Main Stem Delaware

[Burtbords149]

Happy trout season everyone! I'm heading up to the upper Delaware this coming weekend and I plan on floating the big d in the frame raft I built last fall.

Any tips for someone floating the main for the first time? Not necessarily fishing spots (although always appreciated) but anything that would be useful to know in a float on the Delaware. I floated the west branch a few times last fall when the water was up but haven't done any dry fly fishing from this boat. Any info is really appreciated. I'll be sure to give a full report when I return. Thanks

 

[Trout Fever]

have fun and go head hunting i would start your trip around 1130 or so and plan your distance so you get to the end at dark should be a good time providing this wind gets the hell out of here


TF

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Make sure your boat is fully legal and you have the necessary life vest. I only kayak or drift in buddies' boats, so I don't pay close attention to those things as I know we're always legal. Make sure you can anchor up on rising fish and that you figure out a shuttle to get your vehicle to your take out place. Hendricksons, caddis, spinners, etc. should be on the water in the afternoons. The upper D has plenty of wild trout, so no big secrets on fishing places if you're floating. Just look for rising fish and fishy looking spots if they're not rising.

 

[Burtbords149]

Thanks guys I really appreciate it. Im pretty sure i have all the legally required things but a double check is in order.

I hear all the stories about how the main stem is an entirely different animal than the branches. I'll try to make he best effort I can.

Also I hear a lot that the fish typically don't start rising until late in the day compared to the branches. Any truth to this?

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Also I hear a lot that the fish typically don't start rising until late in the day compared to the branches. Any truth to this?

There's no difference in that regard. Just know that all hatches begin downstream where the water is warmer and work up towards the tailwater dams over time. But if the Hendricksons begin hatching at 1 pm on the upper EB or the WB, they'll hatch more or less the same time on the mainstem.

 

[Trout Nazi]

Dude, don't believe the hype and don't get caught up in the Delaware mania you're seeing here. Just go up there and fish, anywhere. Literally anywhere. There are no secret spots when the bugs are out. Yes, you've been seeing lots of hero shots for the last couple of days on upper D fish, but the dirty little secret is that right now, you have to be a complete dolt not to catch something. You don't need to be an expert (right now that is). There are tons of bugs on the water, and the wind is your friend (if you wade) because it lets you get nice and close. Shit, I went up there with my friend who never fished for trout in his life and he caught 3 legitimate 17" browns (on dries too). A day of casting practice on my lawn and he was off to the races. In a week or so it will all be over, as everyone tries to figure out how to catch fish on sporadic caddis and mayfly hatches on smooth water.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Dude, don't believe the hype and don't get caught up in the Delaware mania you're seeing here. Just go up there and fish, anywhere. Literally anywhere. There are no secret spots when the bugs are out. Yes, you've been seeing lots of hero shots for the last couple of days on upper D fish, but the dirty little secret is that right now, you have to be a complete dolt not to catch something. You don't need to be an expert (right now that is). There are tons of bugs on the water, and the wind is your friend (if you wade) because it lets you get nice and close. Shit, I went up there with my friend who never fished for trout in his life and he caught 3 legitimate 17" browns (on dries too). A day of casting practice on my lawn and he was off to the races. In a week or so it will all be over, as everyone tries to figure out how to catch fish on sporadic caddis and mayfly hatches on smooth water.

That's true, all of it. And don't use 7x or even 6x right now because 5x will be just fine even with the lower water. The winds keep the ripples on the water from showing your tippet to the fish and they haven't been heavily pressured just yet. If the winds are howling, just look for a side channel or bend in the river and you'll get the relief you were looking for. Winds seem to have laid down here in NJ today. Fish are hungry and the hatches are giving them what they need.

 

[Ausablebomber]

I fished the main stem yesterday from Basket to Kellum's Bridge. It is on fire! Landed 5 fish. (2) 20" silver bullets & 3 browns with the biggest being 19" 3 1/2lbs. Back up tomorrow or Friday before the crowd comes.

 

[Ausablebomber]

Had another killer day on the Big D. Netted 4 total. (2) big bows and (2) hugh browns that measured 23"" I'm suspecting that this is due to the mild winter we had. Fish on!

 

[bjmiller]

Where did you float and how was your trip?

Bruce

 

[AKSkim]

Where did you float and how was your trip?

Bruce

Normally I don't bother to look in on any of Burt's posts/threads...

But I see Old BJ Miller posting..

Where the hell you been buck-a-roo !!!???

 

[skipper3245]

went on the PA side near point pleasant today and the water was wayyy up and muddy. Landed 4 stripers and few small mouth on flashy articulated streamers. Saw a lot of striped bass right on the edge flashing even with less than a foot of visibility. It was sweet

 

[Ausablebomber]

I didn't float, I wade the river. I hit quite a few spots. Some better than others. My trip was fantastic! Plenty of fish in the rivers.
Good luck Bruce

 

[bjmiller]

Sorry Ausablebomber, my question was meant for Burtbords. Just wondered how he made out.

AK, I've been fishing quite a bit. I see Dennis once and a while up here on the river and even ran into JoeT last August. You should fish up here once and a while.

Bruce

 

[AKSkim]

I see Dennis once and a while up here on the river and even ran into JoeT last August.

You should fish up here once and a while. You got to be kidding me!

Bruce

Lots of people see DC up there floating by.

He takes other's out in his boat, but...

Good to hear you are out fishing and that you got to see Joe T.

 

[Future Fanatic]

Good to hear you are out fishing and that you got to see Joe T.

"Joe T" is a myth.

Like Bigfoot....

 

[Burtbords149]

Sorry Bruce, I didn't see this 'til now. I didn't end up floating since everything was so low. I waded the lower east and had the river turn on about 2 hours before dark. I got 3 nice fish that made my night. The biggest one is up on the baxter house's fishing report near the end (my Dad e-mailed Ken an iphone pic). I'm looking forward to getting up there again soon.

Mike

Where did you float and how was your trip?

Bruce