Wednesday, June 16, 1999

Quick Report: Good releases from the Cannonsville Reservoir and hatches of sulphurs, Light Cahills, BWOs and caddis have combined to provide good flyfishing on the West Branch.

Water temperatures range from the low 40s in the early morning to around 60 in the afternoon and evening. Main Stem fishing remains strong in the evening, but the water is like crystal and the trout have grown wiser. Perfect, drag-free casts and 6x tippet are a must.

Dear Flyfisher:

We=ve had a good week on the West Branch, especially during the afternoon sulphur hatch, with trout actively feeding in both riffles and pools. We=ve seen a few Light Cahills emerging, along with some blue-wing olives and caddis. But, we haven=t had consistent action on these imitations, since the hatches have been small.

We=ve picked up some decent fish on light caddis when the sulphurs aren=t hatching, so you can successfully fish throughout the day. The Delaware=s famous AGolden Hour@ - the hour just before dark B continues to provide good opportunities for big browns and rainbows that sip sulphur spinners and rusty spinners in the surface film.

With a few exceptions, the West Branch can now be fished from a drift boat. The water release from the Cannonsville Reservoir has fluctuated, ranging from about 325 cfs to over 500 cfs. Currently, the flow is around 455 cfs, which is right for a float. When it=s in the 300s, we=re better off fishing the West Branch from streamside.

The Main Stem, which has been floatable throughout the season due to the combined flows of the East and West Branches, continues to produce some big fish. We caught and released two nice rainbows Monday night, and had two other good fish on, but lost them before we getting a look. That=s why they call the sport Afishing@, not Acatching.@

Shad fishing was poor this year, all along the Delaware waterway. While some schools of shad moved up into the East Branch, we picked up only a few shad. Usually, however, the runs were so small it hardly justified fishing. Some people attribute this year=s poor run to off-shore commercial netting, which may well be true. Clearly the number of shad in the river was at a low point for the ten years that I=ve been guiding.

For the adventurous beginner and the advanced flyfisher, we=ll begin to see tricos on the river within the next two weeks. It=s a great hatch that lasts through the summer months, and challenges (and often frustrates) even the expert. This is fishing that rates a A10" on a 10-point scale, and I have some clients who live for it. For me, it=s the most exciting fishing of the year.

If you=d like to give the trico hatch a try, I still have a few openings left. Give me a call or drop me an e-mail, and we=ll get together for some of the most challenging fishing you=ll ever have.

B Adrian