The WB has officially seen its day

[flyI4]

Anyone else experiencing the entirely frustrating days on the West branch of the D the past 2 weeks? Blizzard hatches and fish totally ignoring them for most of the day with sporadic activity from late afternoon til dark? Even when you do find a riser, there are 1000 bugs going over him in the 2 minute span it takes for them to rise twice to even give you a shot, at which point you decide fuck it here is my Iso take it or leave it fish. this is usually prime time sulpher activity with the heaviest part of the hatch and fish that are willing to eat them throughout the day. Its fishing like August up there already, very tough with flurries of action at best. I've even been hunting down the poor isolated bastards in the dream catcher back channel trying to find a fish that hasn't been harrassed to the point of refusing to rise to a fly. Btw, I got that fish and his jaw was half ripped off anyway from a streamer that got him 2 weeks ago. Frustrating stuff up there, I'm ready for salmon fishing in a few weeks.

 

[Lonewolve]

can't have the kind of pressure its been getting and have quality fishing on top. Too many driftboats, & wade fisherman pounding them into submission to the point that they refuse to rise, or they inspect every aspect of the drift or fly pattern. If you Aren't catching them and I have seen you fish then they are really tough.

 

[MACFLY]

Was planning to float on Monday and Tuesday next week. Now I'm depressed

Anyone else experiencing the entirely frustrating days on the West branch of the D the past 2 weeks? Blizzard hatches and fish totally ignoring them for most of the day with sporadic activity from late afternoon til dark? Even when you do find a riser, there are 1000 bugs going over him in the 2 minute span it takes for them to rise twice to even give you a shot, at which point you decide fuck it here is my Iso take it or leave it fish. this is usually prime time sulpher activity with the heaviest part of the hatch and fish that are willing to eat them throughout the day. Its fishing like August up there already, very tough with flurries of action at best. I've even been hunting down the poor isolated bastards in the dream catcher back channel trying to find a fish that hasn't been harrassed to the point of refusing to rise to a fly. Btw, I got that fish and his jaw was half ripped off anyway from a streamer that got him 2 weeks ago. Frustrating stuff up there, I'm ready for salmon fishing in a few weeks.

 

[dcabarle]

Anyone else experiencing the entirely frustrating days on the West branch of the D the past 2 weeks? Blizzard hatches and fish totally ignoring them for most of the day with sporadic activity from late afternoon til dark? Even when you do find a riser, there are 1000 bugs going over him in the 2 minute span it takes for them to rise twice to even give you a shot, at which point you decide fuck it here is my Iso take it or leave it fish. this is usually prime time sulpher activity with the heaviest part of the hatch and fish that are willing to eat them throughout the day. Its fishing like August up there already, very tough with flurries of action at best. I've even been hunting down the poor isolated bastards in the dream catcher back channel trying to find a fish that hasn't been harrassed to the point of refusing to rise to a fly. Btw, I got that fish and his jaw was half ripped off anyway from a streamer that got him 2 weeks ago. Frustrating stuff up there, I'm ready for salmon fishing in a few weeks.

I'd give just about anything to be in your position catching no fish on the WB. I'm stuck with Jersey City instead.

 

[Blue_Halos]

Hi all, new to NEFF.

I just started fishing the WB this year after moving east, has the pressure been significantly worse than in previous years? Is it the high water? Other than wading access at times, it's seemed pretty great to me.

 

[flyI4]

Hi all, new to NEFF.

I just started fishing the WB this year after moving east, has the pressure been significantly worse than in previous years? Is it the high water? Other than wading access at times, it's seemed pretty great to me.

Simple answer is yes, the pressure has become significantly worse, especially with boats. As a result, the surface activity on the stream has become far more inconsistent than it once was. The hatches are always there, the fish just don't seem to care at times, and that has become an increasingly more common occurrence. At time this season, I even saw fish ignoring hendricksons coming down by the millions with water temps at 52 degrees. Considering the river was at 250 cfs and looked like the salmon river that day, I cant blame them for settling for the millions of nymphs/caddis pupa that were floating past them that day.

 

[Trout Nazi]

Perfect flows up there for the last 3 weeks on all of the rivers, and you fools have just been pounding the West Branch? You all deserve to catch nothing.

 

[flyI4]

I totally forgot all the good guys that know it all only fish the upper east branch and lower mainstem, maybe occasionally float the lower east branch just to piss off the property owners down by Ray's. I think you're forgetting how often I get to fish. I hit the EB too buddy don't worry, and my dad will be thrilled to know he's joined "the club" of catskill pros when he landed this beast with me last week. I know those upper east branch fish are so selective and require the utmost of skill ,but somehow this blind man with a shot to shit rotator cuff pulled it off.

 

[joeyd]

Fly14 hate to call you out but your complaining now about the crowds and that fish are not rising. You along with a few others, all you guys do is blow up that river. You post pics from every outing you go on and every trout that you catch. Now you complain? Keep telling your hero stories about how many fish you caught on streamers or how many fish you catch in march on drys.then think to yourself, "why is it so crowded"

 

[Lonewolve]

Joey, The internet has ruined a lot of places so has the magazines that yearly repeat the same thing over and over. Lucky for us all is that we don't have to pay for a beat an be stuck to fish that water yet. They do across the pond an they pay dearly

 

[joeyd]

Point proven!

 

[joeyd]

I totally forgot all the good guys that know it all only fish the upper east branch and lower mainstem, maybe occasionally float the lower east branch just to piss off the property owners down by Ray's. I think you're forgetting how often I get to fish. I hit the EB too buddy don't worry, and my dad will be thrilled to know he's joined "the club" of catskill pros when he landed this beast with me last week. I know those upper east branch fish are so selective and require the utmost of skill ,but somehow this blind man with a shot to shit rotator cuff pulled it off.

Point proven!

 

[Trout Nazi]

I totally forgot all the good guys that know it all only fish the upper east branch and lower mainstem, maybe occasionally float the lower east branch just to piss off the property owners down by Ray's. I think you're forgetting how often I get to fish. I hit the EB too buddy don't worry, and my dad will be thrilled to know he's joined "the club" of catskill pros when he landed this beast with me last week. I know those upper east branch fish are so selective and require the utmost of skill ,but somehow this blind man with a shot to shit rotator cuff pulled it off

True, I'm not the "pro" guide posting hero shots and sharing my vast knowledge every week, but while all you catskills know-it-alls were obviously blowing it, and then bitching about, on the west branch, I was putting fish in the boat while not seeing another boat all day. I don't really have to have your scary skills to pick a place where everyone else isn't.

 

[jack1266]

I was there in mid May. The guys at the DRC said that the WB was the busiest they have seen it in 10 years. I wade and don't drift. I personally don't expect to catch anything until after 7pm on the WB. The WB has frustrated me more than any other river. I ran into a few locals on the upper EB who said they won't go to the WB anymore because off all the boats. They put the blame on Weamer's book.

 

[flyI4]

I agree the Internet doesn't help, but physical changes on the river had been the most influential. For instance:

1) the barking dog ramp has been terrible. Not only does it allow for more waders than ever there... But it completely changes the approach to floating the upper river. No reason to rush down anymore, you can hang up top and take your sweet old time

2) dream catcher lodge essentially wipes out any untouched day time sulpher water to just about the hale eddy bridge .


3) the pontoon boat has become the new drift boat and ppl with them can take out wherever. This further limits the water most ppl can't get to.

 

[lightenup]

I haven't had a chance to go to the Upper Delaware system to fish yet...I have been out west, and to a few interesting places.....after reading this thread, you fellas have fun, I'll stick to PA and Jersey for my fun.....


a good ole' NEFF throw down, keep it coming!!!!!!

 

[flyI4]

True, I'm not the "pro" guide posting hero shots and sharing my vast knowledge every week, but while all you catskills know-it-alls were obviously blowing it, and then bitching about, on the west branch, I was putting fish in the boat while not seeing another boat all day. I don't really have to have your scary skills to pick a place where everyone else isn't.

When you fish once a week, its ok to blow it now and then by taking a lazy float and anchoring up at your cabin for some beers and a BBQ.

 

[Blue_Halos]

Thanks for the info on how things have changed. I can't really complain about the extra pressure when I'm also new and on the river a lot...but it's interesting to hear about the difference.

Besides, a 1-2 fish day is still a good day, everything else is a bonus. At least I'm not at work.

 

[Trout Nazi]

When you fish once a week, its ok to blow it now and then by taking a lazy float and anchoring up at your cabin for some beers and a BBQ.

So what are you gonna do with the place now that the fishing officially sucks?

 

[Trout Nazi]

I haven't had a chance to go to the Upper Delaware system to fish yet...I have been out west, and to a few interesting places.....after reading this thread, you fellas have fun, I'll stick to PA and Jersey for my fun.....


a good ole' NEFF throw down, keep it coming!!!!!!

You should really fish up there. There are ass-hat free spots to fish, and if you know how to fish, you'll catch them, its not black magic. Don't let these fools form your opinion of the place.

 

[MACFLY]

Just curious about point number 2. Why does dreamcatcher mess up the sulphurs down hakes eddy

I agree the Internet doesn't help, but physical changes on the river had been the most influential. For instance:

1) the barking dog ramp has been terrible. Not only does it allow for more waders than ever there... But it completely changes the approach to floating the upper river. No reason to rush down anymore, you can hang up top and take your sweet old time

2) dream catcher lodge essentially wipes out any untouched day time sulpher water to just about the hale eddy bridge .


3) the pontoon boat has become the new drift boat and ppl with them can take out wherever. This further limits the water most ppl can't get to.

 

[flyI4]

Just curious about point number 2. Why does dreamcatcher mess up the sulphurs down hakes eddy

Because it fills the 17 pool all the way down to the back channel with wade fisherman. My cabin is a mile and change below there and I've noticed a drastic increase in wade traffic around that stretch, many of which have stated they got in from dream catcher. That section used to be a safe zone so to speak with less people/less pressured fish.

 

[comparadun]

joeyd.....I couldn't have said it better myself.......

Fly14 hate to call you out but your complaining now about the crowds and that fish are not rising. You along with a few others, all you guys do is blow up that river. You post pics from every outing you go on and every trout that you catch. Now you complain? Keep telling your hero stories about how many fish you caught on streamers or how many fish you catch in march on drys.then think to yourself, "why is it so crowded"".......right on joeyd.

DRC has the nerve to state that they have not seen the WB this crowded in over 10 yrs......gee....wonder why fellows as they BS in their blog daily....as does everyone else....on and on and on.

As I've said many, many years ago......why?......you are ruining your own fishing pea brains....I've told you people to keep your mouths shut....but....NOOOOOO....you want to be a star?......shit.....you know very little
about fishing here and all you have accomplished is overcrowding, banana boat/stinktoon city, fish more wary than ever to feed, no sanctuaries left for our fish......ohhhh......that's ok.....just keep abusing the system until it totally collapses..........good pristine fishing in the Upper Delaware.......history. Thanks jackasses.

Nothing but the facts...................CDun

 

[Everybody's Friend]

They put the blame on Weamer's book.

Books bad.

 

[trico mike]

We are all guilty of pressuring streams everytime we go fishing. I think there are a lot of factors that decide whether the fish will rise or not and pressure is just one of them. Stable flows,water temperature,cloud cover,barometric pressure to name a few.Im sure we all have had days when there were bugs everywhere and no risers and other days when there were only a few bugs and the fish rose all day. I go to the farmy sometimes and the fishing pressure is insane but the fish still rise all the time unless the water is too high or cold. This spring brought some amazing hatches in the poconos but very few fish rose to them because the water temps were not where they should have been. I was really beginning to think the fish were gone. Then the temps came closer to normal and the rivers lit up.

 

[Future Fanatic]

Because it fills the 17 pool all the way down to the back channel with wade fisherman. My cabin is a mile and change below there and I've noticed a drastic increase in wade traffic around that stretch, many of which have stated they got in from dream catcher. That section used to be a safe zone so to speak with less people/less pressured fish.

You used to guide for the DRC, or am I mistaken? Do you still guide?

 

[Pete]

I'm having a hard time thinking of the upper Delaware system as a "secret spot".

I remember reading glowing reports about it in generalized "Outdoor" magazines as early as the 1970s.
Not specialized fly fishing publications, but things like Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, and Sports Afield.
The reports and articles were much more enthusiastic than anything you ever read here.
None of them complained about when the fishing was crappy, that doesn't sell magazines.

C-dun may be old enough to remember having the place to himself, but the cat's been out of the bag longer than most people here have lived... certainly longer than the existence of a public internet.

IMHO: Since internet forums, like this one, also include reports on "lesser" streams that don't get the attention of the outdoor media, we may be taking some of the pressure off your precious Delaware.

 

[Trout Nazi]

We are all guilty of pressuring streams everytime we go fishing. I think there are a lot of factors that decide whether the fish will rise or not and pressure is just one of them. Stable flows,water temperature,cloud cover,barometric pressure to name a few.Im sure we all have had days when there were bugs everywhere and no risers and other days when there were only a few bugs and the fish rose all day. I go to the farmy sometimes and the fishing pressure is insane but the fish still rise all the time unless the water is too high or cold. This spring brought some amazing hatches in the poconos but very few fish rose to them because the water temps were not where they should have been. I was really beginning to think the fish were gone. Then the temps came closer to normal and the rivers lit up.

Will you please stop bringing common sense into this discussion? Theres no place for it here.

 

[Trout Nazi]

You used to guide for the DRC, or am I mistaken? Do you still guide?

Everybody here is a guide. Where have you been? Starting today, I am also a guide.

 

[JeffK]

I'll be the iconoclast. I don't think it is the Internet. There are less fishermen, but more serious fishermen who pound the water more often and have better skills. Plus, for ever there have been hot spots and less crowded spots - and these change over time. The serious fishermen figure the hot spots out, internet or not. They have done it for generations. When the hot spots get crowded, go to the less popular spots. There are plenty of them. Then word will get out and voila, a new popular spot. As Yogi Berra said, "nobody goes there anymore, it is too crowded."

The Saucon had the same issue. Was a great trico stream, but then the pressure was so great it was the first stream I saw where the fish didn't surface feed for the trico spinner fall - they only grabbed sunk spinners after the first week. Bushkill was similar. Great pools were so pressured the fish turned off after the first one was caught. But then again, other formerly popular spots were less crowded. Such spots will not be named here.

Have to keep exploring. People, even fishermen, are sheep and head to the same places. Everything changes. Streams change, hatches change, weather changes, popularity changes. Got to keep moving to find where fishing is good right now.