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 which was enough to set back its return to wader friendly levels. The high water has resulted in every wade fisherman trying to cram into the WB between Oquaga Creek and Stilesville. We've all been there since mid-June and I for one am ready to fish elsewhere. With relatively good water temps the entire system is fishable, if only the water levels would drop.
Today I broke one of my cardinal rules by fishing the same pool twice in the same week. Actually I fished it two days in a row and the results were predictable. Wednesday I hooked seven good fish and today I hooked but three. Instead of coming up and eating or refusing my fly many of the fish started up and turned away a good six inches to a foot below the fly. I get mad at my stupidity.
This evening I actually walked along the bank on a stretch of the BR hoping that there were some fish along shore looking for isos, alas there were neither. With my tail between my legs I drove back up to Deposit where at seven thirty the sulfurs were hatching and some fish were up feeding. Got into the tailout of a big pool and purged some of the sour taste from this afternoons effort by getting to cast at fish that were actually eating duns. Their reactions to my casts might be of interest. The bad casts (too close, dragging fly etc.) put fish down. The good casts got several reactions. Some fish (much like Dennis2's fish) kept right on rising. Only the rise form changed - they never gave me a serious look. Some fish came up and refused the fly, then began moving from place to place still eating duns but somehow never mine. Thankfully three of them, all nice fish, took pity on me and ate my little sulfur. I treated them with velvet hands.
The only upside of the afternoon fishing was talking with two Troutfitter regulars, we shared the pool along with river friend Mike who arrived after his Thursday golf match. I was the youngest of three octogenarians in the group. Stopped at the Troutfitter after fishing and met a youngster of 76 who has caught a fish or two, yet still says kind things about the fishing reports. I'm, by nature a loner, who usually fishes alone, but it's always a pleasure to talk with fellow anglers. It's a relatively small community and many of us have walked the same paths along rivers all over the country.
UPDATE - The entire system was treated to a big time thunderstorm last night. Oquaga peaked this morning at 3,000cfs, Cold Spring Brook and Butler Brook are pouring mud into the Stilesville section of the river. The river above Oquaga IS NOT FISHABLE! Stay home or go home, it'll be a while.
Thanks for the tip on the rivers. I was going to come down today but took your advice and shot my bow instead. I plan on Monday, I hope the river clears.
Question do you think they will let more water out of the reservoir and ruin the fall fishing. I would assume that higher releases would limit the wadding opportunities
Many thanks for the update! I was going to head down to catch the afternoon hatch today, and am glad that I read your post first.
Hey Dick(119),
It was a pleasure meeting you again yesterday and sharing a pool with you. You can settle a question for my buddy and I. He said that he spoke to you on Wednesday when you got into your car with a Florida license plate but yesterday you were driving a different car. True or false. This is just a curiosity and not meant for publication. I also wanted to ask you how you spot rising fish by driving around when you are limited to what you can see. From the road.
Angler119-a question . What color is the sulpher dun you primarily fish? Yellow? Dark yellow? Orange? Or maybe a yellow/orange mix? Or some other shade? Thanks. Ed
Lots of talk about seeing refusals and I admit it is something that can be a challenge. Just spotting risers in riffly water is one of my weaknesses. But with experience and a good teacher it can be learned.
Jack, I’d gladly tie you some BWOs with orange or bright pink posts if you like. Just need to know your preferences on style and sizes.
I’m with Ed and Chris. In my mid 80s, I’m having more and more difficulty seeing the size 20 BWOs, especially since a good place to put the cast is in the foam line, which further increases the difficulty. Not to mention the pseudos which are next up on the menue.
I like to fish parachute patterns where I use to be able to get a post that was bright orange, but can’t find them anymore. And glare off the water has me choosing sites where the river bank is steep and lined with evergreens, which helps a bit.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Jack
You have referenced using size 22 sulfurs. Do you catch the majority of your sulfur fish on this size? I must admit I only go down to a 20 cuz anything smaller is just painful to fish….but maybe that’s a problem ?!?
Also how the hell do you see so good? Is there a brand of polarized glasses that you use? My vision is 20/20 and I do see occasional fish come up and refuse my fly. But you see an incredible amount of fish! Either I don’t have as many come up (likely), I need better sunglasses, or I don’t have your Superman vision!
Angler119- Glad to see you got into a fishable hatch and landed some nice fish. Was at the red barn during the afternoon with my son in law , Frank, and my 14 granddaughter. Belinda . It was her first time Flyfishing. Not much happening. But the time spent with her was priceless. On the way home , we stopped at the only place wadable on the Willow, Hazel Bridge and Bella caught her two trout on a fly rod. ( small hoppers and ants) It was a wonderful day.
How do you manage to see a fly(BWO) smaller than a size 20 on the water, especially as daylight wanes.
I have trouble seeing flies as my eyes aren’t what they used to be. Try to use a more visible fly like an Iso as an indicator but it invariably swirls and drags the small fly, creating an unnatural drift.
How do you manage fishing small flies?
Your posts are much appreciate, please keep them coming!
How do you manage to see a fly(BWO) smaller than a size 20 on the water, especially as daylight wanes.
I have trouble seeing flies as my eyes aren’t what they used to be. Try to use a more visible fly like an Iso as an indicator but it invariably swirls and drags the small fly, creating an unnatural drift.
How do you manage fishing small flies?
Your posts are much appreciate, please keep them coming!