The very name “Delaware River” evokes emotions in fly anglers running the gamut from total elation to complete despair. This fishery is the birthplace of American fly fishing. There is something romantic about the thought of Theodore Gordon and Lee Wulff wading the same flows and pitching their flies, to the same seams and drifts that I do on a weekly basis. I have had the opportunity to fish some of the most technical spring creeks, freestone streams and tail waters in this country and I have come to one conclusion, the Delaware is truly a study in trout behavior. The quantity and quality of aquatic invertebrate in this river are paralleled only by a handful of rivers in the Northeast and Rocky Mountain States. The browns that inhabit this system are more wary and educated than your average resident fish. They will drop downriver in the current with the drift of your fly for five feet and usually find a reason to refuse it. I have witnessed this fishery bring the most seasoned, veteran anglers to their knees. The fact is you may only get one cast at a 20+ inch trout that is sipping duns off the surface. Not only are you throwing 60 feet of line every cast but your tippet is tapered to 6x and in low light conditions it can be a struggle to see your offering. If you have the slightest bit of drag in your presentation you could put that fish down for at least an hour. The hunt is just as intense as stalking Cape buffalo on the African plains.After five years of trying to crack the code on this river my friend Nate and I have really come into our own. Like anywhere else you journey to fly fish, 10% of the anglers are catching 90% of the fish. As of the past two seasons on the big “D” we are finally in that 10% group and it feels really good. Keep in mind we miss around 70% of all takes, so for every three fish landed seven are not even pricked. Not only are we consistently hooking and catching fish every trip, they are also over 20” which is a major accomplishment in anyone’s book down there. Last trip I watched Nate work a fish for three straight hours in the morning to no avail. He returned to that same spot for the last three hours of light. After at least 300 to 400 casts he struck pay dirt and was rewarded with a 23” Brown that was as wild and impeccable as any trout you would land on the South Island of New Zealand. This is a testimonial that perseverance really pays off.I am a Steelhead addict through and through. Slowly but surely I have come to realize there is nothing quite like a wild Delaware brown on a dry fly. Pound for pound they give Great Lakes Steelies a serious run for their money. Unbelievable acrobatics and blistering runs into your backing is the rule rather than the exception. I can’t wait until this weekend. I am truly strung out on this fine fishery. If any of you guys have ever considered a trip to the big “D” I would highly recommend it. World class fish, in world class waters
sweet…across the board…phenomenal photography and very enjoyable read. i can;t wait to get down there and fly fish with you guys…all those wild trout, long leaders, long casts, all dries, no room for error, plenty of space and tough to trick trout….i will be down in a week or so:)
I was doing a little digital research and ran across this…….now i am definately coming down….i want to be there when those big drakes are coming off…
“The entomology of the Big “D” is absolutely incredible. Almost every eastern species of insect can be found on this river. The variety of habitat and cold water creates great hatches of Mayflies, Stoneflies and Caddis. On some nights, the hatches are so thick that it’s difficult to see. So, you must know your entomology in order to be successful. It’s common to see complex hatches with a number of different types of insects on the water each night. And don’t miss the Hendrickson or Green and Brown Drake hatches each spring. Blue-Winged Olives, Sulphurs and Tricos fish well during different times of the summer, and there always seems to be some type of Caddis or Stonefly on the water. The Delaware River system is a dry-fly fisherman’s dream.
Although most focus on the Delaware’s amazing trout fishing, I like to call attention to the fact that it’s also an incredible warm-water fishery. Below the cold-water zone, the river still has great bass fishing. Larger numbers of good-sized large- and small-mouth bass can be caught during most months of the year. The former New Jersey State record Musky also was caught in this river. As fishermen approach the lower end of the river, they can catch striped bass. There have even been reports that striped bass were caught in the cold-water zone, which is more than 220 miles from sea. Each spring, the shad make their annual run up the river to spawn, giving fishermen the chance to do battle with this powerful species of fish. Fishermen should realize that this river offers much more than just trout fishing.
When fishing this river system, don’t get frustrated. There’s many a night on this river when fish are rising everywhere and the fishermen can’t touch them. I’ve seen this river humble some of the finest fisherman. These wild fish are well educated and very selective when feeding. I believe that’s what makes it so special, and it’s what keeps fishermen coming back. Once you’ve experienced an evening on this river, you will come to appreciate the Delaware trout and look forward to return time and again. “
In case you did not see it in the previous post…..here is why i am DEFINATELY coming down sometime very very soon.
“THE HATCHES ARE SO THICK THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE!”
Great article whippa! I would love to hit up the big “D” someday. Sounds challenging. The pictures look great. Thanks for sharing.
what a great read. someday, i hope, my fishing skills will be honed enough to challenge these types of technical waters.
glad you are doing so well there.