the river for either spinner fall it is an epic sight. Every trout in the river is up gorging on the...
Temperature alert!
Posted on May 28 2020
Because it didn't cool off last night, temperatures in the three freestone sections of the Delaware River system remain high. Today is supposed to be cooler and cloudy, if so, things will probably be ok. If the sun comes out, however, the water temperature in the Beaverkill, Big East Branch and the Big River will probably all go over 70 degrees.
Best bet is to fish the two branches where cold...
Best bet is to fish the two branches where cold...
It ain't over 'til it's over - thankfully.
Posted on May 27 2020
Yesterday I walked into a big river caddis hatch just like I knew what I was doing. The fish were up and there were about two hours of really good fishing. Today, I knew just what to do. Back to the big river I went (different pool) and what did I get? Caddis pupa husks. Not one caddis, not one rising fish. Drove back to the scene of yesterdays bonanza and found more husks and no rising trout. If...
Fishing upgraded to very good (with a high temp of 92 today, that's sayin' something).
Posted on May 26 2020
A week ago there were three days where I landed a total of 4 fish. The combo of bright sun, no bugs, no rising fish and drift boats and wade fishermen everywhere was too much to overcome. My wife, perhaps fearful of me coming home for an extended stay, said "Don't worry in a couple of weeks it'll be all over and people will leave". Well, it's not all over, in fact it's just begun.
With the warm...
With the warm...
Does anyone else find the braying geese annoying?
Posted on May 25 2020
Spent the morning mowing the grass and watering the newly planted part of the lawn. Just as I finished with the watering the sky darkened and it poured for about twenty minutes. Looked on the radar and there was this little rain cell right over the river system.
At about 1:30 with the sun back out and the temp hitting 80 I headed for the cold water in the UE. So did a good number of fishermen and...
At about 1:30 with the sun back out and the temp hitting 80 I headed for the cold water in the UE. So did a good number of fishermen and...
What about the second fisherman?
Posted on May 24 2020
Went home yesterday to renew acquaintances with my wife, who just got back from a visit with our Florida daughter and granddaughter. This morning, I loaded the car with clean clothes, food and a tank full of gas and headed back down to the river. Had things put away and lunch eaten by 1:30 so I went fishing.
During the course of the day I fished the UEB, BK, WB and the BR. Caught at least one fish...
During the course of the day I fished the UEB, BK, WB and the BR. Caught at least one fish...
It is better to have hooked and lost than never hooked at all.
Posted on May 22 2020
With the reduced releases the places you can fish are limitless. Decided to do a split day with a power nap in between.
Started off on the big river (BR) at a spot down river from Buckingham far enough that there would be no boats until well after noon. Hiked down a steep hill and when I finally got to the river there was a boat right in front of me. Two spin fisherpeople were on board and were...
Started off on the big river (BR) at a spot down river from Buckingham far enough that there would be no boats until well after noon. Hiked down a steep hill and when I finally got to the river there was a boat right in front of me. Two spin fisherpeople were on board and were...
This weekend could be really good.
Posted on May 21 2020
As many of you probably already know, the releases have been cut back to levels (WB 525, EB 125) where the entire river system from the two dams all the way down to Callicoon is now wadeable. The UE is now unfloatable for anyone with any concern for his fellow anglers. The boat traffic will now be concentrated on the WB, BE and BR.
In spite of the frost which covered the grass in my yard this...
In spite of the frost which covered the grass in my yard this...
It's not every day a wade fisherman low holes a guide.
Posted on May 20 2020
There will be no celebratory "perfect manhattan" tonight.
In order to have a successful day fishing everyone has to do their part. The bugs have to hatch, the fish have to feed and you have to be in the right place at the right time.
Fished the UE (two stops) and one stop each on the BK, BE and the WB. None of the places were at the right time.
The bugs? Caddis hatched at one place on the UE....
In order to have a successful day fishing everyone has to do their part. The bugs have to hatch, the fish have to feed and you have to be in the right place at the right time.
Fished the UE (two stops) and one stop each on the BK, BE and the WB. None of the places were at the right time.
The bugs? Caddis hatched at one place on the UE....
The Numbers game -part two.
Posted on May 19 2020
A week or so ago I talked about the numbers game and the importance of using the USGS real time water temperatures to put yourself in a (hopefully) better position to catch fish. The second vital piece of information provided by the USGS stations is the real time flow rate of the river at each of the reporting stations. This is expressed in cubic feet per second (cfs), which is meaningless until...
Fishing today - poor (one 19 inch fish from being just plain awful).
Posted on May 18 2020
For the first six weeks of the season, I was in the groove. No, I didn't catch tons of fish, but when the weather permitted I was in the right place at the right time and caught a good number of very nice fish. Covid-19 kept people at home. I could fish wherever I wanted. Whenever the weather cooperated, the bugs came, the fish ate and I was able to do my thing.
And then - - - Fishermen got...
And then - - - Fishermen got...
Why I hate caddis.
Posted on May 15 2020
Started the day by driving up to the Troutfitter in Deposit to pick up some fly float and tippet using their "curb side service". Worked like a charm. As long as I was there I decided to give the WB a try. Donned waders alongside a long time river friend and we shared the pool above the iron bridge in town. There were some apple caddis hatching and a few fish making splashy rises while chasing the...
Today was the first day of spring.
Posted on May 14 2020
What a difference a few days can make on the river. Sunday and Monday with cold temps, gale force winds and high cold water, no one was fishing. Today with spring like weather (finally), fishermen were thick as maggots on a road kill.
What a nice day. Migrating birds appeared out of nowhere (if you keep a list and jot down the ones you see, you'll be surprised how much of nature you have missed...
What a nice day. Migrating birds appeared out of nowhere (if you keep a list and jot down the ones you see, you'll be surprised how much of nature you have missed...
A taste of humble pie.
Posted on May 13 2020
Have to admit I was a tad full of myself when I left camp at 12:30 today. The last six days of fishing were solid. Had bugs and rising fish each day with no one around to hear me speak harshly to the wind. Being in the right place at the right time was just me being me.
Until today. Today started out colder but quickly warmed up in the bright sunshine. The wind at about 10 mph was but a trivial...
Until today. Today started out colder but quickly warmed up in the bright sunshine. The wind at about 10 mph was but a trivial...
Thank goodness not everyone's crazy.
Posted on May 12 2020
Woke to bright sunshine and 33 degrees. By 9:00 the north wind had hit 15mph with a promise to go higher if the bugs got going. The predicted high was 49 and they were just about on the money (my car said 50 at one point).
A good day to go fishing? Not if you aren't crazy. The bright sun, strong gusty winds and a high barometer are a recipe for disaster: a dry fly fisherman's worst nightmare....
A good day to go fishing? Not if you aren't crazy. The bright sun, strong gusty winds and a high barometer are a recipe for disaster: a dry fly fisherman's worst nightmare....
The numbers game on the Delaware.
Posted on May 11 2020
To be more successful fishing the Delaware River system this time of year you need to pay attention to the numbers. The USGS streamflow gauges will provide you with the necessary information. You will also need to find a weather service that provides (with reasonable accuracy) the weather (predicted temp., amount of sun, wind direction and velocity) for the region.
Why? If, like most fishermen,...
Why? If, like most fishermen,...