I love to fish dry flies over highly selective, wild fish. No other aspect of angling is even a close second for me. After the cast and mend as you coax your fly into the feeding lane the anticipation is incredible. I am completely obsessed. With that being said, anything that will facilitate this obsession is a good thing right? I had my doubts. Kranefly and I have added a new tool to our Delaware River arsenal this year, a 16’ drift boat. I’ll be the first to admit that I was skeptical before we made the purchase. It’s quite comical that after 25 years of combined fly fishing, neither one of us had ever stepped foot in a drift boat. We had been kicking the idea around for years and this spring it came to fruition. After the maiden voyageas I was sold. I will spare you the advantages and drawbacks because they are irrelevant. That fact of the matter is that seeing the giant tail-waters of the Catskills from this perspective is dramatic and puts a whole new spin on things. It is a blast learning how to maneuver the boat and setting your buddy up on the bow to present a fly to fish that were unreachable to us forever. Our floats this week were awesome, in addition to seeing 13 miles of the East Branch for the first time, we also landed several wild fish, watched bald eagles sail through the valley and even spotted a black bear and her cub strolling down the bank. I’ve realized that it is important to keep things fresh and exciting and the addition of the boat has rekindled my passion for the outdoor experience. Looking forward to learning more new water this season and seeing it from a different perspective.
Whip – A fish of that caliber, on the dry fly from that specific river system is deserving of the utmost respect. The Delaware River System humbles even the best fly fisherman on a daily basis. I know you have been humbled and paid your dues many times over on that river. Well done brotha, welcome back.
whippa,
nice to see you are back at it. ” I will spare you the advantages and drawbacks because they are irrelevant.” Well the photo certainly shows a relevant advantage.
I trust this outing indicates you are feeling better. Glad to hear it.
Helluva fish, Dave! Great to see the new addition is working out.
James
Great fish! I really love the Delaware River but I have only been once and just could not avoid spooking fish. The 14 foot leader and a flawless presentation did not happen for me. Frustration and Delaware Browns are synonymous. Congrats!!
Whip, thats an unreal fish….from the big d nonetheless. I love how you and kranes went in together on the drift boat. I can’t wait to see some more fish tales from new water only accessable by the boat. Nice going, and welcome back brotha’!
Great job Whippa!! Beautiful fish!
Amazing job man, and great to see a beautiful brown on the boards from you again. I agree drift boats change the perspective entirely and are critical tools for accessing the vast majority of pools. Alex
whip,
Astounding Brown! I feel your excitement with the future adventures in the drift boat. After several years on the oars of a McKenzie 18′ I have decided to wade it, leaving the haul-in, haul-out to the younger guys. There’s no platform better though…
It’ll be a whole new river for you now!
Whip that is a scary brown. What an accomplishment on the dry. Glad the new drifty is working out for you and naughty nate.
A fine fish indeed. What’s even better than the fish was the the way it all went down. Spotting the enormous bank sipper as we drifted down an amazing piece of water. At least a dozen different species of mayfly and caddis coming off. A 40′ backhanded cast with a quick upstream mend in super slow water. A perfect drift directly into the fishes feeding lane. Barely a dimple as the fish accepted whips offering. And then all hell broke loose. One of those moments that go down in slow motion. One of the finest moments in dry fly fishing I have ever witnessed. Should keep my mind occupied until our next outing. You were on top of your game when it counted most!
Remember those calls you would get on sunday evenings, on my way home, crying the blues about missing hooksets on the three fish that ate all weekend. paid dues for sure. it can be a love hate thing for sure. Mostly love know with the boat though.
Austin, you have to make your way to this river, the fish are incredibly strong.
Pete, I will not forget that sequence for the rest of my life…the only fly that fish was going to eat was 100% drag free. Can’t wait to get after it again. peace
That is a PIG. As tought as those fish are landing one like that is well earned.
HELL of a fish. I have to agree with the first few sentences of your story. I was up North last weekend and found myself in a similar situtation, but for rising brookies. Nothing like a big cast leading to a perfect drift and a take.
My drift boat virginity will be taken this summer as well, looking forward to it. Take care.
New season, new boat in tow, good to see you up on the board again, with a absolute slob of a Brown!
That’ll be burned into your memory for sure.
Congrats on a hard earned fish my friend…
sweet brown whip! i love those fish. hope to see you on the water soon.
when he see the “little” prize you pulled out of the atlantic last night … you might see him sooner than you think .. whip’s been known to make a spring dash to the salt …. 🙂
Nice Brown! The only way to fish the Main Stem is from a boat (IMHO). The river is so big, access opportunity’s so limited, and fishing to BIG fish w/ dry flies with 1 or 2 friends too much fun. It’s also nice to have your cooler with you!!