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Fishing Reports
Delaware River
June 1, 2000
- River Level: Water levels continue to drop like a sink-tip
and are approaching ideal conditions for both streamside fishing and
driftboats. The West Branch is flowing at 1,330 cfs, down from 5,800
cfs just a week ago. The Main Stem is pumping 3,650 cfs, down from
6,800. The East Branch is at 718 cfs after hitting 3,200 last week.
Water temperatures range between mid 50s and mid 60s, depending on air
temps. The water remains slightly discolored on the West Branch and
Main Stem, but is crystal clear on the East Branch.
- Hatches: Hatches are sporadic and mixed: Green drakes, Gray
Fox, sulphers, Cahills and blue-winged olives are on all three rivers,
with Brown Drakes coming off the Main Stem. There are good spinner
falls in the evening, and the "Golden Hour" -- the hour-long
period just before dark -- has been hot.
- Fly Patterns: Match the hatches as they occur. Rusty and
cream spinners in sizes 12 and 14 in the evening. If coffin flies are
in the air, use the spinners. Emergers are working well throughout the
day, although the trout are becoming very selective after some
frenetic feeds over the past few weeks.
- 14-Day Forecast: Scattered thunderstorms are forecast for
today (Thursday) and tomorrow, followed by several days of cloudy
weather. With water levels dropping, things should pick up for the
streamside angler, who has been pretty much closed out over most of
the season. Water is still spilling over the Cannonsville Dam on the
West Branch, but there's no spill from the Pepacton at the head of the
East Branch. The Main Stem should remain in good shape. We should
continue to see fair hatches of mayflies over the next couple of
weeks, with the annual hatch of summer sulphers (E. Invaria, #16, #18)
likely to come on strong in the next week or so.
- Other Information:
Dear Flyfisher:
The fishing has continued to be good, although the fish are getting
snottier after some voracious feeding over the past several weeks.
Now, these wild browns and 'bows have smartened up, and to catch them
you need good presentations and drag-free floats. As the water
continues to clear, things will get even tougher and tippet size will
become more of a factor.
I've introduced several new flyfishers to the art over the past week
and while most have been successful, they quickly learned that this
can be a challenging past-time. My more experienced clients have
scored well, and we've picked up some great fish during the evening
spinner falls.
Green and brown drakes continue to appear regularly. We had a great
hatch of brown drakes on the Main Stem Monday afternoon and evening.
Unfotunately, the trout didn't respond well to them. For the most
part, the rises came in singles and were scattered, a sign of moving
fish that are hard to pin down. While we managed to find a couple of
steady feeders that ultimately came to net, we expected to score much
better given the overall strength of the hatch.
But, that's Delaware flyfishing. These wild fish typically don't come
easy, and they usually can challenge the expert. I've fished around
the world, and I firmly believe that if you can be successful on the
Delaware and its tribs, you can be successful anywhere. There's no
fishery that's more demanding or more challenging to the flyfisher.
Many of my clients are expert flyfishers, and they often say that what
brings them back to the Delaware is that it provides them with a
unique test of their skills. And, it does. Figuring out the hatch,
being able to hit a target at 50 or 60 feet, perfect presentations and
drag-free floats are all required. Add to that the difficulty of the
wind, 15-foot leaders and super-fine tippets, and the trout begin to
have the upper hand.
In the end, though, the reward can be as awesome as the challenge.
Catching a big Delaware brown or rainbow can provide a lifetime
memory. In fact, not catching one can create a lifetime memory, too.
I fished the other day with a trio of Brits, who returned to the
Delaware after a visit last year. One of the three failed to land a
fish. But, his experience was nonetheless memorable.
"This was a day I'll never forget, even though I didn't land a
fish," he said. "The fun was in the challenge of the
fishing; the need to do things perfectly. I had my chances, though,
and that was enough to make me want to try it again. I'll be
back."
He was a great sport and a great angler; a man who knows why they call
it "fishing" instead of "catching." And, one who
clearly puts the pursuit of trout -- not necessarily the catching of
them -- ahead of all else.
I still have a few days left in June and would love to hook up with
you, if you're in this neck of the woods. We have a very dependable
sulpher hatch (E. Invaria) that will carry us into August, and the
fishing can be great. I can arrange to meet all your needs, including
great lodging, meals and the very best in flyfishing equipment. So,
drop me an e-mail or give me a call, and we'll see if we can get
together. Until then, tight lines.
--Capt. Adrian LaSorte
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