Angler 119's Delaware River Fishing Report

Most years in May there is consistently good fishing, with lots of bugs and big fish up feeding on them. This year I'm having trouble putting two good days together. Thursday, much to my surprise, was a good day, Friday was not. It's often the little things that turn a good day into a poor one. If you read Thursdays report you know about the good one. Friday was poor by comparison. Why? Far too many things lined up in the fishes favor. It rained early which resulted in fog on the water. The fog quelled the caddis hatch and pushed back the Hendricksons 'til 3:00. It being Friday there were more fishermen on the river, boats were anchored up in every soft water spot. Wade anglers crowded the few places you could get into the water. Just before the spinners were scheduled to make their appearance a front blew in. The rising barometer, cooling air temp and stiff breeze combined to end things early. The continued combination of heavy boat pressure and limited wade fish...

With both reservoirs spilling and the BK at 1200 CFS my plan was to catch up with camp chores and drive back home. The Hendricksons and apple caddis are hatching in the upper reaches of both branches BUT the UE above Shinhopple is narrow and at present levels is impossible to wade (never gave it a thought). The WB release and spill combo was at 2000 CFS above Oquaga. At Hale Eddy, with a robust contribution from Oquaga it was at 3000. When I left camp at 2:00 I locked the door but left the heat on. Thought I take a look above Oquaga and if there were no risers, I'd head for home. Stopped at the sewage treatment plant and there were Hendricksons, apple caddis and rising fish but no way to get into the river. Went upstream and found more rising fish, a few of which I could reach (they ate). I wasn't in the water an hour and it was over. There were still bugs but the fish had quit. WHY? The spill/release combo warmed the water up into bug hatching range early in the day ...

After three days of steady rain it was a relief to see some sunshine today. However, it also managed to rain on two different occasions. I'm still in Syracuse watching the water flows (both reservoirs are spilling again) but will be heading down to the river tomorrow, not to fish but to try to mow the lawn. The rivers are again too high to wade fish. The best bet for waders this weekend will be the Beaverkill. With the reservoirs spilling the EB and the WB will be slower getting to wadeable levels (the EB is in fact still rising). The bugs? There should still be Hendricksons in the upper reaches of both branches with the apple caddis hatch moving upstream in close pursuit. The BR, BE, BK and the lower parts of both the UE and the WB should start to see some March Browns. The fishing? As of today you have three choices, fish: from a boat, from shore or stay home. I'll let you know more as soon as I finish mowing the lawn.

Yesterday's rain and cold temps were not what we needed, nor is the "more of the same" forecast for today. I'm home in Syracuse and probably will remain here 'til temps moderate and the rivers subside. If, and it's a big if, the reservoirs don't spill, the system may be wadeable by mid week. If there is spill water all bets are off. If you are a wade fisherman, stay home and wait for better days. Drift boaters, the river is yours. If you are in the Deposit area and are looking for something to do, drop in on Dave at the Troutfitters new fly shop/motel. It's on the corner by the town bridge in Deposit (the old Laurel Bank Motel). The fly shop officially opens today and I believe they are taking reservations for the remodeled motel rooms. The shop should have most anything you forgot to bring or broke while on the river. That said, as of Friday, the raincoats hadn't arrived.