Angler 119's Delaware River Fishing Report

Today was a Big River day all the way.  At the present water levels everything is wadable and there is nowhere I'd rather fish than the BR.  For peace of mind, however, I shy away from the area between junction pool and Buckingham during the "big bug season" ( Hendricksons through Green Drakes).  There are just too many boats.  There were about 20 trailers in the lot when I drove past Buckingham on the way home and three trailers hauling boats had already driven by me on 97. So where do I fish?  Anywhere from Buckingham down to Callicoon. The choices are endless - - as long as water levels make fishing the BR feasible.  It's been at least three years since early season water levels down river have been safe for wading.  My cut off point for down river fishing is 2,000 cfs on the Callicoon USGA gage.  Today, when I fell in, it was at 1,700 (a piece of cake). "How did that happen?", you ask.  Swept off your feet in dangerous current?  No,  I was multi-tasking.

There is no other way to put it.  Today was not a nice day to be on the river.  To begin with there was a brutal north wind that blew a gusty 15 to 25mph.  There was also high pressure with bright sunshine that appears the first day of a new frontal system  AND TROUT DO NOT LIKE IT. They just won't rise. Were there bugs? Yep.  The water started off in some sections below 40 degrees but with the bright sun all sections of the river system hit at least 48 and most topped 50.  The paraleps were first to hatch with some on the water around 1:00.  The late rising Hendricksons took their time, most not putting their toes in the water until almost 4:00. The apple caddis also made an appearance, at least on the BR. The fishermen?  There were an average number of boats on the BR and quite a few floating from barking dog down the WB. The BE had only a few boats and I hope the sports tipped their guides well 'cause they rowed into a headwind all day. Fishing in the wind. -  It's part

Yesterday at 11:45 the temp was 54 degrees and I was ready to go fishing.  At noon when I got in the car the temp was 48.  When I reached the Sunoco station in East Branch it was 38 and snowing.  I did a U-turn drove back to the camp, closed it up and headed home in a snow storm with the temp at 34 degrees.  It's 24 here in Lafayette this morning and I have nothing better to do than provide an update on "A Season on the Delaware" . On the bright side I received an email today notifying me that Amazon was sending me my first royalty check for "A Season on the Delaware".  Publishing a book has been a learning experience which some of you might find interesting. With the necessary computer skills you can write, design, edit, price and publish a book with absolutely zero outlay of cash.  Because of my lack of computer skills it will cost me a thank you dinner for my editor friend in the Keys next winter (the incoming royalty check will cover it).  Self editing the b

 If you don't think I was a bit antsy sitting in the Dr.'s office at 12:00 noon today, you don't know me.  Sunday was near biblical.  Monday, I dutifully returned to Syracuse for an eye exam that didn't exist. Today was the last day to fish before hell freezes over.  Was on the road by 12:45, stopping only at the rest area near Marathon to lighten the load and thus save fuel.  When I got to Hancock it was 2:38 so I stopped at the Golden Arches and ordered a number 4. Timing was perfect, ate the last greasy fry at the  East Branch Sunoco Station and was trying to get my rod out from under the new porch screen door (yes all 36x80 inches of it road along with me from Home Depot), at 3:00pm. Had seen Hendrickson's and risers from the road and clambered down a steep bank to teach them a lesson or two. Very first cast hooked a holdover hatchery fish. Visions of an instant replay of Sunday flashed through my mind but, alas, it wasn't meant to be. There were bugs (Hendr

 Just six days ago I got skunked.  Threw at the only riser I saw and was refused.  Yesterday the skunk left quietly, hopefully not to return again this year.  But it's still spring and it's the Delaware so you never know.  Unfortunately I'm home again.  Annual eye doctors appointment was today and my semiannual trip to the internist is tomorrow morning.  Was sorely temped to call and cancel the eye appointment but didn't. I showed up for the appointment only to learn that they hadn't written my appointment into the schedule and that the doctor was out due to an illness in the family.  If all goes well I'll be down in time for the Hendrickson hatch tomorrow. In looking at the weather forecast for the next week it seemed like a good time to touch on the importance of water temp when choosing when and where to fish.  This spring has been a warm one and has speeded up the maturation of the early bugs. When the bugs (paraleps, olives and Hendricksons) are ready to ha

 It's been ten days since I opened up the camp.  First trip was just to get things up and running. Second trip was made with the hope of  finding rising fish - I found him.  When the weatherman predicted low 40's with rain/snow, I headed home.  Found Paraleps and Hendricksons hatching with rising fish in Butternut Creek, some of which found their way into our trout pond, where either they will be eaten by "The Heron" or fished to by the grandkids.  It wasn't until I got a call from my gray haired old fishing friend who wanted me to know that he saw rising fish below the Hale Eddy bridge on Wednesday afternoon that I began to question my decision to go home last Thursday morning.  Read the other blogs this morning extolling the blanket hatches of paraleps and olives on the WB yesterday and knew I gone and done it again.  If a regular reader cancelled a trip this weekend because I went home, shame on you, you should know better by now.  If you have just joined us, l