Posted on September 30 2022
With the last day of September at hand it's probably time for my sporadic/ intermittent warning page. Bow season opens tomorrow and I will be dividing my time between wading the river and sitting in a tree with my stick and string. With the rivers at good fishing levels and the fall bugs hatching I'll probably spend more time fishing than hunting early in the month with a gradual transition to hunting as the bucks start to move more the later part of October. I'll try to keep you updated when I am fishing.
Judging by the decline in the number of comments it's safe to assume most readers have put their gear away and moved on to other fall time activities. As always I want to thank all of you who have added comments, it makes it more fun for me. To those of you who just read the offerings, I hope you have found a nugget or two that has made catching Delaware River fish a little easier.
The outlook - Next year should please most people. The 2018 year class are grownups now and there will be more 18+ inch fish in the river than perhaps ever before. They will provide fishermen with many a thrill when "Big Bug Season" rolls around again next May. As with all things in life, however, there are tradeoffs that come with the 2018 year class. The biggest one is the inevitable decline in the total fish population. Simply stated, brown trout eat their young! There are precious few one and two year old fish in the WB. Have you noticed that the huge flocks of Mergansers were absent from the river this year? Why? There is nothing for them to eat. It a sure bet that the situation will become more noticeable in the next year or two as additional classes of yearlings are consumed by their hungry parents.
Thanks for keeping us updated on this amazing river system. I only fish it a couple times a year but I now know it well enough(in large part thanks to you) that I can picture where and how you’re fishing in your posts. Like everyone else has said, it’s a great escape from the daily mundane of work and responsibilities, and makes you feel like you’re there if only for a fleeting moment. Thank you again!
Thanks for the blog. I discovered it late, but read all this year’s and many from 2021.
A119,
I think the amount of comments on this one thread late in the year are a testament to just how many people you influence. My morning feels complete when I have had just a few moments to pop open the troutfitter site and read your blog. I look forward to it everyday as a release from the early morning work meetings that keep piling up, and i know im not the only one. Thank you for giving so much back to this growing community. The stories and info you share are invaluable to so many. Tight lines!
Love it …. I’m gonna be up 10/15-10/21 hope there’s still bugs
This blog is the most informative out there. The fishing details, writing prowess & comments back from the dedicated readers make it a pleasure to read. Thank you for a great read this season, good luck with the bow and I’ll be on the watch for future posts. I hope to make it back to the Delaware River area from Mass next year. Here’s to a great PM.
Thanks for everything you do and share! I just started reading this year and have learned so much in a short amount of time. There are few who would open up and share recognizing the time and effort it takes to accumulate such knowledge. Then to write it out and share is priceless! Thank you!
A119 thank you so much for the advice and your daily reports. I read your blog everyday. I am going to fish as long as I can this year since my bird dog is to old to hunt any more.
This blog has made me a better fly fisherman. I’ve increased my total catch this year by 20 percent with your help.
Be safe in the tree stand and good luck with the bow. I will be doing the same.
Have a great deer season and I’ll be checking the blog
Thanks for the posts. I check every day to help me decide whether or not to make the drive. Never left a comment. Just wanted you to know you’re appreciated.
Second what everyone else said. I live 5 hours away and your blog is must reading every day at work. It’s the best out there.
If your bored over the winter maybe you could write another book !?! Perhaps a compilation of your most popular posts, or on tactics, tackle and flies, or bartending. I’d buy it.
Again, thanks for everything. I’ll be back in Troutfitters next May.
I’m second Greg’s thoughts. Please keep your blog going . To quote the great philosopher Yogi Berra “it ain’t over till it’s over” or “until the fat lady sings” or something along those lines, Thanks for going your blog , it is greatly appreciated
I don’t know… every time I fished this year, I saw plenty of Mergansers on all the rivers, including days when I saw groups of 20 or more (not chicks), particularly on the EB and BK. Any more than one merganser is too many for me.
Thanks for your reports. They are a pleasure to read.
I read your reports on a daily basis as well – - please keep them coming! I hope to hit the rivers next week when my work schedule permits.
I’m still at it too. Maybe I’ll finally bump into you next week.
Will you fish into the new catch and release year round season?
On the fish size. Fished the EB a month ago and only caught little ones. Does this mean in a few years the EB will fish better than the WB or will the fish move around enough to make things interesting everywhere?
I enjoy your reports as I read them daily. Keep up the good work .
My gear is still not put away and I eagerly look forward to your latest report- keep fishing and typing!