Angler 119's Delaware River Fishing Report

 You've all probably heard someone say, "He was bleeding so I kept him.  What's the sense in letting him go when he's gonna die anyway."  Well, I've had three occasions over the years where a trout turned the river red with blood and I think it would be good if you learned the outcome.  The facts in all three cases are remarkably similar so I'll just tell you about the one that happened today. After suffering through a half a dozen refusals I hooked a really nice rainbow. She never jumped but made three nice runs, the first into the backing, and several darts away before the the netting. When I opened her mouth the size 18 olive was down a gill slit. At the time she was not bleeding.  Got out the clippers and while holding the fish I used the rod to keep pressure on the leader so I could clip the fly off.  Just as I was about to clip the leader the fish thrashed and the result was something like a chainsaw massacre.  By the time I put the fish into the wat

 I've always enjoyed fall fishing.  With the entire system opened up again you can usually find a pool to fish all by yourself.  There may not be as many fish in it as some of the more popular spots but you and the fish that live there don't care.  It's just you and them.  Most times there are bugs and some fish that will eat but it's not really that important.  Fall trout fishing is a time to reflect, remember old friends that have made their last cast.  Think of how the river has been changed by both mother nature and man. Watch the shad fingerlings back down the river to the ocean. See the osprey and eagle arguing over fishing rights. Curse the merganser that just caught a yearling trout. Look at the changing colors as fall takes the place of summer and wonder how much time you have left to enjoy it all.  My birthday is March 30th but on April 1st I'm born again.  I don't add another year to my age until I take my tree stand down in the fall with the leaves o

 It's Wednesday, all of the storms are painted, some with just primer, some with two coats, others with just one. Jean has again blessed me with a visit. She had lunch with a Florida friend in Honesdale and was to return in time to drop me off at a spot where I have river access but I currently have nowhere to park. Left her the back yard to mow just to keep her from getting bored. Went out about 2:30 and again tried the BE without seeing a fish or a bug.  Trying to kill time until Jean returned from her lunch date I went to a place on the lower WB,  climbed down a steep bank only to find three wade fishermen had crossed the river and were right in the middle of the pool. Returned to Lordville and while waiting for Jean fished the "Home Pool".  The pool was unoccupied when I got there but I was soon joined by another angler who politely asked if it was OK to join me. This use to be standard ops but is now a rare occurrence, welcomed him to the pool and thanked him for ask

 What a difference a week makes.  Last week the temps were in the 80s and I had to check the water temp before fishing the BR.  This week with frost warnings, the orchids are spending their nights on the porch, the isos are hatching in the afternoon, there are pseudos on the UE and everything shuts down an hour before dark. Said goodbye to the last Hummingbird this morning. She was filling up at the feeder and I didn't see her again for the rest of the day.  Got the new bow along with several helpful pointers from the Olympic archer.  He said maybe I could give him a few pointers on fishing in return but I seriously doubt he needs any. The deer in the backyard are busy growing their winter coats but the three spike horns are still in the velvet. On the way down yesterday there was a bit of color along the road.  The Sumacs are starting to show their bright orange and red and the stressed trees are showing some of their fall colors. It's not time for the "Leaf Freaks"

 Don't know if I've gotten smarter in my senior years or if I've just turned into a wuss.  Arrived at camp at 12:30 and had no urge to go out into the wind and fish.  Got things put away, watered the orchids (with a frost warning I brought them inside tonight),  sat down and fell asleep doing a crossword.  By 3:30, with the wind still capable of blowing my hat off, I headed out. Went to the BK searching for isos and found some.  If you find where the isos are hatching in profusion you will find the rainbows lined up to eat them.  In thirty years I have found perhaps half dozen of those places.  Unfortunately the isos have never hatched in one of the hot spots for more than a couple years and when they are gone so are the bows.  The place I fished had isos but in modest numbers and the number of fish feeding on them was also modest. For starters they wouldn't eat my isos, they also wouldn't eat my little brown caddis (they are hatching now) or my olives.  Found a fly

Watched the SU game yesterday and think it might be a blessing if the season ends up being cancelled - quickly. Shot the old bow enough to know that if a deer is within 15 yards he is in trouble.  Twenty five yards - not so much.  New bow is arriving Tuesday along with a lesson from a former Olympic archer! Hopefully he can turn back the clock on my archery skills. Max - The piece on my short hand was "A closed mouth gathers no feet".  The BR is the Main Stem or simply the Delaware which is the river that flows from junction pool down to Delaware Bay.  For purposes of the blog the BR discussion is limited to the trout fishing section that runs from junction pool to Callicoon. Dennis - I use the twelve fool long Trout Hunter finesse leader which I buy in 5X.  I tie a 6X tippet on and fish it that way throughout the season.  If the water is high during early season so that my ability to follow a good fish downstream is impaired I sometimes just use the 5X.  If I'm trico fis