Angler 119's Delaware River Fishing Report
Don't put away your rod just yet.
Posted on July 11 2023
Got an early start from home today and was in Lordville by 10:30, unloaded the car, put things away and it still wasn't time for lunch. Ate anyway. Made a roast beef sandwich, opened the potato chips and a Pepsi and went out on the porch to eat. There were...
Wind Knots And Tailing Loops.
Posted on July 09 2023
Was up early this morning as our visiting family members had six am departure times at the Syracuse airport. It has been a busy week of graduation parties and 21st birthday celebrations. Always fun when they are here, followed by a long exhale from tired grandparents as they pull out...
And The Thunder Rolled.
Posted on July 08 2023
The first storm hit Lordville at 12;30 and it was a good one. The down spout on the back side of the camp got plugged (cleaned it last fall and again this spring) and water poured over the edge of the gutter, the back porch leaked both where I was...
I've Got Better Things To Do.
Posted on July 07 2023
After yesterdays effort in the hot, humid weather (morning, afternoon and evening ), for a total of four fish, it was an easy decision to forego the fishing until evening. Besides I had better things to do, buy aqua seal, patch waders, mix up a batch of fly float, replace...
The Last Good Bye.
Posted on July 06 2023
It's July, the hottest month for river temps, and a day of sunshine sent the BK to 76, the BR to 75, and the EB 72. The fish have had several warnings and most have no doubt made there way to thermal refuges. With even hotter temps expected tomorrow, a...
I Been Searchin'.
Posted on July 05 2023
Spent yesterday with family dodging rain showers and hiking the trail at Watkins Glenn. Today they are off to visit the other Grampa and I got a pass to fish. Drove down mid-morning on an empty Interstate 81. Both Deposit and Hancock streets were empty and even the world famous...
Understanding Sulfurs.
Posted on July 03 2023
Back when I first started fishing the Delaware in the late 80's, the release from Cannonsville reservoir was 45cfs for ten months of the year. From June 15th until August 15th it was raised to 325cfs. Additional flow was dependent on reservoir spill, runoff from the tribs and releases to...
Sometimes It's the going, not the getting there that's good.
Posted on July 02 2023
The Delaware River watershed is blessed with an incredible abundance of wildlife. Eagles get the headlines but if you have sharp eyes and are observant you should catch sight of some of the smaller birds with spectacular coloration. Have yet to see an Indigo Bunting this year but was entertained...
Crazy Eights!
Posted on July 01 2023
Encouraged by my nice day of fishing yesterday, I mapped out a plan for today. The BK was a sure bet to get into the 70's so that was not in the plan. The WB was in the plan but only for a drive by to search for the mystical...
Sometimes you have to put in the hours.
Posted on June 30 2023
The combination of higher water levels, which covered streambed rocks and the dense smoke from the Canadian fires which muted the sun's water warming effect, have kept the freestones in play and I decided to try to take advantage of the opportunity in my quest of a ten fish day....
Are particulates, a possible cure for global warming?
Posted on June 29 2023
With but two days left in June the entire river system down to Hankins has good water flows, good water temps and trout. Except for the one big rain in late April, it was exceptionally dry until this last week. May had less than an inch of rain. June rainfall...
Check the flow before you go.
Posted on June 28 2023
With the EB & BR both high and muddy I was under no pressure to fish. Jean and I took a leisurely drive which turned out to be more eventful than we anticipated. The car's low tire air warning light came on while we were over on the Willow. We...
The grass is growing and will soon need mowing.
Posted on June 27 2023
Had my semiannual dermatologist appointment Monday and didn't get on the road until afternoon. Drove through two heavy thundershowers between Deposit and Hancock only to find the pavement dry in Lordville. By the time I had brought things in from the car the thunder and lightning had started and it...
Wind Knots & Tailing Loops. June
Posted on June 25 2023
It's not that Chris is prophetic, I just didn't realize that two weeks had gone by since the last WK&TL offering. I did sneak in a couple of quick answers in regular reports but detailed answers to queries are long over due. Dennis as usual leads all commentators with questions....
Time for a break before the sulfurs.
Posted on June 24 2023
Well, the week is over and I'm glad. I'm going into quarantine just in case my week of losing fish is contagious. For the record, I landed 41% of the fish I hooked this week. Today I lost four of the five large fish I hooked (landed the three two...
Someone cue the sulfurs!
Posted on June 23 2023
Today was the co-longest day of the year, tying with yesterday. As far as I'm concerned it could have ended much sooner. Stood in the BR with bugs on the water and nothing to even throw at, let alone suffer the indignity of being refused. Everywhere I've fished this week...
The Sound of Silence.
Posted on June 22 2023
Stay home this coming weekend and cross some items off your to do list and while you're at it think of something nice to do with the wife and kids over fourth of July weekend. Unless things turn around and the bugs start to hatch, (there should be good hatches...
We need the fish and bugs to do their part.
Posted on June 21 2023
Skipped the morning fishing as I had an appointment for a haircut at Vicky's Unisex Hair Salon up in Deposit. It's right across the bridge from the Troutfitter Fly Shop. If you're new in town and need your hair cut, give her a call, tell her I sent you and...
Monday morning gave me no warning of what was to be.
Posted on June 20 2023
With a list of half a dozen items to cross off before departure, I was up early. Spooked "our fawn" who was walking around in the front yard at 5:30. An hour later Mom was in the back yard looking for him. Yesterday the doe walked by the kitchen window...
Tough fish and soggy flies bring week to an end
Posted on June 17 2023
My get up and go got up this morning but it didn't go anywhere. Been down here since Sunday afternoon and found that I was in no hurry to get out fishing. Didn't cross many items off the to-do list either. Did wash the sliders in the kitchen that look...
Where's Ed Smith?
Posted on June 16 2023
Tried to get a rise out of him with the Eagles reference (Peaceful Easy Feeling) but my offering was ignored. One of our most positive, up beat and prolific commenters has gone silent. Back in May he reported having a torn Achilles but, (unlike me with my intestinal malady), gave...
Rainy Days And Rainbows Always Make Me Glad!
Posted on June 15 2023
With the drift boaters concentrating on the middle and lower sections of the WB and the BR down to Buckingham, and the water temps in all of the freestone sections right around 60 degrees, it's a great opportunity for wade fishermen to get away from the crowd, enjoy fishing to...
A Peaceful Easy Feeling
Posted on June 14 2023
Spent the day catching up on work around the fishing camp and yard. Found time to reorganize my spinner box, tossed a couple dozen flies that were either beyond repair or poorly tied to begin with and then sat down and tied a dozen new ones. Went through my fishing...
You never know 'til you go.
Posted on June 13 2023
With rain scheduled for late afternoon I decided to fish the BR in the morning. Was on the water a little before nine and was back in the fishing camp before noon. There were almost no bugs and only an occasional riser. In the time I was there, at least...
How To Catch a Delaware River Grand Slam.
Posted on June 12 2023
After a couple days off I was ready to go. Stopped in Deposit at about 10:30 on the way down and saw rising fish off the town bridge. Suited up and had at 'em. There were a few tiny olives on the water and it turned out that they were...
Why make catching fish harder than it needs to be?
Posted on June 11 2023
I've said most of this before, but year after year questions come up about which fly or pattern works best. There are several things I know for sure that will help you catch more fish. 1- If an angler catches a fish on a particular pattern he gains confidence in...
Wind Knots & Tailing Loops
Posted on June 10 2023
Home watching grandson's lacrosse team advance to state final with a convincing win. Ride home was in light traffic on an interstate strewn with yearling deer carcasses, sad. Dr.'s appointment went well and he scheduled me for my next appointment in six months so I guess I can buy green...
Travelling to the beat of a different drum.
Posted on June 09 2023
Today was a replay of yesterday with mostly minor changes. The red line on the porch thermometer was just below the black 40 line at 6:15 this morning. The temp hung at 54 until after noon when it crept up to 58. There were clouds instead of the heavy smoke...
Fishing that was worth waiting for!
Posted on June 08 2023
With the temperature at 41 degrees on the back porch this morning, I threw a couple logs on the fire and worked on the crosswords. The forest fires up in Canada may trigger the next ice age (you heard it here first). The smoke from the fires has taken the...
Smoke gets in your eyes.
Posted on June 07 2023
A strange day to be on the river for sure. The smoke from the Canadian fires seemed to get denser and denser as the day wore on. Have now watched the sun turn into a glowing orange ball in the sky at 6:00 pm the last two nights. If I...
Big Bug Season Is Going, Going - - -
Posted on June 06 2023
With the cooler weather seemingly locked in for the next week, anglers are provided with a window of opportunity to fish the freestones before they shut down for the summer. The WB has been pounded by both boats and wade fishermen since before the first Hendrickson hatched and the "Sulfur...
They don't come easy.
Posted on June 05 2023
With the heat wave broken and my Drs appointment on Friday rather than Tuesday it was a sure bet I would head back down today. The volleyball granddaughter is on a ten day tour of Europe with her North Dakota State team and there was a game scheduled today at...
Wind Knots & Tailing Loops.
Posted on June 03 2023
Was surprised by how few questions have appeared since the last Q & A session. Dennis - Cornuta are the largest olives (think 16's), that I'm aware of. They can be seen most any time but mid mornings in late May - early June on the freestones is when I...
A celebratory PM was duly consumed.
Posted on June 02 2023
I could do a few rants today, they would be justified, but it upsets Jean and they serve no purpose. Just don't tell me NYCEP didn't say if the project is a go, we will max the releases from all three Delaware River Reservoirs on June first ( I asked...
Will the aqueduct project be a go, or a no?
Posted on June 01 2023
Last week when I made my somewhat shaky return from a bout with "Montezuma's Revenge", it was at two easy access pools on the Beaverkill. Not to be a sentimental sop but the first thing I noticed was that the toads were singing their hearts out. No, not for me...
Fox and toad updates coming next.
Posted on May 31 2023
It was as an idyllic a morning as you could ever find on the Delaware River System. Early morning sun and not a hint of at breeze. Water temp 64 degrees. Not a boat or fisherman in sight. An adult bald eagle flew up and down the river before landing...
The Bench Beckons.
Posted on May 30 2023
Let there be no doubt about it, day after day of hot, dry and sunny weather, coupled with reduced releases and increased fishing pressure have made catching a fish cause for celebration. Even the DRC's glut of "fish of the day" pictures came to a screeching halt yesterday. The bright...
Learn to love your bad casts.
Posted on May 29 2023
If you read yesterdays report and were on the river today there is no way you would believe a word I said. I didn't get out this morning when the rivers were the coolest. Was two hours later than yesterday getting to the river, there were still Hendricksons and apple...
There just aren't enough pockets in a fishing vest to be ready for a day like today.
Posted on May 28 2023
My plans for an early start this morning went out the window when dawn didn't crack for me until 8:30. Was on the road by 9:45 and had light traffic all the way down, arriving at 11:50. Decided to mow the lawn before lunch and was done and ready for...
The bugs are hatching, its time to start catching.
Posted on May 26 2023
It was not the day I expected at all. Finished turning over and breaking up the soil in the garden, pruned some limbs off the flowering quince, talked myself into waiting until Saturday to mow the lawn (will be at granddaughters graduation tomorrow), had lunch and was ready to go...
Its Got To Be The Going Not The Getting There That's Good.
Posted on May 25 2023
There's no question I tried to do too much yesterday. The proof? Was up about six this morning did a few little chores and at 8:20 I went into the bedroom to wait for Jeans 8:30 call. Hung up from the call and maybe just closed my eyes for a...
Easy does it.
Posted on May 24 2023
Drove down to the camp this morning - uneventfully. When I left on the 13th the grass needed mowing, the apricots on one of the trees were about the size and shape of a prune pit, there were lots of baby peaches, the apple blossoms were falling and the whole...
Angler 119 Update
Posted on May 21 2023
David from the Troutfitter called the other day and said he was sick of answering questions about A-119's health. He suggested I do a medical update but to leave out the details. A-119's medical report - I have basically been in a bed next to the john for the last...
Unhooking the Hooker
Posted on May 16 2023
While it certainly isn't time for another Wind Knots & Tailing Loops page, I'm still back home in Lafayette suffering from an intestinal malady which has required me to be not more than 15 feet from the loo. Thought I would try describing the hook removal procedure which I rely...
Wind knots & Tailing loops.
Posted on May 14 2023
Back home attempting to cross items off a to do list that has filled the page due to my extended stay at the Lordville Estate. At the moment I'm taking a break in the recliner with my feet up and the PC in my lap. Seems like a good time...
You land rainbows when they are done, not before.
Posted on May 13 2023
After eight days at the fishing camp, I'm ready to head home. I'll need a fork lift to get the laundry bag into the car, I'm a wee bit tired and I miss Jean. The week has been a bit disappointing because of the high water which limited wade fishing...
A visit with an old friend comes to an end.
Posted on May 12 2023
With the late evening Wednesday we were slow getting out of the gate this morning. Decided to take a look at the EB and the BK both of which are now wade able but solidly in the doldrums. Saw no bugs or risers on the EB but there were enough...
Warm water and bright sun made for a July fishing day.
Posted on May 11 2023
With the water levels still limiting wading opportunities, we rented a drift boat (Mark has a drift boat he uses when the TVA is generating power on his home river the South Holston). We did the Barking Dog to Balls Eddy float but rowed straight down to Hale Eddy skipping...
There's a reason no one will fish with me.
Posted on May 10 2023
It had been over ten years since I last floated down the Delaware in a drift boat. Mark Stauffer who has endured my presence in a bonefish skiff for many years was passing through on his way to visit his parents wanted to give the Delaware a try. With the ...
Amazing how quickly trout remember to look carefully before they eat.
Posted on May 09 2023
With a float of the WB on tap for tomorrow, I spent the better part of the today driving around looking at water where it was about to happen or where it had already happened. The wind, as usual, saved its best efforts for the peak of the Hendrickson hatch,...