May 4th-6th Fishing Report

[MACFLY]

Well

I finally got back on the stream after an extended layoff. Sunday afternoon took a drive up to the west branch and arrived around 6:00pm. After checking in at the west branch angler, I got onto the water around 6:30pm. Fished just before the bend at the end of the riffles. Caddis on the water until the sun went down. Spinner fall picked up after that but it was fairly brief. Spotted about a half dozen fish working in front of me and a couple just upstream. No takers but I did manage to get some casting time in on the stream.

Monday: put in just below the 191 bridge and floated to Buckingham. Bright sunny day with a little wind that picked up on a few occasions but wasnt too bad overall. With the bright sun and no clouds I didnt expect much. Apple Caddis were everywhere for much of the day and to my surprise the fish were looking up. Mostly at the end of riffle sections or the tailouts but also in the shaded areas on the stream. Water was low and gin clear. Fish were spooky (ok that my excuse for this fishing trip). My main goal for this trip was to get back into the more technical fishing. I have not been on the D for a number of years and the fishing out west on most streams is a good deal easier. We stopped just above stockerton to hunt some fish that were working between some boulders. I counted roughly 10 fish in a 25 yard stretch. I put the first 3 fish down with an ugly cast. Finally got a decent reach cast in and piled the slack onto the line. The current seams were exposing my game in a major way. One fish took a spent wing caddis and I promptly broke him off on the hook set. I was about 3 seconds late on the next fish. I watched the last fish I targeted for about 5 minutes. He was doing the clasic porpoise rise and it seemd like 2-3 seconds passed between the time I saw his snout and his tail. In other words this fish was a toad. First cast was short and second one was too far above the fish. 3rd cast was dead on and he ate but I was late to the game again. I managed one brown about 14 inches for the day. My arm was sore and my ego was bruised but it was great to be back on the stream again. We parked in the middle of the river to spot some fish and eat lunch. We saw a bald eagle come down about 25 yards downstream and take a fish off the surface. Very Cool!!! Only 3 other boats that I recall plus one pontoon boat. About a dozen guys wading. Apple Caddis, spent wing, caddis pupa, hendrickson emerger, and rusty spinners.

Tuesday: Checked out around 10:00am Didnt fish first thing in the morning as I had to let the Aleve work and let the shoulder loosen up. Decided to fish my way down the the poconos. I ended up at Ressica falls and found some nice pocket water to fish. Had several takes on the BHPT and managed one to the net in a couple of hours fishing. Creek looked in good shape despite minimal rain. There were about 7 cars in the lot and I would guess a dozen or so folks fishing. Apparently the spot I was in was popular since a couple of guys came in above and below me. No worries though.

I would love to get back up some time in May again. I definitely got my bubble burst but I was not surprised. I heard that Al Caucci has sold his business but dont know who is buying. I was told the operation would continue. All in all it was great to get back out there.