Angler 119's Delaware River Fishing Report

The front finally pushed through this morning, no precipitation just cooler drier air along with a 10/15 mph breeze out of the north and a rising barometer.  Was delighted to finally get the temps back down to what is now normal for this time of year (71/49).  The down side was the cloudless sky, bright sun, stiff breeze and rising barometer. None of those things are good for dry fly fishing so I again worked on the storms.  Most of which needed substantial reglazing.  Glazing is not one of my better talents but I plugged away at it and have most of it done.  Put a second coat of paint on a couple storms that were in better shape and hope to finish the rest next week. Left camp at 4:30, stopped at the Post Office, gas station and the Troutfitter (needed a spool of tippet).  Drove around looking for risers and bugs.  Saw a few rises in the pool below the Town bridge but no bugs to speak of and no boats.  There is not a lot of boat traffic on the sy...

With the weatherman calling for an all day rain I dutifully set up shop in the garage and painted storms all morning.  When I emerged from the garage at noon it had stopped raining and the sun was out.  The weatherman and I are not currently speaking. Left camp at 12:30 with the prediction still calling for afternoon showers and evening t-boomers.  Spent the afternoon pool hopping on the BK and UE.  Found fish in all but one pool and was entertained trying to convince them that my flies were good enough to eat.  Lost the only three year old I hooked but caught enough two year olds to make it a sweaty but enjoyable afternoon. Then things got interesting.  Went to the BR  about six.  Fished the place I was headed to last night when all the trailers dissuaded me.  It was dead.  Nothing, no bugs, no risers, not even any boats. It had to be seven when I saw the first splashy rise ( an iso nymph chaser).  Soon thereafter flies began ...

Went to bed last night with good intentions.  Woke up this morning to the coolest air and water temps there would be all day and went fishing.  It didn't take long to confirm that the BE, at least where I was, is still fishless.  The water is crystal clear and at a beautiful level for wading, if only - - - Stopped at a pool on the BR where there were a good number of both ants and olive spinners on the water.  Maybe the fish fed earlier but I never saw a rise.  Hooked a 16 inch rainbow on a blind cast and with nothing else willing to eat I went back to camp to attack my list of chores.  There clearly wasn't enough time to complete all three task so I deleted the storm window paint job from today's list.  Poor choice, tied flies for three hours and never used a one. At least the lawn got mowed.  Perhaps, just maybe, all my whining did some good. All week Thursday was given no chance of rain with temp in the 80s.  Weatherman now calls for rain ...

Mowing the lawn, painting the storms and tying flies will keep me occupied 'til about seven tomorrow. If I were to go on a rant again it would be about the weather.  Most people wouldn't have a clue what I was talking about.  Eighty degree days with bright sunshine in September are a beautiful thing, unless you are a trout fisherman.  Last weeks fall fishing, fueled by an all day rain, cloudy days and nights in the low fifties is in the rear view mirror.  Until Friday we are faced with temps ten to fifteen degrees above normal with bright sun and no chance of rain.  If you think that doesn't put the brakes on the fishing, come try it.  The fishing - The trout had me on the ropes for most of the fight. With the hot temp and bright sun I started out in the coldest water.  Fished the first pool from 2:00 until 5:00, there were a smattering of flies mostly olives with an occasional rising trout.  Rose six fish, none of which ate the fly.  Reeled ...

In answer to Jim N's question.  No, when I reread it in the morning all I felt was foolish.  Had to turn on Bob Seger's Old Time Rock and Roll to get the job done.  Then I read the comments and Dennis caught some fish and the rest of you guys said it was helping and I felt it hasn't been a complete waste of time after all.  Started this because my senior year high school english teacher Mrs. Haskins wanted me to be a writer and I thought here's something I can do to both fulfill her wishes and help people to better enjoy the sport I love. The rant came out of frustration.  None of you are consistently catching fish at an improved rate because of the blog. It's either because I don't give good enough information, you are all just big kids who don't pay enough attention and misunderstand what I am saying or success on the Delaware is far more complicated than any of us thought.  I vote for "C". The fishing? It was much better Sunday than it was today...