And yes, the toads are singing.

 If you are planning on joining the hoards of fishermen expected to be on the Delaware system this weekend be prepared for the unexpected.  A river system that just two short weeks ago was too high to wade is now too low to float! NYC's desire for full reservoirs on the first of June coupled with no rain has led to a major reduction of flows. The fish, the wade fishermen and those still floating are all in the main channels making for less than ideal fishing conditions.

The bugs - The Hendricksons, paraleps, grannoms and apple caddis are all but over on the freestones (the Willow, BK, EB and BR). If you choose to fish these streams you should find both the number of fishermen and drift boats greatly reduced from last weekend. Why? The are entering the Doldrums, that two plus week period following the initial bug burst when there is just nothing going on. Sure you may see a few caddis egg layers and one of the first March Browns but for the most part it's as if the fish got on the scales after their binge feeding on the first burst of bugs and have gone on a diet. They just aren't eating.  The WB and UEB are a different story, the Hendricksons and paraleps are still hatching and the grannoms and apple caddis are just getting started.  Because of the now very warm water temps the hatches are not crowded into the three to five period. The bugs have been coming off all day long (think of a March Brown hatch) and the fish have adjusted their feeding.  There is no period of all out gulping. The individual fish seem to be feeding whenever it suits them and you should be ready to give them something to eat when they are at the table.  

If you are a people person and don't mind crowds the places to be are the WB and UEB. No one should be drifting the UEB at current levels (not even Baxter House guides).  The WB, unfortunately, will be where the Roe vs Wade controversy will take on new meaning. For the record I have not had a single incident of discourteous behavior by either group with the guides that have gone by me seeming to go beyond courteous in their efforts not to interfere with my fishing. 

This weeks fishing has, for me, been very good.  That said, most all of the fish have now been caught and are well aware of the dangers involved in eating flies. You need to be at the top of your game to catch fish. Change flies often (they are now very reluctant to eat a Hendrickson) and try to avoid falling in love with a rising fish.  Once a fish knows you're there the odds of fooling him are longer than those on Rich Strike (80 -1) when he came out of the gate at the Kentucky Derby.  But hey, you never know.