Angler 119's Delaware River Fishing Report
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,...
What's been going on.
Posted on May 10 2020
About a month ago (April 9th to be exact) I suspended the Angler 119's reports out of concern that the reports might encourage more anglers to come to the river and thus contribute to the spread of the Covid-19 virus.. With all the usual suspects back posting fishing reports, it seems unlikely that my ramblings will contribute significantly to any increase in angler pressure. People now know what...
To post or not to post - revisited.
Posted on April 09 2020
On March 29th (just two short weeks ago) when I authored "To post or not to post" I expressed concerns about the harm that could be done by encouraging people to come to the river to fish. At the time the New York DEC was encouraging people to go fishing (responsibly). On the other hand Delaware County had just come out with a directive asking people not to visit their county.
In making the...
In making the...
Battey in Lordville
Posted on April 07 2020
Despite the social distancing requirements currently in effect, I have had nightly visitors at the fishing camp. Bats! One each night for the past three nights. Caught the first one (in a landing net) and released it outside. Second one (I thought it was number one returning) will not bother me again. The third fly by in my living room was last night (clearly another bat). Spent the morning...
Covid-19 and shiney new sedans.
Posted on April 07 2020
The Lordville Road runs four miles from NYS Rte 97 to PA Rte 191. The three miles from 97 to the manikin house in Lordville is a twisting and turning down hill run. If you are coming from Hancock on 97 and make the turn onto the Lordville road with any speed, you can put the car into neutral and actually coast the entire way to downtown Lordville. The road then crosses the Delaware River and runs...
Averaging down.
Posted on April 06 2020
Spent the morning working around the camp. Migrating birds have begun showing up. The male bluebird returned last week and Saturday he was showing his house to a prospective mate. The tree swallows showed up yesterday and started fighting over the other nesting boxes. Purple finches finally appeared at the feeder (they were at the feeder in Lafayette last week). It's early days but buds are...
Practice social distancing and wear your long johns.
Posted on April 05 2020
Today I planned to take my first drive around the river system this year. Left the camp about 1:30 and drove up the PA side of the big river. They are attempting to fix two areas of 191 upstream from Equinunk and have reduced traffic to one lane with stop lights at both ends. Got two long reds. Buckingham had three trailers and half a dozen cars. Two anglers were fishing near the launch ramp....
The way things are
Posted on April 04 2020
In a normal year I'd be down in the Bahamas right now casting at bones. This year I'm here at my camp planting apricot and plum trees and trying to get Verizon to hook up my internet (so far they have refused.
Covid-19 - It's clear now that it will bury thousands of people. It will also change the lives of everyone. For fishermen on the Delaware - The DEC has said ok to fishing but all lodges and...
Covid-19 - It's clear now that it will bury thousands of people. It will also change the lives of everyone. For fishermen on the Delaware - The DEC has said ok to fishing but all lodges and...
To post or not to post
Posted on March 29 2020
After cancelling my long anticipated bonefishing trip, my wife and I made the decision to cut short our time in Florida and head back to New York, which has since become the hotbed of the Covid-19 pandemic. We did this primarily to be where we have the best medical insurance and a long term relationship with our doctors....
A clean garage and pseudo fishing in the wind.
Posted on October 22 2019
I am in the process of closing the camp but after 28 years even the garage needs a good hoeing out. Have spent the last two mornings in there filling trash bags and sweeping up sunflower husks (the mice/chipmunks once chewed through a plastic garbage can during the winter and ate 50 pounds of them). Finished up at 12:45, ate lunch and went out looking for rising fish.
It was windy and I drove up...
It was windy and I drove up...
A day of bugs, risers and sore lipped fish.
Posted on October 22 2019
The sun finally poked through the clouds about noon. Most times you don't want sunshine if you are looking for olives but it's fall and the water is cold, a little sun is not always a bad thing.
Took a drive up the PA side of the BR (bad idea), two major road repairs underway with traffic signals - both red. No fishermen, bugs or risers all the way up to Hancock. Took the PA side of the WB up to...
Took a drive up the PA side of the BR (bad idea), two major road repairs underway with traffic signals - both red. No fishermen, bugs or risers all the way up to Hancock. Took the PA side of the WB up to...
And the beat goes on.
Posted on October 20 2019
Have yet to see a deer (buck or doe) from my tree stands this season. That made the decision easy. Rivers dropping, warm weather in the forecast and here I am, back at camp. On the way down I saw four does, three fawns and three bucks, (one was a good one).
The weather was overcast with an all day drizzle, temp below 50 all day, not what they predicted but with long johns, three shirts and a...
The weather was overcast with an all day drizzle, temp below 50 all day, not what they predicted but with long johns, three shirts and a...
The "Last Day".
Posted on October 15 2019
Back when the world was young, the trout season closed everywhere on September 30th. Today if you put the proper additives in your bloodstream you can trout fish year 'round. It was, however, the last day for the UE above Shinhopple and the WB above Monument. The intent of the closures is to protect the spawning browns.
Not sure what is going on with the River Master but the minimum flow...
Not sure what is going on with the River Master but the minimum flow...
Check the flow before you go.
Posted on October 09 2019
The camp close down is underway. Storms up, grill in the garage and one load of accumulated trash taken to the dump. Fly tying room was scheduled to be put in mothballs (literally) today but I got into cleaning the closet and things slowed down. Will attempt to finish the job tomorrow.
In the confusion I forgot to check the USGS water flows before leaving camp. Drove all the way up to Corbett...
In the confusion I forgot to check the USGS water flows before leaving camp. Drove all the way up to Corbett...
Rainy days and pseudos - - -
Posted on October 07 2019
At 7:00 this morning it had still not wet the ground under the trees in Lordville. By 8:00 it was raining and it has rained most of the day. If the browns are going to get up the tribs we need much more of the same but at least it's a start.
Couldn't mow the lawn, so I left early hoping to find some olives hatching (I didn't). Caught a nice rainbow on a blind cast in the BE and lost a another nice...
Couldn't mow the lawn, so I left early hoping to find some olives hatching (I didn't). Caught a nice rainbow on a blind cast in the BE and lost a another nice...
It's good to be back on the river.
Posted on October 06 2019
The weather forecast calling for two rainy days in a row got me packing the car and heading back down to the camp. It was a little chilly inside the camp and I had to turn on the heat to get things warmed up. Left camp at about 1:30 hoping for pseudos and rising fish.
Drove up the PA side and saw nothing but muddy water. The river was just starting to come down from the cut back in the release...
Drove up the PA side and saw nothing but muddy water. The river was just starting to come down from the cut back in the release...
Never rose a fish.
Posted on September 27 2019
With the last day of my "regular season" at hand I had planned on fishing the Lordville riff. It is the "home pool" after all. When I arrived on the scene someone else was already there. Got back in the car and drove up river on the PA side. It wasn't nearly as crowded as last Friday but there were still both drift boats and fishermen at all the usual places.
Decided to drive on up the WB and...
Decided to drive on up the WB and...
Someone cue the fat lady.
Posted on September 26 2019
It was an overcast drizzly day and yes there were olives from two to four on the UE. Saw a few caddis on the two Bk pools that I tried and no bugs on the BE pool I fished.
Took a drive down the BR as far as Hankins, water was off color even down there. Stopped at Basket Brook and Kellums Bridge looking for risers - nothing. Cut cross lots over to Fishs Eddy (kind of a neat drive) with the intention...
Took a drive down the BR as far as Hankins, water was off color even down there. Stopped at Basket Brook and Kellums Bridge looking for risers - nothing. Cut cross lots over to Fishs Eddy (kind of a neat drive) with the intention...