Delaware River - Wayne County - 5/11 to 5/16

[dryflyguy]

With the recent drastic flow reduction on the Big D, I couldn't wait to get up there - for the first time since last April.
And the long drive was well worth it.
With the WB running at 460 CFS, and main stem at 1300 CFS, it was very easy to wade and reach risers almost anywhere.

I expected to be fishing march browns, gray fox, and sulphers.
But was quite surprised to find hendricksons still hatching - in the middle of may!
And the fish were looking for them. The majority of my hook ups were on them.
I'm guessing that the river being so high and cold most of the spring, delayed their emergence quite a bit

There were also BWO's, apple and tan caddis. And nice spinner falls several evenings.
And I caught some fish on them too.
But a red quill pattern was usually the ticket.

Despite the hot weather - temps in the mid eighties most of the week - the water temps remained quite cold.
WB usually measured around 55. And the main stem in the lower 60's.
And I was pretty much able to find risers all day long, despite the bright sunny conditions most of the week.

I did well on the main stem and WB.
But the fish on the main stem ran smaller than usual for some reason.
The WB however, was really good. And I spent most of my time on it

Probably the best trip I've ever had up there!

 

[afishinado]

Very nice DFG.......good for you.

By most accounts, the D-River hatches have been behind schedule this season compared to more normal (weather) years.

 

[wbranch]

I was up May 08 to noon May 13. I witnessed the worst crowding conditions on the main stem from Shehawken to Buckingham. Drift boats, both guide and personal as well as one and two man rafts and pontoon boats everywhere. Fishing was only fair. It was very windy on Tuesday the 10th. By the time we hit Cemetery I lowered the motor and basically we motored out. I love my new lithium battery.

I didn't catch a lot of fish but did land ten browns, all while wading, from 16" to 19". The flow was too low to enjoy your float by Wednesday. I strongly disagree with anyone floating the WB when the Hale Eddy flow is under 500 cfs. Most private drift boat owners row carelessly through slow pools, some guides do too, and it just ruins the dry fly fishing. You can see wakes emanating, across the pool, with every oar stroke. One guide and one private boat owner just flat out ignored me when I asked them to push out towards the middle so as not to put my fish down. The guide had a lame reason and the private boat rower hung his head down while his buddy glared at me. F him and I hope they got the skunk and sank the boat.

At these flows and ever increasing popularity of the WB I stayed home this week.

 

[afishinado]

I was up May 08 to noon May 13. I witnessed the worst crowding conditions on the main stem from Shehawken to Buckingham. Drift boats, both guide and personal as well as one and two man rafts and pontoon boats everywhere. Fishing was only fair. It was very windy on Tuesday the 10th. By the time we hit Cemetery I lowered the motor and basically we motored out. I love my new lithium battery.

I didn't catch a lot of fish but did land ten browns, all while wading, from 16" to 19". The flow was too low to enjoy your float by Wednesday. I strongly disagree with anyone floating the WB when the Hale Eddy flow is under 500 cfs. Most private drift boat owners row carelessly through slow pools, some guides do too, and it just ruins the dry fly fishing. You can see wakes emanating, across the pool, with every oar stroke. One guide and one private boat owner just flat out ignored me when I asked them to push out towards the middle so as not to put my fish down. The guide had a lame reason and the private boat rower hung his head down while his buddy glared at me. F him and I hope they got the skunk and sank the boat.

At these flows and ever increasing popularity of the WB I stayed home this week.

I hear you WB. I fished the Upper D river since I was a teenager in the 70's. I lived a short drive away and fished it all the time. Each year that passes I have less and less of a desire to fish the River. I still go up there once in a while, but it seems to get worse and worse with each passing year.

 

[CLSports]

I agree WB. The lower flows of 500 cfs on the WB brings out more wading fisherman. Boats and wading fisherman have less room to spread out and avoid each other. I try to be as respectful as I possibly can when drifting past wading anglers and provide a wide berth and gentle oar strokes, but there is always someone that takes issue with your good intentions.

 

[wbranch]

I agree WB. The lower flows of 500 cfs on the WB brings out more wading fisherman. Boats and wading fisherman have less room to spread out and avoid each other. I try to be as respectful as I possibly can when drifting past wading anglers and provide a wide berth and gentle oar strokes, but there is always someone that takes issue with your good intentions.

When fish are rising in a foot of water and boats continually go over them they disappear. They can't get into a rising rhythm. Flows of over 700 give the fish more sense of safety and there is much more flow. They may stop rising for a few minutes but almost always come back to feed. I'm glad I'm old and have experienced the greatness of the system. It is only going to get worse...if that is possible. Lately offers to buy my cabin are becoming much more attractive.

 

[JimNovo]

I fished the WB on the 18th and 19th out of Dreamcatcher. The 18th was amazing as caddis came off all day with a blizzard from 5-7pm. Fished to risers from 11 AM to 8 PM. Tough, smart fish, but I had my best day ever for number and size of fish (denominator is only 3 years of fly fishing). The 19th was colder due to the overnight rain but the bugs came later in the afternoon. Still caught a few nice browns early, and struggled in the PM with challenging fish.

The boat traffic was light. But there were lots of waders who were respectfully spaced out and very friendly to talk to and share experiences with. Lots of fish to cast to (absolutely incredible number!). Yes it’s becoming a more popular river, but I am so amazed at the dynamics of flow, temperature and bugs on those gorgeous trout. When 80% of your fish are 14-18” it’s hard to not want to fish this system even if there are other anglers around. And it is incredibly technical fishing. You need to work so hard to fool a fish. Your pattern and drift and presentation need to be perfect to get one to rise for your fly.

I know I only have limited experience compared to almost everyone on this forum, but this river system is my favorite for so many reasons.

 

[dryflyguy]

I had no problems with boaters during my week long visit.
Everyone who floated by me usually went out of their way to give me as much space as possible - often asking which side they should go past me on.

I chatted with many of them - sharing information on what was happening up and down the river.

 

[wbranch]

Most drifters, pros and private owners, are very polite and try to favor the wader. Just like in any group there will be a few people who feel entitled to do what they want when they want it. If that means not willing to float quietly behind me or push out away from me then I have to suffer through it. Maybe they will be able to live a long life like I have been blessed to enjoy.

 

[JohnPowers]

One very unpleasant interaction with goons in a boat in 35 years. Given that the hatches are incredible, fish huge and within driving distance of tens of millions it’s a miracle it’s still wonderful.

 

[wbranch]

But it is very crowded regardless of how many rising fish there are. I've chosen to not fish it until the WB flow is at least 700 cfs. If it doesn't hit that target flow I'll fish elsewhere.

 

[BoulderWorks]

Wbranch, I totally agree with your sentiments. West Branch of Delaware should not have drift boats or any other boat. Period. Release from Shehawken down Delaware or Main Delaware East Branch - when water temperatures are safe - i.e. below 63 or lower. It is a circus beyond belief on the consistent lack of respect for the ecology, fishery, and wading fisherman along the entire system by incompetent boat rowers. Saddening.

 

[CLSports]

Wbranch, I totally agree with your sentiments. West Branch of Delaware should not have drift boats or any other boat. Period. Release from Shehawken down Delaware or Main Delaware East Branch - when water temperatures are safe - i.e. below 63 or lower. It is a circus beyond belief on the consistent lack of respect for the ecology, fishery, and wading fisherman along the entire system by incompetent boat rowers. Saddening.

I am not sure I understand any of this . . .

 

[JohnPowers]

I don’t travel to fish. I can get skunked locally for free. I understand in Montana if you can see another fisherman your crowding. Jeez. An old hand just posted he didn’t catch many….only 10 to 19 inches. Think about that. Every single bug in Art Flicks book and 10 more. Just had a disk replaced…in my spine, not my reel So it’ll be awhile before I get up to that awful depressing river. FYI…they go through the front to get to L-5. Who knew.

 

[wbranch]

"FYI…they go through the front to get to L-5. Who knew."

Nope, I never knew that but my discs between L1 & L5 have collapsed over the years and now my once 6' 1" stature has been whittled down to 5" 10".

Regarding this comment "I understand in Montana if you can see another fisherman your crowding." Those days of idyllic days immersed in cold Rocky Mountain rivers is long gone, a thing of the past. On many of the Montana rivers I have fished you may often see many anglers plying the waters. Fortunately there are so many more trout per mile compared to the Delaware that you don't need to be trying different spots or worry about someone getting too close to you.

 

[JohnPowers]

Are they fused? I hope your able to get some relief. This episode started May, 2019 in the lower game lands lot on the WB. I could not get my waders on. I’m praying this the solution….jeez…I’m only 74.

 

[wbranch]

Are they fused? I hope your able to get some relief. This episode started May, 2019 in the lower game lands lot on the WB. I could not get my waders on. I’m praying this the solution….jeez…I’m only 74.

I'm taking heavy duty prescription pain meds and have an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon this Friday.

 

[dano]

I'm taking heavy duty prescription pain meds and have an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon this Friday.

Good luck. Hope it works out well.
I had the lower 3 discs replaced with spacers and fused. They were able to trim the other 2.
This was done in 2009. The discs were pancaked after a fall from a roof in 2006.
End result is that I can walk without my legs going numb and the pain level was cut in half.