Posted on October 11 2020
It's hard for me to believe that a month has gone by since the last Q & A offering. With most fishermen having hung up their gear for the season it makes sense that the number of questions would be reduced. Thankfully some of the hard core regulars have continued to share their experiences both good and bad. The increased participation this year has made the writing far more enjoyable for me, sorta like everyone sitting around a campfire recatching the days fish.
Jim N. your mention of the squirrel was interesting but I can top that one. Was fishing the BR last June when something 20 feet upstream caught my eye. It was a rattlesnake that was crossing the river. The snake came from behind me and was being carried downstream by the current as he crossed. Thank goodness he entered the water where he did and not twenty feet further downstream.
Dennis - A word of advice, always check the water flows before you go. You ended up trying to fish the WB with the water in the process of being raised from 40 cfs to 800 cfs. With the wind blowing at 20 mph it was no wonder it was muddy and full of debris. I got caught not checking the release from Pepacton when they bumped it up to make up for the reduced flow from Cannonsville during the dam repair earlier in the same week.
Mike- Sorry I missed you. You posted on an earlier blog entry and I didn't see it until today. The fishing went from dreadful to very good just after you left.
Keith - My blind casting is done in riffs and runs. I'd put far too many fish down with dragging flies and line pick up to make blind casting the quiet pools rewarding. As to droppers and nymphs, I'm a dry fly guy and just don't use them.
Frank - Would be interested in talking to you about Roy Ryan if we are talking about the same guy. He had a place on Partridge Hill Road up on the West Canada.
Jim N. - The two standard flies for blind casting WERE always the March Brown and the Isonychia. On the Delaware River System the March Brown is no longer effective and the iso is looked at carefully by all fish before being eaten (or refused). I try to fish something that is currently on the menu no matter what size. Hopefully you teach those NJ hatchery trout a few lessons this fall.
Ed S. - We shared on of the wildest days of the year on the river system, glad you were able to catch a couple of "good ones".
Greg- You asked about canoeing the WB. If I'd seen the question when asked, the answer would have been no, now yes. Then again maybe you were just joking.
Keith - Congratulations on coming up with Marvin Rainwater. I toyed with the idea of making Ersel Hickey the correct answer for once with "Blue Birds over the mountain", but it turned out to be "Just a Dream".
To all who have had time to contribute this year, a heartfelt thanks.
My first summer of fly fishing in thirty years and first time on the WB. Lucky to make 3 trips from NJ so far. Great to meet Dave and enjoy his hospitality at the Troutfitter. Didn’t always catch fish but very happy with the ones I did take including my biggest Brown ever. Enjoyed the blog and gaining some local knowledge. Pretty invaluable. Look forward to returning.
My drifter is still shanghai’d at camp, so I’ll have one more shot at a river thrashing. The only guarantee that the fishing will be fantastic on any given day, is when my vehicle eases out onto 17 West with a final destination of Erie Co. Glad you’ve strung some good fishing together.
Thanks for doing your blog. It’s always informative ,and fun to read.Have great winter.Looking forward to hearing more from you next Spring. And thanks for the Stones reference. Very cool. Take care
Thanks again for all of the advice. I guess I’ll need to find something else to read during my morning coffee. Be well!
Actually was thinking of trying to finesse the WB by floating with a canoe when it was so low that no one else would be on the water. But that low water did not last long enough for me to even attempt it other than asking you.
I know it is the same R. Ryan from your comments. Yes he and wife, Ruth, had a place on Partridge(Dugout) Hill Rd. He was a Syracuse U. Grad in engineering. I am sure we both have great memories and stories that could be shared.