Angler 119's Delaware River Fishing Report

 There's not much question fall has arrived. Spent a couple hours working both out in the yard and then up in the sleeping quarters and didn't sweat a bit.  Somethings going on with the Lordville deer. There's been a button buck following me around the yard for the past two weeks, never with a doe. Two days ago he showed up with his girl friend a small fawn still covered with spots. They were both laying down on the front lawn watching the cars go by (not 15 feet from the road). The herd? No where to be seen. There were tracks in the dew this morning but I never saw an adult deer all day. Tonight when I got home I went out on the back porch and spooked a doe that earlier this week I had to run at just to get her away from my archery target while I'm trying to shoot. Just maybe someone's shopping for their winter meat a little early. Left camp about 3:00 after watching a thrilling volleyball game (for parents and grandparents). The good guys North Dakota State, who l...

 Woke this morning to a chilly 68 degrees in the fishing camp and 47 out on the porch. First item on the agenda was to close the upper level (sleeping quarters for guests) windows which suck out the warm air during the summer but let too much hot air escape in the fall. Was stymied by the Thursday Sudoku, (I'll try to finish it tomorrow), shot the bow (quite well thank you), ate a sandwich and sat down to watch our granddaughter's volleyball game (at 12:30 on a Thursday). When they won in three I left to go try to catch some Delaware River trout. It was the first day of a high pressure system with cool temps, bright sun and a bone chilling (for me) wind out of the north. Fishermen, trout and even bugs don't like it. At 3:30 I was in the water on yet another pool (my seventh) on the UEB in the past ten days. Most have had bugs and at least a few rising fish. Today I had to add an adjective (very) to the number of fish. It was hard to tell about the number of bugs because of ...

  After overdoing it with the bow yesterday I decided to take today off (pitchers get 3 or 4 days off between starts, don't they?), tie a few of the brown caddis that were clinging to my waders last night, polish off the Monday and Tuesday crosswords and set out early to try to find some fish. Departed about 1:30, in a rain shower no less, and drove up to Deposit, not to fish in the mess created by Oquaga, that was once again belching mud, but to get a look at Dave's new boot. Thought it strange he only got one, but with people in the shop, I didn't want to ask personal questions. Left the shop  before two and drove east (the rain was mostly all west of Hancock). Stopped at a pool on the lower BK where the fish have now skunked me three times in a row. Never even got a fish to come up and refuse my offering. From there I went all the way over to the Willow where I saw nary a fly, a rise or a fisherman at the world famous Hazel Bridge pool. Journeyed slowly back along the Bk...

Those of you who have never been confronted by an angry landowner probably thought I'd nodded off to sleep again when writing the title to yesterday's page. The landowners and fishermen among us who have been confronted, know that "I've been fishing this pool for----" is one of the worst defenses a trespasser can make in justifying his presence on someone else's land. Repetitive transgressions do not cleanse the soul. You were lucky, apologize, and get the hell off the land owner's property. I've twice had the good fortune to have a landowner who was kicking me off his property become a river friend who not only let me fish but made me feel welcome doing so. Today was, hopefully, the last day of above average temps until November. The rivers have been slowly dropping from the three most recent rain events and with normal (or even slightly below normal) daytime temps predicted, we will be able to fish anywhere we want. Actually had a little spring in my...

  Had a long list of items to pick up at BJ's this morning as the Lordville Estate larder was empty. Got everything I needed. The only disappointment was the selection of the $4.99 roasted chickens. At 9:30 the first batch had been picked over. There were only four left and the skin had broken open on three of them. This dries out the meat and I never like taking them. The last bird was a little small but the skin was intact, in the basket he went and I was on my way. Drove through a fine mist that had me thinking about a couple great days this summer. Unfortunately, just before Deposit the clouds parted and everyone else was  served up a beautiful afternoon. Me? I decided to get the lawn mowed. Left camp a little before 4:00, hopeful that the olives I met on the UEB last week would be hatching and they were. Saw between ten and fifteen seemingly good fish gulping the olives one after another in a slow water pool. Put on the gear, waded out to within casting range and every fi...

 Sitting home today watching an all day drizzle that hopefully produces olives and feeding fish for all those on the river. Was surprised to see that it's been three weeks since the last WK&TL page. Even more surprised that there were next to no questions during those three weeks. Hopefully last week was the nadir of my season, if the rivers aren't blown out, the predicted cooler weather will perk up the fishing. The olives have been hatching in the coldest water and fish have been on them - albeit carefully and only just before dark.  Dennis, Perfect Manhattans come in two flavors rye and bourbon. Personally I agree with your good wife and use rye in mine, no bitters thanks, and just a lemon twist (skip the cherry please). Andy thanks for the tip on the catchup at Wendy's but I couldn't reach it from the car window, thought I would find it in the bag. The mysterious "Black Boat" added some intrigue to the comments section, Scarlet Pimpernel indeed. Quite ...