Angler 119's Delaware River Fishing Report
Fewer ants more Uncles
Posted on August 27 2018
After a long overdue dump run, I headed back up the UEB. The ease with which I found bugs and rising fish yesterday left no doubt in my mind that that was the place to go. There was only one boat trailer at Ox Bow Campground and not a single car parked along the river. At 3:00 pm, roughly the same time I found bugs yesterday, there were none. Risers, I saw not a one. Boats, I saw one with a fly...
Fewer Ants - more Uncles.
Posted on August 27 2018
After a long overdue dump run, I headed back up the UEB. The ease with which I found bugs and rising fish yesterday left no doubt in my mind that that was the place to go. There was only one boat trailer at Oxbow Campground and not a single car parked along the river. At 3:00 pm, roughly the same time I found bugs yesterday, there were none. Risers, I saw not a one. Boats, I saw one with a...
The rules keep changing.
Posted on August 26 2018
Four days ago in my "killin' time" posting I said that with the warm spill water, hatches would be restricted to the last hour before dark. Also said that any tricos or ants would likely go uneaten at "current water levels" which on the big river was at 8,000CFS. Well, welcome to the Delaware. The spills have stopped, the water is very cold throughout the system and there are olive and steno...
Back in the "game".
Posted on August 25 2018
It's no secret that August has not been a friend to Delaware River fishermen. Torrential rains, high muddy water and reservoir spills have kept us off the water. I normally fish about 20 days a month. Yesterday was only my fourth day fished and first since the 6th of the month. On none of those days did I catch 10 fish.
Each day I fish I have a contest with the fish. The rules are pretty...
Each day I fish I have a contest with the fish. The rules are pretty...
I let time go lightly - on the river.
Posted on August 24 2018
It has been 6 days since I've fished and 18 days since I made a cast in the Delaware. Drove down to mow the lawn and "take a look". Saw two boats anchored below the 17 bridge in Deposit so I exited 17 and drove into town. Stopped to chat with Lloyd Hornbeck who said he had not heard of any wash overs being caught since the spills began. Drove down along the river and saw bugs (some) hatching. Saw...
Killin' time, is killin' me.
Posted on August 22 2018
The water temps throughout the system are now ok for trout fishing.
Why? All right, I'm only guessing but the ratio of bottom release to spill is improving daily. Another factor is the wind that has blown the past two days. This has probably mixed some of the hot surface water in the reservoirs with cooler water lying just below the surface. Temps are now in the sixties and the trout are back in a...
Why? All right, I'm only guessing but the ratio of bottom release to spill is improving daily. Another factor is the wind that has blown the past two days. This has probably mixed some of the hot surface water in the reservoirs with cooler water lying just below the surface. Temps are now in the sixties and the trout are back in a...
Two out of three ain't bad.
Posted on August 20 2018
Arrived back in Syracuse from the South Holston at noon today. Ended up leaving at 5:00 PM Sunday after it became obvious that Saturday night's pyrotechnic display was not put on by NASCAR at the Bristol track and that it came with locally heavy rains which turned several So Ho tribs into Tennessee's version of Oquaga Creek. They blew out the South Holston.
It could be said that I was unlucky...
It could be said that I was unlucky...
It's a BLOWOUT!
Posted on August 19 2018
You don't have to be there to know. The entire system is blown out and even without additional rain it will remain unfishable for the near future.
Why?
Both reservoirs are spilling hot water into the two branches.
Water is flowing into the reservoirs at a faster rate than it can be released, thus insuring that the warm water spill will continue to make the branches both warm and dangerously high.
Th...
Why?
Both reservoirs are spilling hot water into the two branches.
Water is flowing into the reservoirs at a faster rate than it can be released, thus insuring that the warm water spill will continue to make the branches both warm and dangerously high.
Th...
A better place to be, (during monsoon season).
Posted on August 17 2018
Stopped at camp yesterday. All the rivers were much clearer than they were on Wednesday. That said, they were all too high for wade fishing.
Received an invitation from a friend to fish the South Holston and after mowing the camp lawn I drove 9 hours south on 81, bought a Tennessee fishing license and went fishing. The "SoHo" is a TVA tailwater that is just full of fish from yearlings to fish of...
Received an invitation from a friend to fish the South Holston and after mowing the camp lawn I drove 9 hours south on 81, bought a Tennessee fishing license and went fishing. The "SoHo" is a TVA tailwater that is just full of fish from yearlings to fish of...
It's just the way things are.
Posted on August 15 2018
Drove down to the river for a look see. It wasn't pretty. Water above Oquaga was high, cold, comparatively clear, but unwadable. Oquaga was still very high and muddy. The entire WB was muddy brown from just below Oquaga to it's merger with the EB at junction pool.
Now for the bad news.
The UEB is very high with water that is, (because of the warm spill) over 70 degrees. Even with no rain it will...
Now for the bad news.
The UEB is very high with water that is, (because of the warm spill) over 70 degrees. Even with no rain it will...
Please exercise patience and stay safe!
Posted on August 13 2018
All rivers in the system are too high to wade safely. Both reservoirs are maxing out their releases and Pepacton is still spilling. If the predicted rain amounts (almost another 1.5 inches) arrive both reservoirs will be spilling by Wednesday. Because they have maxed out the releases, even the water up near the dams is too high to safely wade.
Drift boaters are in heaven with no waders to have...
Drift boaters are in heaven with no waders to have...
Train derailment above Hale Eddy - 2 rail cars and diesel fuel end up in the river system
Posted on August 09 2018
Flash flooding caused a small culvert running under the railroad tracks just upstream from Hale Eddy to wash out. This led to the derailment of four locomotives and an undetermined number of the 63 cars in a west bound train early this morning. Two of the cars, carrying construction debris are apparently in the river. The diesel fuel from one of the locomotives has apparently leaked into the West...
Am home building an Ark.
Posted on August 08 2018
Lots of bugs are hatching in the Sulfur Zone. Cold water releases have good temperatures well down the Big River. But the intense rainstorms have washed out any wade fishing possibilities for the near term.
The fish are enjoying the break and will big bigger, fatter, well rested and perhaps a little easier to fool when action resumes.
Stay tuned.
A nice day for a drive.
Posted on August 07 2018
With yesterdays increases in the reservoir releases (WB to 900 CFS, EB to 700 CFS) added to the already robust flow from the rain swollen tribs, drift boaters were in their glory. Wade fishermen not so much. Those who fished were soaking fly boxes and cell phones just trying to get far enough off shore to make a back cast. By 2:20 the Sulfur Zone had bugs (lots of them) all the way down to Hale...
Monday morning gave me no warning of what was to be.
Posted on August 06 2018
Arrived in Deposit about 2:00 with the air temp 90 and the river water yellow with sulfurs. Saw a bunch of splashy rises above the town bridge, parked, donned waders and went fishing. Shared the pool with a Troutfitter regular and we sure showed 'em - - - every fly in our respective boxes. The fish were almost all yearlings (now about 9 inches long) and they were chowing down on the sulfur nymphs...
Five feet high and rising!
Posted on August 03 2018
If you haven't started for the river yet don't. If you have started - turn around. The entire system has been hit by heavy downpours and is unfishable. The first showers hit during the night and raised the levels but there was still a possibility of fishing up near the dams.
The WB got hit with a gully washer around 11:00 this morning and all of the tribs are raging torrents of orange mud. The...
The WB got hit with a gully washer around 11:00 this morning and all of the tribs are raging torrents of orange mud. The...
It's August and a few big browns are still feeding on top.
Posted on August 02 2018
Drove to the UEB early this afternoon. While it's not like Green Drake time, the UEB is being fished. There are a number of fishermen who fish only the UEB. They find the WB's crowds of wade fishermen, boats and algae 3 good reasons to stay on the UEB. Enough of them have been fishing this week that planning where to fish is impossible. You just have to go and look for an empty pool.
Tried two...
Tried two...
Some days are better than others.
Posted on August 01 2018
If you like variety today was the day for you. There was sunshine, partly cloudy skies, cloudy skies, rain and fog. There was a good sulfur hatch which was underway when I arrived about 1:45 and continued until 5:30 after the rain there were good olive hatch.
If you are looking for a challenge the Delaware is the place for you. The fish fed from about two until I left the upper WB at 7:00. They...
If you are looking for a challenge the Delaware is the place for you. The fish fed from about two until I left the upper WB at 7:00. They...
Reprise, reprise.
Posted on July 31 2018
With the predicted rain never showing up and a partly sunny day filling in as a last minute substitute, I was forced to change plans. The increased flows have cooled both branches down and with the predicted cloudy rainy day I had planned to see if the WB would have olives down river. Went to the UEB instead, in part to see if it was the clouds or the cooler water that brought on the bug hatch...
Reprisals don't often work out, but - - -
Posted on July 30 2018
Two weeks ago on a cloudy overcast day there were bugs on the UEB. There were also feeding fish and I had a very nice day. Since Hendrickson time, that was the only day that I found good bugs and feeding fish on the UEB.
With the sky clouding over midday, the UEB at 300 CFS, (rain and an increase in the release), I decided to see if I could get a July 18th do over. Was busy doing yard work (rain...
With the sky clouding over midday, the UEB at 300 CFS, (rain and an increase in the release), I decided to see if I could get a July 18th do over. Was busy doing yard work (rain...
It's good to be back "home" again, (with apologies to my wife).
Posted on July 29 2018
Hadn't fished since last Tuesday what with the rain, high water, a day canning peaches and yet another funeral to attend up in Vermont. Arrived in Deposit about 1:30 and drove around looking in vain for bugs and rises. Was on my way elsewhere when I saw some waxwings working over the riff behind the grass island above the Gentlemen's Club. Turned around and parked at the G.C. lot. One of the...
Raindrops keep fall'in on my head - - -
Posted on July 26 2018
My 6:00 pm posting of yesterday (Wednesday) was quickly followed by a night of heavy rain. All rivers in the system are unfishable today. The WB was spared the worst of it and streamer enthusiasts might well be able to float and fish on the weekend (assuming no additional precipitation).
The Beaverkill crested at about 11.000 CFS, (above the 10,000 CFS flood line), with the EB hitting 15,000 CFS...
The Beaverkill crested at about 11.000 CFS, (above the 10,000 CFS flood line), with the EB hitting 15,000 CFS...
A rainout !
Posted on July 25 2018
The game was called today due to wet grounds.
If there is no additional rain tonight the UEB (off color at present) will be playable tomorrow.
The WB is both high and muddy, any fishing will be above Oquaga, best to wait another day.
The warm rain water has raised the daily low temp on both rivers while lowered the high temp on the UEB and raising it on the WB. What effect this will have on the...
If there is no additional rain tonight the UEB (off color at present) will be playable tomorrow.
The WB is both high and muddy, any fishing will be above Oquaga, best to wait another day.
The warm rain water has raised the daily low temp on both rivers while lowered the high temp on the UEB and raising it on the WB. What effect this will have on the...
It's a good time to take your wife out for a nice dinner.
Posted on July 24 2018
If you haven't noticed it's a little crazy down here. It's rained (sometimes quite hard) on and off in Lordville for the past two days. Humphries Brook is roaring. The BK hit 4000 CFS today and all that orange/brown muddy water is roaring down the BE and the BR at levels up to 6000 CFS.
At 3:00 this afternoon the WB was at 550 CFS and dropping the UEB was at 240CFS and falling. Strange or what?...
At 3:00 this afternoon the WB was at 550 CFS and dropping the UEB was at 240CFS and falling. Strange or what?...
It doesn't help your fishing to be in a fog.
Posted on July 23 2018
Arrived at camp about 1:00 to find that one of the large rhododendrons out front had been blown over by Mondays wind and that several limbs on the peach trees had been pulled down and broken by the local deer and their friends. Spent most of the afternoon trying to restore order. Considerable work remains.
Left to fish about 4:15 and turned the wrong way. Had come through showers around Deposit...
Left to fish about 4:15 and turned the wrong way. Had come through showers around Deposit...
Fishing downgraded to "Fair".
Posted on July 20 2018
There's no reason to sugar coat it. From the 15th of May until the end of June the fishing was Excellent. When I returned from my trip out west last week I noticed a down tick. I rated last week as Good. This week gets only a Fair.
There are many factors which contribute to how good or bad the fishing will be. This season has already had three periods of over 90 degree temperature. The rainfall...
There are many factors which contribute to how good or bad the fishing will be. This season has already had three periods of over 90 degree temperature. The rainfall...
Some might call it a one star performance - - -
Posted on July 19 2018
With the morning temp 46, I started a fire in the stove to warm up the camp. At 9:45 I got the bright idea to drive up to the UEB to see if there were any tricos. Looked at all of the riffs from the Sunoco station to Harvard without seeing any waxwings, tricos or rising fish. Back to camp.
At 1:45 I left camp again in the bright sun and headed for Deposit. Crossed the river at Hale Eddy and...
At 1:45 I left camp again in the bright sun and headed for Deposit. Crossed the river at Hale Eddy and...
Some days it don't come easy.
Posted on July 18 2018
With the cooler temp, a "delightful" breeze and bright sun it was a day better suited for yard work than fishing. Didn't go until 4:00 when there was a chance of getting both the sun and wind off the water on the UEB.
Yesterday's cloud cover and fog produced enough bugs to get the fish up and feeding. Today's bright sun and high pressure seemed to stifle both the hatch and the feeding trout. There...
Yesterday's cloud cover and fog produced enough bugs to get the fish up and feeding. Today's bright sun and high pressure seemed to stifle both the hatch and the feeding trout. There...
Sometimes the best plan, is not to have one.
Posted on July 17 2018
When fishing the Delaware River system it's usually best not to plan anything in advance. Wanted to try a piece of the upper WB that I hadn't fished yet this year. Left camp early enough to stop at FUDR and ask why there had been no flow increases when the gauge at Montague showed levels reaching almost as low as 1,400 CFS. CEO Jeff Skelding patiently explained that the 1750 CFS flow requirement...
Maybe tomorrow - - -
Posted on July 16 2018
With everything but the WB and the UEB above Shinhopple too hot to fish, I decided to play an away game and drove straight from home to the Neversink. There have been rumors of summer sulfur hatches "up near the dam" and it was a good time to take a look. Saw a few (very few) sulfurs and a rise or two before a couple of thunderstorms with brisk winds swept through. I headed for camp. Best part of...
Plans, what plans?
Posted on July 13 2018
After two days of relative peace and quiet in the "sulfur zone" with a good mix of summer bugs and rising fish, where else would you go? Arrived about 3:30 and headed down towards the Gentleman's Club. Counted six drift boats between the route 17 bridge and the GC. There were also two pontoon boats and one kayak and a bunch of wade fishermen. Did a U turn and headed for the UEB.
Drove up route...
Drove up route...
Never fall in love with a fish!
Posted on July 12 2018
It's a mantra I've been preaching for as long as I remember. Your best chance to catch a fish is always on the first cast. As soon as the fish becomes aware that you are there, the odds swing heavily in his favor. I know, I know "He's still rising", but he gets to look at that fly from only inches away and if there aren't six legs on the water with the tail in the air he ain't eating. Tip your cap...
If you are going to fish the sulfur spinner fall, book a room.
Posted on July 11 2018
Did another split day. The best thing about the morning was that I was smart enough to quit after only an hour. Spinners were on the water along with a few mayfly duns and caddis but the fish were nowhere to be seen. Home before 11:00, grass mowed and peach tree limbs propped up out of reach of the deer before 1:00.
Left camp at 3:30 and headed up to Deposit "Just to take a look". Saw an old...
Left camp at 3:30 and headed up to Deposit "Just to take a look". Saw an old...
Not going to the "sulfur zone" just yet.
Posted on July 10 2018
Did a split day with the intent of further postponing my return to the algae laden sulfur zone with its boats, wade anglers, sulfurs, and super tough fish.
This morning I fished a section of the lower WB that I fished back on the 22nd of June. That morning there were olive spinners on the water and the fishing was great with big fish eating my fly with abandon. Today, not so much. Perhaps I should...
This morning I fished a section of the lower WB that I fished back on the 22nd of June. That morning there were olive spinners on the water and the fishing was great with big fish eating my fly with abandon. Today, not so much. Perhaps I should...
It's good to be back home again.
Posted on July 09 2018
Returned from my trip to the Owyhee River in Oregon late Saturday night. Spent Sunday doing chores at home and left for the river about 11:00 this morning.
The Owyhee trip - The canyon is beautiful, the wildlife along the river abundant (mule deer, turkeys, ducks, quail, chuckers, eagles, otter, beaver, etc, etc). But the fly hatches have virtually disappeared. Have not seen any tricos in the last...
The Owyhee trip - The canyon is beautiful, the wildlife along the river abundant (mule deer, turkeys, ducks, quail, chuckers, eagles, otter, beaver, etc, etc). But the fly hatches have virtually disappeared. Have not seen any tricos in the last...
I'm leaving on a jet plane - - -
Posted on June 29 2018
Today was change over day. Cleaned the camp, packed my fly tying equipment and "Owyhee River " fly boxes and headed home. Will be on a plane Sunday morning flying to Oregon for a weeks fishing on the Owyhee River tailwater.
A week ago I said if the trip wasn't prepaid, I'd gladly give it up to stay and fish the Delaware. Now, with the weeks weather forecast in front of me, I'm not so sure...
A week ago I said if the trip wasn't prepaid, I'd gladly give it up to stay and fish the Delaware. Now, with the weeks weather forecast in front of me, I'm not so sure...
Neversink revisited and "Sulfur Zone" boundaries set.
Posted on June 28 2018
After the all day soaker of yesterday, the heavy thunderstorms of last night and the scattered showers today, the entire system was either stained or muddy. It was a much needed infusion of rainwater into the systems tribs and the lower water temps will at least help when the coming heatwave hits.
Decided to take the day off and drive over to the Neversink and look for sulfurs and rising trout....
Decided to take the day off and drive over to the Neversink and look for sulfurs and rising trout....
There is no correlation between being smart and being a good fisherman.
Posted on June 27 2018
When it started raining at about 8:30 this morning my morning shift was cancelled (spinners don't do it in the rain). With time on my hands I turned on the tea kettle and steamed a few of my more bedraggled flies, tied a few new ones and lo it was 1:00 o'clock. Drove up to Deposit and visited with Lloyd Hornbeck, hands down the best fisherman on the Cannonsville reservoir. Left Deposit and headed...
At a loss for ways to say "The fishing is still great".
Posted on June 26 2018
For perhaps the first time since I started writing this blog I sat in front of the computer and found myself at a loss for words. Each night, while sipping my libation, I try to think of something different and interesting to write about. Tonight the words just didn't come. Writers block? Or am I just tired of tired of telling people how good the fishing is.
If you want to catch fish on a dry...
If you want to catch fish on a dry...
Monday, coming down.
Posted on June 25 2018
Got enough rain over the weekend to help out the lawn and at least bump up the river levels a little bit. It helped the BR the most as Lordville at 1300 cfs stayed below 70 while the BE and the BK both hit about 72 today.
Ran into the perpetual traffic jam at the construction project in Binghamton on the way down and opted out by taking I-86 east. When the GPS settled down and stopped telling me...
Ran into the perpetual traffic jam at the construction project in Binghamton on the way down and opted out by taking I-86 east. When the GPS settled down and stopped telling me...
Y'all come, a few at a time.
Posted on June 22 2018
Remember about a month ago when the Hendricksons were done everywhere but the UEB and WB and the BK blew out and everything down stream was too muddy to fish? There were so many boats and wade fishermen crowding the river that I just didn't fish.
This week with the high water temps, everything but the UEB and the WB were shut down and I had such a good week of fishing that I would gladly cancel my...
This week with the high water temps, everything but the UEB and the WB were shut down and I had such a good week of fishing that I would gladly cancel my...
Where things stand on the first day of summer.
Posted on June 21 2018
It's the first day of summer and we need rain. Lots of it. The reservoirs are fine, right where they should be. NYC is seeing to that. But the tribs are drying up, the releases have been cut back and the BK, BE and almost all of the BR are too warm to fish. The adult fish are being stressed by the low oxygen content in the warm water. In the tribs the brown and rainbow fingerlings are becoming...
Cold water, lots of bugs and rising fish. Who could ask for more?
Posted on June 20 2018
Yesterday there wasn't a fly in any of my boxes that got the job done. Collected samples of three different flies that were hatching, put 'em in the fridge when I got back to the camp, took 'em out this morning went to work. Tied a couple dozen flies in different shades of the yellowish green body and yellow/gray wings. Also tied emergers in various stages of emergence. Lastly I went to a...
Your questions, my answers.
Posted on June 19 2018
Recently I received three questions in the comments section and thought maybe the answers might be helpful to all.
Brian - You aren't the only one who has asked. I'm not a typist and it's just easier for me to use initials for the rivers.
BK = Beaverkill
BR = Big River, Main Stem, The Delaware
UEB = The East Branch from Downsville to East Branch (the Sunoco Station)
BE = The East Branch below "Jaws"...
Brian - You aren't the only one who has asked. I'm not a typist and it's just easier for me to use initials for the rivers.
BK = Beaverkill
BR = Big River, Main Stem, The Delaware
UEB = The East Branch from Downsville to East Branch (the Sunoco Station)
BE = The East Branch below "Jaws"...
The way things are.
Posted on June 18 2018
Fished both branches and the big river today with mixed results.
The BR: With the 700 cfs release from Stilesville the middle section of the BR was in play today. The release was cut back to just under 400 cfs again at noon and any amount of sunshine will put the water temp over 70. Today the river had browns and rainbows willing to eat a fly with a hook in it (always a good thing) and I did better...
The BR: With the 700 cfs release from Stilesville the middle section of the BR was in play today. The release was cut back to just under 400 cfs again at noon and any amount of sunshine will put the water temp over 70. Today the river had browns and rainbows willing to eat a fly with a hook in it (always a good thing) and I did better...
Happy Father's day to all!
Posted on June 17 2018
With a predicted high of 90 degrees and the release at Stilesville cut back to under 400 cfs the choice of where to fish became less complicated. A 400 cfs release won't cool the BR much below Stockport (if that). So, you have the UEB the WB and a short stretch of the BR. The rest of the system (BK, BE, and BR below Stockport were clearly out of bounds due to temps in the mid 70's.
Arrived at...
Arrived at...
If you didn't tie a wind knot today - - - you didn't fish!
Posted on June 14 2018
If there was ever a day in June not to fish, this was it. In Florida they say, "Wind, what wind, we don't call it a wind 'til they give it a name". Well I gave it several names today. It was flat out unfishable.
Got into the BR early just as the wind started picking up. There were splashy risers chasing Cornuta nymphs. The Cornuta hatch is frustrating because the trout eat the nymphs and won't...
Got into the BR early just as the wind started picking up. There were splashy risers chasing Cornuta nymphs. The Cornuta hatch is frustrating because the trout eat the nymphs and won't...
Trump's "friends" sure can fish!
Posted on June 13 2018
With a gray overcast day forecasted I decided to continue my assault on the BK and BE. With the low water conditions it won't take more than two or three bright sunny days in a row to get both streams into the "no fishing zone" (temps over 70).
Fished about a half mile of the BK which surrounds one of the "Eastern European's" tenting sites. They camped there for about a week to harvest fish during...
Fished about a half mile of the BK which surrounds one of the "Eastern European's" tenting sites. They camped there for about a week to harvest fish during...
Trump's "friends" sure can fish!
Posted on June 13 2018
With a gray overcast day forecasted I decided to continue my assault on the BK and BE. With the low water conditions it won't take more than two or three bright sunny days in a row to get both streams into the "no fishing zone" (temps over 70).
Fished about a half mile of the BK which surrounds one of the "Eastern European's" tenting sites. They camped there for about a week to harvest fish during...
Fished about a half mile of the BK which surrounds one of the "Eastern European's" tenting sites. They camped there for about a week to harvest fish during...
All you need to know about Delaware River midges.
Posted on June 12 2018
I'm not a midge expert by any stretch of the imagination. No-see-ums are bad news, you're on fire before you even know you've been bitten. Chironomids, on the other hand, don't bite, hatch in trout streams, taste good and can be tied and fished on size 16 and 18 hooks. Trout love'em. On my annual trip out west they are the mainstay of mid day fishing, hatching in 100 degree heat and bright...