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Upper Delaware Report - END OF MAY 2019

Casting dries in the evening

Casting dries in the evening

The season on the Upper Delaware River system has been in full swing now for the past several weeks. The River Range Adventures team has been guiding every day on various stretches depending on the ever-changing conditions. We had a strong showing of Hendricksons and Blue Quills this year — especially on the tailwaters — however the fish seemed to respond better on the West Branch.

So far the East Branch has been more spotty with several good bug days resulting in only a few rising fish. It seems that the higher flows from a full capacity reservoir have put the fish into a weird feeding mode. The consistent dry fly fishing has come in only a few spots with some sneaky risers here and there (but thats part of the fun hunting large fish with surface flies). Now, however, the lower CFS has really got the trout in the east looking up.

High Vis Hackle Spinner

High Vis Hackle Spinner

The West Branch has produced consistent surface activity as expected — with certain days being more difficult than others. Our custom spent caddis patterns have worked well on picky fish along with high-vis hackle spinners.

Match the Hatch

Match the Hatch

Hooked up to a Large Rainbow

Hooked up to a Large Rainbow

Beaver Del

Beaver Del

The storms and high water of early to mid May produced periods of great streamer fishing. We tested some new articulated patterns and experimented with new hook setups that definitely increased the amount of actual hookups.

Carnivore

Carnivore

Upper Delaware Rainbow

Upper Delaware Rainbow

The recent lower water — along with periods of high sun — has allowed for stretches of efficient nymphing. The riffles are very defined and our anglers can target water that is sure to have more densely concentrated trout populations. Bright and shiny flies have worked best under the sunny conditions.

Although the Toad mating season has been in full swing for over the last two weeks — only very recently have we had the right water conditions and temperatures to begin night fishing with large deer hair frog flies in hopes of triggering a carnivore brown. With temperatures now reaching into the low 60s during the afternoon — the night fishing potential has improved significantly.

March Brown

March Brown

March Browns and Sulphurs have taken the bug spotlight as of late — with Green Drakes right around the corner. This is the best period of dry fly fishing during the entire year up in the Catskills!

Call 203-554-5853 or the Beaverkill Angler today to book a trip!

Float Season

Float Season

#RiverRangeAdventures

#wherethewildstillholdsdominion

Wednesday 05.29.19
Posted by DAKOTA RICHARDSON
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