Dandelions and oxeye daisies

Returned to upstate New York last night with snow flakes swirling in the air.  With predictions for better weather in the forecast, I've packed the car and if the hot water heater and fridge work at the camp, I'll be ready to provide meaningful reports on Delaware River fishing conditions starting tomorrow.

In the course of gathering up supplies for the camp opening, I stopped by the Troutfitter  to say "Hi" and see if they had any new stuff I just had to have.  I was looking over the flies when I saw a copy of Paul Weamer's  New York Hatches.  Over the years I have had numerous opportunities to fish with authors and the one thing I can say without hesitation is that there is absolutely no correlation between fishing ability and writing ability.

That said, I found the book interesting for several reasons.  First of all, Paul got most of his knowledge about New York hatches fishing the Delaware River system while a part owner of a fly shop in Hancock. Secondly the photos (more so than the flies)  are good models to use while tying patterns for the Delaware River. Lastly,  if any of you
read my early offerings last year, I did one on the correlation between fly hatches and the blooming of wildflowers (Dandelions and Ragged  Robin were the two examples I used).  Well it turns out that Paul has been far more observant than I and has related each major fly hatch to a flower bloom.  If I only knew what  oxeye daisies looked
like I'd know when to look for cahills.

Seriously, I believe it's a book most  Delaware fisherman wouldl find useful.  Even I bought one.

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