The way things are

In a normal year I'd be down in the Bahamas right now casting at bones.  This year I'm here at my camp  planting apricot and plum trees and trying to get Verizon to hook up my internet (so far they have refused).

Covid-19 - It's clear now that it will bury thousands of people.  It will also change the lives of everyone.  For fishermen on the Delaware - The DEC has said ok to fishing but all lodges and fly shops are closed (there are some offering take out service and all are filling online orders).  Guiding has been listed as a nonessential business and has been shut down.  The social distancing guidelines would also seem to prohibit two and three person float trips.  There is also a recommendation against long distance travel.

The fishing - There is a concentration of anglers from the Deposit sewage treatment plant up to the weir at Stilesville. Many of them have obtained "Violator Licenses" and are filling stringers with fish, some on multiple trips per day. A DEC warden would be a welcome sight.

The reservoirs are full and all but Pepacton are currently spilling.  This has created higher water conditions that will probably slow what could have been a very early beginning to the bug hatches. Because of the relatively mild winter and absence of snow melt the water temps have been in the 40's during much of March, a few warm sunny days could get things going.  There have been  micro caddis and little brown and black stone flies around since I first came down to camp two weeks ago. I have seen one rise at junction pool while talking to Verizon but have not even gone for a drive along the stream.  If we get decent weather we might see Quill Gordons somewhere between the 10th and 15th. With Hendricksons to follow. I'll try to keep you posted.

Until then stay home and stay Covid-19 free!

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