Yesterday was the day my wife and I set aside to can sour cherry jam
(an annual event). Everything went well and I was able to leave for
the Delaware around 2:00, just in time to get caught in a monsoon
rainstorm between Tully and Whitney Point. Thankfully the river
system was spared as there wasn't any rain on the river 'til almost
8:00.
After opening up the camp, I decided to try the big river...
Angler 119's Delaware River Fishing Report
Owyhee River Trip reflections
Posted on July 14 2015
Quite simply the best dry fly fishing for large brown trout that I
have ever seen. The fish are mostly all over seventeen inches long. I
caught 35 one day with only two of them under 17. The rest were
between 17 and 21 inches long.
The food is not plentiful and the fish are eating whatever is
available. There are rising fish from dawn til dark. The flies
include tricos, midges, baetis, pmd's, and a...
have ever seen. The fish are mostly all over seventeen inches long. I
caught 35 one day with only two of them under 17. The rest were
between 17 and 21 inches long.
The food is not plentiful and the fish are eating whatever is
available. There are rising fish from dawn til dark. The flies
include tricos, midges, baetis, pmd's, and a...
The Owyhee River, Why is it so good?
Posted on July 13 2015
In my lifetime of fishing there have been two things that have had by
far the greatest impact on dry fly fishing for trout.
The first was the advent of catch and release fishing. This has
allowed fish to grow to adult size, spawn effectively and produce wild
trout stocks. It has put mature trout in rivers and added an element
of excitement to dry fly fishing. The chance to catch a trophy sized
trout...
far the greatest impact on dry fly fishing for trout.
The first was the advent of catch and release fishing. This has
allowed fish to grow to adult size, spawn effectively and produce wild
trout stocks. It has put mature trout in rivers and added an element
of excitement to dry fly fishing. The chance to catch a trophy sized
trout...
Owyhee River fishing trip
Posted on July 12 2015
Blown off the river tonight by a forty mph dust/rain storm, quite a sight.
How has the fishing been? Very very good. Last year the best fishing of the day was the trico spinner fall. With heads up every where gulping spinners. This year the tricos haven't really gotten going yet and haven't been a factor. There are a few but the fishing isn't worth getting to the river early for.
I've been...
How has the fishing been? Very very good. Last year the best fishing of the day was the trico spinner fall. With heads up every where gulping spinners. This year the tricos haven't really gotten going yet and haven't been a factor. There are a few but the fishing isn't worth getting to the river early for.
I've been...
Paybacks are fun
Posted on July 09 2015
Last Friday evening I tried a pool on the upper EB in 150cfs. There
were large sulfurs and feeding fish. I caught one fish and got one
nose bump refusal. The rest of my casts were ignored.
Today with the water up to 250cfs I decided to try to get even. I
arrived at about 5:00pm, the sulfurs were hatching and the fish were
feeding. My very first cast was inhaled by a brown that was eating
every dun that...
were large sulfurs and feeding fish. I caught one fish and got one
nose bump refusal. The rest of my casts were ignored.
Today with the water up to 250cfs I decided to try to get even. I
arrived at about 5:00pm, the sulfurs were hatching and the fish were
feeding. My very first cast was inhaled by a brown that was eating
every dun that...
The Owyhee River
Posted on July 04 2015
With the home waters high and unwadeable, I have flown out west to fish an under the radar tailwater called the Owyhee River. It's a tributary of the Snake River located just over the Oregon border from Boise Idaho. The water from the Owyhee is used for crop irrigation. It's a small river with a current flow of 120 cfs. The river flows through a remote canyon for about 25 miles and then is piped...
Even the olives knew
Posted on June 30 2015
It started out sunny, then dark clouds rolled in. It spit rain
several times in the morning and I had my raincoat on when it rained
the first two places I fished. I was hopeful but really I knew, The
wind was blowing out of the west, there were patches of blue poking
out between the clouds, and then bright sun. The dreaded high between
two lows.
Fishermen hate it, fish hate it and even the bugs hate...
several times in the morning and I had my raincoat on when it rained
the first two places I fished. I was hopeful but really I knew, The
wind was blowing out of the west, there were patches of blue poking
out between the clouds, and then bright sun. The dreaded high between
two lows.
Fishermen hate it, fish hate it and even the bugs hate...
The last hurrah
Posted on June 30 2015
It was the last day of June and the last day of fishing before my trip
out west. The morning found gray skies and a light drizzle, mother
nature, however, wasn't satisfied and she opened up the spigot and it
rained, hard at times. How hard? Hard enough that a drive over the
Hale Eddy bridge at 2:00pm confirmed that my planned destination for
the day was nothing but a sea of mud.
Shifted to plan B and...
out west. The morning found gray skies and a light drizzle, mother
nature, however, wasn't satisfied and she opened up the spigot and it
rained, hard at times. How hard? Hard enough that a drive over the
Hale Eddy bridge at 2:00pm confirmed that my planned destination for
the day was nothing but a sea of mud.
Shifted to plan B and...
Today I Was
Posted on June 29 2015
Saturday I was at a reunion, it was a good time for everyone. But the
light rain forecast had me thinking about fish eating olives.
Today, I headed for the river hoping that it hadn't blown out. The 17
bridge over the WB showed Oquaga Creek belching silt laden, orange
colored water into the river. Farther downstream, below the gamelands
the river was still clear enough to fish but you knew what...
light rain forecast had me thinking about fish eating olives.
Today, I headed for the river hoping that it hadn't blown out. The 17
bridge over the WB showed Oquaga Creek belching silt laden, orange
colored water into the river. Farther downstream, below the gamelands
the river was still clear enough to fish but you knew what...
Just so you know
Posted on June 28 2015
At 1:30pm the Oquaga is gushing orange water into the WB which has
risen to over 1,500 cfs at Hale Eddy with the graph still going
straight up. The lower WB below the gamelands isn't colored as bad
but will be in the next hour or so.You can still fish the big river,
the lower east branch near Hancock and the upper EB above jaws.
risen to over 1,500 cfs at Hale Eddy with the graph still going
straight up. The lower WB below the gamelands isn't colored as bad
but will be in the next hour or so.You can still fish the big river,
the lower east branch near Hancock and the upper EB above jaws.
Wish I was There
Posted on June 27 2015
It's 9:00 am on Saturday. I'm home for a family get together. People
have come from as far as Nashville and Cleveland to be here. The
grand-kids all caught trout and bass in the ponds (on flies no less).
The picnic is scheduled for this afternoon just about the time the
heavy rain is expected to start. It's not that I don't want to be here
cause I do. And it's not that I don't get to fish enough cause...
have come from as far as Nashville and Cleveland to be here. The
grand-kids all caught trout and bass in the ponds (on flies no less).
The picnic is scheduled for this afternoon just about the time the
heavy rain is expected to start. It's not that I don't want to be here
cause I do. And it's not that I don't get to fish enough cause...
Enough is enough !
Posted on June 25 2015
Two weeks ago the river system needed rain badly. The River Master
had already called for water to reach minimum flow requirements
downstream and the flow into the reservoirs was way below normal.
Today the system is 99% full and it is coming in faster than it is
being released.
While it is always good to have full reservoirs it is also nice to be
able to fish the entire system. For the last two weeks...
had already called for water to reach minimum flow requirements
downstream and the flow into the reservoirs was way below normal.
Today the system is 99% full and it is coming in faster than it is
being released.
While it is always good to have full reservoirs it is also nice to be
able to fish the entire system. For the last two weeks...
Can the void be filled?
Posted on June 25 2015
By now the summer sulfurs should be going strong in the upper WB.
They are not. Spent a little time upriver and saw a few bugs, but
never saw a rise. There was also a void of fishermen, which is even
more telling. Didn't go up to the pasture pool where I have seen a
few fish (all big) but was told that with the increase in the release
last week, the place was lined up with anglers. I don't think it...
They are not. Spent a little time upriver and saw a few bugs, but
never saw a rise. There was also a void of fishermen, which is even
more telling. Didn't go up to the pasture pool where I have seen a
few fish (all big) but was told that with the increase in the release
last week, the place was lined up with anglers. I don't think it...
Only two of us had it figured out
Posted on June 24 2015
Two weeks ago there were over a dozen anglers within sight of where we
were standing. Today, just us two. I didn't know him, didn't even
know he was there 'til I walked around a stand of knot weed and saw
him sitting on a hummock, staring out at the water.
Both of us were ahead of the curve. After all it was overcast with
rain forecast to begin at 2:15pm and they had just bumped up the
release...
were standing. Today, just us two. I didn't know him, didn't even
know he was there 'til I walked around a stand of knot weed and saw
him sitting on a hummock, staring out at the water.
Both of us were ahead of the curve. After all it was overcast with
rain forecast to begin at 2:15pm and they had just bumped up the
release...
What are they taking?
Posted on June 23 2015
Set out at about 6:00 pm today eager to pick up where I left off
Friday. I was armed with at least a dozen of the new miracle fly which
had hooked 34 of the 36 fish I caught last week. The water was up to
over 1,000 cfs and a little cloudy, there were sulfurs on the water
and no one in sight,
Hooked and landed the first two fish I threw at with the magic fly, oh
boy, what a night this is going to...
Friday. I was armed with at least a dozen of the new miracle fly which
had hooked 34 of the 36 fish I caught last week. The water was up to
over 1,000 cfs and a little cloudy, there were sulfurs on the water
and no one in sight,
Hooked and landed the first two fish I threw at with the magic fly, oh
boy, what a night this is going to...
The longest day
Posted on June 21 2015
It's here, tomorrow will be the longest day of the year. It should of
course, be spent fishing. Unfortunately I will be absent due to
social obligations on the home front.
The weather looks ideal (from a fisherman's perspective) and as long
as the rivers don't get too much rain the fishing should be lights
out. Bring your isos and olives for the predicted dark rainy day and
your sulfurs and spinners...
course, be spent fishing. Unfortunately I will be absent due to
social obligations on the home front.
The weather looks ideal (from a fisherman's perspective) and as long
as the rivers don't get too much rain the fishing should be lights
out. Bring your isos and olives for the predicted dark rainy day and
your sulfurs and spinners...
Sunshine shortens my day
Posted on June 20 2015
After two days of overcast skies with rain, bugs and rising trout, a mostly sunny day and my desire for seclusion brought my fish catching down to a more realistic level.
I didn't leave the camp until 3:30PM and didn't actually don waders until 5:30PM. Saw boats galore putting in at the "barking dog" launch ramp on the WB and decided to fish below Balls Eddy in hopes of avoiding the Fridayaftern...
I didn't leave the camp until 3:30PM and didn't actually don waders until 5:30PM. Saw boats galore putting in at the "barking dog" launch ramp on the WB and decided to fish below Balls Eddy in hopes of avoiding the Fridayaftern...
A foggy, drizzly day
Posted on June 19 2015
It was all you hoped it would be, olives and sulfurs on the water by early afternoon. Big fish up and eating tiny little flies .
When the boats came by me late in the day most weren't even fishing. They said they had great fishing up river and were just rowing out.
Saw a couple of Troutfitter guys on the river, don't know if they came after reading yesterday's report, or if the trip was already...
When the boats came by me late in the day most weren't even fishing. They said they had great fishing up river and were just rowing out.
Saw a couple of Troutfitter guys on the river, don't know if they came after reading yesterday's report, or if the trip was already...
Now it all makes sense
Posted on June 17 2015
Never looked at the gauges at Stilesville or Downsville yesterday or today. Yesterday on the EB I had colder water than I expected, bugs, but no rising fish. Today I went to the upper WB and was again surprised by how cold and high the water was.
There were bugs when I got there and occasional rises from good fish. In four hours of fishing I rose 10 fish, hooked four and landed three. When...
There were bugs when I got there and occasional rises from good fish. In four hours of fishing I rose 10 fish, hooked four and landed three. When...
Does it get any better?
Posted on June 17 2015
I haven't been on the river since last Wednesday so I decided to drive around and see if anything was happening. What a change in the number of anglers.
Totals- Lower EB - 0
Upper EB- 0
Beaverkill- 0
I tried the upper EB late in the day and had two boats go by. I was also joined by the only other wade angler on the river, who was apparently lonely.
There were bugs (isos,...
Totals- Lower EB - 0
Upper EB- 0
Beaverkill- 0
I tried the upper EB late in the day and had two boats go by. I was also joined by the only other wade angler on the river, who was apparently lonely.
There were bugs (isos,...
Stop the nonsense!!!
Posted on June 15 2015
The Delaware watershed finally got hit with some real rain. It needed
it. Both branches are high and muddy without any help from reservoirs
releases. In addition the water is warm and is predicted to stay that
way at least until Monday night.
Sure you can float at these levels and throw streamers towards the
banks but you'll be more likely to hook fish by waiting a couple of
days (or more) 'til the...
it. Both branches are high and muddy without any help from reservoirs
releases. In addition the water is warm and is predicted to stay that
way at least until Monday night.
Sure you can float at these levels and throw streamers towards the
banks but you'll be more likely to hook fish by waiting a couple of
days (or more) 'til the...
Volunteer work
Posted on June 12 2015
One of the nice things about doing volunteer work is there is no
reduction in pay when you quit. After fishing at least part of 10 out
of the first 11 days of June, I needed to get home, pick up my wife
(without her bag which never managed to make it out of Nashville, let
alone JFK) at the airport, wash clothes, mow the lawn,etc,.etc., etc.
If things progress in orderly fashion on the home front...
reduction in pay when you quit. After fishing at least part of 10 out
of the first 11 days of June, I needed to get home, pick up my wife
(without her bag which never managed to make it out of Nashville, let
alone JFK) at the airport, wash clothes, mow the lawn,etc,.etc., etc.
If things progress in orderly fashion on the home front...
Paybacks are fun
Posted on June 11 2015
Last Friday evening I tried a pool on the upper EB in 150cfs. There
were large sulfurs and feeding fish. I caught one fish and got one
nose bump refusal. The rest of my casts were ignored.
Today with the water up to 250cfs I decided to try to get even. I
arrived at about 5:00pm, the sulfurs were hatching and the fish were
feeding. My very first cast was inhaled by a brown that was eating
every dun that...
were large sulfurs and feeding fish. I caught one fish and got one
nose bump refusal. The rest of my casts were ignored.
Today with the water up to 250cfs I decided to try to get even. I
arrived at about 5:00pm, the sulfurs were hatching and the fish were
feeding. My very first cast was inhaled by a brown that was eating
every dun that...
Game called
Posted on June 09 2015
Game was called today due to rain (and muddy water).
Teams will play two tomorro
Teams will play two tomorro
He missed it!
Posted on June 08 2015
How many times have you heard someone near by say, "he missed it!" No
he didn't, something was wrong and he decided not to eat it. Trout are
faced with many life threatening challenges but getting food in their
mouth isn't one of them. I've seen a trout put his nose under my fly
and drift downstream for three feet in frothy boiling rapids before
deciding to eat. Years ago a trout drifted downstream...
he didn't, something was wrong and he decided not to eat it. Trout are
faced with many life threatening challenges but getting food in their
mouth isn't one of them. I've seen a trout put his nose under my fly
and drift downstream for three feet in frothy boiling rapids before
deciding to eat. Years ago a trout drifted downstream...
A Loony Day !!!
Posted on June 07 2015
It started off cloudy and calm. It quickly became bright and sunny.
The wind blew out of the north at ten. The barometer went straight up.
The the fish went down. There were no risers. There were no bugs. The
fishermen were as thick as maggots on a road kill.
I caught my first fish, a nice 16 inch rainbow at 10:00AM. I caught my
second (and last ) fish, a nice 16 inch brown (if you are wondering,
any...
The wind blew out of the north at ten. The barometer went straight up.
The the fish went down. There were no risers. There were no bugs. The
fishermen were as thick as maggots on a road kill.
I caught my first fish, a nice 16 inch rainbow at 10:00AM. I caught my
second (and last ) fish, a nice 16 inch brown (if you are wondering,
any...
In search of Cornuta
Posted on June 06 2015
Went out this morning in hopes of finding Cornuta. They usually
appear sometime during the first 7/10 days of June. Unlike other
olives they are happy to hatch (for reasons known only to themselves)
on bright sunny days. They hatch in the morning, usually between
eight and eleven.
By 11:30 it was obvious that I was not going to find the Cornutas so
I spent from then until 3:00fishing a riff in the...
appear sometime during the first 7/10 days of June. Unlike other
olives they are happy to hatch (for reasons known only to themselves)
on bright sunny days. They hatch in the morning, usually between
eight and eleven.
By 11:30 it was obvious that I was not going to find the Cornutas so
I spent from then until 3:00fishing a riff in the...
The White Gloved Howdy
Posted on June 05 2015
I started out this morning fishing a large olive. The cornutas are
hatching and the trout love'em. My olive, however, got refused by two
different fish so I decided to change flies. While pondering what to
put on I saw a hard splashy rise from which an isonychia emerged. I
put on a White Gloved Howdy and the problem was solved.
Didn't see more than a dozen isos all day but the trout have been on a
feed...
hatching and the trout love'em. My olive, however, got refused by two
different fish so I decided to change flies. While pondering what to
put on I saw a hard splashy rise from which an isonychia emerged. I
put on a White Gloved Howdy and the problem was solved.
Didn't see more than a dozen isos all day but the trout have been on a
feed...
The White Gloved Howdy
Posted on June 05 2015
I started out this morning fishing a large olive. The cornutas are
hatching and the trout love'em. My olive, however, got refused by two
different fish so I decided to change flies. While pondering what to
put on I saw a hard splashy rise from which an isonychia emerged. I
put on a White Gloved Howdy and the problem was solved.
Didn't see more than a dozen isos all day but the trout have been on a
feed...
hatching and the trout love'em. My olive, however, got refused by two
different fish so I decided to change flies. While pondering what to
put on I saw a hard splashy rise from which an isonychia emerged. I
put on a White Gloved Howdy and the problem was solved.
Didn't see more than a dozen isos all day but the trout have been on a
feed...
The fat lady is ready to sing
Posted on June 04 2015
Despite the fact that the fish were rising to Hendricksons up near
Stilesville yesterday and that there are still a few March Browns and
isos to be seen, the 2015 big bug season in the Delaware River system
is nearly over. Fishermen coming up for the weekend can hope for a
spinner fall but that's about it.
The strange weather pattern that seemed to vacillate between too hot
and too cold, got the...
Stilesville yesterday and that there are still a few March Browns and
isos to be seen, the 2015 big bug season in the Delaware River system
is nearly over. Fishermen coming up for the weekend can hope for a
spinner fall but that's about it.
The strange weather pattern that seemed to vacillate between too hot
and too cold, got the...
Movin on up
Posted on June 02 2015
First saw Isonychias at Shehawken on the 24th. By the 27th they were at Balls Eddy. Had a date with them at the upper game lands on the 28th but they stood me up.
At 3:00pm yesterday they were all over the water at the Hale Eddy bridge. The fish love'em but have learned to ignore the duns (which sometimes have hooks in them) and key in on the fast swimming nymphs with hard splashy rises.
I found...
At 3:00pm yesterday they were all over the water at the Hale Eddy bridge. The fish love'em but have learned to ignore the duns (which sometimes have hooks in them) and key in on the fast swimming nymphs with hard splashy rises.
I found...
A river in trouble
Posted on May 31 2015
Fished the West Branch in a couple of places above the Gentleman's
Club. It was a Saturday and I wanted to avoid the crowds. Just a few
years ago this was the most heavily fished part of the entire system.
Yesterday I had my choice of almost any pool.
Why? There are almost no rising trout. The bug hatches that once
flourished there have disappeared. The trout that are there are big
but few in...
Club. It was a Saturday and I wanted to avoid the crowds. Just a few
years ago this was the most heavily fished part of the entire system.
Yesterday I had my choice of almost any pool.
Why? There are almost no rising trout. The bug hatches that once
flourished there have disappeared. The trout that are there are big
but few in...