HydeLowRider
Member
I decided to make the now ordinary road trip to the Delaware River system, once again. The agony of defeat and (sometimes victory) is becoming an aphrodisiac.
Here are the summary details for you fly fishing junkies:
1.) I made road trip up Route 191 from Honesdale. Needed to get away from traffic and stop by nearest watering hole - Lydia’s to eat dinner and take in the local flavor. I recommend their wraps for a quick bite.
2.) I hit Stockport on Mainstem from 7sih until 10ish -- fishing into the dark. Water temp was around 69-70 degrees. Water level was an easy wade across to main channel.
3.) I am wondering what in the hell is that monstrosity of building (please do not tell me that this is a house -- whoever designed this box has got to be smoking something) next to the banks of Delaware Mainstem? Lodge? Army barracks? Parking garage?
4.) Flies starting to pop off around late 8ish -- noticed small olives in size 18 on down, Hydropsyche spent caddis and adult caddis dipping and diving on water. Most importantly, at least to the working trout, Sulphurs in size 16 on down were the key insects that fish started to work on during this time period.
5.) Fish were performing their typical ritual in this area. First couple of fish would pop-up, sometimes consistently in one area, sometimes working their way up stream. After about an hour and around 9ish, the fish started to break everywhere. I am not talking massive amounts of targets, but they started to break around me from bank to bank.
6.) Casting required me to focus on hitting targets quickly (what else is new) and use curve and hook casts to minimize drag.
7.) Hooked a few, landed none on size 16 Sulphur emerger.
Next day, I hooked up with DC and fished Deposit area of WB for most of afternoon. Noticed that water was in mid to upper 50's in this area with fish breaking once in a while in main current. Need to put a shout-out to DC for showing me the ropes to this area. Typical tail water fishing -- cold water, spring creek tactics, thin tippets, etc. Needless to say fishing was better than catching - no hatches to speak of during that time period.
Later, DC and I fished Hales Eddy pool and we noticed a lot of small rainbows targets swiping at caddis emergers/adults. Highlight of the day was seeing a downpour head downriver just up from bridge, hit a couple of canoeists (crocodile tears here). The conclusion to the storm was seeing an incredible rainbow just 50 yards downstream on WB for a few moments. Additionally, it seemed that the release momentarily was higher during this time period. Coupled with the downpour, my hope was for better things downriver.
Later that early evening, DC and I hit Lydia’s to refresh our caloric intake. Believing that a float on the Delaware on the Hyde Low Rider was more hassle than necessary due to water flows, water temps and minimum time period of when targets are available) we decided on my judgment to visit Stockport again.
What I noticed was that the river flows and water level was significantly higher than the night before. Water clarity was slightly stained comparatively as well. Water temp was about 69-70, level was higher.
Like the previous evening, targets started to show again. I was successful in hitting a solid 16" Rainbow that was strong and made a great series of runs down and up. DC was working the water further downstream. Need to state, however, that I was wading in water up to my upper chest area and the challenge to even make casts to these trout was -- how do I say -- ball busting.
Here are my final thoughts for you junkies out there:
1.) Guys are even coming from N.Y.C. to get a shot at the Rainbows on Delaware system, for a short evening of fishing. It is reassuring that I am not the only idiot who decides to travel long distances for a few hours of glory.
2.) You better know beforehand what the fish are going to work that evening. Guesswork should be made quickly and correctly, or you are going to be disappointed. This river system is not for the neophytes. GET A GUIDE, or hookup with someone who is in the know.
3.) Fish in the evening and prepare to stick it out. If bats, things that go bump into the night cause you to question your sanity, I sympathize.
4.) Some local guy for the past two weekends, while wandering up the Delaware river bank always shouts out to me (in pitch dark): "Hey Jack, is that you Jack?". Just an FYI, my Father's name is Jack, my name is HydeLowRider. I think he is starting to understand, finally.
5.) Saw a lot of baby brown trout on Main stem AND a lot 6 inchers in Hales Eddy area that are supposedly making their way into the feeders. Interesting and positive news.
Just the facts ma'am....
Here are the summary details for you fly fishing junkies:
1.) I made road trip up Route 191 from Honesdale. Needed to get away from traffic and stop by nearest watering hole - Lydia’s to eat dinner and take in the local flavor. I recommend their wraps for a quick bite.
2.) I hit Stockport on Mainstem from 7sih until 10ish -- fishing into the dark. Water temp was around 69-70 degrees. Water level was an easy wade across to main channel.
3.) I am wondering what in the hell is that monstrosity of building (please do not tell me that this is a house -- whoever designed this box has got to be smoking something) next to the banks of Delaware Mainstem? Lodge? Army barracks? Parking garage?
4.) Flies starting to pop off around late 8ish -- noticed small olives in size 18 on down, Hydropsyche spent caddis and adult caddis dipping and diving on water. Most importantly, at least to the working trout, Sulphurs in size 16 on down were the key insects that fish started to work on during this time period.
5.) Fish were performing their typical ritual in this area. First couple of fish would pop-up, sometimes consistently in one area, sometimes working their way up stream. After about an hour and around 9ish, the fish started to break everywhere. I am not talking massive amounts of targets, but they started to break around me from bank to bank.
6.) Casting required me to focus on hitting targets quickly (what else is new) and use curve and hook casts to minimize drag.
7.) Hooked a few, landed none on size 16 Sulphur emerger.
Next day, I hooked up with DC and fished Deposit area of WB for most of afternoon. Noticed that water was in mid to upper 50's in this area with fish breaking once in a while in main current. Need to put a shout-out to DC for showing me the ropes to this area. Typical tail water fishing -- cold water, spring creek tactics, thin tippets, etc. Needless to say fishing was better than catching - no hatches to speak of during that time period.
Later, DC and I fished Hales Eddy pool and we noticed a lot of small rainbows targets swiping at caddis emergers/adults. Highlight of the day was seeing a downpour head downriver just up from bridge, hit a couple of canoeists (crocodile tears here). The conclusion to the storm was seeing an incredible rainbow just 50 yards downstream on WB for a few moments. Additionally, it seemed that the release momentarily was higher during this time period. Coupled with the downpour, my hope was for better things downriver.
Later that early evening, DC and I hit Lydia’s to refresh our caloric intake. Believing that a float on the Delaware on the Hyde Low Rider was more hassle than necessary due to water flows, water temps and minimum time period of when targets are available) we decided on my judgment to visit Stockport again.
What I noticed was that the river flows and water level was significantly higher than the night before. Water clarity was slightly stained comparatively as well. Water temp was about 69-70, level was higher.
Like the previous evening, targets started to show again. I was successful in hitting a solid 16" Rainbow that was strong and made a great series of runs down and up. DC was working the water further downstream. Need to state, however, that I was wading in water up to my upper chest area and the challenge to even make casts to these trout was -- how do I say -- ball busting.
Here are my final thoughts for you junkies out there:
1.) Guys are even coming from N.Y.C. to get a shot at the Rainbows on Delaware system, for a short evening of fishing. It is reassuring that I am not the only idiot who decides to travel long distances for a few hours of glory.
2.) You better know beforehand what the fish are going to work that evening. Guesswork should be made quickly and correctly, or you are going to be disappointed. This river system is not for the neophytes. GET A GUIDE, or hookup with someone who is in the know.
3.) Fish in the evening and prepare to stick it out. If bats, things that go bump into the night cause you to question your sanity, I sympathize.
4.) Some local guy for the past two weekends, while wandering up the Delaware river bank always shouts out to me (in pitch dark): "Hey Jack, is that you Jack?". Just an FYI, my Father's name is Jack, my name is HydeLowRider. I think he is starting to understand, finally.
5.) Saw a lot of baby brown trout on Main stem AND a lot 6 inchers in Hales Eddy area that are supposedly making their way into the feeders. Interesting and positive news.
Just the facts ma'am....
Last edited:
