How High's The Water Momma?

 

Yesterday the fishing was limited to the UEB and the WB due to highwater temps in the freestones. Today the freestones were a go, opening up the entire system. Until, the thunderstorms hit early in the afternoon. They didn't disturb my nap one bit, but I knew there might be a problem when I went out on the porch and could hear Humphries Brook roaring. Checked the USGS flows and everything was going straight up. Decided to take a drive upstream for a look see. 

Lordville was low and clear as was Buckingham. Thought there was a little color in the water upstream from Stockport, but wasn't sure. Drove down to the launch at Shehawken and the far side of the river was a raging sea of mud as was Shehawken Creek just downstream from the launch. Since the storm was mostly north of Lordville, I went no further. Turned around and spent the rest of the day (from 5:00 until 8:30), fishing at Buckingham and Lordville.

The bugs - Finally saw some green drakes hatch while standing on the launch ramp at Shehawken. A guy was sitting in his drift boat waiting for his two friends to shuttle the trailer to Buckingham. There were no trailers at Buckingham when I stopped there, saw his trailer go by on the road. The threesome had been fishing the BR since Thursday, (they apparently forgot their thermometers), and had hatching drakes and coffin flies, (the green drake spinners), along with Isos, sulfurs and good fishing.

Wished them good luck and headed downstream to Buckingham, where there was a dearth of bugs and rising fish. Felt I was extremely lucky to raise and land three quality fish on blind casts. When the sun came out to taunt me and the water continued to rise, I reeled it in and I drove down to Lordville, where again there were neither bugs nor risers. Fished until about 8:45, the last half hour there were a few bugs, Isos, olives, spinners and maybe a cahill or two. Hooked four fish, (one was a shad), stepped in several eel holes and landed three quality trout. Like last night, given the circumstances, I was very happy with the results.

Where to go? With the water situation, you are asking a lot. Anything below Stockport on the BR is probably a waste of time. Don't know how far up the WB will have Drakes but there will be sulfurs, (late). Water conditions permitting, I would fish between Shehawken and Balls Eddy. Most things are happening late but look for Cornutas in the morning, and for Heavens sake, let us know what you see and do (on the river). 



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