Angler 119's Delaware River Fishing Report
By Angler 119 on 2016-07-09
Posted on July 08 2016
For perhaps someday I'll catch a mermaid!
With flies to tie for my western trip, I stayed at the camp and gave the upper East Branch sulfur eaters a rest. Left camp at about 3:30 and drove up to Deposit where I looked over the mist covered river and took a pass. Drove down stream, chatted with a friend and watched a river sans bugs, risers and fishermen flow by. Undaunted, at about five I put on...
By Angler 119 on 2016-07-08
Posted on July 07 2016
Maybe now I'll stop whining about Montana.
Yesterday I might have been a tad down. Even with no one fishing I couldn't find bugs and feeding fish enough to get excited or enthused about. Today it started out worse. Didn't head for the river until mid-afternoon and when I did - the river (WB ) was shrouded in fog, even in the fog I could count six boats anchored within the Deposit city limits....
By Angler 119 on 2016-07-07
Posted on July 07 2016
Montana looks good right now.
With the hot sunny weather the cold water loving summer sulfurs have moved into their upstream summer quarters. Fished early yesterday morning on a stretch of water in the lower regions of the WB. Saw no bugs but raised seven fish on attractor patterns. Three of them ate and stayed stuck all the way into the net.
After Tuesday's poor showing on the upriver sulfurs I...
By Angler 119 on 2016-07-06
Posted on July 05 2016
TGFSS
It was a tough afternoon on the river. Partly cloudy with a hot sun beating down more and more as the afternoon wore on. There were sulfurs but very few fish were impressed. Walked over a quarter mile of the WB and saw but one head. It turned out to be a fat sassy 18.5 inch brown who ate my fly and let me know how he felt about it. The rest of the after noon sulfur hatch was spent just...
By Angler 119 on 2016-07-05
Posted on July 04 2016
It's July now and - - - - -
There is no doubt about it the fishing has changed. The iso hatch has been meager at best and the summer sulfurs (at least up river ) have failed to hatch in numbers sufficient to get the "big boys" feeding. I fished three places between Deposit and Hancock and never saw a drift boat. Parking lots are almost empty and in many places there isn't an angler in sight.
Why?...
By Angler 119 on 2016-07-02
Posted on July 02 2016
Weekend musings on the season to date.
Took the time to tally my fish counts for May and June. It was the eighth best May in the twenty five years of records. June finished as the 11th best. There are many factors which influence the overall results. When I first came to the river system there was a learning curve that showed slow but steady progress in my ability to catch Delaware River fish. I...
A return to the West Branch.
Posted on July 01 2016
With a tornado watch in effect and thunder storms predicted for two-thirty, I opted to fish the upper WB at a spot close to the car. I had avoided the algae plagued West Branch all week, first because of the algae, second because of the rain induced muddy water. Found the river at an ideal level, running clear and with a reduced amount
of algae.
Arrived about two-forty five to find a mix of bugs...
of algae.
Arrived about two-forty five to find a mix of bugs...
It was still a good month!
Posted on July 01 2016
After yesterday's bonanza I decided to return to the upper EB, but spend the day fishing places I hadn't visited this year (or at least since Hendrickson's). Did chores in the morning, tied flies and left for the river around two. Carried out my plan to perfection, visiting all new ( for this year) places. Couldn't believe how much the multiflora roses have grown. Probably poked a dozen new...
A guy could get lonesome fishing the upper East Branch
Posted on June 30 2016
With the DRC saying the WB was "brown", there was never any doubt about where I was going to fish today. My only concern was how crowded it would be. I needn't have worried. Left camp about one thirty intending to fish sulfurs on the upper EB. Was surprised at how muddy the big EB was in Hancock. It didn't start to clear until
the seventeen rest area. When I turned up route thirty at the Sunoco...
the seventeen rest area. When I turned up route thirty at the Sunoco...
We needed the rain - bad!
Posted on June 29 2016
After Mondays lackluster effort, I decided to put in a full day of fishing. Woke to find isos, cahills and a hexagenia on my porch screens. Had to try the river out back but after half an hour of casting it was evident that the trout had left for cooler water. Drove up to Stockport where there were already three fishermen hard at it. There is lots of room there and I worked part of the riff...
Quiet night on the Big River.
Posted on June 28 2016
Several things came up that delayed my departure for the river until a little after three. Uncharacteristically took my time and didn't go out the camp door until after seven. I might well have gone earlier as it was an overcast olive kind of day but it was too late for afternoon bugs and still early for the evening fishing.
Took a look at Buckingham, as is my custom, and saw no bugs, birds , ris...
Took a look at Buckingham, as is my custom, and saw no bugs, birds , ris...
Eat early - Fish late.
Posted on June 25 2016
They raised the release out of Cannonsville by about eighty-five CFS and the river was again filled with algae in suspension. Hopefully the worst of it will be washed out by tomorrow so that weekenders can enjoy the river. Fishing today required that you fish dry flies only and that you cleaned the green slime off your fly after EVERY cast.
I fished an ares above Hale Eddy that I hadn't been in...
I fished an ares above Hale Eddy that I hadn't been in...
Catching Delaware River fish is as simple as: a, b, c, d, e
Posted on June 24 2016
There were more fishermen on the river today than earlier this week but there were still plenty of places where you could fish alone. The upriver hatches remain meager with the summer sulfurs still absent from the mix. The fish are feeding but very carefully. They seldom eat more than a couple of flies at any one time and often change lies between feeding spells.
Down river the summer sulfurs...
New look flies a hit on West Branch but bomb on the East!
Posted on June 23 2016
Stung by two tough days on the river, I got out early, determined to teach those fish a lesson. Fished what I think is one of the better runs in the river from nine-thirty until eleven fifteen. What did I get? One rise by a fish that said "no thank you" to my offering. At least I was smart enough to quit when I did, go home , eat lunch and
tie some new and different flies.
Almost passed up the...
tie some new and different flies.
Almost passed up the...
Parking areas tell tale of woe.
Posted on June 22 2016
At four o'clock there were no cars at the lower game lands lot and just two cars at the upper game lands. At seven o'clock there were no cars at the power line pool and one car at Long Flat.
No one is fishing - because? No one is catching any fish. The "fluff" reports notwithstanding.
Today I fished a run in the middle section of the WB from ten in the morning (I've done very well in the morning...
No one is fishing - because? No one is catching any fish. The "fluff" reports notwithstanding.
Today I fished a run in the middle section of the WB from ten in the morning (I've done very well in the morning...
Humble pie on the menu!
Posted on June 21 2016
After two weeks of very good fishing it was bound to happen. Drove down to the river after lunch, arriving at two-forty five to find almost no one in the river. Donned gear and got fishing. At three there were no bugs or risers. The bugs did come, a modest hatch of big sulfurs, cahills, isos, olives and a few caddis. The summer sulfurs? no where to be seen. The fish, if you looked closely were
Bear with me!
Posted on June 18 2016
Have had a good week of fishing. After the big bugs the fishing usually gets tougher. When the Big River and Big East get too warm to fish it puts extra pressure on the West Branch. This week you could fish anywhere and I did, picking spots that were too shallow or too far down river for boats. Fishing in the morning got me away from
most of the wade fishermen. In the evenings I stayed away...
most of the wade fishermen. In the evenings I stayed away...
Evening sulfurs get'em feeding!
Posted on June 17 2016
After cutting down and cutting up the tree yesterday I decided a nap would be more helpful than fishing the afternoon sulfurs. Woke up at four thirty to bright sun (it was overcast and raining all morning) and decided to again seek a shady spot to jump start the evening fishing.
Drove to the upper East Branch which has been deserted by the hoards of anglers who attended the Green Drake hatch....
Drove to the upper East Branch which has been deserted by the hoards of anglers who attended the Green Drake hatch....
The Big River
Posted on June 16 2016
With NYSEG arriving at 8:15 to "drop" the power line to my house so I could take down a big spruce tree, the report is somewhat tardy - my apologies (the tree came down without incident).
With no rain in sight and Mother Nature scheduled to pour on the heat this weekend the fishing on most of the Big River is most likely drawing to a close for the summer. Water temp at Lordville was 68 yesterday...
With no rain in sight and Mother Nature scheduled to pour on the heat this weekend the fishing on most of the Big River is most likely drawing to a close for the summer. Water temp at Lordville was 68 yesterday...
A different kind of a day.
Posted on June 15 2016
After the wind and clouds of yesterday, today was a pleasant change of pace - there was a breeze (not a wind) and if there was a cloud in the sky, I missed it.
The bugs may have started early without telling me. Got to the river about 3:15 after a nice visit with one of the Troutfitter regulars. The big sulfurs were on the water and there were quite a few splashy risers. Hooked and lost two nice...
The bugs may have started early without telling me. Got to the river about 3:15 after a nice visit with one of the Troutfitter regulars. The big sulfurs were on the water and there were quite a few splashy risers. Hooked and lost two nice...
Sunshine saves the day!
Posted on June 14 2016
The day started off cloudy and cold with wind blowing fifteen, gusting even higher. Got on the water at three to find the hatch not yet underway. By 3:30 there were some bugs and a few risers. The bugs peaked about 4:30 in what could best be described as only a fair hatch
The fish fed but were clearly not in a feeding frenzy. You had tolook for them and wait for them to rise then cast. There...
The fish fed but were clearly not in a feeding frenzy. You had tolook for them and wait for them to rise then cast. There...
Fishing is "coming around"
Posted on June 11 2016
With the wind at just fifteen most of the day it was by far the easiest casting day of the week. The sulfurs are hatching in good numbers on both branches. They can be found in the upper half of the WB in the afternoon, providing day time dry fly action that has been missing for the past few weeks.
Yesterday it got up near seventy and when the wind laid down around six it paved the way for a...
Yesterday it got up near seventy and when the wind laid down around six it paved the way for a...
Bright sun, high winds and out of control boats make for a tough day!
Posted on June 10 2016
With the wind blowing tree limbs down along the road I decided to head up to the upper EB where you have a chance to find a spot out of the wind. Found a nice run with no wind and a good hatch of sulfurs - but in the hour I sat there I never saw a fish rise.
Bit the bullet and headed for the WB where boats were careening out of control in a wind that was blowing at over thirty. There were a surpr...
Fishing amidst the Buttercups!
Posted on June 09 2016
Three shirts and a rain coat didn't begin to keep me warm. The wind blew over fifteen with gusts much higher - rain came on and off all day and there were even a few ice pellets. The temp never got over fifty two. Saw only one other wade angler and half a dozen boats all day.
The bugs, for some reason were lovin' it. By three the water was yellow with every kind of bug you could name. It wasn't...
The bugs, for some reason were lovin' it. By three the water was yellow with every kind of bug you could name. It wasn't...
Big D back on the menu
Posted on June 08 2016
Just as it was getting hard to see my cornuta the fish started eating
on top. Hooked a couple on the cornuta and then had to switch to a
sulfur so I could see it. The sulfurs were on the water by then
anyway and the fish were more than happy to eat mine. Over the years
I have noticed that the approval rating of my flies goes up as the
light fades.
Until the summer sulfurs get going in the afternoon...
on top. Hooked a couple on the cornuta and then had to switch to a
sulfur so I could see it. The sulfurs were on the water by then
anyway and the fish were more than happy to eat mine. Over the years
I have noticed that the approval rating of my flies goes up as the
light fades.
Until the summer sulfurs get going in the afternoon...
It remembered how to rain!
Posted on June 07 2016
It rained here Sunday - and boy did we need it. It put all the rivers up - they were all muddy - it also cooled them down. The WB was clearing above Oquaga by 12:00 Monday and the upper EB was good to go upstream of Centerville when I went by at five.
Counted "only" six cars at Long Flat and three at Power Line. The drakes are done and the upper EB will soon be a quiet place again.
Didn't find...
Counted "only" six cars at Long Flat and three at Power Line. The drakes are done and the upper EB will soon be a quiet place again.
Didn't find...
Green Drakes, Isos and Cornuta
Posted on June 04 2016
The season is speeding by - Green Drakes are all but over on the Upper East and there was a big spinner fall at the one ninety one pool on the West Branch Thursday night. Fished near Balls Eddy on Thursday and saw neither Duns nor Spinners.
Isos normally follow the drakes and appear in numbers around Memorial Day. Often times you can see as many as a dozen nymph husks on stream side rocks. This...
Isos normally follow the drakes and appear in numbers around Memorial Day. Often times you can see as many as a dozen nymph husks on stream side rocks. This...
What's cookin at Cooks Falls? The fish?
Posted on June 03 2016
Returned to the river this morning - with the five hundred cfs release in the WB the worst of the algae problem has been sent down river for now.
The unfishable high temps have continued on the Big River and the Big East. The Beaverkill? Who knows? There have been no temperature readings at the USGS station there for years.
The three most critical stations (where thermal stress is most likely to...
The unfishable high temps have continued on the Big River and the Big East. The Beaverkill? Who knows? There have been no temperature readings at the USGS station there for years.
The three most critical stations (where thermal stress is most likely to...
Memorial Day weekend fishing lays a rotten egg!
Posted on May 31 2016
With the Big River, the Big East Branch and the lower Beaverkill all too warm to fish, there just wasn't enough river for the holiday weekend throng to fish. Add to that a week of unseasonably hot weather, the algae problem on the West Branch and bright all day sun and you had the makings for a very poor fishing weekend.
Surprisingly the algae problem improved slightly the second day after the...
Surprisingly the algae problem improved slightly the second day after the...
THE MAIN STEM, BIG EAST BRANCH AND THE BEAVERKILL ARE TOO HOT TO FISH AT THIS TIME.
Posted on May 29 2016
The upper East Branch is marginal it hit seventy at Harvard yesterday. The Green Drakes are hatching and it has been SRO up there. Unfortunately the lower part of the upper EB is where the drakes are. Use a thermometer and discretion fishing there.
West Branch -
Went out early on the lower WB and saw more boats than fish. The flow increase cooled the water and slowed both the bugs and fish. Fished...
West Branch -
Went out early on the lower WB and saw more boats than fish. The flow increase cooled the water and slowed both the bugs and fish. Fished...
You can't say I didn't try
Posted on May 28 2016
Was in the big river by eight-fifteen - morning fishing has been good and I wanted to fish before it got too warm - never saw a bug or a rise.
Second stop was WB at the gamelands - hooked and landed a nice eighteen inch brown. Proceeded to the no-kill where I again saw no bugs or risers. After a Wendy's #7 (family style chicken sandwich) I was off to the upper East. Saw a pool that had no...
Second stop was WB at the gamelands - hooked and landed a nice eighteen inch brown. Proceeded to the no-kill where I again saw no bugs or risers. After a Wendy's #7 (family style chicken sandwich) I was off to the upper East. Saw a pool that had no...
Too hot, too soon
Posted on May 27 2016
The ragged robin which grows in the drainage ditches along highways is in bloom. It creates a pastel pink ribbon that is beautiful to see. It also signals the start of the Green Drake hatch.
With the unseasonably hot weather most all of he Big River, big EB and Beaverkill will have temps above seventy during the day and should not be fished. The upper EB and the WB should be ok temp wise but are
With the unseasonably hot weather most all of he Big River, big EB and Beaverkill will have temps above seventy during the day and should not be fished. The upper EB and the WB should be ok temp wise but are
Change of strategy brings better results
Posted on May 26 2016
Love to fish the big river - but with bright sun, air temp over 80 and water temp pushing 70 any action there is limited to the last fifteen minutes of light. Buckingham trailer count went from twenty-one down to eight. (Eight hours out in the hot sun for fifteen minutes of fishing is no bargain). The big East Branch and Beaverkill are much the same with low water flow and high water temps. The...
WOW!
Posted on May 25 2016
From last Thursday until today the flow at Lordville was cut in half (from 2,500 cfs to 1,250cfs). The high water temp during the same period went from 55 to 65. With the lower water flows the fish become concentrated and are more vulnerable to predators. They are also disturbed more by boats and wade fishermen and are the less likely to eat your fly.
With the higher water temps the day time...
With the higher water temps the day time...
Toads in the road.
Posted on May 24 2016
After saying goodbye, at the dentist's office, to old #thirty, a molar that had spent its life grinding up anything sent its way, I headed to the river. Decided to fish a pool on the Beaverkill that I have never tried during prime time. There were a number of trout rising there one day last week but another angler was right in their midst.
This time the pool was vacant when I arrived at six-thirt...
This time the pool was vacant when I arrived at six-thirt...
"Refusals" make for a watery fish chowder
Posted on May 21 2016
There was bright sunshine - wind was no factor - four canoes went by me with a pair of fishermen in each one. They all said they had bugs and risers all day but they couldn't figure out what the fish were eating. I told them, "flies without hooks in 'em".
I was apparently below the hatch as there wasn't much going on until the sun got off the water. Cast at what risers I did see and did some "bli...
I was apparently below the hatch as there wasn't much going on until the sun got off the water. Cast at what risers I did see and did some "bli...
They finally went 'til dark!
Posted on May 20 2016
Between the bright sun and the wind the degree of difficulty was raised several notches today. I had landed one nice rainbow and had another on with three more fish rising within casting range - it was sunny - the caddis were hatching and the fish were feeding - and then the wind came - and when it came it didn't mess around - it blew.
From the time the wind hit until the sun went behind the hills...
From the time the wind hit until the sun went behind the hills...
Rainless Rainbows
Posted on May 19 2016
Each day this week the air temp has gotten a little warmer - today there was even a little sun - enough to make the fish stop rising. Mid-afternoon the clouds came back and so did the fish.
Fished a couple of pools on the Beaverkill - it's at a great level and the fish are up and eating. When the sun put the fish down I departed the Beaverkill and got behind the boats on the big river. It's still...
An any old kind of day
Posted on May 18 2016
Day started off warmer than Monday but with no sun. It wasn't what you would call windy but there was an annoying breeze. Found bugs on the water from one until six. Was never into a heavy hatch but had risers all day. No evening fishing as bugs on the big river shut down early again with the cold.
If you are planning on fooling a lot of fish with March Browns on the big river or the big east...
I had better things to do - -
Posted on May 17 2016
Woke up to snow on the roof - temp thirty one - winds at twenty gusting to thirty and a rising barometer. I like fly-fishing as much as much as anyone else but even I could see that this was a day to look for better things to do. A dentist appointment and eye exam were already scheduled. I added a hair cut, car wash, oil change and a
stop at the Troutfitter to pick up some CDC and a new Amadou...
stop at the Troutfitter to pick up some CDC and a new Amadou...
Solitude without Loneliness - -
Posted on May 14 2016
It was an olive kind of day - only without the olives - never saw a one. Fished two pools on the upper east.The first had no bugs and no fish up. The second was one of the pools that on Tuesday was full of big fish gulping Hendrickson spinners. This time the fish that were up were sipping midges and they were nine and ten inchers.
Fished a pool on the big east, two boats went by giving me a wave...
Fished a pool on the big east, two boats went by giving me a wave...
It is what it is.
Posted on May 13 2016
Over fifty years ago Robert Traver in his famous "Testament of a Fisherman" wrote "---because mercifully there are no telephones on trout waters; because only in the woods can I find solitude without loneliness---".
Clearly those words don't apply to the Delaware River as we know it today. The Delaware is the best trout fishery east of the Mississippi River. It is also the most heavily fished....
Clearly those words don't apply to the Delaware River as we know it today. The Delaware is the best trout fishery east of the Mississippi River. It is also the most heavily fished....
Spinners save the day
Posted on May 12 2016
Tied spinners and march browns to prepare for what I was sure would be another all day fishing bonanza. If you had sent me to an arroyo I would have gone willingly, sure in the knowledge that I could float a fly and catch fish. The feeling was enhanced at my first stop on the big east when a nice bow ate my march brown.
And then - The frosty morning turned into a hot sunny day. I never saw a march...
And then - The frosty morning turned into a hot sunny day. I never saw a march...
It was a good plan after all !
Posted on May 11 2016
MondayI had a plan - Start early fishing March Browns on the big EB. Be on the upper EB at three to fish the last of the Hendricksons. When the Hendricksons shut down head for the WB spinner fall.
Monday turned out to be a little bit too bright, way to breezy and it got too cold too quick for the spinners to do their thing. I caught two fish.
Tuesdayit still seemed like a good plan so I tried it...
At least the yard looks good
Posted on May 10 2016
Left for camp early hoping to get the lawn mowed before the bugs started hatching. I did.
Set out to fish at about one - tried two places on the lower EB and found March Browns and Cddis hatching with fish showing no interest. Moved to the upper EB around 2:30 and sat on the bank in the sun watching Yellow Warblers and Myrtle Warblers catch bugs in the Multaflora roses. By 3:00 there were Apple...
Set out to fish at about one - tried two places on the lower EB and found March Browns and Cddis hatching with fish showing no interest. Moved to the upper EB around 2:30 and sat on the bank in the sun watching Yellow Warblers and Myrtle Warblers catch bugs in the Multaflora roses. By 3:00 there were Apple...
Musings on the balance of nature and it's effect on the Delaware River trout
Posted on May 08 2016
Finally got around to adding up Aprils catch and comparing it to those of the last twenty-five years. This year ranked fourth for number of fish caught. It is clear that the best April fishing occurs when the reservoirs aren't spilling and there is plenty of sunshine to warm up the lower water flows. This of course gets the bugs going sooner
which results in better early fishing.
Exactly fifty...
which results in better early fishing.
Exactly fifty...
Rain and cold put damper on hatch.
Posted on May 07 2016
Left the camp with good intentions. After four days on the upper WB it was time for a change. I drove up the EB from Hancock to Downsville in the pouring rain, stopping at every vista looking for bugs and risers. There weren't any. It was Friday afternoon and the fishermen who had filled every pool from the Sunoco station to
Downsville last Friday were also missing. I saw one in the water at
Downsville last Friday were also missing. I saw one in the water at
Troutfitter Anglers Fish "The Hatch"
Posted on May 06 2016
Fished the upper WB again today - same old - same old, Paraleps, Quill Gordons, Red Quills, Hendricksons. Olives and Apple Caddis, all accompanied by a steady breeze. It was still cold. The sun has not made an appearance over the river all week.
The hatch seemed somewhat sparser than previous days (at least until the Hendricksons got going around three.
Found rising trout more willing to take my...
The hatch seemed somewhat sparser than previous days (at least until the Hendricksons got going around three.
Found rising trout more willing to take my...
And the hatch goes on - - - -
Posted on May 05 2016
The HATCH - now nearing biblical proportions (biblical is one grade up from epic if you were wondering) continued - starting at twelve thirty and going 'til almost five. Got in at the start this time but saw little feeding until I found a spot out of the wind where the fish were on top chowing down.
Noticed something Mondayand confirmed it yesterday. Hooking a fish from a pod puts the rest of the...
Noticed something Mondayand confirmed it yesterday. Hooking a fish from a pod puts the rest of the...
Too much of a good thing!
Posted on May 04 2016
It wasn't bug soup, it was bug stew and it was served the length of the West Branch.
Monday I arrived at three to find the water covered with Hendricksons and the big fish gulping like hogs at the troth. This went from three 'til six.Tuesday (being no fool) I arrived at two - only to find an even heavier hatch with fish casually picking just the choicest morsels to eat.
When things slowed down I...
Monday I arrived at three to find the water covered with Hendricksons and the big fish gulping like hogs at the troth. This went from three 'til six.Tuesday (being no fool) I arrived at two - only to find an even heavier hatch with fish casually picking just the choicest morsels to eat.
When things slowed down I...