Wind knots and tailing loops.

NYC has cut back the releases from both reservoirs. That coupled with air temps 15 to 20 degrees above normal and bright sunshine has put a damper on the fishing. Current water temps will push the hatches back to near dark everywhere but the uppermost sections of the UEB and the WB.  With the low water, boats floating the WB will be in the main channels and will disrupt fishing.  Hard to believe but we need a good soaking rain with cooler temps.

Couldn't seem to get it in gear this morning and when I did it was evident that there were no bugs or rising fish where I went. It's five o'clock right now with the Hancock temperature at 89.  Will probably go out late and if good things happen I'll add to the report.

Dennis asked about the March Brown and Gray Fox hatches. March Browns hatch sporadically and can be seen on the water almost any time of day.  They have always been one of the great attractor flies as they are large, taste good and are slow to get off the water.  That said, I haven't seen one eaten on the Delaware system in at least three years (don't even put the March Brown box in my vest anymore). Not sure if they still work on the BK which isn't floated but the trout have learned not to touch the duns on the Delaware.

I've been told by Paul Weamer that the March Browns and the Gray Foxes are the same species. As a bug man, I'm on shaky ground but the Gray Foxes are a lighter color, smaller and seem to hatch in the early evening. For several years I have found the trout more willing to eat the Gray fox than the March Brown. Have not fished a Gray Fox hatch yet this year so I don't know if they are still effective fish takers.

If you look at it from a trout's perspective, the more prolific the hatch the less chance of a hook being in the fly you are eating. This helps to explain why yesterdays hatch of size 20 Little Sister sedges was being eaten with such reckless abandon.  If you check back in last years postings where I listed 12 things I just know to be true, number one was "On this river, it's harder to fool a fish with a big fly than a little one".

Jack M. - Asked about river etticut. Jack, there is no answer that is always right given different water levels and the  number of fishermen wading the river.  There are, however, a few things set in stone.  Everyone is entitled to fish.  That said, you are not entitled to fish 'Your spot".  It is never OK to crowd in and throw at someone else's fish. If there is a line of fishermen fishing a pool go to the end of the line. If it's not crowded and someone is fishing the pool you wanted to fish, ask if he minds if you join him. I usually also ask if he will mind if  I fish (above or below ) him. The fewer people fishing a piece of water the greater distance you should fish away from other anglers. You will be doing yourself a favor by going to a new place where fish haven't seen your flies.

Returned from two hours walking the bank of the BE.  Saw a good number of March Browns AND Gray foxes float by without seeing one being eaten.  The last 15 minutes kept the skunk out of my waders.  There was a hatch of little olives and I got to cast at four fish.  All four rose to the fly but the last one didn't hook up.  A 18 inch rainbow was the best of the bunch.

Question for you guys.  Has anyone seen either a MB or GF eaten this year and has anyone gotten a fish to eat their imitation of one?


Comments

  1. UnknownMay 21, 2021 at 7:07 AM

    Funny you mention that....Tuesday at Cairns Pool (beaverkill) I saw March browns float down with no takers - but small caddis and olives were on the menu. I almost could not believe that fish had no interest in them in the slow water. As an aside pertaining to the title of this post....from Lefty Kreh. There are only 2 types of people that never get tailing loops: People that don't fly fish and Liars.

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