Posted on May 15 2021
Friday was something of a transition day on the river system. The UEB release was cut back Thursday and and most of the ethical drift boaters opted to fish other water. The waders were quick to see the change and both Long Flat and Powerline pools were lined with cars. The rest of the UEB had fishermen in every pool. Thursday I found apple caddis, Hendricksons and rising fish. Friday I saw the apple caddis, a few Hendricksons and no rising fish. Judging by the number of anglers standing along the bank, it wasn't just me that failed to find fish.
The BK and the EB are now wadeable but appear to still be in the doldrums. There were a few boats on the EB and the wade fishermen were concentrated on the BK.
The BR will see it's first wade fishermen this weekend. It's high to be sure but knowledgeable fishermen will be able to fish the edges. Haven't been on the BR since late in April. There are sure to be March Browns, gray foxes and perhaps even sulfurs down river. I hope to find a place to get in and give it a try in the next couple of days.
The WB is where the action is. The flotilla from the UEB simply moved over to join the West Branch Armada. Put in and take out lots were jammed with trailers and there were lines to both launch and take out your boat. On the river there was an unbroken line of boats from Stilesville to Shehawken. This with almost no wade fishermen. With the water dropping the wade fishermen will be on the river in numbers for the first time in two weeks.
The fishing - Meh. Had fish to fish to during the apple caddis/Hendrickson hatch and again during the late evening spinner fall. With the dropping water levels and heavy pressure, expect the fish to quickly become much harder to fool on the WB. I did a lot of driving around without finding rising fish anywhere but on the WB. This will change as the rivers come out of the doldrums.
As a drift boater, I too avoid the traffic. Solitude is universal, and not just appreciated by those on foot. Just sayin’
Got an invite from a friend to run down the UEB to OX, and saw 2 wade anglers, one on the bank wondering when it was going to start, the other having himself a time with targets. The spinner fall was good, and I made 3 casts and caught a beauty. That was Wed.
The BR gave up a few gifts for my belated birthday, but with the flows and temps, the fish didn’t seem interested like they normally are for large bugs. With the water falling the traffic pattern is likely to change.
See you Thursday hopefully. How late is too late to stop over, neighbor?
Fished the upper west and did ok. Caught 3 missed 5. You are right there were lots of boats and no wade fisherman. I started at noon and there was no action till 3:30. Caddis and the delicious Hendricksons appeared. By 4/30 it was done.
Thanks for keeping us informed on the fishing and conditions. I am looking forward to to fishing the E B when things improve. I have to broaden my horizons!!!