The Delaware Always Has Humble Pie On The Menu, Today I Was Served A Big Slice.

 Last week I carried a magic wand wherever I went. I walked into good hatches, had lots of big rising fish and they were happy to eat my flies. Today, not so much. Fished a pool where I have probably caught more fish than any other pool in the WB. Last year I caught but three fish there, this year, in two trips, none. Hooked two fish and lost them both, neither fish was over 13 inches. Pricked five other fish when they refused the fly and had numerous other fish turn up their noses and refuse whatever I offered. Never saw an adult fish, most were yearlings or two year olds. They are probably there because there aren't any big fish there to eat them. Don't expect to visit the pool again this year.

There have been 100cfs surges the past three nights. The cold water usually slows or stops the hatch. With the temp expected to reach the mid to high 90's tomorrow I felt sure the surge would be increased to a point where wading would be difficult and the evening  hatch would probably not occur. Drove back to the Lordville Estate at 3:00, took a nap and at 6:00 I headed over to the UEB to see if I could find a little evening fishing. Went up route 30  all the way to the Corbett Bridge. Saw two cars at the Buckhorn access with an angler taking off his boots by one of them. Didn't see another parked car or fisherman the entire trip. 

Picked a place that fishes well in low water and suited up hoping to find a good sulfur hatch and feeding fish. There were sulfurs, (Dorotheas), but clearly the hatch has moved further upstream than my chosen spot, and the few sulfurs that did hatch attracted only yearlings. Hooked one 13 incher on an iso and four fish ranging in size from a countable one, (over 10 inches), which I lost, down to 8 inches. 

It was a quiet night, a beaver swam by me four times dragging a mouth full of knotweed, he smacked his tail when he was past me each and every time. A rack buck crossed rte.30 in front of me as did three different yearling does, never saw an eagle, osprey, mink, or otter all of which are commonly seen on the UEB.

Sorry I didn't mention the possibility of an increased surge in yesterdays report. The release is up to 900cfs as I write. Hope everyone got back to their cars safely.

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