Angler 119's Delaware River Fishing Report
The fishing (where I fished) was nothing to write home about.
Posted on August 12 2023
At 7:00 am it was foggy with a mist/drizzle that had water dripping off the porch roof. The weatherman said chance of showers. My hopes were dashed by Jean's phone call at 8:00 am. First thing she said was "What a beautiful day, sunshine and a nice breeze, I've already...
The Next Day They Say, "A Chance Of Light Showers" - Be Here.
Posted on August 11 2023
Today was the kind of day fly fishermen live for. It started out a little breezy but the wind settled down and a gentle drizzle made the trout's job of selecting the right fly just a bit tougher. Tired of the crowds up river, I fished two places below Oquaga....
Every team needs a closer.
Posted on August 10 2023
Woke this morning to find the porch screens covered with isos for the second straight day. Obviously the "Fall" isos have begun to hatch but with the BR flow at 3,500 cfs and rain predicted for tomorrow there is little I can do about it. The prediction was for sunshine...
We're All Just Travelers, On The Road To Kingdom Come - - - So do what'cha do - - -
Posted on August 09 2023
Today was forecast to be cool with light showers. The entire system was blown out from yesterday's thunderstorms, with the exception of perhaps the Willow (Ed ???) and the WB above mud spewing Oquaga. Called the Troutfitter before driving up and Dave assured me it was fishable above Oquaga. Actually,...
Learned My Lesson Last Thursday.
Posted on August 08 2023
Left home this morning with what looked like a good chance for a days fishing. Yes, Oquaga was up and muddy but the WB upstream was in good shape and the east side (EB & BK) was seemingly unaffected by last nights rain. Stopped at the Troutfitter and Dave said...
Year to date on the Delaware.
Posted on August 07 2023
Duke asked "Where is the sulfur zone?" It is the area where the Dorothea's are hatching. They are the tiny little summer sulfurs that hatch mid-day and in the evening up in the coldest water in the WB. Your best bet for finding them is upstream from the "barking dog"...
What A Day!!!
Posted on August 05 2023
It was an interesting day to say the least. Started on the BR at nine-thirty and fished two hours without seeing a rise. Drove up to Deposit and had to wait until almost two for the sulfurs to get going but when they did they brought numbers. The lone boat...
SKUNKED!!!
Posted on August 04 2023
Didn't fish today until 6:30. Attended a meeting at the DEC Office in Stamford from 10:00 until 2:00 and mowed the lawn on my return. Decided to fish another down river pool on the BR. There were three fishermen in the Lordville riff and one angler in sight several hundred...
Try the fish who only have one home.
Posted on August 03 2023
Took advantage of the unseasonably cold water temps (at the expense of the lawn which badly needs mowing) to fish the BR this morning at a place down river farther than I've probably ever fished it in early August. It turned out to be fun, if not exciting. There was...
Visiting some of my spring time haunts on August 1st.
Posted on August 02 2023
Skipped the mid-day sulfur hatch. After almost nine hours of fishing Monday I decided to just do the evening trip today. Left the fishing camp at about 5:30 and drove east over to the BK where I fished two pools. Found rainbows in both pools. Most of the fish that...
It's September in August.
Posted on August 01 2023
With the todays high predicted to be 73, I opened up the camp on arrival and let the wind do some good for a change. Saturday morning I picked two of the three "almost ripe" tomatoes and took them home to Jean who is a true tomato lover. Left the...
FFMP - The Pros And The Cons.
Posted on July 31 2023
It's Sunday afternoon and I'm home waiting for cocktail hour with my wife. There was a dearth of questions this week so the page will be spent discussing the long term effects of the FFMP. The FFMP (Flexible Flow Management Plan) is the best flow program I've seen during my...
Yes those are Green Drakes you are seeing in the "Sulfur Zone".
Posted on July 29 2023
First order of business - An apology to anyone who gave up a day of fishing in the "Sulfur Zone" on my say so. The river cleared by morning and the entire "Sulfur Zone" was in good shape. I try, but I'm obviously not always right. The mid-day sulfurs are...
The Big River Just Soothes My Soul.
Posted on July 28 2023
Drove up to Deposit about 12:30. On the way I saw a red fox standing in the middle of rte.97 in Hancock just past the fire station. Had to put the brakes on but he finally trotted off into the mowed field. The roads from Lordville to Hale Eddy were...
The USWNT and Netherlands played to a 1 - 1 tie
Posted on July 27 2023
With rain predicted for most of Thursday I decided to take care of some outside work this morning. Tied some flies and by noon I was ready to go. Decided to take a look at the UEB and see if there were any sulfurs up above Corbett. Got as far...
Sometimes A Change Of Scenery Soothes The Soul.
Posted on July 26 2023
The storm that went through during the night pushed the gage at Hale Eddy up to, 1,400cfs with 500cfs of it coming as a chocolate milk shake from Oquaga. I don't care how many times DRC tells you that the Stilesville gage is at 500cfs and the water is cleardown...
Thank The Lord For The Night Time Forget the Day.
Posted on July 25 2023
The weather forecasters made it an interesting day. Looked at 8:00 and the prediction was for a partly cloudy day with a slight chance of a thunderstorm late. Checked again at eleven before leaving to fish and they were predicting one to two inches of rain with thunderstorms starting at...
Out Of The Algae And Into The 'Bows.
Posted on July 24 2023
Things went smoother than I expected this morning, got the bills paid, found everything on my grocery list, found Mink oil at Tractor Supply, only took seven minutes to gas up at BJ's, and was on the way down at noon. Stopped at Deposit and found I was in time...
Wind Knots &Tailing Loops (Pyramids & Ice Cream Cones Revisited)
Posted on July 23 2023
The WNST won their first game and the sour cherry jam came out just fine. Time to answer some questions. Jack - Says he has to clean algae off his little sulfur flies every third cast. Either Jack is very good at dodging algae with his dry flies or he...
World Cup Soccer and Sour Cherry Jam Two Events Not To Be Missed.
Posted on July 22 2023
I'm home. Why? No, not because the fishing's no good, I'm no quitter. In fact I fished this afternoon up in Deposit in a hatch that was so good that it had fish up feeding for a good twenty minutes. The hatch intensity dwindled off and so did the feeding...
Who Could Ask For Anything More?
Posted on July 21 2023
With all of the camp chores seen to by Wednesday I had no excuse for not heading up to Deposit for the afternoon sulfur hatch. I now have an excuse. Got there a little before two (the only good afternoon hatch I've seen went from 3:00 until 4:30) and saw...
I Just Wasn't Up To The Task.
Posted on July 20 2023
Again opted out of the afternoon sulfur fishing in favor of mundane chores around the camp. When I looked at the clock it was just three and I waivered for a minute, then sat down and tied some of the sulfurs that worked so well Tuesday night. I needn't have...
The Hourly Catch Rate Was Great.
Posted on July 19 2023
After yesterday's experience fishing the "afternoon sulfurs", I was in no hurry to go back. In fact, I decided that I would get the mowing done in lieu of fishing. Also watered and staked up the tomatoes, tied a half dozen sulfurs, did the Tuesday crossword and sudoku and still...
Right Now The "Sulfur Zone" Is The Only Game In Town.
Posted on July 18 2023
Drove down this morning in a heavy blue haze as the smoke from the Canadian fires has again come our way. Arrived at Deposit at 1:15, not a bug to be seen. Continued on down to the Lordville Estate, put away the washed clothes and the food, put up the...
Wind Knots and Tailing Loops.
Posted on July 16 2023
It's that time again. Andy didn't like the killing of fish just to determine their age when most of them can be aged using scales. Have put a call in to the DEC's marine biologist in part for clarification of the killing and part to get a feel for the...
And the Thunder Rolled.
Posted on July 15 2023
I've said many times that the Delaware River System is home to many of the best fly fishermen. It only makes sense. If you fish here and want to consistently catch fish, you have to become a student of the game, constantly trying improve your skills in every aspect of...
I think I fixed the leak.
Posted on July 14 2023
To be honest, I've just go nothing to say. Tried a couple places in the morning (15 minutes each) caught one yearling 'bow. With the wind over 15, I skipped the afternoon fishing, opting to spray the fruit trees, trim the dead branches off the apple tree and patch the...
Pyramids vs Ice Cream Cones.
Posted on July 13 2023
On September 30th last year I wrote a piece on mortgaging the future. I said this year would make most people happy because there would be more big trout in the WB than ever before, and there are. I also said that there would be fewer fish in the river...
Afternoon and evening sulfurs on the WB, someone please tell the fish.
Posted on July 12 2023
Unless you want to hear about my struggles trying to keep the deer from eating my tomato plants and peaches or how nice the yard looks after todays mowing, I'll keep todays report on fishing? Why? Because today there was something to talk about. First of all its, been since...
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...