I am new to fishing in the river and have been there on three occassions recently looking for smallmouths. Caught a few so far around the island at washington crossing park, as well as some baby stripers, and sunfish, but noting big yet.. all fish were around the island....should i wade out to the middle of the river looking for bigger fish? not sure where to find the majority of fish at this area. any tips on location, flys used, and techniques would be appreciated. Is the middle of the river real deep? walked out at least 30 yards from the isalnd and it was still only about 2 feet...figure it has to get deep if they use motorboats in there.
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Tips on fishing Delaware River at Washington Crossing
- Thread starter rdhj
- Start date
I have not fished the river for smallies much but when I did I used crayfish flies & wooly buggers I tied. I usually fished at the back eddies and slower side currents of fast runs and deep holes with a sinking tip line. They like the slower water. Look for ledges, shelfs and piled rocks that make channels and pockets of slow water. Learn the river 1st W/O your rod so you find places quicker. Then fish the best spots you found. Keep doing this until youve located all the best spots. Check water temps as well.
thanks for the info...been targeting the deeper areas and slower areas around the island....dont really see much in the way of pools until i stop in them...hard to tell whats under the surface unless you walk through it.....anyone fish the main part o the river where the water is fast or is there really no fish out there.....anyone have luck with minnow imitations like clousers or rabbit strips
---------- Post added at 09:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 PM ----------
whats a muffler???
---------- Post added at 09:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 PM ----------
whats a muffler???
Future Fanatic
Nirvana
It must be deep enough, HE had no problems.
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I wish I caught more Delaware fish with flies, but get plenty with lures and bait. Basically it all takes time.
First step: explore, explore, explore until you know the stretch like the back of your hand. Know the deep slots where the fish spend the day. In the deep slot look for points, drop-offs, etc that hold fish. Knowing the general shape of the slots is not enough - it helps to now all the little features where fish hold. Most of these features will be submerged and subtle. During the day I like to fish nymph/crayfish sort of stuff in brown/orange/black colors slow drifted near the bottom. A master jig tier once said every color jig works as long as it is black or brown. Keep it simple. Smallies like a little orange in the mix.
As you are wading around in the shallows take note of where you see the most minnows and bait fish. Come back at night and fish some kind of minnow fly. I like pencil poppers and Gartside Gurglers for the surface hit. Look for swirls and fish breaking. My best fly fishing is at night/in evening when I see fish busting into schools of bait. Those fish are on the feedbag and hit well.
Fish a lot and watch what others are doing. How fast is the water where the fish are hitting? Do the heads or tails of pools seem better? Get to know the pattern the fish use - and keep fishing through the year because it will change.
I like white flies for minnows, but a chartreuse/white Clouser minnow is rarely a bad choice. At night white or black can work.
The only secret I know is to work hard and keep changing your tactics until you find something that works.
First step: explore, explore, explore until you know the stretch like the back of your hand. Know the deep slots where the fish spend the day. In the deep slot look for points, drop-offs, etc that hold fish. Knowing the general shape of the slots is not enough - it helps to now all the little features where fish hold. Most of these features will be submerged and subtle. During the day I like to fish nymph/crayfish sort of stuff in brown/orange/black colors slow drifted near the bottom. A master jig tier once said every color jig works as long as it is black or brown. Keep it simple. Smallies like a little orange in the mix.
As you are wading around in the shallows take note of where you see the most minnows and bait fish. Come back at night and fish some kind of minnow fly. I like pencil poppers and Gartside Gurglers for the surface hit. Look for swirls and fish breaking. My best fly fishing is at night/in evening when I see fish busting into schools of bait. Those fish are on the feedbag and hit well.
Fish a lot and watch what others are doing. How fast is the water where the fish are hitting? Do the heads or tails of pools seem better? Get to know the pattern the fish use - and keep fishing through the year because it will change.
I like white flies for minnows, but a chartreuse/white Clouser minnow is rarely a bad choice. At night white or black can work.
The only secret I know is to work hard and keep changing your tactics until you find something that works.
lightenup
A fan of Boobery
I've done a lot of fishing in the Delaware in the summer from a canoe. I find most of the Smallies in deep moving water. The Delaware has so many deep drop offs that the bass have plenty of places to sit and wait for a meal. I have also caught them in the back eddies and slower water, but I find them mostly in deep moving water.....Good luck, and maybe I'll see you when it gets too warm for trout fishing.
