Upper Delaware, Delaware/Wayne Counties, 8/19-8/21
- Thread starter fisherboy3
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I fish with DaveS from the forum. He fished both the Delaware and the SoHo. Catch numbers on SoHo were much better but they were all smaller fish. A good day there migh be 35 fish. A good day on the D might be as little a 5 fish. Does the D have big fish? Asking that question tells me you didn't do very well when you visited it. The SoHo may hold bigger fish (27" - 30"+) but they stock the hell out of it if I'm not mistaken. The Delaware system gives up a brown close to or over 30" every year. I had one 26.25" last year and catch quite a few 21"-24" every season. They are not easily fooled and most of the bigger fish come at low light conditions or in horrible weather....times when your average Joe won't venture out. The average is pretty close to 16". Just about any newbies I've taken have left the river saying 'well, that's the biggest trout I've ever caught. Its premier dry fly fishing and very difficult to meet with success on a regular basis. It's definitely not for everyone. I have had days of 20 fish with nothing smaller than 17". Pretty hard to match that kind of fishing without going out west.
Below are some of the pics I was able to find on my phone. To me, those are pretty quality fish. **DISCLAIMER** the fish pictured do list the river they were caught in. Yes, the 'west' does have more photos but it doesn't indicate that it's the better fishery.....just happened to have more photos from that branch.
Below are some of the pics I was able to find on my phone. To me, those are pretty quality fish. **DISCLAIMER** the fish pictured do list the river they were caught in. Yes, the 'west' does have more photos but it doesn't indicate that it's the better fishery.....just happened to have more photos from that branch.
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That's Ben from WBA. He posted giant after giant on his Facebook page this spring. He was getting then when the water level was really low. It helps when you live there and can spend countless hours finding big fish holding lies.
jk,
It's not just that river system. The Beaverkill, Neversink and Esopus are in the same vicinity and offer equally good fishing. In state and much closer, we have the Lehigh and some sections of Pine or Penns The Yough if you want to drive further west. There are several more that I'd get scolded for listing. They are all around you.....just got to know where / when to look. We have access to plenty of good fish.
Like camdogers posted.....fishing up there has ruined it for me. I probably don't trout fish in PA more than twice a year. Fishing time is limited so I give myself the best opportunity to catch quality fish when I go.
If you plan to spend more time up there, be prepared for more heartbreak......crazy flows, bright sun, bad water temps, high winds, etc. Spend 5 days up there and one of the days might greet you with favorable conditions......maybe.
It's not just that river system. The Beaverkill, Neversink and Esopus are in the same vicinity and offer equally good fishing. In state and much closer, we have the Lehigh and some sections of Pine or Penns The Yough if you want to drive further west. There are several more that I'd get scolded for listing. They are all around you.....just got to know where / when to look. We have access to plenty of good fish.
Like camdogers posted.....fishing up there has ruined it for me. I probably don't trout fish in PA more than twice a year. Fishing time is limited so I give myself the best opportunity to catch quality fish when I go.
If you plan to spend more time up there, be prepared for more heartbreak......crazy flows, bright sun, bad water temps, high winds, etc. Spend 5 days up there and one of the days might greet you with favorable conditions......maybe.
fisherboy3
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- Jun 9, 2009
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I was there for 3 days. Not one of them had favorable conditions. First day was bright sun followed by downpours, killing the evening hatch. Second day was bright sun and 20 mph winds, also followed by downpours in the evening. 3rd day was just bright sun. If only every day there could be 70 degrees, cloudy, and 0-5 mph winds. Life would be good.
fisherboy3
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- Jun 9, 2009
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- 712
Andy, check your pms.
troutpoop
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- Jun 23, 2010
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- 697
I too have been spoiled by the D. I still enjoy fishing in PA closer to home but it is all with thoughts of returning to the D.
I only spent four days there just prior to the drilling mess up. I didn't catch a ton of fish but I really enjoyed the experience.
Next year I will have a season license and return 2 or 3 times.
I only spent four days there just prior to the drilling mess up. I didn't catch a ton of fish but I really enjoyed the experience.
Next year I will have a season license and return 2 or 3 times.
JohnPowers
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- Jun 9, 2007
- Messages
- 489
When they're keyed on something 3/4" below the surface It can be maddening but then there was Hendrickson time 1995 when the whole pool at the lower game lands was rising. Like the 101st at Bastogne, completely surrounded by rising fish. Big fish a few feet from the bank. River taught me fish are everywhere. The knotweed has been a tragedy though.
