Delaware Guide Recommendations

[greenlander]

Though I've long been wanting to do it, I've never managed to get myself up to fish the Upper Delaware.

I continue to hear nothing but praise about the river, so I'm aiming to get up there in the next month.

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding guides? I'd prefer to go with a guide that comes on recommendation, if possible.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Acristickid]

greenlander-

I have used this guide before on the Upper Delaware. His name is John Dembeck. (first guided trip and float I ever took)

John is highly qualified and is a full time guide and has done so for decades. If that was'nt enough- he is a biologist on top of that.

He taught me exactly what I needed to do and put me in the best setup to catch fish. I had hooked 3, 20 inch plus fish the day I floated with him. Sadly, I only landed one- although it was my biggest brown I ever caught. That one fish made my trip!

He actually gave a presentation on fishing the Delaware River last year at one of the nations largest Fly fishing shows in Somerset NJ. I booked him through the West Branch Angler.

http://www.steelheadfishingoutfitters.com/fishing_guide.html

My only knock would be he is the engineer type personality- not much small talk or joking around and alot of staring looking for rises in what for me was sometimes an uncomfortable silence. But I know I am a talker so take that for what it is worth.

Guides aint cheap but if the dough isnt a concern go for it- beats wading.

Good luck.

 

[greenlander]

acristickid,

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check it out. I don't like guides who blather all day, but someone you can chat with is definitely preferred. No big deal either way though.

Guides ain't cheap, that's for sure. I'd certainly rather save the cash, but the fact that I don't have a boat and don't know the water makes it seem like its best to have a guide up there. Smaller stream, or something closer to home, and I'd definitely just give it a shot on my own.

 

[Giventoflyfish]

I was looking for guides myself. This person came highly recommended from someone I know. I haven't called to schedule my trip but when I do, I plan on using him.

www.troutboundguideservice.com

 

[Alpabuck]

Ben Turpin nuff said. No really though Ben is a great guy I've fished with him many times and he knows the Big very well. PM me and I'll give you more info!

 

[greenlander]

Alpabuck wrote:
Ben Turpin nuff said. No really though Ben is a great guy I've fished with him many times and he knows the Big very well. PM me and I'll give you more info!

The fact that Ben is an Orvis endorsed guide is definitely a plus, but he doesn't seem as focused on the Delaware as the other recommended guides who seem to primarily focus on the Delaware system.

You've been out on the D with him several times with good results, I take it?

 

[jerseygeorge]

The hardest working guide that I have ever fished with is Adrianne LaSorte. When everyone is pulling off the river after their 8hr float, Adrianne is just getting going. I book two years in advance for prime dates, but like anyone he gets last minute cancellations.

He works hard, and knows every square inch of the river system.

http://www.fishadrian.com/

 

[greenlander]

Wow, seems like good choices abound. Now the difficult task of choosing which one! 🙂

Thanks again to all for the advice.

 

[JeffK]

The ones recommended are good, but I like Ken Tutalo and the guides at the Baxter House (baxterhouse.net) - they are on the Delaware every day and are on top of things.

I also like Darren Rist. However, he only guides part time.

The good guides book up early so it is a good idea to have some options. Basically all the guides I know up there that guide full time for 5 or more years are decent - they wouldn't be in business if they weren't. I have had one bad experience with a short timer, but then I got the trip for free since I won it at a TU function.

I think hiring a guide now and again is worthwhile - especially in the Delaware tailwaters where slightly different tactics are used than on your home waters (i.e. a reach cast is needed for regular success). However, the quality of experience will strongly depend on communicating honestly with the guide. Be clear about what you expect and what your skill level is and the guide will be better prepared to help you.

 

[afishinado]

Greenlander,

A guide is nice, and fishing from a drift boat is a good way to explore a section of the River, but it's expensive. One thing to look out for, since you are fishing next month (June), it is very likely that the River will be too warm in the Main Branch, and the West Branch may be too low to float. Spending all that money to wade fish with a guide is not worth it, IMO.

Any decent FFer can have a decent day on the D River. I recommend you buy the book "Fly-Fishing Guide to the Upper Delaware River" by Paul Weamer. It pretty much tells all you need to know about fishing spots, hatches, methods, etc. Also check with the local fly shops and their reports for up-to-date info.

Good luck on your trip. Post a report.

 

[greenlander]

afishinado wrote:
Good luck on your trip. Post a report.

afishinado,

I always took the Upper D as not much of a wading river. If that's not true, I'd be happy to learn otherwise.

My last float trip was 6 years ago on the Clark Fork in MT, so I'm not typically a float trip kind of guy, but I was under the impression that was the best way to fish the Upper D.

Oh, and I'm looking to get out before June. Hopefully in the next 2 weeks.

 

[vcregular]

One other thing of note re the D and trout fishing. By mid-May and beyond, the river, for the most part (except for maybe when the Iso are on), is really a morn and eve affair. It ain't like a western river, where you can pound up fish all day long on attractors. Rather, your fishing can be rather concentrated in the low light hours, like many other more typical freestoners in this part of the world. Now the west branch is a bit different due to the cold water and daily sulphurs mid-day'ish. This is not a knock against the D, but just the way it is. And I am a huge fan of the river. Love it.

One time a buddy of mine was on a float with a guide on the D and the guide turned to him and said, 'welp, I guess we are gonna have to wait until the sun goes down behind the mountain.' Mind you, this was noon!!! Memorial Day Weekend time frame. That said, you can fish till well after dark on some of the slick pools, if you ride the light right.

 

[afishinado]

greenlander wrote:

afishinado,

I always took the Upper D as not much of a wading river. If that's not true, I'd be happy to learn otherwise.

My last float trip was 6 years ago on the Clark Fork in MT, so I'm not typically a float trip kind of guy, but I was under the impression that was the best way to fish the Upper D.

Oh, and I'm looking to get out before June. Hopefully in the next 2 weeks.

Greenlander,

The D IS a great wading River if levels permit. I wade 90% of the time on the River. The River is at a decent wading level right now, and the chances are very good that the levels will be low enough to wade when you fish it in a few weeks.

The West Branch, the section just below the dam is the coldest section, and the Main Branch warms with the hotter weather. The East Branch is 100% in NY State so I didn't mention that. You need a NY license to fish it. But it also warms in the hot weather, more so than the WB.

My point was the River (WB) may be too low for a drift boat, and wading guide trip is rather lame (IMHO). You can catch fish on your own (just buy the book I mentioned in my previous post).

Also, VC makes a good point. In the warmer weather, it is likely that 90% of your fish will come in first and last hours of the day. Good luck on your trip, whichever way you choose to fish it.

 

[JackM]

With so many good choices offered, I would consider calling each of the guides you favor and "interview" them briefly. Tell them what you are looking for in a guide and gauge your decision on the responses you get. The guide-sport relationship is crucial and it isn't always a good match no matter the guide's talent with fishing issues.

 

[greenlander]

vcregular wrote:
Now the west branch is a bit different due to the cold water and daily sulphurs mid-day'ish. This is not a knock against the D, but just the way it is. And I am a huge fan of the river. Love it.

This being the case, would many of you suggest just fishing the W. Branch for a first trip, and floating the main branch at a time of year when the fishing is good throughout more of the day?

If the E. Branch is a good option, I also don't mind the NY license, as I'll probably make a trip up to Pulaski in the fall (which I'll then subsequently regret and complain about for 3 months). 😉

 

[afishinado]

greenlander wrote:

vcregular wrote:
Now the west branch is a bit different due to the cold water and daily sulphurs mid-day'ish. This is not a knock against the D, but just the way it is. And I am a huge fan of the river. Love it.

This being the case, would many of you suggest just fishing the W. Branch for a first trip, and floating the main branch at a time of year when the fishing is good throughout more of the day?

If the E. Branch is a good option, I also don't mind the NY license, as I'll probably make a trip up to Pulaski in the fall (which I'll then subsequently regret and complain about for 3 months). 😉

If you're going in the next 2 weeks like you posted above, I would guess all 3 branches would probably fish well. It may be tough booking a guide on short notice though. If you do hire a guide, he will be able make a decision on where best to fish. Also, don't be shy to tell him what type of fishing you like best; a good guide will factor that in to his decision.

Here's a daily River report that's pretty truthful about fishing, hatches and conditions. Things change quickly though.

http://www.catskillflies.com/stream.html

Good luck.

 

[JeffK]

I would tell the guide what you are looking for and listen to his recommendations about where to fish. They know what is happening and will try to match where they fish to what you want and the current conditions. That's why you hire a guide.

I would also do the guided trip the first day and pick the guides brain on what is up on the rest of the system. You will have all day to chat and the guide will know how you like to fish after spending some time with you. Much better than the quick standard line you will mostly get at a fly shop when they are busy. For example, the hatches are mostly at dusk, but the day can be extended by fishing pocket water with nymphs for rainbows and juvenile browns. Pick the guides brain about options for when things are quiet. Look at your guides fly box (always peek into a guide's fly box every chance you get!) and try to learn as much as possible. The real value of a guide is in the skills you learn, not the fish you catch that day. The skills last forever.

In many guideboat situations the guide boat gets you to places where access is difficult. The actual fishing may be wading if the water is on the low side.

A New York license may be a good idea since that opens up fishing the freestones like the Beaverkill and Willowemoc. Sometimes in June the freestones may be more active, especially mid day. Once again, ask your guide. There are sections of the Beaverkill that are a zoo and sections where you hardly see another soul. A local guide usually can give you a "secret" spot or two.

 

[sight_nymph_17109]

I haven't had a guide but was going to suggest Adraienne, Ken, Ben or give Coz a call. VC is right. During late May-early Sept, you'll have to really work for fish when the sun is high. The first 90 min and the last 90 min of the day will be where you make hay. It is expensive but a good way to see the river (so much posted land) and learn a bit more about fishing it. If you like it, you'll be prepared for later in the year or next season.