August 3, 1999

Quick Report: Sulphurs, blue-wing olives, tricos, Isonychia and caddis continue to offer the dry-fly enthusiast plenty of action. Despite the drought that is afflicting other fisheries in the Northeast, the Delaware’s West Branch and Main Stem continue to boast strong flows and cool water temperatures – ideal conditions for this great tailwater fishery.

Dear Flyfisher:

We had great fishing throughout the week on both the West Branch and the Main Stem. The reservoir at Cannonsville is continuing to release at about 1,100 cfs, which keeps temperatures in the 50s on the West Branch, and cools the Main Stem of the Delaware River all along the 25-mile stretch of trout water, from Hancock to Callicoon.

There is a wide range of opportunities for the flyfisher, too, depending on your tastes and skill. For the advanced and expert flyfisher the early morning trico hatch and spinner fall offer the chance to test your casting skills and nerves. Long leaders, super-fine tippet, perfect presentation and drag-free floats are essential to success. We picked up several good browns and rainbows throughout the week, and had enough targets to keep us busy for the two-hour duration of the trico hatch.

During the day, the Main Stem offers up some good fish with blind casts into the riffles, where trout lie in wait for the occasional slate drake, or Isonychia, to drift by. The rises to these big flies can be ferocious. But, without a quick reaction, the opportunity can be over just as swiftly as the rise. On the West Branch, sulphurs continue to offer some good day-time action, and if the skies are cloudy, blue-wing olives can also be productive.

In the evening, we move into the big pools, where big trout rise steadily to an assortment of spinners and duns. Again, we scored well throughout the week during the period from just before dark to around 10 p.m.

The big release from the Cannonsville Reservoir makes this the perfect time for drift-boat fishing. With such strong flows wading can be difficult, and it’s impossible to cover much water. The drift boat, on the other hand, can take you where the trout are rising, and put you over fish that are out-of-reach for the stream-sider.

If water conditions are keeping you away from your favorite stream, now’s the time to give the Delaware a try. I can arrange accommodations for you and your family, including everything from camping to mountain-top luxury and all that’s in between. I also can make arrangements for any equipment you might need, and I supply my clients with the best in flyfishing tackle.

So, drop me an e-mail, or give me a call, and we’ll set up a date. With these conditions, the chance for a successful outing are high. And, if you’re lucky enough to tie into a big wild Delaware rainbow or brown, you’ll quickly understand why this is the best trout fishery in the East.

– Adrian