upper lower east branch

[greg s]

Heading up to the East Branch tomorrow below the dam near Shinhopple for a weekend at Pepacton cabins and looking forward to some cold water and cooler weather. I have started fishing there on my Catskill trips more, I like the lack of boat traffic and the clear water, and found a great place to stay if you're a fisherman.

 

[dcabarle]

Heading up to the East Branch tomorrow below the dam near Shinhopple for a weekend at Pepacton cabins and looking forward to some cold water and cooler weather. I have started fishing there on my Catskill trips more, I like the lack of boat traffic and the clear water, and found a great place to stay if you're a fisherman.

I've never been up that far. Please let share some pictures of the area and the cabins! The fish are a bonus.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

I've floated Downsville covered bridge to Harvard often in Spring when flows allow. It's a very intimate river up there compared to most of the upper D tailwaters and a nice change of scenery. I mostly float it when there's enough water, but have also waded which is harder to find open water as much of it is private.

 

[dcabarle]

I've floated Downsville covered bridge to Harvard often in Spring when flows allow. It's a very intimate river up there compared to most of the upper D tailwaters and a nice change of scenery. I mostly float it when there's enough water, but have also waded which is harder to find open water as much of it is private.

Which is why I don't float the EB. Because so much of it's private, even parking a car is a challenge. Plus, you might get smacked into by Dr. Robert E. De Fillipis! lol.

 

[greg s]

I think there has been more fishing rights secured by the DEC in the last few years. If you go to the DEC info locator site, you can see the pink shaded areas where you can fish, some of them don't show parking, but there are a few pullouts on 30 in addition to the parking on the link below . I was surprised how much there is, but you do have to hoof it up and down the river to get to good water in some places. Some places you have to cross the river and stay on the far bank to keep going, but that is not a problem to cross. There is good water at these cabins and they are right on the river, and you can walk at least a mile up that way and downstream a ways also and be on public access stream bed. I stayed there once before this summer and it was perfect for a fishing trip.

DECinfo Locator

 

[greg s]

OK, here are three inside the cabin and one looking from the porch toward the river, which is about 100' away. Had a great weekend, but unfortunately, since I have not been carrying a net for many years, it is very hard to take a picture, particularly when using a 15' leader. But I did catch a coupe of nice fish in the 16-18" range in addition to several smaller ones(both rainbow and brown trout), and that is a great weekend of fishing to me. I may go ahead and get back into the net scene since I want to be able to show neff members that I actually do occasionally catch a fish here and there. Also, sulfur hatch was good Friday night with and a little lighter Saturday night, but most of the fish I caught on top. There was a good kayak/small raft hatch on Saturday, but that doesn't bother me. They were all having fun and so was I. Plus, they are all gone by Prime Time. Lots of great water and a great place to stay if you are fishing. No parties, no tv, no cell service there(you can ride down the road if you have to make a call). I like it that way. The husband and wife owners are very nice people, definitely run a nice operation, and get a lot of fisherman. I'll be back second weekend in August, and then some more before it gets too cold for me.

 

[dcabarle]

OK, here are three inside the cabin and one looking from the porch toward the river, which is about 100' away. Had a great weekend, but unfortunately, since I have not been carrying a net for many years, it is very hard to take a picture, particularly when using a 15' leader. But I did catch a coupe of nice fish in the 16-18" range in addition to several smaller ones(both rainbow and brown trout), and that is a great weekend of fishing to me. I may go ahead and get back into the net scene since I want to be able to show neff members that I actually do occasionally catch a fish here and there. Also, sulfur hatch was good Friday night with and a little lighter Saturday night, but most of the fish I caught on top. There was a good kayak/small raft hatch on Saturday, but that doesn't bother me. They were all having fun and so was I. Plus, they are all gone by Prime Time. Lots of great water and a great place to stay if you are fishing. No parties, no tv, no cell service there(you can ride down the road if you have to make a call). I like it that way. The husband and wife owners are very nice people, definitely run a nice operation, and get a lot of fisherman. I'll be back second weekend in August, and then some more before it gets too cold for me.

I have to ask... There is one photo where it looks like my grandmother took the picture (See photo with finger over lens!). lol.

Okay so.... Can you see the river from the cabin or is that what you're hiding with your finger?

How much to stay in this place? It looks cozy. Do they allow pets?

The boaters used to bother me but over they years I just learned that we have to share the river. Most of them are out having a good time and more often than not, I'll joke around with them and tell them they have to share their beer. 100% of the time so far, they've all offered (I've never taken one though because I don't like to drive home with alcohol in my after baking in the sun for 8 hours). If there were fish rising and they floated over the fish, the fish come back in 5 minutes.

A while back, I had two women in a canoe crash into me while I was wading. We all got a kick out of it and I helped them back into the boat.

I used to be with you, fishing without a net but the fish I was catching just got bigger and bigger so now I carry 2 nets.

 

[greg s]

#1-what do you have against grandmothers?
#2-river is just behind the trees and down a couple of feet in pic 4
#3-125/night
#4-pets OK
#5-if we are there at the same time, you will give me the best spot at twilight and also net my fish.

And about the net, is it fishpond or nothing these days? I had the old style where it was on a bungee, would catch on something while walking along a stream, then cut loose and hit me in the back. That's why I got rid of it. Most of the time I can lead a fish in close in quiet water by the leader, but again, that 15' leader is pushing the limit for that method. I do see everyone unclip theirs these days, I guess there was a major tech advance in net holding design.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

#1-what do you have against grandmothers?
#2-river is just behind the trees and down a couple of feet in pic 4
#3-125/night
#4-pets OK
#5-if we are there at the same time, you will give me the best spot at twilight and also net my fish.

And about the net, is it fishpond or nothing these days? I had the old style where it was on a bungee, would catch on something while walking along a stream, then cut loose and hit me in the back. That's why I got rid of it. Most of the time I can lead a fish in close in quiet water by the leader, but again, that 15' leader is pushing the limit for that method. I do see everyone unclip theirs these days, I guess there was a major tech advance in net holding design.

I bought my first and only net holder, a magnet, some 25 years ago at West Branch Angler. They are hardly "new technology". I hang my Brodin ghost mesh net off my William Joseph pack in the middle of my back and it never gets hung up on anything. I also fish a 14'-15' leader up there.

 

[greg s]

I bought my first and only net holder, a magnet, some 25 years ago at West Branch Angler. They are hardly "new technology". I hang my Brodin ghost mesh net off my William Joseph pack in the middle of my back and it never gets hung up on anything. I also fish a 14'-15' leader up there.

Fair enough, I was being a bit obtuse. By the way, I saw a video of you cow fishing on the West Branch. I do have some insight on that activity. You need a bigger boat.

So what net should I buy?

 

[dcabarle]

#1-what do you have against grandmothers?
#2-river is just behind the trees and down a couple of feet in pic 4
#3-125/night
#4-pets OK
#5-if we are there at the same time, you will give me the best spot at twilight and also net my fish.

And about the net, is it fishpond or nothing these days? I had the old style where it was on a bungee, would catch on something while walking along a stream, then cut loose and hit me in the back. That's why I got rid of it. Most of the time I can lead a fish in close in quiet water by the leader, but again, that 15' leader is pushing the limit for that method. I do see everyone unclip theirs these days, I guess there was a major tech advance in net holding design

I love grandmothers!
$125 a night sounds like a bargain, and especially allowing pets!

I haven't had a vacation in 10 years +... might have to try this place out, and if you're there, I'd be happy to assist the elderly!

I have a Fishpond and a Brodin net. My mother purchased the Brodan for me over 10 years ago for Christmas. I picked up the Fishpond 4-5 years ago because I left home and forgot my net.

So... a quick story here... Gene (The shuttle guy) is the absolute BEST! Ines is also great, and they both love the Canolis I bring them. Anyway... Last year, I get in the river, get down to Junction pool, hook into a monster bow and wouldn't you know it... NO NET. I left it in the car. I reached out to Gene and he met me in Stockport an hour later to deliver my net. Aside from that, Gene and Ines are just great people! That wasn't the first time they bailed me out. I'm actually surprised they're not tired of me yet! I've been using them for over 10 years now to shuttle my cars. If you ever need a shuttle... Gene and Ines are your folks.

I usually fish with a 15 or so foot leader myself. My father built me this amazing 6wt Sage rod a few years ago and it's become my go-to rod on windy Delaware River days. The last rod I picked up was a Sage R8 Core 9.5 5wt. It's a nice rod but it's not the 6wt my father built.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to staying at this place in September, possibly for a few days. If you're in the area, I'll let you put a worm on my stick.

 

[lightenup]

This looks similar to the Slide Inn on the Madison, except they have rafters that run from wall to wall where the roof meets the wall...you can put your rods up there, very convenient.

 

[greg s]

Brodan or Fishpond? Inquiring minds need to know.

 

[dcabarle]

Brodan or Fishpond? Inquiring minds need to know.

Eh... 6 of 1, 1/2 dozen of the other. The Brodin is slightly longer but the net size and opening are identical. I like the nice design on my Fish Pond net. The Brodin is just a wooden net but I suppose a classic. Just depends on what you like. At the end of the day, it's just a net. I should have purchased a new net with a larger opening as the fish I catch don't seem to fit in the basket.

 

[FIN-ITE 34]

I have a Brodin (gone out of business I believe) and replaced it with two Fishpond nets. A Nomad Mid-length and an Emerger. The Mid has a slightly longer handle and the hoop is more round. I carry both in the back loop of my Umpqua ZS2 chest pack. If I am doing a lot of bushwacking I prefer the Emerger with the narrower hoop, as it presents less of a tree banger profile. Otherwise the Mid is great for the huge fish I catch.

 

[greg s]

Thanks for both responses here. The less weight the better for me. I don't see using it for smaller fish, I don't care if a fish shakes off before I have properly landed it as long as I got it close and could see it. I use a ketchum release and have for many years and believe it is a great tool. I prefer to not touch the fish if possible, and if I need to stabilize one before it swims away I can generally do that without taking it out of the water and if it is big enough, by holding it near the tail underwater. But there are times when it is better to actually land the fish. I would like to take some pics, and sometimes a fish takes it deep, and so on. So I'll get a fishpond.

 

[dcabarle]

Thanks for both responses here. The less weight the better for me. I don't see using it for smaller fish, I don't care if a fish shakes off before I have properly landed it as long as I got it close and could see it. I use a ketchum release and have for many years and believe it is a great tool. I prefer to not touch the fish if possible, and if I need to stabilize one before it swims away I can generally do that without taking it out of the water and if it is big enough, by holding it near the tail underwater. But there are times when it is better to actually land the fish. I would like to take some pics, and sometimes a fish takes it deep, and so on. So I'll get a fishpond.

Prefer not to touch the fish!?!?!?! F that! I work hard for my fish and I'm touching it! It's the least I could do.

 

[FIN-ITE 34]

DC gets a chubby when he touches his fish.
I have found that I break off more tippets when trying to unhook a fish and NOT using a net.

 

[dcabarle]

 

[lightenup]

I don't touch whitefish... I find them sickening. Don't know why... eels too, but I know why.

 

[stokes]

Just found this thread. I'm going to Pepacton Cabins on Monday for a 3 day trip. Renting the Waconia Lodge with 2 friends. Hows the fishing right there. Looks to me like it could be crowded? Deep wading? Flow levels are near normal now after the deluge last week. Water temps are good right there, very cold up by Downsville. Gonna be low 60's on Tues, hoping that keeps a lot of the tubers etc at home.

 

[greg s]

I wouldn't worry about tubers and kayaker's. They don't really bother the fish anyway(certainly not more than drift boats) and I doubt you will see any. The water there runs around 54-55. There is good water the at the bend, in front of the Mohican cabin, and upstream a few hundred yards. You can keep going upstream about as far as you want, most of the water for at least two miles up is public fishing rights on both sides of the river. Much of it is easy wading.You will probably have that area to yourself during the week, I go weekends and there might be one or two other people fishing and there might not. If you go around the bed and downstream past the house with the flag pole 100-150 yards there is a nice shelf pool on the right. If you never fished the east Branch, you will find a lot of water that is like a spring creek with weed growth and mud underneath and it may seem barren but it is not. You can access a lot of water when you learn your way around the area. The water is generally very clear and you will want to use a 15' leader most of the time. I will be there over Labor Day weekend. Have a great trip and let us know how you make out.

 

[stokes]

Thanks, Greg. Not worried about the tubers etc scaring fish, just if you get a major rubber hatch it gets annoying. Calling for a high of 62 on Tues, I dont expect too many will be out there. As to the crowd question I was just curious cause when I made the reservation most of the cabins were booked and wondered if that would create a crowd situation at the river near the property. I havent fished a water this big in many years, I tend to do small creeks and rarely if ever see anybody else. Havent used anything bigger than my 2 and 3 wt rods in about 9 years. Taking my 4 wt for this trip and my 3 wt as a back-up. The 2 guys I'm going with dont fly, they'll be using spinning gear, its more as a get together, we havent seen one of them in a few years. Weather is iffy for Mon, tues and wed look great but pretty cool, low 60's but clear. I'll report when we get back.

 

[stokes]

Got back last night, trip was good. Weather wasnt the best but not a washout, cloudy cold occasional showers. Managed to land 2 small trout, 10" rainbow and a 12" brown, and had something spit my fly before I got it close enough to see it, wasnt anything big. Plus a couple of bass out of the pond. Water levels were back to near normal, easy wading, but the steep banks were very muddy, I mostly skied down to the water. All the small cabins were occupied by one group of vacationers, not fishing.The other lodge had 2 fishers but I never saw them on the water, they were upstream somewhere. As for the cabins, we had the Waconia Lodge. Very comfortable, roomy we will definately be going back.

 

[greg s]

Glad to hear you had a good time. You always want to fish last light at the riffle and pool at the bend just below, almost always fish working in there at that time. Staying into the dark would be even better, but I'm too cold from standing in the water by then. While people that fish obviously go there, I never see many nor does it get crowded(that means anybody within a couple of hundred yards of me).