Where is everyone?

[Trout Nazi]

The graveyard is 2 blocks down and on the right? What happened here? The important people are here, of which I am one. I haven’t fished yet this spring since I’m currently a gimp. Aside from the overly optimistic Catskill reports on the usual websites, how has the fishing been there? I haven’t been able to wade because of my gimpiness, the high water did not help this situation, and my buddy with a boated moved. Far. However, this weekend I might pop some meds, suck-up the pain and make an attempt. How has it been? Bugs? Any spinners?

 

[lightenup]

The graveyard is 2 blocks down and on the right? What happened here? The important people are here, of which I am one. I haven’t fished yet this spring since I’m currently a gimp. Aside from the overly optimistic Catskill reports on the usual websites, how has the fishing been there? I haven’t been able to wade because of my gimpiness, the high water did not help this situation, and my buddy with a boated moved. Far. However, this weekend I might pop some meds, suck-up the pain and make an attempt. How has it been? Bugs? Any spinners?

Yes, use spinners, Rapalas to be exact, and yes there are lots of bugs, so bring some spray, deet works the best....

 

[Trout Nazi]

Yes, use spinners, Rapalas to be exact, and yes there are lots of bugs, so bring some spray, deet works the best....

Thanks for confirming. My original plan was to roll in heavy with the Mepps Black Fury and Aglia longs (with bucktails), and also throw some Lucky Craft's. I like to keep all the treble hooks on and razor sharp, I don't play.

 

[lightenup]

Thanks for confirming. My original plan was to roll in heavy with the Mepps Black Fury and Aglia longs (with bucktails), and also throw some Lucky Craft's. I like to keep all the treble hooks on and razor sharp, I don't play.

Don't forget your Panther Martins...

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Dry fly action has not set the world on fire so far this spring, at least locally. Catskills have largely been high water, but that is now mostly on the tailwaters. Drifting has been the way to go, but like you, I don't own a boat. Sulfurs are on local NJ waters, but I have yet to see a strong hatch. Tons of caddis as normal, but it's mainly the mayflies that will make them look up (or not) right now. At least our water levels are back to normal or close. More rain in a few days on the way.

What did you do to become a gimp?

 

[dcabarle]

Fishing on the D is a shit show right now. Don't bother. I saw this one guy post a pic of a West Branch stocked brown with a tail that looked like the piranha got to it.

 

[Future Fanatic]

Fishing on the D is a shit show right now. Don't bother. I saw this one guy post a pic of a West Branch stocked brown with a tail that looked like the piranha got to it.

So what you're saying is we should be swinging huge brown trout streamers with big ol' articulated tails in the hope of catchin' piranha?

WHO predicted THIS type of spring?

 

[Trout Nazi]

Dry fly action has not set the world on fire so far this spring, at least locally. Catskills have largely been high water, but that is now mostly on the tailwaters. Drifting has been the way to go, but like you, I don't own a boat. Sulfurs are on local NJ waters, but I have yet to see a strong hatch. Tons of caddis as normal, but it's mainly the mayflies that will make them look up (or not) right now. At least our water levels are back to normal or close. More rain in a few days on the way.

What did you do to become a gimp?

I survived the ski season mostly in tact, however a high-speed crash on my MTB took me out. The newer bikes enable you to carry alot more speed, which is both a good and a bad thing. Made hamburger meat out of my quad.

 

[Trout Nazi]

Fishing on the D is a shit show right now. Don't bother. I saw this one guy post a pic of a West Branch stocked brown with a tail that looked like the piranha got to it.

I'm not a big West Branch guy, I prefer the big river when conditions allow, because it always seems like a shit show on the West Branch. As of right now, conditions don't look like they allow, which makes me feel a little better. Plus the spots I like to fish on the Big River require burning alot of boot felt to get to.

 

[flyI4]

I'm not a big West Branch guy, I prefer the big river when conditions allow, because it always seems like a shit show on the West Branch. As of right now, conditions don't look like they allow, which makes me feel a little better. Plus the spots I like to fish on the Big River require burning alot of boot felt to get to.

One good thing about this year is the higher flows have made the lower east fishable again- past couple seasons its been a dont bother situation. Not a numbers thing over there but I've taken a couple 22-24'' over there this season and have seen some decent bug activity. Upper EB also fishing well with quality bugs this spring

 

[Trout Nazi]

One good thing about this year is the higher flows have made the lower east fishable again- past couple seasons its been a dont bother situation. Not a numbers thing over there but I've taken a couple 22-24'' over there this season and have seen some decent bug activity. Upper EB also fishing well with quality bugs this spring

One of my best days ever was on the Upper EB. If conditions allow, I'd preferentially float the Upper EB over the WB. I haven't been to the WB in years.

 

[TR]

Q: Where is everyone?

---------

A: Everyone is at Balls Eddy.





Kind regards and tight lines!

 

[Future Fanatic]

---------

A: Everyone is at Balls Eddy.


View attachment 12485


Kind regards and tight lines!

Good to see that the current flows really spreads people out within the system.

 

[dcabarle]

Good to see that the current flows really spreads people out within the system.

I was going to respond with something similar. I was on the Mainstem on Saturday. I've never seen so many inexperienced people in drift boats These cretins are clearly from the Saxton Falls opening day area. They rudely pull up right next to you, KURPLUNK, spook all the fish I've been watching, wait a minute or two, look at you and say, "No bugs, no fish", then pull up the anchor and splash away downstream because they don't know how to row. Fucking idiots.

I'm thinking if you have a hundred bux in your pocket, you can rent a drift boat. There seems to be an endless supply of idiots who think they know how to fish and to add to the misery, they think they what they're doing.

 

[oasis man]

I have fished the WB and Mainstem for 25 years, and this is the first year that I did not fish the Hendrickson hatch. It used to be that safe wading on the WB was considered to be 500 cfs or less.... now resorts are pushing 1000 cfs as "wadeable".
It is also the first year that I have not read a single positive fishing report on this site...I wonder what's going on??

 

[TR]

*

-------

You needed a boat this year.

Look at the attached chart.

Since April 1 2017 through today - May 22nd - a total of 52 days - the West Branch at Hale Eddy USGS - was over the 52 year median (orange triangles) 89% of the time.

eg:
46 days out of 52 days.

Tight lines.
TR

 

[emoussa]

I have fished the WB and Mainstem for 25 years, and this is the first year that I did not fish the Hendrickson hatch. It used to be that safe wading on the WB was considered to be 500 cfs or less.... now resorts are pushing 1000 cfs as "wadeable".
It is also the first year that I have not read a single positive fishing report on this site...I wonder what's going on??

I'm sure it's all good. People just bitch alot. About everything. It gets worst every year.

 

[Trout Nazi]

I'm sure it's all good. People just bitch alot. About everything. It gets worst every year.

It was crowded this weekend. Even when its crowded, there are places to wade, but require a little sweat and creativity to get to. This weekend I had to fish where everyone else was (not on the WB) because of accessibility and easy wading. I still caught fish though, but had to work a little harder. That mid-day spinner fall helped though.

 

[Future Fanatic]

I'm sure it's all good. People just bitch alot. About everything. It gets worst every year.

Cabarle!!!
Did you read what he said about you?!?!

 

[CTobias]

Dry fly action has not set the world on fire so far this spring, at least locally.

Now when you say "dry fly", do you mean bobbers? Bobbers and bait usually work well for me.

 

[CTobias]

I was going to respond with something similar. I was on the Mainstem on Saturday. I've never seen so many inexperienced people in drift boats These cretins are clearly from the Saxton Falls opening day area. They rudely pull up right next to you, KURPLUNK, spook all the fish I've been watching, wait a minute or two, look at you and say, "No bugs, no fish", then pull up the anchor and splash away downstream because they don't know how to row. Fucking idiots.

I'm thinking if you have a hundred bux in your pocket, you can rent a drift boat. There seems to be an endless supply of idiots who think they know how to fish and to add to the misery, they think they what they're doing.

Sooo...what you're saying is you want me to drag my jet sled back there and run the river?