Posted on April 16 2022
BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO
Arrived back in Florida from the annual bone fishing trip on the 10th. Packed up and headed back north on the 12th. It’s the 16th and I’m in the process of opening up the “Lordville Estate”. It appears that the refrigerator and hot water heater (both entering their 31st year), may well out last me as they both started up as soon as I plugged them in.
Last fall when I wrote the “ Adios” page I said that my pen was running out of ink. At the time it
was my feeling that the blog was becoming stale. Perhaps it was due to the fact that the high water from early July right through the end of the season left me with very few fishing options which in turn led to a dearth of new information to provide fodder for blog pages. The second possibility is that after seven years of writing blog pages, I have just run out of things to say. I’ve told you everything I know about catching fish in the Delaware River system and I have little appetite for filling pages with weather reports and stream flow levels.
I started the blog seven years ago with the hope of bringing attention to Dave and Rick’s Troutfitter Shops in Syracuse and Deposit. The shops are well established and there is probably a serious question as to whether the blog now helps or hurts their business. The second reason for doing the blog was my desire to give back to the sport which has given me a lifetime of pleasure. Hopefully a few of you have learned something that has made you better fishermen.
At 79 I'm a year away from my long term goal of being able to wade trout streams at 80. I have a desire to spend some time this year revisiting some of the streams that I fished during my first forty years. The visits may prove disappointing and of short duration but I won’t know ‘til I go. Perhaps I’ll find that fishing the Delaware and writing the blog is more to my liking than a journey down memory lane. For now though, “The Angler 119 Delaware River fishing reports” will probably at best be sporadic and intermittent. Sadly, by not writing the blog, I will be parting ways with those of you who have contributed your comments over the years. You are friends I haven’t met yet. If you see me on the river, please stop and say hello.
If I’m back on the river fishing full time the reports may magically reappear (old habits are hard to break). But for now, a big thanks to those of you whose comments played a major role in making the blog a success and good luck to everyone trying to fool those Delaware River trout.
I’m a terrible story teller but you Sir are a delight. Thanks for the tips and the wit. Don’t stay away to long.
DONT GO BREAKING MY HEART!
I guess I need to find something else to read with my morning cup of coffee. : (
I hope you will write every now and then, but even more I hope that I get to meet you in person some day.
Thanks for the advice and the drink recipe!
Be well A119!!!!
last winter i picked up your book, it keep me occupied all winter, dreaming of being back on the willow and the beaver, this season. both of my sons are starting to fly fish and i have told them that your blogs are a wealth of knowledge and are looking forward to reading it, especially when we are on vacation. i am also in my seventies and have bad knees, but i still force myself up and down the slippery rocks to enjoy what i have been doing my entire life. your blogs are well received by all and your knowledge is best shared, as they say you cant take it with you, hope to be on the stream at 80 as well, it is a passion we all share, best to you and the wife, and please continue your teachings of fly fishing
Angler 119 please keep writing and teaching us novices how to fish. I’ve learned so much from you and I look forward to reading your tips. I even enjoyed the vocabulary lesson. I would have never known what mooling meant. I know it’s spelled wrong.
Please take care and write when you have the urge!!!
I’ll be looking for you on the river🎣
Take care
Dennis
Dear 119:
To date I have only been a silent groupie of your blog.
However, I cannot even begin to tell you how much I have been looking forward to your reports, and your wit and humor. Your optimism has been a beacon for all of us! It is about so much more than just fishing.
Who would have thought you would civilize us and teach us about “Perfect Manhattans” ?
Thank you so much for teaching me how to place my Blue Bird Boxes!
Being 57 I only wish I would have half of your energy!
Don’t give up on us, don’t give up on yourself, your voice and your observations matter! Whereever you are, I will always be looking forward to hearing from you!
Kind regards,
Markus
Ps: BB 1/3, TS 2/3 / I am thinking of placing more boxes to ease the competition….
Hope to see you on the river this season.
Hope you pop on here and are motivated to post as much as you can . Over the past 2 years you have become an inspiration,& institution for me . Take care
Thank you for your time and your thoughtful prose. I learned a lot over the past three years. You are an excellent writer. Also, Rick and Dave are two great guys, who have always been knowledgeable, kind, and generous, as I learn how to fly fish. Finding this pastime and your blog have been unexpected treasures. Be well, sir!
Arthritis in both knees has slowed me down a bit but I’m 86 and still wading so don’t give up so soon. Unfortunately, I only learned of your blog last year so I missed out on all the past years. Repeating advise only serves to reinforce it so you shouldn’t worry about that; besides that we tend to forget things. I enjoyed your posts and hope you’ll reconsider.
Thanks for all the wisdom and humor you’ve passed our way these years. Even the occasional post going forward will be greatly appreciated by your readers. And, please feel free to share your findings as you explore some of the streams of your youth….I am sure some of us have fished those too and would welcome an update on your findings. Take care and best wishes always.
Kirk
Angler 119. Glad to hear from You again and that all is well with You .I second the feelings and comments of the other gentleman. Hope You get the urge to post once and a while . As I’ve said before your posts are always informative and entertaining. You truly are a friend I haven’t met . Take care and good health . All My Best. Ed
I feel like I am losing a coworker I spent my coffee break with each morning! You have created immense joy with your posts and love the balance of humor and insight.
Like others on the board I have learned a ton from your posts and disagree with many of your views as well.
Good luck and please keep writing even if it is about a 6 inch brookie!!
I’ll still click on the link every few days hoping for a new post. Even this one was a pleasant surprise. Please know that your words always make us laugh, think, nod, and if we listen…improve!
I hope old habits do die hard because routine is part of life and you are a wonderful writer. I have your book, but hopefully you feel the need to tell us how your days went while drinking a perfect Manhattan.
The alewives are going to make these fish so strong this season that there will be some stories to tell for sure.
Take care and we all hope to hear from you again soon!
I am disappointed that you wo’n’t be posting your blog regularly during the season. I always look forward to reading it and it has played a large role in many decisions as to wether or not to travel the 2 hours from my home in Pa to fish the river. We met once at Joe Foster’s camp at Hale Eddy so I kinda feel I know you and have always been impressed with your endurance to fish every day. I am 82 and still wade carefully and I dread the day when I can no longer enjoy my passion. Wishing you a successful 2022 season.
Lou
Here it is snowing on Easter Sunday in Syracuse. I’ve had a place in Cooks Falls on the Beaverkill for the past 11 years and fish the entire Delaware system often. I’ve stopped to chat with you on the river a few times and have often started my day during the season reading your blog. Your words and insight have helped keep me connected to the river with an integrity and shear pleasure that is greatly appreciated and admired. I hope that you can continue to feed that pleasure of finding and catching trout in an inspiring setting with a rich history knowing that your words provide meaning for those of us who share your passion.