Short Story - Dorrie and I were going to hike the lower section of the Wapack Trail today but an early morning workout ankle injury to her killed those plans. Nothing really serious but doing that trail was out of the question. We had a long drive on RT 112 into Vermont to checkout the North River (nice stream), went back to Northampton to put things on the grill, build a nice salad and read the Times. In a few hours she said "maybe you should go fly fishing". Maybe it was the far away look that I had in my eyes that made her say that but I was ready like a Navy Seal!
I was a bit tired of the Swift and all the stories about how to catch freshly stocked trout. Let's face it. Anything dumb works except my guys caught trout on flies that they will take 2 months from now. We caught lots of trout. Now it was time for the EB!
In short, I fished from 5:30 to 8:30 pm and took 8 on DRY FLIES missing two others. The bows were the size of the bows dumped into the Swift last week BUT these guys had been in the river for two months. They were conditioned to this river! So were the Brookies!! All fought hard and ran away when released. Another EB regular had a great day starting at 3pm and continued after I left. I saw him fight and lose a bow that exited the water like an explosion. I was 200 yards away when I saw that!
Fish this river and the Millers in the evening until mid September for best results. "But I have only one day to fish and I can't wait till 5pm to start". Understood - Try this. Get up early in the morning and fish the Swift. Have a good day and then at 4pm drive up RT202 to Wendell Depot and do the Millers or head out on RT 9 and do the EB. Switch the 2 wt for a 4 or 5 wt and do the evening rise. You will have a full day at prime time for these locations. The EB has a special attraction: The Williamsburg Tavern. On Wednesday you get a cheeseburger, fries and one of their CRAFT beers for $5.00. Nice bar and inexpensive prices.
Ken
6 comments:
Hi Ken,
Just a fishing update for you, not looking to be published. I spent the last week of June out on the Delaware for the first time. I went alone and searched out public access point and waded. Found the East Branch of the Delaware to be far less crowded “famous” and more enjoyable. Ended up fishing my 10’ 2wt. the whole time and got many nice browns. Fun but not worth the travel with all the nice water we have around here.
I went to the Swift Sunday morning early, 4am, bringing with me two rods. My 10’ 2wt. for Czech nymphing and my 00 wt. for later in the day. I enjoy Czech nymphing in the dark as it as all feel. I used my standard Swift Czech setup with two baetis nymphs tied on a Tiemco 2499BL (size 18 3X wide 2X short) tied short.
As the day lightened more people showed up but it was never really crowded. There was a lot of fishing but not that much catching as these fish are quickly adjusting to the situation. The Sulphur’s started coming off so I switched to my 00 wt. and fished a partridge and dark cream size 20 soft hackle that worked well. As the day went on I switched to a size 28 dark grey emerger which also was the ticket.
Was I catching fish, yes, as were some of the regulars up and down the river. Were the short timers who fish right after a stocking? Nowhere near what they had been doing a few short days ago. As expected I had a few of them who fished over me as I was catching and they weren’t.
On the other side of the coin was a young man, early 20’s, who was fishing below me at one point. He was fishing bare legged but had his casting down pretty well using a small indicator and nymph setup. I had picked up four or five fish as he watched, somewhat frustrated and switching nymphs, but never tried to move closer to me to get at fish. I respect that and walked down to him and asked if he had anything small in a pheasant tail. He showed m his box and they were all way too big so I gave him one of my baetis nymphs. He also had his indicator a good seven feet up his leader. Since the fish were feeding on emergers I suggested he move the indicator up to about two feet above the nymph and move in closer to me to fish a pod of working fish. He actually seemed reluctant but with some encouragement agreed. A few fish swirled so I had him cast just above them and sure enough the indicator dipped. He set the hook and was into one of the nicer sized rainbows that had been put in. What a joy to watch the smile on his face as he played the fish in. Doing everything right he wet his hand, cradled the fish in the water and slid the barbless hook from the fish. And that is the part of fishing I enjoy the most, sharing my knowledge and watching the younger folks develop their joy of fly fishing.
Joe C
Hi Ken
I've been reading you forum since alittle before spring. I'm new to fly fishing so I've been reading and fishing as much s possible. I've noticed you talked highly of the E.B. When you say you fishing of route 9 is that the gorge area or other spots as well.
Joe C.
I'm publishing your post because it is so well done. You did the right thing. You and the fly fisher that you met got rewarded for it. Thank you!!!
Curran87,
It's the Gorge area about 3 miles down from the parking area. It's a good place to be!
Ken
Ken,
This blog has taught me more about fly fishing than any other source. Keep it up!
Some thoughts from a fly fisher (former spin fisher and troller - never going back) from reading this blog for 3 years..........
This spring and summer brought me to the Poconos and the North Woods of Maine as well as many trips to my home rivers; the Millers and EB. This is what I learned:
1) Catching a fish on a dry fly is all about presentation and the drift.
2) Wet, soft hackle flies are the most important flies in your box. Now if you don't already know...when asking 5 fly fisherman what the most important fly is you will get 5 different answers. This is mine.
3) Once you learn how to fish a soft hackle, add a dropper.
4) Start tying flies, not only is it very relaxing, it gives you a greater understanding of the fly and what it will do in the water.
5) Talk to other fly fisherman on the river. I have never met one that won't share their wisdom and experience. When you get frustrated after watching someone catch fish while you don't - introduce yourself as an emerging fly fisherman - you will learn much.
6) Etiquette - don't crowd anyone. When someone appears to be in the perfect spot, let them have it - your time will come. Don't scream or start cursing - you are negatively affecting someone else's experience. Abide by all rules and regulations. Eagerly purchase your licenses as this source of revenue adds to stocking.
7) Don't get hung up on trying to figure out what the perfect fly is for that moment and conditions. Do your best and keep fishing - this is the only way your knowledge and skill will increase.
8) My number one fly this season is a pheasant tail soft hackle, with and w/o bead. By the way..I now tie them myself. It is a great feeling to catch a fish on a fly you have tied.
9) Respect the environment........always catch and release. Unless you have caught a fish within regulations and intend to eat it within 24 hours. For me, eating mainly applies to striped bass.
Dave
Thanks allot. If the weather holds I am going too head out there tonight. I'll post later and let you know how I do.
Dave,
Thank you for the kind words about this blog and thank you for the well thought out comment. I am in agreement with you especially on point #7 and #9. I'll be at Plum Island next week so #9 has weight!!
Thank you for your comment!
Ken
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