Angler 119's Delaware River Fishing Report
I've got better things to do.
Posted on October 06 2023
After sitting in a deer stand a couple times swatting mosquitos, I decided that there were better ways to spend my time. Jean was coming down to get new tires at CL Repair in Equinunk on Wednesday and I was able (with the promise of a dinner out) to get...
Beware, the pseudos don't like to hatch on 70 degree days.
Posted on October 01 2023
Well, it's October first, which is the bow season opener. Sat in one of my tree stands this morning and watched a combo of five does and fawns walk down an old logging road about seventy five yards away. With the temps scheduled to be in the high 70s and...
It's my party and I'll cry if I want to.
Posted on September 30 2023
The table was set. An all day drizzle was the featured guest. Ideal water level said he would come but only if all day drizzle kept his word to provide less than a quarter inch of rain. The bugs said they would come but only if Mr. Sun wasn't invited....
Gonna Find Me A Bluebird.
Posted on September 29 2023
Not a word of a lie. Two or three years ago I did the fall cleanout of the bluebird houses and the next morning I looked out the kitchen window and there were the bluebirds checking out the nest box as if to see if I did a good job....
Don't Stop Believin.
Posted on September 28 2023
I've been busy mornings and early afternoons this week. Got what will probably be the last six gallons of water from the Lordville spring this year. Finished the bluebird house restoration project. Went over to the Equinunk garage and ordered two new tires for Jean's car. Mowed the lawn which...
Try To Remember The Kind Of September - - -
Posted on September 27 2023
It was another mostly overcast day. Had to wait until noon to mow the back yard. Yesterday's fishing, while not great, gave me hope that the week wouldn't be a total loss. Left camp about 3:30 and once again drove up the PA side. Pulled in the Buckingham launch site...
How high's the water Momma?
Posted on September 26 2023
After another rainy weekend trying to get things done at home, I was surprised to find that today was to be a much sought after "rainy, drizzly day". My enthusiasm was quickly dampened by a check of water levels which were still fine at bed time last night. It was...
This that and the other thing.
Posted on September 24 2023
With helpful commenters having answered some of the more pressing problems I'll have to meet my minimum word contract obligation with some random thoughts. Jim Dygert was quick with the info on steaming flies. I keep an old tea kettle for that purpose. Be sure to use forceps to keep...
Splish splash I was takin' a bath - - -
Posted on September 23 2023
Despite yesterday mornings success I passed on another morning of fishing. Had several items on the to-do list and I just might have been a little tired from yesterday's double header. Had to do the end of season dump run, fill the wood stacker, shoot the bow and reorganize my...
Fish are looking up, throw them something to eat.
Posted on September 22 2023
Despite Tuesday's debacle this has been by far my best week in September. Why? Water temps and water levels levels are both low enough that I can fish where I want to, not where I have to. Monday it was on the UEB, Tuesday the BE, Wednesday the BR and...
Never gave using a Hebe a thought.
Posted on September 21 2023
Today was one for everyone who enjoys nature. Didn't get up until 7:30 and was out on the porch checking the temp when I heard the noise a hummingbird wings make. She acted like I'd invited her for breakfast, sat right down on the feeder and took a drink, then...
And I don't need to tie a single fly.
Posted on September 20 2023
Just a quick apology for my somewhat over the top reporting of yesterdays fishing. Those days just don't happen very often in fall fishing and perhaps I got a little carried away. Will try not to let it happen again. Was up early this morning (6:15), it was just starting...
Now I know why there were so many fishermen on the river this weekend.
Posted on September 19 2023
Didn't get an early start this morning and had several stops I had to make on the way down. Arrived just before noon and by the time I unpacked, put things away, and had lunch, it was time to go fishing. Drove up the PA side, there were bugs at...
Wind Knots & Tailing Loops
Posted on September 17 2023
It's Sunday morning. Watched Syracuse's win over Purdue last night so I didn't get started on answering your questions until this morning. Black Boat had me going again with his Casey Kasmiri, thought he was equating me with with a famous Indian fly fishing savant that I'd never heard of....
So maybe I've got a bone to pick.
Posted on September 16 2023
There's not much question fall has arrived. Spent a couple hours working both out in the yard and then up in the sleeping quarters and didn't sweat a bit. Somethings going on with the Lordville deer. There's been a button buck following me around the yard for the past two...
Country Roads Take Me Home.
Posted on September 15 2023
Woke this morning to a chilly 68 degrees in the fishing camp and 47 out on the porch. First item on the agenda was to close the upper level (sleeping quarters for guests) windows which suck out the warm air during the summer but let too much hot air escape...
YOU, Make(s) Me Wanna Shout - - -
Posted on September 14 2023
After overdoing it with the bow yesterday I decided to take today off (pitchers get 3 or 4 days off between starts, don't they?), tie a few of the brown caddis that were clinging to my waders last night, polish off the Monday and Tuesday crosswords and set out early...
Perspectives, I find, are always in need of adjustment.
Posted on September 13 2023
Those of you who have never been confronted by an angry landowner probably thought I'd nodded off to sleep again when writing the title to yesterday's page. The landowners and fishermen among us who have been confronted, know that "I've been fishing this pool for----" is one of the worst...
I've been fishing this pool for over - - - -
Posted on September 12 2023
Had a long list of items to pick up at BJ's this morning as the Lordville Estate larder was empty. Got everything I needed. The only disappointment was the selection of the $4.99 roasted chickens. At 9:30 the first batch had been picked over. There were only four left and...
Ship ahoy!
Posted on September 11 2023
Sitting home today watching an all day drizzle that hopefully produces olives and feeding fish for all those on the river. Was surprised to see that it's been three weeks since the last WK&TL page. Even more surprised that there were next to no questions during those three weeks. Hopefully...
The hourly catch rate is good but there just aren't enough hours of viable fishing.
Posted on September 09 2023
The fireworks display that pushed through yesterday dropped the air temp from 90 to70 but it didn't change the humidity. It got to the mid eighties today and I got soaked taking 24 shots with the bow. Watched the one o'clock volleyball game (3 -0) for the good guys and...
Game called on account of rain.
Posted on September 08 2023
Call me a coward if you will, but I've been too close to too many lightning bolts this year. Got my waders on and heard the rumbles, the sky turned purple and I headed back to the fishing camp. It's six thirty and black as the inside of a cow's...
You just don't know 'til you go.
Posted on September 07 2023
Want you to know that before starting this, I poured myself a PM and I just might have added a touch more rye. It's been a tough day. After yesterdays morning venture I never gave a thought to am trip. Spent a couple of hours cutting back the garden and...
How far are you willing to drive for 45 minutes of fishing?
Posted on September 06 2023
With hot sun and temps a good fifteen degrees above normal, it's a good time to ask your wife what she wants done around the house. There is no meaningful relief in sight until the weekend and with the cooling comes thunderstorms that may well put the rivers up again....
It wasn't as bad as they said it was, but it probably will be.
Posted on September 05 2023
Drove out to Dayton Ohio to watch our granddaughter play three volleyball games against teams from different conferences. There are about 30 division one conferences and there is a pecking order among them. All three opponents were in conferences higher in the food chain. How do I know? By the...
It's hard to shoot the bow when the deer keep walking in front of the target.
Posted on August 31 2023
The unrelenting rains that have created high water conditions and restricted wading opportunities are reminiscent of 2018 and 2021. The eastern half of the system and the BR are once again blown out leaving the WB as the only viable fishing. Jean and I will be leaving early Thursday morning...
Just a dream, just a dream.
Posted on August 30 2023
Was last Thursday, with olives from 1:30, 'til dark, and big fish up and eating everything, just a dream or was Friday's one fish effort a nightmare? Had to wait four days and I still don't know. Left Lafayette at 9:00 this morning. Had a pleasant ride down until about...
The Hot Air Balloon Sprung A Leak.
Posted on August 26 2023
On the Delaware system you are often brought back down to earth quickly. Went from my best day of the year to narrowly escaping another skunking. Woke this morning sure nothing could derail me. There was the same misty rain as yesterday. Went in to the bench and tied more...
Born to fish again, I'm a brand new man.
Posted on August 25 2023
On August 10th the blog title was "The Next Day They Say Chance Of Showers, Be There". Were you today? 'Cause if you came and you brought your olives, ignored the call of the "Sulfur Zone", and fished the freestones you should have a big smile on your face while...
Meeting new "old friends" is a pleasant way to spend the day.
Posted on August 24 2023
With the meeting of the associate editors of the Angler 119 fishing reports scheduled for 4:oo pm at the Troutfitter Inn, I decided that the sulfur hatch in Deposit would be the best place for the afternoon fishing. Went out on the town bridge at 1:30 and there were both...
Cutting The Cord.
Posted on August 23 2023
No, I'm not talking about after birth care or even getting rid of cable TV. I drove up to Deposit early this afternoon and just couldn't do it. There were sulfurs hatching and some fish rising in a brisk wind. There were lots of anglers, all of them casting sulfurs...
A rational explanation escapes me.
Posted on August 22 2023
Yesterday after driving up and down the "Sulfur Zone" in the afternoon without seeing bugs or rising fish, I headed back to Lordville without even putting my waders on. Headed out again at 6:00, got into the river around 6:30 and had two hours of delightful dry fly fishing to...
But will they love me tomorrow?
Posted on August 21 2023
Drove down late this morning in horrific traffic. People out for a Sunday drive (60/65 mph), college students heading back to school (75/80mph and texting, without parents), with parents (70/75), semi's pissed at the traffic and at being on the road on Sunday (77/80mph,), State Police (no where to be...
Wind Knots and Tailing Loops
Posted on August 19 2023
Am sitting home watching the water levels SLOWLY recede. With three serious rain events in less than a week the ground is saturated and the tribs are going to be slow to recede. In addition the reservoirs are now at an above average level and the releases have been increased....
An hour in the mist got me right.
Posted on August 18 2023
The entire Delaware river system is high and most of it is not wadeable ( why is fishable ok and wadeable redlined?). Back to back rainstorms will do that to a river. Just to make it worse the east side of the system got another little squirt of water yesterday...
Participation Trophies May Have To Be Considered.
Posted on August 17 2023
Today was, for me, full of unexpected surprises. After a quiet morning tying flies and doing a little yard work I set out for Deposit and the sulfur hatch. Got to the top of Lordville road, turned left on 97 and hadn't gone a quarter mile when out of nowhere...
Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My head.
Posted on August 16 2023
Not a pretty sight. River across the tracks is bright orange and is peaking (assuming no overnight rain), at 10,000 cfs. Had to go to the grocery store in Hancock so I took the drive up to Deposit. The river is both wade able and fishable from the Red Barn...
A Fishing Grade Of "GOOD" This Time Of Year Is A Fragile Thing.
Posted on August 15 2023
Last Tuesday, I somewhat reluctantly said the fishing was, for me, good. For the week I ended up having two very good days, two OK days and one stinker. This week has started off with another stinker. Why? Well for sure I'm partly to blame. Drove through Deposit at 10:30,...
Wind Knots and Tailing Loops.
Posted on August 13 2023
Sitting back home in Lafayette, I'm thankful that yesterday's rain didn't add even more water to the rivers than it did. Weather service said that Hancock area had gotten 2 to 3 inches which would have produced major flooding. As things now stand I will be able to find some...
The fishing (where I fished) was nothing to write home about.
Posted on August 12 2023
At 7:00 am it was foggy with a mist/drizzle that had water dripping off the porch roof. The weatherman said chance of showers. My hopes were dashed by Jean's phone call at 8:00 am. First thing she said was "What a beautiful day, sunshine and a nice breeze, I've already...
The Next Day They Say, "A Chance Of Light Showers" - Be Here.
Posted on August 11 2023
Today was the kind of day fly fishermen live for. It started out a little breezy but the wind settled down and a gentle drizzle made the trout's job of selecting the right fly just a bit tougher. Tired of the crowds up river, I fished two places below Oquaga....
Every team needs a closer.
Posted on August 10 2023
Woke this morning to find the porch screens covered with isos for the second straight day. Obviously the "Fall" isos have begun to hatch but with the BR flow at 3,500 cfs and rain predicted for tomorrow there is little I can do about it. The prediction was for sunshine...
We're All Just Travelers, On The Road To Kingdom Come - - - So do what'cha do - - -
Posted on August 09 2023
Today was forecast to be cool with light showers. The entire system was blown out from yesterday's thunderstorms, with the exception of perhaps the Willow (Ed ???) and the WB above mud spewing Oquaga. Called the Troutfitter before driving up and Dave assured me it was fishable above Oquaga. Actually,...
Learned My Lesson Last Thursday.
Posted on August 08 2023
Left home this morning with what looked like a good chance for a days fishing. Yes, Oquaga was up and muddy but the WB upstream was in good shape and the east side (EB & BK) was seemingly unaffected by last nights rain. Stopped at the Troutfitter and Dave said...
Year to date on the Delaware.
Posted on August 07 2023
Duke asked "Where is the sulfur zone?" It is the area where the Dorothea's are hatching. They are the tiny little summer sulfurs that hatch mid-day and in the evening up in the coldest water in the WB. Your best bet for finding them is upstream from the "barking dog"...
What A Day!!!
Posted on August 05 2023
It was an interesting day to say the least. Started on the BR at nine-thirty and fished two hours without seeing a rise. Drove up to Deposit and had to wait until almost two for the sulfurs to get going but when they did they brought numbers. The lone boat...
SKUNKED!!!
Posted on August 04 2023
Didn't fish today until 6:30. Attended a meeting at the DEC Office in Stamford from 10:00 until 2:00 and mowed the lawn on my return. Decided to fish another down river pool on the BR. There were three fishermen in the Lordville riff and one angler in sight several hundred...
Try the fish who only have one home.
Posted on August 03 2023
Took advantage of the unseasonably cold water temps (at the expense of the lawn which badly needs mowing) to fish the BR this morning at a place down river farther than I've probably ever fished it in early August. It turned out to be fun, if not exciting. There was...
Visiting some of my spring time haunts on August 1st.
Posted on August 02 2023
Skipped the mid-day sulfur hatch. After almost nine hours of fishing Monday I decided to just do the evening trip today. Left the fishing camp at about 5:30 and drove east over to the BK where I fished two pools. Found rainbows in both pools. Most of the fish that...
It's September in August.
Posted on August 01 2023
With the todays high predicted to be 73, I opened up the camp on arrival and let the wind do some good for a change. Saturday morning I picked two of the three "almost ripe" tomatoes and took them home to Jean who is a true tomato lover. Left the...