West Branch Delaware River – June 2009
Another year another Spring trip to the West Branch of the Delaware River. This year’s trip included about 14 members from our Canandaigua Trout Unlimited Chapter. As always everyone had a great time fishing with each other and enjoyed their stay at the West Branch Angler.
Every year I think I have learned enough from the previous year to think I can conquer the West Branch. Every year the West Branch teaches me a lesson. This year I learned how important it is to have long leaders (at least 12 foot), to cast down stream to a rising fish, and to learn how to nymph between hatches (make sure you are scraping the bottom with your nymph). These lessons prevented me from getting closed out of fish on this trip. In total I caught 6 fish two of which were of any size. That may not sound like much but for me it was a victory. I know I have more to learn but the West Branch is such an incredible challenge and beautiful place those victories are very rewarding.
In fact this video shows how challenging the West Branch can be. Watch as my friend, Dave, gets shut out by 3 very large brown trout. If you have ever fished the West Branch you will feel Dave’s pain. Watch and weep.
Here are some pictures from this year’s trip:
