I was very pleased with this years trip to the West Branch of the Delaware River. No matter what happens the trip is always a learning experience and I always enjoy the company of my fellow Canandaigua Trout Unlimited friends.
This year my strategy was to nymph deeper water in the morning then move up the river to catch the mid afternoon sulfur hatches. Reports were telling us that the colder water up towards the damn was producing earlier hatches. Sulphers, BWOs, and caddis were the predominant hatches. This year I was able to land a couple large fish (under 20″) and several smaller fish. None of them disappointed in strength and difficulty. Both large fish caught, jumped several times and took out a lot of line. The West Branch’s wild trout are always a thrill to catch.
The flies that were successful for me were, Prince Nymph, Rusty Spinner, Sulfur Spinner, and Sulfur Emerger. The spinner flies were the most sucessful when the Cedar Waxwings were in full feeding mode above our heads. It is always important to have long leaders (12′ plus), wade very slowly, and fish above the rising fish. Also don’t be surprised to find the largest fish in shallow water.
If you haven’t booked your trip to the West Branch Angler, I recommend you do so. You will experience one of the most difficult but most rewarding rivers in all of the United States. Good luck and tight lines.
