April 28, 2024

I had the pleasure of guiding Jeff Biller and nephew Jim on the main today. It was one of the best days I’ve had in a long while. Love havin’ these guys as well as Dad, Jim Sr. in the boat anytime.

We hooked up on 26 fish with 19 making it to the net including this 19-incher landed by Jim on an Apple caddis dry. Earlier in the day, he lost a monster of a brown sipping inches from the bank in less than 6 inches of water. After chasing the fish twice, we got him to the boat but popped off at the end. Damn. Well over 20 inches with a paddle tail.

With high humidity, mostly cloudy skies, and air temps in the high 60’s, everything came together nicely as we floated the lower East down the Main to Buckingham. Hatches of Apple Caddis, Bule Quills, BWO’s and Hendrickson’s kept the fish looking up for most of the day.

Jeff and Jim are excellent fly fisherman. Patent, great casters, and strong situational awareness, they have put the time in over many years to have a day like today. Thank you to the Biller Boys for another great day on the water.

Driving playlist included: “Hey Tonight” CCR, “Rock Me On The Water” Linda Ronstadt, “Angelyne” The Jayhawks, “Wild Wood” Paul Weller.

Spent the morning with Matt and Richard who fished with me last fall. They were gifted trips this past Christmas by their wives and eager to get their waders wet. 

I decided to show them around the South Branch. While heavily fished, this river (really a creek) is a gem of a trout stream with both wild and stocked fish around. I was feeling good about our chances, but the first two spots just didn’t produce. I was reminded of the great lesson of “keep moving” when one spot isn’t producing – so we moved to a new spot.

Within just a few casts on new water, Richard hooked up with a slob of a brown trout. A tad too much pressure and he was gone. Three casts later, he put a nice bow in the net! Across the river, Matt targeted a large eddy that came off the main set of riffles. Boom! One fish on and off. 

Less than five minutes and several casts later, Matt hooked up again with a beauty of a bow on a Hot Spot Walt’s Worm (#16) handing under a Pat’s (#12). Matt did an excellent job of fighting the fish, keeping enough pressure and tension on the line to get the fish to the surface and into my landing net. 

After landing our fair share of fish, we moved downriver for one more chance at fly fishing glory. While this stretch doesn’t have the variety or depth of water, I had the boys target structure, and it paid off. Richard targeted a fallen tree and was rewarded with a nice bow! Matt finished the day with a bow that came out from behind a large boulder to take his peridgon midge. 

Driving playlist included: “In the Crease” Branford Marsalis, “Bird In The Tree” Seamus Egan, “Distant Sun” Crowded House, “Dreams” Slaid Cleaves.

Had a double header today. First “game” was with Cash, a soon to be Eagle Scout who was working towards his Fly Fishing merit badge, only one of two he was missing. Along with his Mom and older brother, we started the day at some of my “go-to” spots on the Musky. The first hour didn't produce on nymphs and the empty blue tubs on the bank made me think the spin guys cleaned out the spot. So we moved upriver. Glad we did.

After 20-minutes and untangling a few lines, we had our first hook-ups for these first timers! Cash’s bro had two hook-ups, solid fish but they got off. With only 30-min left in the trip, I put us on a spot that was damn fishy. At this point, Cash told me that he has to LAND a fish in order to get his badge. S*it. With the clock ticking, Cash made an awesome cast near a large, submerged boulder, BAM. Fish on and in the net. Phew!

The second game of my double header was with Chris and buddy Justin. I stayed on the Musky and moved upriver to some new water for the day. Chris is an experienced and successful golf instructor in NYC and took to fly casting easily. After just 30-min of a lesson and casting a nymph, Chris hooked up to a bow and a brown! With a couple in the net, we focused on Justin who managed to hook a few and land his first rainbow on the fly. Back-to-back wins, not bad for a double header. It’s Miller time.

Driving playlist included: “Centerfield” John Fogarty, “Erie Canal” Bruce Springsteen, “Another Saturday Night” Cat Stevens, “Groovers Paradise” Doug Sahm & The Tex Mex Trip.

Al’s kids bought him a 6-weight rod for Christmas, and he was eager to put it together and try fly fishing for the very first time! With newbies, it’s not just about catching a fish, it’s also about having a judgment free setting to get messy and learn a new skill. Both guide and client need patience, and Al had it (I did too). 

We met on the Upper Flatbook where there was a high probability of hooking into a fish and getting a feel for nymphing. As a lab tech in a large regional hospital, Al was very good with his hands and had great attention to detail. Within 60 minutes of holding a fly rod for the first time, Al landed a small but colorful rainbow trout! Awesome!

After catching a few more and walking up and down a stretch, we jumped into the car and headed down stream to see more and different water. After telling Al that it was unlikely to see rising fish in the bright sun, out next spot proved me wrong! We spied a little brownie slashing a caddis in a tiny pool, after spending some time working on a dry fly cast, we walked up to the spot. Al was able to get three eats! 

Back on the nymph rod, we moved two more and landed a slab of a fish. One more time, we jumped in the car to hit another spot downstream. With two more fish in the net, we called it a day with Al vowing to get back out on the water on his own! My goal for all of my clients.

Driving playlist included: “Driving with the Breaks On” Del Amitri, “Pre Road Downs” CSN, “Tight Rope” Leon Russell, “Rock Me On The Water” Linda Ronstadt.

John and his son Brendan did a full-day walk and wade trip here in New Jersey with me yesterday with a fair amount of success. With many rivers closed for in-season stocking yesterday, we focused on two trout conservation areas (TCA) that are open year-round.

Brenda just moved to NJ from MD for work and was eager to check out local spots within a short drive of Central New Jersey. We fished the fabled Ken Lockwood Gorge in the AM and found fish willing to take a nymph but not so willing to make it to the net. Getting a good cast and drift is just half the battle for many people, fighting the fish to the net requires a little patience and finesse. 

After lunch, we moved up to the Point Mountain TCA and hopes were high. With the clouds rolling in and flows around 400 CFS, conditions were excellent. I changed flies to #18 Walt’s and Perdigons and we had fish in the net. Phew. While no monsters, they were both able to connect the dots to put a few in the net and work on their skills for next time.

Driving playlist included: “A Punk” Vampire Weekend, “Trains To Brazil” Guillemots, “I Can’t Dance” Gram Parsons, “The Race is On” George Jones, “Marie” Django Reinhardt.

Many of my New Jersey clients like Lex, have made their way up to the Upper Delaware to fish with me from a drift boat, my favorite way to fish! You can get out and wade in productive spots or just stay in the boat to cover water with a nymph, dry fly,  or streamer rod which helped us find a few fish today.

Despite seeing some rising fish at the put-in and throwing size 16 olives for a bit, the high water over 3,000 cfs and clouds made it a perfect streamer day. We started using floating line and it was quiet for the first 40-minutes with only one boil. 

After seeing some more olives and throwing to one-timers, I swapped out the floating line for sink tip for the steamer rod. Bam, one in the net straight away! 

Somedays, you’ve got to use every technique in the book to put fish in the net especially in the early spring. 

We hooked up on three fish over the day: one on a streamer, one on a nymph, and one on a dry rod. All we needed was a wet fly fish and we would’ve hit for the cycle! 

My driving playlist included: “Shady Grove” Jerry Garcia & David Grisman, “Oblivious” Aztec Camera, “What It Is” Ramsey Lewis, “I Heard A Sigh” Cortex, “The Yellow Bittern” Liam O’Flynn.

I bartered a half-day trip on the Upper Delaware with Maria, an accomplished photographer who took an awesome photo of a full moon rising over the GWB. Very cool pic! Now I need more wall space.

Hopes were high with warming water temps and success the last few weeks on both streamers and dries. Outfitted to the nines in waders and boots, Maria and Maribel jumped in the boat just before 11AM. Unfortunately, the wind kicked up from a manageable 15-20 MPH to full gale with gusts approaching 30 MPH at times. 

Lobbing a nymph was a chore all day long but these newbies did a great job and seemed to enjoy the scenery and floating the river for the first time. 

After a bit of little action, we anchored and enjoyed a nice bottle of District Series Cabernet Oakville, 2021 in the warm April sun. In case of emergency, open bottle. We started to see more olives, stones, and then a blue quill or two. Is it going to turn on?? ‘Twas not to be. Damn. I hate it when good people get delt a tough day of fishing. Next time, ladies.

My driving playlist included, "Watch Me" Labi Siffre, "Kate" Ben Folds Five, "The Ballad of el Goodo" Big Star, "Life's What You Make It" Talk Talk, "Dig Dis" Hank Mobley.

Two days, two different rivers. I floated the Upper West Branch with Derek and his son Brooks on a day better suited for flying kites than casting a fly. With gusts over 30MPH at times casting was a challenge. The late morning sun helped warm waters and spur some much appreciated dry fly action in the afternoon.

Stones and olives started coming off around 1:30.  We found a few fish taking olives right on the bank making presenting the fly a challenge at times. Undaunted, Derek, got two eats but a tad early on the hook set. We continued into the Game Lands, eyes wide open and Brooks yelling “rise” anytime he saw something fishy. Brooks found us a target as the wind kicked into high gear. On the second cast, Derek made a helluva reach cast and was rewarded with a beautiful brown trout.

The next day I fished with Alex and his dad Ken on the Pequest TCA here in New Jersey. The high water made wading a challenge at times. This was only their third time fishing the fly and hope they stick with it. 

After putting a nice water load cast together, Alex had a couple of hits but nothing to net. We moved down river and Alex hooked up on a stockie slob of a rainbow on a chartreuse hot spot Walt’s. The mofo popped off at the net, but what a fish!

My driving playlist included, "Beth" Kiss, "Sidewinder” Bobbi Humphrey, “”Hells Bells” AC/DC, “Hard Times” Paramore,” “Peter’s Tune” Pat Glynn, “American Tune” Paul Simon. 

Back on the Delaware, finally! The Upper Delaware system is a special place if fly fishing is part of your DNA. The Catskills boast both freestone streams and cold tailwaters thanks to the four major reservoirs and dams in the region that supply drinking water to New York City and push water down the mainstem of the Delaware river.

I wrapped up three days in the wind getting reacquainted with the river fishing with friend and client Alan and his son Declan. After a quick casting lesson on the lawn, we put in on the upper stretches of the West Branch of the Delaware for an afternoon float.

Over the last few days, small white and grey streamers produced fish after the high water we’ve been experiencing but not so much today. After a few hours of a few follows and two hookups my net was still dry. Damn. While Declan was working on casting a 7wt rod, we put a nymph rod in Alan’s hands to mix things up. Glad we did.

After stopping to fix a tangle in Alan’s line, I took the opportunity to change flies again. I changed from a larger leech patter to my go-to of a Pat’s with a Walt’s underneath. 4-5 casts after picking up the anchor, Alan hooked up on a 17-inch brownie who wanted that Walt’s badly.

Progress requires change. Well done, Alan and Declan! See you again on the river soon!

My driving playlist included, "Round & Round” Paul Weller, “Adagio Sostenuto” Simone Dinnerstein, “The Race Is On” George Jones, “The Body of an American”, “Foggy Morning” Alison Brown.

I love late-winter fishing on warm days here in New Jersey. The combination of fewer fishermen and hungry fish is a great way to shake off the winter blues. With a full tank of gas and a new playlist, I made a run up to the Big Flatbrook River, near Walpack, NJ. 

It’s a little over an hour but well worth the trip for the year round catch and release section and Skylands scenery. The river runs about 12 miles along Kittatinny Mountain and empties into the Delaware River across from Bushkill, PA. (Bushkill Creek is another great spot). 

Water flows were almost 300 CFS but very fishable from the heavy rain yesterday – and only slightly stained. After hitting two promising spots without a hit, I continued to look for fishy water, slower edges and seams. When I’m fishing on my own, I’m almost always nymphing with an 11-foot, 2-weight rod. Long and light. You can feel the slightest takes which helps when the fish are sluggish from the cold water.

Scuds, pheasant tails, and leech patters all took fish, but the #10 Black Leech pattern tied by Sean Wittman from Housefly Fishing in Hawley, PA was preferred by fish and fisherman alike. Tied as a dropper beneath a small Pat’s, I had 4 fish in 20-minutes as a fast riffle emptied into a large pool. I went 5 for 7 including a monster of a brown that popped off at the net after a 10-minute fight. Ugh. Easily 16-inches but heavy. C’est la vie.

My driving playlist included, "Waterloo Sunset" The Kinks, "Bad Time" Grand Funk, "Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying" Labi Siffre, "Menina Feia" Herbie Mann, "She Caught The Katy" Taj Mahal.

While the rest of America was gearing up to watch the Super Bowl, I put on waders and boots and hit the water for a ‘lil me time. I got to the water at 9 AM with only one other car in sight which is very rare.

I was testing out some new flies and hit a few spots that usually hold a fish or two to reduce some of the variability in my experiment. By 10AM I was two for three and thrilled. I saw a young kid on the bank and gave up the honey hole so he could have a shot at it. My karma was repaid later upriver.

Rather than bushwhacking my way upriver and putting more holes in my waders, I moved up stream in the water hitting the bank with a nymph every couple of yards. More of a workout with 350 CFS but well worth the effort with two more fish in the net before I got to a nice bend pool I wanted to work for a spell.

Sometimes, however, a sure thing isn’t so. The pool that has rarely left me skunked did so today. After losing a couple of flies to the bottom, I started making my way back downstream hitting every bit of dark water I could see. While flows were only 300 CFS or so, there were enough slots and holding water on the bank to cast a fly or two. By the time I got back to my starting point I went 2 for 4. Not bad!

If you don’t mind the chill, winter fishing can be the best!

My driving playlist included, “Milonga Del Angel” Astor Piazzolla, “You Better Think Twice” Poco, “Mr. Blue Sky” ELO, “Headstart for Happiness” The Style Council, “Startin’ From Scratch” Hank Mobley.

While standing in cold and shin-deep water on one of my favorite trout streams yesterday, I received the kind of call that none of us ever want to receive – but do. Like so many other people, I’m devastated at the sudden loss of my friend and fly-fishing mentor Bruce Miller.

We first met in 2008 when my son Peter and I floated with him on an early October afternoon down the Main Stem of the Delaware, Bruce’s favorite stretch. He introduced us to fishing a streamer likely his own black bugger, tight to the bank. And he was sure to let you know when he didn’t like where your fly landed or the way it moved in the water. As a musician, I was okay with improvisation in my cast and retrieve. As a former IBM employee, he understood the importance of precision in the “code.” Opposites attract.

Being the expert oarsman he was, he kept us on target for miles from Fireman’s to Buckingham, that day and every day after. He pointed out specific rocks and trees where he knew a big fish lived and where he lost a few over his many years on the river. He fostered my love of the Delaware System and fishing with a fly. When the fishing was slow, we talked about our kids or about music, and on occasion, I would sing one of his favorite songs with made-up and sometimes profane lyrics to get him to giggle.

In 2019, after many client trips with Bruce, and others, I called him to have a look at a drift boat I was considering buying. Time to solo. He said he would sell me his boat, the one I had been fishing in for the last 10 years. He gave me the “friends and family” discount which included a rowing lesson – a day which I write with the greatest of affection and love, almost ended our friendship. 

After more than 80 days and two years of learning the water on my own, Jeff White asked if I would be interested in doing some weekend guiding for the Delaware River Club. I called Bruce to get an honest opinion about my skills. I wasn’t sure I had learned enough but Bruce said, “Do it. Every day, every trip is a classroom. Never stop learning.” And so, with Bruce’s encouragement, I started down a path of learning, teaching, comradery, and patient observation – all key ingredients of fly fishing.

He was eager to fish as much as possible in these coming years, we talked about driving down to Arkansas to fish the White River this March and maybe revisiting the Big Horn this Fall. Never stop learning.  One of my favorite poems is “Ulysses” which to me, highlights how I saw Bruce these last few years. The final lines seem fitting: "We are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."

My deepest condolences to his wife Lucy, his children, and his grandchildren whom he talked about often. You were his greatest catch of all.

Photo: Bruce Miller with Peter Glynn, August 2023.

With some quiet time between the holidays, I hosted a little New Year’s Eve Eve riverside get-together with SFF clients and friends over some coffee and donuts. 

DRC friend Pat came out along with Brendan, Jon, and John. Conditions were awesome for late December with air temps in the low 40’s, water temps about the same, and plenty of stocked and wild fish willing to take a nymph or streamer. From 9AM to 2PM plenty of action up and down river and we basically had the place to ourselves, even better!

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who fished with me in 2023, and hope you’ll join me again here in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or up on the Mighty Delaware river. I’ll start booking trips by mid-February for mid-March and beyond. Be well and tight lines in 2024!

Driving playlist included “This Land Is Your Land" Pete Seeger, "My Buckets Got A Hole In It" Hank Williams, Sr. "Fairytale of New York" The Pogues.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to make time to visit a river or stream when traveling for business. Life is too short. I was visiting Denver to meet with clients and had the opportunity to sneak in a side trip on the famed Colorado River. My client and friend, Glenn is a world-class embryologist at a highly rated fertility clinic in Denver. He’s also a great fly fisherman! 

After wrapping up business, I stayed over to fish the famed Colorado River last Saturday. Wow, well worth the trip! With a 3+ hour drive from Denver, Glenn picked me up at 6 AM to make our meeting time with our guide around 9AM. Despite treacherous and very snowy driving conditions through Vail Pass, we were only a little late.

I continue to learn so much from the guides I fish with, and we had a great one with Patrick Gerig from Trout Trickers in Vail, CO. Look him up! With air temps in the mid 30’s, a fresh coating of snow, and above average flows, conditions were great for fishing and sightseeing too.

Glenn took first blood using a small midge nymph on a nice seam close to a snowy bank. I tried streamer fishing and after only moving one fish in thirty minutes, I decide to grab hold of the nymph rod. Glad I did! Over the day we landed a dozen fish a lost just as many as we floated from Glenwood to New Castle.

Thanks, Patrick, for a great introduction to the Colorado River!

Driving playlist included “Fall On Me” REM, “Ladies of The Canyon” Joni Mitchell, “Good Feelin’ To Know” Poco, “Peaceful Easy Feeling” The Eagles.

After two weeks or so of being laid up and having to cancel the last few client trips of the year, it was great to be on the water if just for a little while. Peter and I hit a few of our favorite spots on the Musky yesterday to get some fresh air and work off some Thanksgiving pounds.

Good flows, cool water, and mild air temps made fishing downright pleasant. We had a few hook ups, but the fish were anything but aggressive. Twice I was asleep at the wheel admiring the afternoon sun and lost fish with very subtle winter takes, including one brown that was bigger than average. He popped off at the surface. 

Winter fishing is about keeping your flies low and expectations close to your flies. The colder evenings have meant that the fish were sluggish and only active during the warmest part of the day. Peter had a good afternoon, landing two fish including a nice brown on a #18 Rainbow Warrior behind a Pat’s #12. Plenty of weight for a deep pool with moderate current.

After a trip to the ER in the last two weeks and feeling generally crummy, two hours on the water was the best medicine. Happy Thanksgiving!

Our driving playlist included “Doctor My Eyes” Jackson Browne, “Beth” Kiss, “ My Back Pages” The Byrds, “Yes and No” Branford Marsalis, “Only Talking Sense” Finn Brothers.

SOMA Matt came back for a half-day wade trip with buddy Richard in tow for his first fly-fishing trip. ‘Da boys did good.

This morning was cold, crisp, and filled with anticipation that we might find a trout or two willing to take a hares ear or peasant tail nymph. 

The recent rains pushed flows up to over 300 CFS making the fish a little less weary versus the clear waters and lower water of a few weeks ago.  Matt had two back-to-back hits but couldn’t get the hook set fast enough to bring the likely rainbow trout to the net. C’est la vie. His water load or “comb-over” cast was much improved from our last outing and mending textbook. 

We were reading the water and identified some slower seams on the far bank that just had to hold a fish. BAM! Fish on! This fish came to the net on a black midge #18 with a 2.8mm silver bead tied behind a Pat’s Rubber Legs – plenty of weight to get to depth. With one more fish for Matt, we moved down river to see if we could put Richard on a fish. We did.

I worked with Richard on a section that has a bit of everything, fast riffles, slower midwater, and a mini tailout. With his casting and mending down, he put his flies in the right spots and brought two fish to the net. Well done, Richard!

The driving playlist included: “Season Cycle” XTC, “Put The Message In The Box” World Party, “You Never Know” Wilco, “5:15” The Who, “Wish I Could Forget” The Weepies.

Sometimes, guides get to fish with other guides. What a great day with Capt. Zach Flake from Flyway Charters fishing for stripers in Lower Newark Bay with fellow Delaware guide and friend Bruce Miller. 

We pushed off from Secaucus around 7AM to catch the right tide, starting out near where the NJ Turnpike cuts though the Meadowlands. Within the first 30 minutes, Bruce had three schoolie stripers and only one bump for me at the edge of some tall marsh grass. With the NYC skyline as a great backdrop, we pushed farther down into the Bay looking for tell-tale birds. As lunchtime approached it was quiet with only one other fish in the boat.

I could feel Zach stressing a bit about the slow bite which had been solid the day before in these same channels and marshes. Been there myself on many a trip as a guide. Undaunted, Zach called a client who is a ship crane operator at Port Newark and has a great view of the lower harbor. Here’s how the call went, “Dude, I’m struggling up here today. Please tell me you see birds down there. No $hit?! We’re on our way.” And off we went to fish the deeper channels in the water behind Ikea! 

Birds! Yes! For the last two hours we had nearly 20 fish. Many topwater bites too, which more than made up for the slow morning. Bruce hooked up several times in a row and we had two “doubles” to end the day with. Persistence matters.

The driving playlist included: “My Babe” Little Walter, “On My Knees” Aqualung, “I Say A Little Prayer” Aretha Franklin, “A-Punk” Vampire Weekend, “Cape Town” The Young Veins.

After getting skunked on the Delaware in August, Sarah and Josh joined me again for a half-day trip much closer to their home in Philadelphia. I appreciate and admire their persistence in the ways of the fly! 

We have several great seasonal trout streams within an easy drive of my home base in Maplewood, NJ. I was first introduced to the Little Lehigh by my grandfather Raphael who was an avid fly fisherman when I was 10. While you shouldn’t expect to fish alone at any time of the year on that river, you can usually find less pressured water upstream of the famed Hatchery Section. 

Water temps were good in the mid 50’s but flows were on the low side but still a little chalky thanks to its limestone base. Still, hopes were high. After an hour, multiple fly changes, and two spots covered with only one tug, we moved down into the hatchery section which was less crowded than usual. Phew. 

In the second hour, Josh had a big fish on a off and Sarah landed the biggest sucker I’ve seen outside of the Main Stem. Not the targeted species but some action. With the sun setting, changing to small #20 midge patterns, and the clock ticking I gave the call for last casts.

On her very last cast, Sarah made the day (saved the day) with a very pretty and hard fighting brown trout on a #20 tungsten surveyor tied behind a beaded Walt’s. Today was a day of quality over quantity.

The driving playlist included: “Fumblin’ With The Blues” Tom Waits, “Me and the Boys” NRBQ, “Chest Fever” The Band, “Gentle On My Mind” Glen Campbell, “Everyday Is Like Sunday” Morrissey

Well, fall fishing is in full swing here in New Jersey! I had the pleasure of fishing with first-timers Maria and Maribel on my favorite river here in the Garden State, the mighty Musconetcong. After gearing up, we headed to our first spot, which is well known for great structure and holding fish. 

The flows were good, just over 200 cfs, water temps were perfect in the low 50’s, and the recent fall stocking gave us plenty of targets and some early excitement. We took some time to work on developing an effective water load cast with our nymph rods, but it didn’t take long before the first hook up courtesy of Maribel. Then it was Maria’s turn just a few yards downriver. Alas, a quick tug but off just a quick.

Experience is the best teacher. In the first hour we had a few hook ups but nothing in the net. Okay, quick workshop on setting the hook. We revisited the topic of setting the hook and being “en garde” for that moment the fish takes your fly. Practice paid off.

By the time we reached our last spot, a deep slotted pool, hopes were high that the ladies would put casting, mending, setting the hook, and fighting the fish together. They did! Maria had one small rainbow, but Maribel took home the prize for the biggest fish a nice 15-inch rainbow on a #18 Walt’s with a chartreuse hotspot collar. Watching the faces of clients when they hook up is priceless but it’s nice when everything comes together for a quick grip and grin.

“What It Is” Ramsey Lewis, “The Artist and The Fisherman” Peter Glynn, “Dark Road” Sarah Jarosz, “Cue Fanfare” Prefab Sprout, “Come Get To This” Marvin Gaye

Two days on the West Branch is like heaven. Catching fish on the West Branch is like heaven, but even better. 

Lex came back up to fish with me from New Jersey using up some of his PTO time on a Friday. Time well spent. We fished the lower West Branch and had fish almost from the start. Again, by early afternoon and water temps up just a degree the dry fly bite was pretty good. Olives and caddis got the attention of feeding trout until a cold front pushed in and the sun got low. Overall, solid day on the river.

The cold front and overnight rain on Friday gave way to clearing skies and windy conditions the next day for long time DRC customers Chris and George Fielding and their pups! They are great fisher people and lovely people to spend a day with. 

George had the first fish, a nice 16-inch brown trout on a #10 Pat’s Rubber Legs pattern. Chris had a couple of bits but nothing for a little while until we hit the Campground pool.

For nearly 90 minutes we had rising fish large and small in the eddy of a well fished pool. George had a nice one on a #18 olive and then Chris had a small brown on the same fly. With a few more eats and a nice Brunello in the boat we pushed down river for a late lunch. 

With the afternoon sun dropping, they had three more eats and one more fish in the net before we called it a day. A heavenly day

Driving playlist included "Pecock Suit" Paul Weller, "Jackie Wilson Said" Van Morrison, "Disco 2000" Pulp, "Riverboat Song" Ocean Colour Scene.

Patrice and Carlin joined me for a full day on the lower West Brach today and kept me laughing all day long. Lovely and charming people to have in the boat. With air temps in the high 50s and water temps around 50 degrees, I was hopeful that these newbies would have at least one hook-up to talk about on the drive home.

Conditions were windy but pretty good for nymphing, streamers, and dries too! In fact, more than of the trip was spent head hunting for the wild browns and bows that populate the system. Patrice had fished a few times before, but her friend Carlin was a first timer to casting a fly rod – but did great! We got out at a first spot to nymph out of the boat but after 30-minutes and targeting different structure without a hit we got back in the boat.

Patrice was eager to try a 7-weight streamer rod and glad she did. Bam! Just 15 minutes later we had our first fish and he first on a streamer (black/green bugger #6). We had one more hook up but lost the fish as we glided into a great dry fly pool and rising fish. Both girls had eats on a small olive but just couldn’t set the hook in time. After one last eat, we moved on nymphing and throwing streamers to the next pool where I had high hopes.

At the famed Home Pool we had a plethora of targets and set up on a pod at the tail out. After a few coaching casts and a demo fish, Carlin took first blood with a small but hard fighting brown. Patrice put the fly where it needed to be and had three fish eat and two fish on for a bull ride. With fish in the net, plenty of giggles thought out the day, and a setting sun we called it a day.

Driving playlist included "Pecock Suit" Paul Weller, "Jackie Wilson Said" Van Morrison, "Disco 2000" Pulp, "Riverboat Song" Ocean Colour Scene.

My nephew Will came down from Burlington, VT to fish with me for two days on the Upper Delaware. Conditions couldn’t have been more perfect. Rain, high humidity, a great streamer bite, and solid hatches in the afternoons, gave us some of the best fishing of the season.

We started out of the boat by a favorite spot where I can usually nymph up a fish or two to get the skunk out early. With the low light and drizzle, we grabbed our 7wt rods and started slamming and swinging buggers. Will had a quick hit on a white/grey zonker and moved a few within 20 yards. I moved downstream of him to prospect some water with good structure. It did not disappoint. 

At the end of my cast using sink tip line, a beautify brown slammed a Bruce’s Bugger and took me into my backing before surrendering to my net after 10 minutes. The day was still young, we were still within site of the put-in, we ad 90-minutes’ worth of action. We moved and landed a few more fish on streamers and then a few on dries. Day one was awesome.

Day two was just as exciting. We started on the Lower West and had hits and follows within the first 20-minutes. We slid down into one of my favorite spots that was unproductive-at first. Undeterred, I rowed back up to the start of the run for a second shot on fish. Will almost instantly hooked up on a very rare 19-inch tiger trout on a green sparkle bugger. Fish of a lifetime. Well done, Will!

Driving playlist included "You Never Know” Wilco, “Stay With Me” Faces, “Dig Dis” Hang Mobley, “No Matter Where We Go” Whitney.

Lex from West Orange, NJ joined me on the Lower West Branch of the Delaware with his buddy Ivan who was visiting from London. Conditions were pretty good with flows around 800 CFS, water temps in the high 50’s, and fair skies.

Ivan had never held a fly rod but was a quick study of the water load cast while nymphing. With Lex at the top of the riffle and Ivan in the gut I figured one of the two would hook up. Bam! Within 20-minutes Ivan hooked up on a good-sized brownie and lost him to a head shake. Two casts later he hooked up on a smaller bow using a #16 pheasant tail flashback hung behind a black Pat’s #12.

With no other hits we got back in the boat to nymph on the run looking for rising fish. By 1pm we saw a fair number of small olives on the water and then a few noses poking out. I put a #18 olive dun on Lex’s rod, and it was game on for 30-miniutes. He landed one and lost two more. Great action. By the time we reached Home Pool we had targets for nearly an hour but very picky fish, a few takes but nothing in the net.

Every day is different and today was deemed “very good” by Lex and Ivan who started their drive back to NJ with thoughts of next time.

Driving playlist included "Fall On Me” REM, “One Less Bell To Answer” 5th Dimension, “I Hope I Don’t Fall In Love With You” Tom Waits, “Impossible Germany” Wilco.

Over the last three days, I was part of a four-boat trip for my friends at the Delaware River Club in Starlight, PA. I had the chance to fish with Bill, Mark, Dennis, and Eric who all hail from the greater Atlanta-area. They traveled north to fish the famed Delaware River for the first time and test their skills on some of the smartest wild trout this side of the glass at your local fish monger. 

Conditions were pretty good with WB flows over 800 CFS, water temps in high 50’s, and low wind for the most part. Nymphing was the ticket on the first two days with a couple of fish being brought to net but not on fire. Bill who fished with me on day one and had a couple of little fish, had a 20-inch brown the next day with my friend and fellow guide Michael Brewer. Just goes to show you how one day can be very different from the next on the Delaware.

On day three, Eric had his first dry fly fish! Two little bows and one of the largest chubs I’ve ever seen, measured at 19-inches! A fish on a dry is great no matter the species!

Driving playlist included "Marie Provost" Nick Lowe, "The River" Bruce Springsteen, "Waist Deep in The Big Muddy" Pete Seeger.

Over the last three days, I was part of a four-boat trip for my friends at the Delaware River Club in Starlight, PA. I had the chance to fish with Bill, Mark, Dennis, and Eric who all hail from the greater Atlanta-area. They traveled north to fish the famed Delaware River for the first time and test their skills on some of the smartest wild trout this side of the glass at your local fish monger. 

Conditions were pretty good with WB flows over 800 CFS, water temps in high 50’s, and low wind for the most part. Nymphing was the ticket on the first two days with a couple of fish being brought to net but not on fire. Bill who fished with me on day one and had a couple of little fish, had a 20-inch brown the next day with my friend and fellow guide Michael Brewer. Just goes to show you how one day can be very different from the next on the Delaware.

On day three, Eric had his first dry fly fish! Two little bows and one of the largest chubs I’ve ever seen, measured at 19-inches! A fish on a dry is great no matter the species!

Driving playlist included "Marie Provost" Nick Lowe, "The River" Bruce Springsteen, "Waist Deep in The Big Muddy" Pete Seeger.

My neighbors in Maplewood must think I’m nuts. They see me coming and going all hours of night and day packing and unpacking fly rods and wet waders. After a chat with a beer in the driveway with one of my more adventurous neighbors a few weeks ago, I put a date on the calendar for Ryan and his son Finn to try fly fishing for the first time. 

Rather than a long float, we concentrated our time on technique on the Lower West Branch getting out to nymph and cast a dry fly. It didn’t take long to find some rising fish! And it didn’t take long for Ryan to get a good cast out in front of some brown trout sipping small olives. 

For many, casting a dry fly for the first time can be a little frustrating. But both Ryan and Finn go the hang of it within 30-minutes and had multiple eats and one in the net! While the day before looked good on paper it just didn’t happen. Today was a completely different matter with targets all afternoon. 

With the sun setting and thoughts of pizza filling our minds, we called it a day with a shot and a beer and a slice at Little Italy in Hancock, NY before the Jersey Boys headed home.

Driving playlist included "Born To Run" Bruce Springsteen, "Boy Named Sue" Johnny Cash, "Gone With The Wind" Betty Carter.

Sarah gave her fiancé Josh the gift of a fly-fishing trip for his birthday. With local waters too low and warm, these kiddos joined me for a full-day float on the West Branch of the Delaware. The last few days conditions were pretty good, but a hot spell made the day challenging for newbie and experienced fishermen alike.

After working on our water load, we had two quick hits on the upper river, but they didn’t make it to the net. We switched flies all afternoon going from large garish flies that should have worked in the higher off colored water to more subtle perdigons. Nada. Zilch.

As the sun dropped lower in the sky, we started to see some dry fly action but with a long drive back to Philly, Sarah and Josh called it a day and started planning the next trip. C’est la vie.
 

Driving playlist included “Miles Mode” John Coltrane, “The Primrose Lass” Solas, “King of Pain” The Police, “1234” Feist.

Jersey City Jon came back to fish me with me on the West Branch today with his mate (buddy) Peter who drove up from the DC area for this trip. We had mostly cloudy skies at the start and had rain in the forecast for later in the day. Hopes were high with cold water and good flows near 600 CFS.

Within 30-minutes of putting the boat in and getting our boots wet, we started to see some rises on a favorite bank spot of mine. Then a few more rises. Then it was game on for nearly two hours with consistent eaters. Jon was first up and got a few eats and two fish on before some LDR’s. Peter had a couple of eats as well on a #18 sulphur parachute in a well-marked foam line.  

Presentation before fly choice. Delaware fish get more than their fair share of pressure, so they want a perfect drift. Once the hatch died down, we went back to streamers and moved a few fish on Bruce’s Black Bugger. 

We finally landed fish (back-to-back) near our halfway point. Two beautiful rainbow trout. Glad we did. By then the skies opened for 45-minutes with “Noah-inspired” rain that turned the river chocolate milk and shut the fishing down. Dinner at Little Italy in Hancock, NY was the best way to get out of the rain and celebrate the fish we did have.

Driving playlist included "Marie Provost" Nick Lowe, "The River" Bruce Springsteen, "Waist Deep in The Big Muddy" Pete Seeger.

Somedays are better than others. I had newbie Neil and his son in the boat for their first ever fly-fishing trip and, well, it was a rough one. Despite moving two fish right away on a streamer, most of the day was a clinic on casting and checking out the wildlife.

Thank goodness these guys were great company in the boat and enjoyed the float itself. Lots of laughs with these “Jersey Boys.” I just hate it when bad days happen to good people. 

After our two quick hits around 11AM, it was pretty quiet on nymphs and streamers until about 5PM. From then until takeout after 8PM, we had sporadic rising fish to throw to with a mix of sulphurs, olives, and a few iso’s. At least we had targets.

I can’t recommend enough doing a little backyard casting before going on an expensive fly-fishing trip. Unlike some of the fabled tailwaters out West, fly fishing is more technical and challenging here. High pressure, abundance of food, and lower fish count per mile, means that your presentation is more important than fly choice. A well-executed reach cast before the fly hits the water is an essential cast for anyone wanting to test their skills.

One of my favorite videos on the reach cast was produced by the guys at Bumcast, check it out here. Practice makes perfect. Next time, Neil!

Driving playlist included "Social Call” Betty Carter, “Mr. Soul” Buffalo Springfield, “Windmills Of Your Mind” Dusty Springfield, “One That Got Away” The Style Council.

Mike reached out to us from South Jersey looking to try a little fly fishing. With NJ flows and temps making things unfishable he opted in to make the long trek north to the West Branch of the Delaware and fish with me from the Delaware River Club. (Not a club, open to the public).

With cloudy skies and chance of rain, I hoped for the best between streamers and nymphs. We started out of the boat nymphing in some of the colder water spots on the West Branch. Bam! It only took minutes to get his first hit from a nice sized brown. Just a few minutes later on a different rock, he hooked up on a nice ‘bow about 14-inches on a perdigon midge nymph.

After one more LDR (long distance release) and torrential downpours we got back in the boat and thew streamers for about a mile. Bam. One small brown one and moved two more before finding some rising fish downriver. 

The high humidity and clouds gave us a nice hatch of olives for nearly two hours. We landed two pickles and lost a pretty good one. Not bad for a first timer!

Mike was a great student and eager to learn. While nothing over 14 inches, we did had a few in the net and had opportunities on dozens more. Practice makes perfect.

Driving playlist included "Go Underground" BB King, "I Should Have Known Better" The Beatles, "Girl From The North Country" Bob Dylan, "Sunny Came Home" Shawn Colvin.

Meredith, Claire, and Jenise from NYC joined me for a half-day class and fishing trip on the West Branch hosted at the Delaware River Club – my home away from home. Meredith had reached out to us looking for environment to try out a fly rod for the first time with the chance of hooking up with a fish. 

With NJ waters too warm and low, the only game in town is two hours north in the Catskills. I love wade fishing and being close to the fish. In many cases it helps with the hook set and fighting the fish. After some quick basics on using a fly rod, we hit the famed Home Pool to give the girls more on the water instruction joined by DRC intern Adam.

After spending a little time working on our water load cast, the fish started to bite. Jenise has the fish hit with a nice brown jumping and then getting off. Not in the net but it was action. Then it was Claire’s turn with two quick hook-ups and tugs but just couldn’t keep them button up on the hot spot pheasant tail we had as out point fly. Then it was Meredith’s turn and then back to Jenise. We had six hits within two hours without move 50 yards up or downriver.

For their first time, I think the ladies enjoyed themselves and got a taste of what the river can show you. After dinner in Callicoon, I think they got a very good taste of the Catskills!

Driving playlist included "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” Cyndi Lauper, “Girls Talk” Elvis Costello, “The Sidewinder” Bobbi Humphrey, “River” Joni Mitchell.

Mike and Brad joined me along with Brad’s father-in-law and brother-in-law on a two-boat trip for the Delaware River Club. Fishing with friend and fellow DRC guide Chris Brown made the day even more enjoyable. 

Our group was staying at a cabin on the river in-between ramps which gave us the opportunity to fish different spots at a different and slower pace. It worked out.

Our first stop was a favorite of mine where we’re often able to nymph up a fish quickly and get the skunk out of the boat within the first hour. It did not disappoint.

Brad is an experienced euro nympher and hooked up twice before getting one to the net. Good fish all of them. I moved Mike into a deeer  slot, and it paid off with a beautiful bow! After 60-minutes and plenty of action we moved down river and got out of the boat to fish a backchannel that holds fish. Both the boys had a few hook ups and three fish in the net. Awesome.

After lunch we found some smaller fish rising in a well-known pool and laded a few on an olive dry fly pattern. As the afternoon wore on and the clouds increased, the streamer bite picked up and gave us a trifecta of action with fish caught on dries, nymphs, and streamers!

Driving playlist included "Social Call” Betty Carter, “Mr. Soul” Buffalo Springfield, “Windmills Of Your Mind” Dusty Springfield, “One That Got Away” The Style Council.

Daniel reached out to us from Manhattan about trying his hand at fly fishing in NJ. Unfortunately, with the low dry conditions we are experiencing the NJ fishing has been turned off sooner than expected. Undaunted, Daniel was willing to make the trek up to the West Branch of the Delaware for his inaugural fly-fishing outing.

Often with first timers, we’ll do a shorter float and concentrate our time on productive spots working on casting technique. We got out to wade and nymph in a few spots and had a hit within the first hour. It’s funny what a little action can do to a fisherman!

For the rest of the Daniel was a focused on developing his nymphing and dry casting technique and a great student. As the half day trip concluded, it was a like a switch was hit. He had two hook ups on a Pat’s within 20-minutes at one of my go-to spots. Despite his best efforts, neither fish made it to the net. But we got a look at both as they jumped, one was approaching 20-inches, I’m sure. Beautiful brownie.

Fly fishing is a sport and requires that you have game when it comes to casting as well as fighting the fish. Next time, Daniel.

Driving playlist included "Social Call” Betty Carter, “Mr. Soul” Buffalo Springfield, “Windmills Of Your Mind” Dusty Springfield, “One That Got Away” The Style Council.

Fished with Steve and buddies from Hoboken, Jersey City, and Manhattan on a two-boat trip with fellow guide Bennett Ragland from the Delaware River Club. We put in at Shehawken and had small but rising fish within the first 30-minutes just above Junction Pool.

With the recent rain, flows were up but able to anchor near a pod of fish slashing at some caddis coming off. Bam! Steve had his first fish of the day, a small but well-marked brown trout on a dry fly! As we made the turn onto the Main Stem, we had plenty of rising fish in the foam (and plenty of boats too). A few hits, two hook ups, but nothing in the net.

We rowed away from the crowds and had targets for over 60-minutes. As the clouds broke and sun got stronger, we moved down the Main to look for rising fish on the well shaded banks. Between dry fly stops, I had Steve nymph on the go which produced a few hits but nothing in the net. We pulled over for lunch near a well-known riffle and started to see fish slashing at caddis (again) coming off the water. Two casts later, fish on! Steve did a great job hooking and fishing the rainbow into the net. As the afternoon sun dipped behind the hills, the fishing turned on, big time!

We got out of the boat in a shallower section to cast to multiple fish and landed another four on dries. Excellent! Well done, Steve Z!

Driving playlist included "Dream Weaver" Gary Wright, "Shambala” Three Dog Night, “Kathleen” Towns Van Zandt, “Ruby Baby” The Drifters, “Livin’ Thing” ELO.

Trout Unlimited (TU) is a nonprofit environmental conversation organization with a mission to protect and restore the places people love to fish. With chapters across the U.S. including a couple here in New Jersey, I do what I can to support them when I can. You should too.

I donated an Upper Delaware float trip to the Hacklebarney TU chapter fundraiser auction and dinner a few months back. Longtime TU member, Jonathan placed the winning bid on the trip and joined me for a full day on the water with his longtime fishin’ buddy John. 

With the recent rain (thank you) and mostly cloudy forecast, I thought we might find a few fish on top early. Bingo. We put in at Shehawken and within 200 yards had small rising fish to cast to. After a couple of takes, we pressed on to the famed Junction Pool where the West and East branches come together as the main stem of the Delaware River. It’s beautiful water.

All across the pool, pods of fish were rising to Hendrickson’s and Olives. John (not Jon) missed a couple of subtle takes in the slow foamy water. We changed to a cornuda cripple and Jon took first blood with a beautiful brown trout – one of the largest he’s caught on a dry!

With good flows and clouds we had targets pretty much until we hit the ramp at dusk. Several more hookups, takes, and some even in the net, it was considered a great day by all. The bonus was a shad taking a #16 spinner. “The earth, the air, the land, and the water are not an inheritance from our forefathers but on loan from our children. So, we have to handover to them at least as it was handed over to us.” Gandhi.

Driving playlist included "Go Underground" BB King, "I Should Have Known Better" The Beatles, "Girl From The North Country" Bob Dylan, "Sunny Came Home" Shawn Colvin.

For me, there is no better way to spend time with family than on the river with fly rod in hand. Caitlin from West Orange, NJ emailed me a few weeks ago with the same idea, a family outing with her sibs and spouses to celebrate her father Carl’s 75th birthday. 

Carl had fished with his father in his youth and very familiar with a fly rod. His daughter Caitlin and sibs were quick learners especially with nymphing - which often looks easier than it is. We spent the whole day on one of NJ’s most beloved rivers and TCA’s. Carl was happy to work a spot for a while and trade fishing stories while wading in the cool water.

Son Andy took first fish with a caddis dry fly to a surprise sipper on a seam just off the bank. Awesome. Then it was Carl’s turn. Working a downstream drift, he hooked up and landed a nice 16-inch rainbow eager to take a stonefly imitation. He said it was one of the biggest trout he’s ever caught. Happy Birthday, Carl! 

After a few more hookups and a few more in the net, we moved up stream after lunch where the bright afternoon sun was shuttered out by large oak and maple trees that line the bank. For the rest of the afternoon, we had nearly continuous action and another seven fish in the net. With sore arms and a half-mile walk out, we called it a day. Truly a gift of a day.

Driving playlist included "Tennessee Jed" Levon Helm, "Wings of Speed" Paul Weller, "Hercules" Aaron Neville, "Blue Monk" Art Blakey.

So far this year, we’ve had several guests on the water who were gifted a full or half-day fly fishing trip. Fellow MAPSO resident Brad was gifted a half-day trip and put it to good use with a few hookups on the Mighty Musconetcong River!

Conditions were good for mid-May. Early morning water temps in the mid-50’s with a partly cloudy sky. Like most trips, we started off nymphing with different pheasant tails, hares ears, and perdigon flies, sizes #16-#18. 

The first hour should have fished better than it did with only one quick fish on and off. Humm. Keep changing flies and keep moving. We jumped back in the car and ran upstream to a few riffles and runs that have been very productive this season. 

Brad had fished a few times before and familiar with the water load cast which helped a lot. He hooked up a few times in the fast water on a #18 Walt’s with a chartreuse 2.8 bead.  Like my client Diego the week before, fighting a fish is not easy if you don't do it often. 

While holding the rod high can get slack out quickly, staying high becomes counterproductive. A low rod tip in the opposite direction of the fish (generally upstream) increases you chance of getting it to the net. After another hook up in the pool, we called it a day with dreams of the next cast. 

Driving playlist included "Dancing In The Moonlight" King Harvest, "Rockville" R.E.M, "Long Live The Strange" Gaz Coombes, "Gatekeeper" Feist.

Fly fishing is an international sport. From the US to Canada to Spain and South American, you can cast a fly for all kinds of fish all over the planet. 

Thanks to our website SEO, I had the pleasure of fishing with Diego from North Jersey via Argentina where he fished a lot with his father. Diego was eager to get reacquainted with a life on the fly now living in New Jersey. I knew we could help.

With a half day wade trip, I feel a little more pressure to get clients fishing quickly and find a fish just as fast. But finding and netting are two different things. The art of nymphing and using a water load came back quickly to Diego and he put a pink hotspot pheasant tail on the right seams and in the right pockets to get a few hook ups. 

Be ready for the hook-up and tug. Expect it. Otherwise, you’ll dance for a few seconds and lose the fish. Most people hold the rod up as high as possible to “hook a fish” which at first can help get the slack out of the system. But by pointing the rod tip upstream and keeping it low (often in the water), you apply more pressure, better control on the fish, and have a better chance of keeping it on all the way to the net. La próxima vez, Diego!

Driving playlist included "And A Bang On The Ear" The Waterboys, "Scooby's In The Back" Halfnoise, "Chreokee" Cliffod Brown, "Round & Round" Paul Weller.

Les was gifted a full day wade trip by his business partner who found us at our “t-shirt takeover” at Bagel Chateau in Maplewood, NJ back in March. 

Direct from the UES, Les made the drive to one of my favorite and productive NJ spots. Having just fly fished once before, Les quickly found his mojo again hooking up on a fish in the first 30-minutes. It took another 30 to hook up again and land one, a beautiful rainbow trout. 

Water flows are still below average as we need more rain, but temps have been good - starting temps were in the mid 50’s. Great for fly fishing and bugs! With mostly cloudy conditions it should have fished better than it did in our first spot, so we moved on. 

Our second stop proved to be the right move with Les hooking up on a few more fish quickly  including a wild brown and landing another two ‘bows. Nice! After lunch and a drive north, we hit one more NJ stream to show him other water. 

Almost instantly we had a few takes and one more in the net. With an unwanted bath of stream water late in the day, we call it with plenty of hook ups and fish in the net.

Driving playlist included “Field Of Blues" Joey Calderazzo, "The Race Is On" George Jones, "Alchemy" KT Tunstall, "Far Americay" Solas.

Pat Regan was a regular at my home away from home, The Delaware River Club. I last saw him at the Somerset Fly Fishing Show in January, and we talked about the float trip he booked with his son Matt who would be visiting from Colorado. Sadly, Pat was killed a week later while out for an early morning walk by a drunk driver. He was just 69.

To honor his father’s memory, we kept the date, and I guided Matt along with his father’s cousin Jack Regan – his fishing buddy for decades. I’ve met so many soulful and thoughtful people on the water, fly fishing seems to attract them. Pat, Jack, and Matt easily fall into this category.

With Matt in the bow seat, we pushed off from Balls Eddy with nymph rods in hand. It wasn’t too long before Jack hooked up from the back of the boat but it got off. We pushed down another quarter mile and Jack in hooked up again – this one made it to the net! By the time we reached the Main Stem, we found rising fish. Matt’s dry fly cast was good enough to hook up on a few chubs but it was his second-cousin Jack who had the trout bite dialed in. 

With a cold rain increasing and dropping temps, we considered ourselves lucky to have landed a few beautiful fish to honor Pat’s memory and called it a day. “The water you touch in a river is the last of that which has passed, and the first of that which is coming.” Leonardo da Vinci

Driving playlist “Black Codes” Wynton Marsalis, “It’s Been A Long Long Time” Harry James, “My Favorite Things” John Coltrane. “Folsom Prison Blues” Johnny Cash.

Continuing the theme of father and son trips, I guided Jim Sr. and Jim Jr. on the Main Stem of the Delaware today. They fished the day before with my friend and fellow guide Samantha Dennis who put them on some big fish. The pressure was on.

Father and son are great casters, and Jim Jr. is an admitted streamer junkie. Sorry to say, the bright sun put the streamer bite down but helped spur a pretty good dry fly bite on the well shaded sections on the bank by early afternoon. After a few quick nymph takes and one in the net, we started to see fish rising to a bug soup on the water. Targets galore. Put nymph rods away.

From the famed Lake Lenore all the way to Buck, we targeted pods of fish eating a smorgasbord of bugs – BWO’s, Hendrickson’s, Blue Quills, even a few March Browns. Jim Sr. and Jr. finished the day with a couple more on emerger and cripple patterns as we left the fish continuing to rise in the fading light of dusk.

Driving playlist included “If I Should Fall From Grace With God” The Pogues, “My Way” Sid Vicious, “Sir Duke” Stevie Wonder,” “Veronica” Elvis Costello.

Over the last two days I had I the pleasure of fishing with experienced fly guys Mike Sr. and Mike Jr. on the wonderful West Branch, Delaware. Starting at the ramp, sporadic risers peaked our attention. Hopes were high. 

By late morning, the rain stared and the BWO’s came out in great numbers along with Hendrickson’s and Blue Quills. Bam, game on for nearly 2 hours. Rain, clouds, and high water put the fish at ease and gave us plenty of targets and a few in the net over the rest of the day.

The clouds from the day before cleared into a blue-bird sky on day two making things a little more challenging and dry fly action not as consistent. After a few misses in the spot that produced the day before, we moved down river “head hunting” for sipping browns and rainbows. As the sun drifted behind the hills of the Catskills, things got really interesting, really quick.

Several “bank eaters” including the 20-inch monster pictured here, were happily sipping small olives in the surface film. Elephants eat peanuts. Thanks for a great day, Mike and Mike!

Driving playlist “Court & Spark” Joni Mitchell, “New Friend” Aqualung, “Tell Her This” Del Amitri, “The Only Mama That’ll Walk The Line” Linda Rondtadt.

I had the pleasure of fishing with Chris and George (and the dogs) the last two days for my friends at the Delaware River Club. Wonderful people and excellent fly fishers, Chris and George are dream clients for any guide. 

With light rain, solid flows, and water temps near 50, we threw streamers until we saw bugs and rising fish starting late morning. We moved a few but it wasn’t on fire to say the least. Two hours in and we started to see some Hendrickson’s and Blue Quills at one of my favorite pools, yassssss! With streamer rods tucked away, I put on a #16 cripple pattern and bam, first fish of the day! For the remainder of day one, we found fish rising to Hendrickson’s and Quills and landed another three fish.

Day two got really interesting right from the start. Moderate overnight rain added 20% more to the flows and really stained the water. Perfect streamer conditions. Within the first 30-minutes we moved four fish and landed one. The pool that produced dry fly action the day before had gone quiet – likely due the rain and rising water. With streamer rods back in hand we moved another three and lost two that just didn’t stay buttoned up.

Around 3 PM things got very good with plenty of bugs and rising fish. We landed another three on dries and lost a few more before the cold set in and the rain grew heavier. Soaked to the bone we called it a day – a very great day!

Driving playlist included “Tiny Dancer” Elton John, “Layla” Derek and the Dominos, “Fisherman’s Blues” The Waterboys,  “Every Day Is A Winding Road” Sheryl Crow.

Two days two different stories. On day one with Boris and his son, we struggled to find fish consistently rising to the stoneflies and other bugs that were in the air on the West Branch. 

While the flows were high, the water temps near 50 and cloudy skies kept us looking and hoping things would turn on. Finally, as we saw more bugs on the water and fewer in the air by afternoon, the bite turned one for a little while. Boris landed a nice brown! Phew.

The next day skies cleared after some overnight rain and the stained water helped give Pat (pictured) three streamer fish and move a few others within the first two miles of water we covered. We had plenty of action. After lunch the Apple Caddis came out in force and we had plenty of targets from Hancock, NY and Buckingham, PA all afternoon. The Main Stem can be magical on the right conditions. 

Pat landed seven fish and missed a few more. A great day in part to his excellent casting skills including a masterful reach cast that fooled some big browns and a rainbow! 

Driving playlist included “If I Should Fall From Grace With God” The Pogues, “My Way” Sid Vicious, “Sir Duke” Stevie Wonder,” “Veronica” Elvis Costello.

I was pleased to fish with Les again on a special Friday PTO edition of Suburban Fly Fishers. ;-). I fished with him back in the fall and we’ve kept in touch over the last few months. He had cycled the trail above the Ken Lockwood Gorge but never fished it. It was time.

I got there early to test a few flies I had just tied and caught a nice rainbow on my second cast before he arrived. The day started off right. From beginning to end, the day was filled with hookups, several LDR’s, and a few in the net too!

On Saturday, I fished again with Daniel and his family on the Musky. After a slow start, the morning kicked into high gear using a mix of flies from pheasant tails to IPW’s to perdigons in green and orange. While Daniel got skunked, his wife and son had multiple fish including the one picture just before we called it a day.

Saturday afternoon I fished with rookie Tony on the Pequest before his first fly trip to Central Pennsylvania to fish with family. With 5 in the net and few more hook ups, he's ready!

Driving playlist included “Yes And No” Branford Marsalis, “Wind That Shakes The Barley” Solas, “Contusion” Stevie Wonder, “The Race Is On” George Jones, "American Tune", Eva Cassidy.

I love wading the small streams and rivers here in New Jersey. You can really work a spot, refine your drift, and zero in on fly choice. We have great public access and a good population of stocked and wild trout that help connect the dots between technique and success.

I had two half day trips today and both were very productive. My early riser Andrew is a well-versed salt and spin fisherman buthalf-day has always had a curiosity about the ways of the fly. With a few Hares Ears, we hit a section of the South Branch in search of a trout willing to take a fly. After a little practice, he perfected his water-load and stared casting a nymph with ease. With a several hook ups and a couple in the net, I think we’ll see him again soon on the water!

Matt joined me in the afternoon for his first NJ walk and wade trip. I’ll often take newbies to known spots where I know the fish are so we can eliminate at least one variable from the day. After getting the knack for casting a nymph and mending his line he had a few hookups on some nice rainbows but just couldn’t get them to the net. Next time!

Driving playlist included “Wade In The Water” Ramsey Lewis,  “So Very Hard To Go” Tower of Power, “Tales From The Riverbank” The Jam, “Hackensack” Fountains of Wayne.

Early spring still feels like winter. While levels have stabilized, water temps are still a little chilly on the Upper Delaware today.

I had Paul for a two-boat trip and he moved a couple on a streamer. However, the takes were tentative and are not real aggressive due to water temps still in the mid-40’s. We had a few dry fly shots later in the afternoon but only a few. Kinda sucked.

Jon floated with me the next day on my first trip of the season on the Main Stem of the Delaware. While air and water temps improved a little the bright sun and clear water made the nymph and streamer bite hard in the morning. In the afternoon we found a few pods of rising fish and spirits were raised. 

Again, these are wild fish that want a perfect cast. Using a reach cast and “feeding” the fish with a drag free drift is required. Finally, Jon hooked up on a regular eater but lost him at the boat. Disappointing to be sure, but for his first time on the river he unlocked the code on at least on big fish, that's not easy to do! Next time, Jon.

Driving playlist included “Tangled Up In Blue” Bob Dylan, “Marquee Moon” Television, “ Something So Strong” Crowded House, “I Can’t Dance” Gram Parsons. 

Fishing was tough. I hate it when great people are dealt a bad hand by Mother Nature. Nancy & Jo came up for their first Upper Delaware trip and half-day float. Conditions went from poor to soul-

sucking from put in to take-out. With wind gusts over 30 MPH, getting the simplest of cast was not easy. 

The next day I had Derek and his son for a full day float. High cold water made nymphing unproductive at the start, but conditions improved enough for some late afternoon shots on rising fish with a small stonefly pattern.

It’s been a weird winter and early spring with temps. I figured we would have had an early spring but it feels like winter will hang around until May. Ugh.

Driving playlist included “Every Day Is A Winding Road” Sheryl Crow, “Windy” The Association, “Fair and Warmer” Harry James, “Sparky’s Dream” Teenage Fanclub.

What a difference a day makes. Nick and Jill were visiting the Upper Delaware for only the second time and eager to see the river from a drift boat. 

The storms that hit the Northeast overnight Saturday changed the conditions of the river almost instantly. By early Sunday morning water temps dropped back to well below 40 degrees and the 50 MPH wind gusts made for a banshee whine in your ears and whitecaps on the river.

Undaunted, they agreed to change to a half day float hoping that the wind would die down somewhat by the afternoon. It kinda sorta did. The less high winds and high cold water created unpleasant conditions for fish and fisherman alike. 

The few takes we were able to muster were timid and tentative. In the last hour of the float and warmest part of the day (relatively speaking), Jill had two hook ups but nothing in the net. 

C’est la vie. Hope you come fish with me again you guys!

Driving playlist included “Windy” The Association, The Maker” Wille Nelson, “Rainy Night House” Joni Mitchell, “Honey Buns” Bobby Rydell.

I had the pleasure of guiding Patrick and Donneil (pictured) on my first Delaware trip of the 2023 season for my friends at the Delaware River Club. The boys are fishin’ buddies from the Bronx but haven’t fished since Donneil moved back to Glasgow, Scotland a few years ago.

Early spring trips are very dependent on conditions - especially water temperatures (see April 2 report). While the dam was spilling, the recent snowmelt and rain put the bite off for the first few hours of the trip. Flows over 3,000 CFS and water temps in the high 30’s made things challenging to say the least.

However, mother nature threw us a bone by late morning with bright and warm sunshine that quickly raised water temps from 39 degree to nearly 45 degrees in just a couple of hours. That’s all we needed. 

After a quick fish on a #14 Blowtorch nymph, we switched back to streamers and finished the day with 4 in the net and a “big one” that got away.

The warm temps also helped spur some end of day dry fly fishing with black caddis and stones coming off in solid numbers. Math air a dhèanamh, lads!

Driving playlist included “Saint Dominic’s Preview” Van Morrison, “Centerfield” John Fogarty, “Chance” Big Country, “Birth of the True” Aztec Camera.

Jersey City Jon came back to fish with me across two great trout conservation areas (TCA) this weekend. With some caveats, TCA's remain open during stocking for catch-and-release fishing only. 2023 Trout regulations are here.

We started the day at the Pequest TCA which is about 1.5 miles long and boasts great pocket water with plenty of riffles, runs, and pools. Between holdover and newly stocked fish, your chances of hooking up are pretty good with the right depth, drift, and fly.

Jon’s been working on his nymphing, and it paid off! With seven fish in the net and another seven hook-ups, I’d say he’s doing just fine. The first few fish were on a #16 Walt’s with a chartreuse 2.8mm bead. We switched to a larger pool downriver after hitting a couple honey holes that had no honey. A few casts without a hit, we switched to an #18 orange perdigon. Boom, mic drop. 3 more fish and another few hook-ups. 

After a quick lunch from Oscar’s in Millburn, NJ, we jumped in the car and headed down Route 31 to check out the TCA on the mighty Musconetcong. Two more fish - one on a Pat’s and another on the Walt’s and it was time to call it a day. Higher water, cloudy skies , and a healthy dose of stocked fish made this the most productive day so far in 2023. Well done, Jon! See you on the Delaware.

Driving playlist included “It Always Happens This Way” Toulouse, “Fare Thee Well” Townes Van Zandt, “Ease Back” The Meters, “Dinner at Eight,” Rufus Wainwright.

Discovering new water and meeting new people is part of the fly-fishing experience for me. It’s not always about catching a fish – but it helps if you do! 

I had the pleasure of fishing with friend and mentor Bruce Miller on the famed South Holston and its sister river the Watauga near Bristol, TN last weekend. We were expertly guided by Brady Carter from The South Holston River Company, who managed to put us on fish despite low water dam releases courtesy of the TVA. 

Day one on the Watauga was a solid streamer day with drizzle and clouds. After a quick take at the ramp, it was quiet for the next hour until I switched to a sink tip and bam, game on! Not a large quantity of fish but quality fish on the Watauga. We even enjoyed a great olive hatch towards the end of the day and had a few smalls on dries. 

Day two on the South Holston was about quantity with nearly two dozen small browns and rainbows taken on nymphs, dries, and streamers too! Pretty much action from put in to pull out.

We began each day with great breakfasts from Hickory Tree Grocery and ended each day with meals at 620 State, Bloom, and Southern Craft BBQ. Thanks, Brady, for a great two days on the water!

Driving playlist included “Walking on The Moon” The Police, “Big Fool Of The Year” George Jones, “Tennessee” Shawn Colvin, “Good Times, Bad Times” Led Zeppelin.

A big thank you to John, Angie, and the entire staff at the Bagel Chateau in Maplewood, NJ for letting us do a little in-store promotion for SFF this weekend. 

I had a chance to talk to a lot of great people (while scarfing down the best bagel in NJ) about fly fishing, saltwater fishing, moms interested in gift trips for kids, a husband thinking about giving a gift trip for his wife, and more than a few dudes and dudette’s just looking for some alone time learning to fish on the fly. Pretty cool.

For many people, like my repeat clients Nancy and Jo who fished with me on Sunday afternoon, just being out in the relative quiet on a New Jersey stream like the Pequest is all they need. Catching a fish is a bonus.

Luckily Nancy had one Sunday. Phew. It was only her second time nymphing and she got back in the groove quickly. She hooked up on a sizeable rainbow trout using a #16 Walt’s with a chartreuse bead head. Got it almost to the net but with a last head shake it was off. C’est la vie.

All of the folks I talked to at the Bagel Chateau Saturday had the same reaction to fly fishing - it sounds intimidating or a bit of a posh sport. It doesn’t have to be. Get outside!

Driving playlist “Conversation” Joni Mitchell, “For Turiya” Charlie Haden, “I Need You” The Beatles, “If I Ever Was A Child” Wilco, “Ausencias” Astor Piazzolla.

We all love and hate New Jersey, I know. We hate the traffic, the new Karens who just moved from Brooklyn complaining about the lack of almond butter choices at Stop & Shop, and the generally high cost of living. But there’s much to love about the Garden State - especially some wonderful green spaces and great public access to some beautiful trout waters like the Mighty Musconetcong River.

Jon from Jersey City (via Ladysmith, South Africa) is an experienced fly fisherman and marathon runner. He’s moved to U.S. for the next two years for business and I think we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other on the water. With cold weather gear in hand, Jon reached out to us to get a jump on his NJ trout fishing experience. 

Winter fishing is about getting your flies low in the water column and having your expectations even lower. With the weird winter weather we’ve been having the fishing has not been as predictable as years past. But with the right levels of persistence and patience it has been productive. Jon did a great job of getting the knack for nymphing and was rewarded with his first NJ trout despite early morning temps in the high 20’s. Baie geluk, Jon!

Driving playlist “Shotgun Down the Avalanche” Shawn Colvin, “Blue Heron Suite” Sarah Jarosz, “Dance On” Gaz Coombes, “The Changingman” Paul Weller, “The Milkman of Human Kindness” Billy Bragg.

Did you know that February 5 is National Weather Person’s Day? If I knew one personally, I would have thanked them for the min-thaw we had yesterday. I fished a section of New Jersey’s Mighty Musky that I haven’t fished in a few years. I wanted to test the notion that after a few days of a deep freeze and not eating, trout will be a little more aggressive when they see a fly. Theory confirmed.

With air temps in the high 40’s, mostly cloudy skies, and flows at 250 CFS it was a very good winter fishing day. My winter expectations are low. If I net 1-2 fish, I’m very happy. I had 4 in the net. (Had I been paying better attention to my drift and not talking with my fellow fisherman on the banks, I would’ve had three more).

“Eggstacy” is over for now. I started with an egg pattern below another fly. After 20-min in a deep pool with no luck, I switched to a #16 Pat’s Rubber Legs above an #18 BWO perdigon. Bamn, game on for the rest of the day. Had a chat with two young first time fly fishers and gave them a Pat’s, a spool of tippet, and the spot. I moved down stream and after a while I think I heard some hooting and hollering.

Driving playlist “Wah Wah” George Harrison, “All Soul” Hubert Laws, “Run, Baby, Run” Sheryl Crow, “The Changingman” Paul Weller, “You and I” Black Ivory.

Okay, I get it. I have a problem. Some might call it an addiction. It’s New Year’s Day 2023 and I’m looking for trout on one of my favorite New Jersey streams. Knee deep in 40-degree water under a beautiful blue sky, little wind, flows around 180 CFS, off-color water, and air temps hovering around 50. An awesome winter fishing day.

Winter fishing is not for everyone but is a great remedy for cabin fever (and a slight hangover from a great bottle of 2018 Givry Clos Saint Paul burgundy).

I hit two NJ rivers on the first day of 2023 and had five hookups with four in the net including a small but beautiful wild brook trout. After using a tandem rig and snagging the trees a couple of times, I cut one off and used a single #14 hot pink egg pattern using the Eggstacy material. Bam, game on for the rest of the day.

Winter fishing isn’t for everyone but is right for anyone who doesn’t mind layering up and getting out on the water!

Driving playlist Hank Mobley Quintet 1957 Remastered “Funk In Deep Freeze”, “Wham and They’re Off”, “Fin De L’Affaire”, “Startin’ From Scratch”, “Base On Balls.”

Before 2022 slipped away, we had the chance to float with our friend Steven Shen from STS Guide Service and new friend Zach Eason from Blue Line Adventures for steelhead on the fabled Salmon River.  

Emily, Peter, and Nish all found fish – some fresh in from Lake Ontario and some that have been in the river a while.

For late December, conditions were pretty good, dare I say balmy. At 28 degrees and little wind, we were able to concentrate on the bite and not keeping warm. We didn’t have to navigate too many wade fisherman with flows around 750 CFS.

Steelhead are migratory rainbow trout measured in pounds and not inches on these waters. Even in the cold, these fish put up a good fight and are beautiful up close. We highly recommend fishing with Steve and Zach for a Salmon River or Oswego River float trip for big fish like Steelhead on any tackle. 

Driving playlist “Beth” Kiss, “Take it to the Limit” The Eagles, “Wah-Wah” George Harrison, “Strange Magic” ELO, “Cold, Cold Heart” Hank Williams.

Direct from NYC, Peter and Nish joined me for a little post-Turkey wade trip today! The mild temps and good ‘nuff water flows have given us some extra innings here in New Jersey to cast a fly as we approach early winter. 

While our morning started off cloudy and damp by lunch it was bright, sunny. A very pleasant day after Thanksgiving. The fish didn’t seem to mind the high sun as we had a few hook-ups and a couple in the net pretty quickly. 

Again, we had to move around and target specific rocks and structure frequently to find them. But they were there! Most fish were hooked on #14 egg pattern but a couple on an orange and green perdigon deal size #16.

Tomorrow I’m likely to put down the 5-weight rod and pick up my 9-weight and hit the surf looking for striped bass on the fly. The 2023 fall run has been epic by all accounts and not showing any signs of letting up anytime soon!
 

Driving playlist “Last Goodbye” Jeff Buckley, “This Forgotten Town” The Jayhawks, “Downtown Train” Tom Waits, “High Hopes” Frank Sinatra.

I’ve known Chuck D since we were five years old, but this was the very fish time we fished together. Work, kids, music, and a host of other things got in the way. We finally made the time and hit a couple of NJ trout streams with fly rods in hand. Thanks to the clouds and rain, the trout bite was pretty good for most of the day. 

We started off on the Pequest and had to hunt to find the fish. After hitting a couple of pools that didn’t produce, we walked upstream in the shallowest parts hitting every rock and branch with a cast or two. It’s important on days like theses not to get “standitis” and stay in one spot too long. Keep moving.

A few casts behind a big rock and fish on (and off)! Still, we found one. A few steps up the river near a fallen tree and we landed a colored-up rainbow trout. Then another one! A quick stop at a known honey hole farther up river and wham-o! Another in the net. 

We hit one more NJ river and landed two more fish on an egg pattern. In between casts, catching up talking about our kids and the many moments of youthful stupidity that we shared. The day ended perfectly with a pint at Darby Road Tavern in Scotch Plains. Sláinte!

Driving playlist “If I Should Fall From Grace With God” The Pogues, “My Way” Sid Vicious, “Sir Duke” Stevie Wonder,” “Veronica” Elvis Costello.

If you like fishing a streamer tight to the bank, you’ll love saltwater fly fishing. I’m just a few years new to the salt but have developed a passion for catching slot and schoolie stripers on a fly rod. 

At the last minute, I reached out to our friend Capt. Joe Mattioli from On the Bite NYC Charters about a 6-hour trip on Raritan Bay. With a reply of “afternoon top water bite has been awesome” I booked a trip with fellow DRC guide Bruce Miller along in tow. It did not disappoint. With over 30 hook ups and a dozen fish in the next six-hours. 

Fish were busting on the surface all over the place, all you had to do was just follow the birds. Most of the eats were on the surface or high in the water column. We highly recommend fishing with Capt. Joe. Don’t rush out to buy any salt gear, he’s got everything you need for the trip.

The striper season has a few more weeks in it, so give him a call today! https://www.fishingnyc.com/

Driving playlist “Be Real” The Sir Douglas Quintet, “Too Much Water” George Jones, “That I’ll Be The Day” Buddy Holly & the Crickets, “I Need You” The Beatles

We got a rare and much-needed rainy day here in New Jersey. Fishing is sooooooo much better with clouds, a little rain, and high humidity. I guided my Maplewood neighbor Alex around two streams and he killed it. He got the knack for nymphing quickly and landed two rainbow trout on a size #14 egg pattern within the first 30-minutes. Two more hook ups then we moved around to a few other spots without a hit. We drove upstream and lost a demo fish, it looked like an elusive brown trout. 20-minutes later and Alex found a colored-up rainbow. Yes!

After lunch we hit another NJ river about 20-minutes away and lucky to find some open water – it was a tad crowded. Nevertheless, Alex read the water well and landed two more rainbows before we called it a day.

Five in the net is not always the case with first-time fly fishers but the cloudy rainy skies coupled with Alex’s attention to casting paid off. A great day for client and guide capped off with a Guinness and a Jameson at Pickett’s Village Tavern here in Maplewood. Thanks, Alex!

Driving playlist “Cape Town” The Young Veins, “My Sharona” The Knack, “Stand and Deliver” Adam Ant, “Rain Dogs” Tom Waits, “Court and Spark” Joni Mitchell.

Despite having a very busy month doing trout trips I had a day off and hired Capt. Zach Flake to get in some striped bass fishing on the fly with Peter.

I first heard of Zach last year as the only guide to fish the Meadowlands and Newark Bay for slot and schoolie fish. Over the last 20-years these waters have become clean, healthy, and full of bait fish thanks to federal and state clean water regulations. Yes, the aesthetic may not be everyone’s cuppa tea, but finding schools of stripers eating off the surface is exciting anywhere. 

We put in before first light and got down just below the bridge for Route 78. As slack tide gave way, the blitz was on! Big fish, little fish all taking a fly stripped back to the boat quickly.

Peter took first blood with a slot fish and then we had a double and then another double. It was full-on. As the sun got higher, winds more intense, and tides changed again the bite slowed and we called it a day. If you like streamer fishing but never tried the salt with a fly rod, give Zach a call! You can contact him on his website www.flywaychartersnj.com
 

Driving playlist “Adult Diversion” Alvvays, “So Very Hard To Go” Tower of Power, “Tales From The Riverbank” The Jam, “Hackensack” Fountains of Wayne.

Author and fisherman Les found us after a quick search for NJ+Fly+Fishing+Guides. Seems our SEM is working pretty well! 

After a few emails, he booked a half-day wade trip on NJ’s longest river to break out his fly gear.

Every day is different when it comes to fishing. Conditions change and fish often move around finding the right balance of protection and food. We hit some often-producing spots that didn’t produce. The bright sun didn’t seem to help. Ugh.

After 90-minutes working two runs and pools unsuccessfully and changing from eggs to perdigons to pheasant tails we hit another part of the river that has been good but not always great. Well, it was great today! 

This spot is a classic bend pool with a short riffle at the top, a deep mid-section and shallow tail out. Second cast into the deepest and darkest spot with an egg fly and bam, fish on! Next, we targeted a fallen tree and with the phase “wood is good” in mind. Les peppered the stretch just a few more times before landing another ‘bow that we watched come out from under the submerged tree. Perfect! 

We hit one more spot that just didn’t produce as the sun stared to fall behind the hills. Next time.

Driving playlist “Money Changes Everything” Cyndi Lauper, “Man In The Corner Shop” The Jam, “The Groove Merchant” Mel Lewis, “No Matter Where We Go” Whitney.

The best gifts for me to give family and friends are experience gifts. Caleb was gifted a full-day fly fishing trip by his parents for his 17th birthday last Spring. We rescheduled the outing twice as conditions deteriorated quickly by late May and not up to our standards for NJ fishing. So, we rolled the dice and waited till the Fall. It paid off.

The fishing picked up by mid-morning with Caleb’s dad landing the first trout. Undeterred, Caleb quickly hooked up on two other fish. Water temps were in the l ow-mid 50’s and levels were okay but we still need more rain and a lot of snow this winter to make up for this year’s drought. That would be the best gift Mother Nature could give us all.

After lunch (PB&J on Dave’s Killer Bread), we took a quick drive to hit another river, a usual “honey hole.” After 30-mins of no honey, we hit one more spot. Our prayers to the God of Nymphing (Lance Egan) paid off and Caleb landed his “birthday ‘bow." Two in the net and two other hookups, memories were made.

Driving playlist Impressions” John Coltrane, “Pump It Up” Elvis Costello, “Nobody” Mitski, “Gunslinging Bird” Mingus Big Band, “Moanin’” Mingus Big Band.“

Daniel was referred to me from a friend and eager to learn more about fly fishing while getting out with his two sons for a half-day wade trip. They had a great time! 

Daniel had used a fly rod before but his boys were completely new to casting, mending, and setting the hook. With four fish in the net, I'd say they are quick learners!

Egg pattens and the IPW got the job done from first light to lunchtime. After telling his youngest Nathan to cast near a fallen tree, I turned around to see him hooked up. Noah was also a quick study too and landed fish. Both boys were very attentive to mending and making sure their flies got to the bottom. 

Fly fishing isn’t easy to learn on the first outing. Today was a day that guides love. Our clients were great students and their attention to detail was rewarded with a “tug.” Well done!
 

Driving playlist “Black Codes” Wynton Marsalis, “It’s Been A Long Long Time” Harry James, “My Favorite Things” John Coltrane. “Folsom Prison Blues” Johnny Cash.

I met John earlier this year on the Delaware guiding a series of float trips with his long-time fishin’ buddies. Hailing from NYC’s forgotten borough, John asked me about showing him some new spots in Jersey to cast a fly rod. 

He’s an excellent and experienced fisherman and just started playing around with euro nymphing, a technique that can be especially useful in the low and clear waters of autumn. He’s a perfect client and great company on the water.

In less than 30-minutes, we found fish in the faster riffles. After a few fish and hookups, we traveled upriver to a nice stretch that can hold wild fish. Less than ten casts on the first spot and we’re on a rainbow but off just a quickly. Getting tight fast is especially important with a barbless jig hook. 

We had fish on an egg imitation and my new favorite fly “The Duracell.”  After a quick bite of a sandwich from Oscar’s in Millburn, NJ we took a short drive to the Pequest TCA. While they are plenty of fish around, it gets a lot of pressure. We had one hook up in the afternoon but by 3 the bite had turned off. C’est la vie. 

Driving playlist “Broken Stones” Paul Weller, “Breakdown” Tom Petty, “I Fall To Pieces” Patsy Cline, “It Hurts Me” Cootie Williams, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” Elton & Kiki

“When you put your hand in a flowing stream, you touch the last that has gone before and the first of what is still to come.” Leonardo Da Vinci. 

My grandfather introduced me to fly fishing. We only got to fish a few times before he passed but it created a lifetime passion. As a guide, part of the fun taking people fishing is reliving your first time and first fish with people.

We had the pleasure of fishing with fellow Maplewood residents, Luke, and his father Paul. Luke is a fishing enthusiast, keen on learning the ways of the fly – like a good padawan. After finding some open water and dodging hordes of spin fisherman (yes, I’m a bit of a snob) we put Paul and Luke into some pockets that often hold fish.

After getting the knack for the water load, Luke concentrated on pocket water near some big rocks. A quick change to a #18 BWO perdigon fly, and bam he's hooked up with a slob of a rainbow trout. The look on his face was priceless, one of total surprise, fear, and joy. Unfortunately, we lost him. Damn.

Fighting a fish is often a crash course for newbies but with his supportive parents, Luke is well on his well to fly fishing mastery!

Driving playlist “Time Passages” Al Stewart, “Amongst Butterflies” Paul Weller, “Big Rock Candy Mountain” Pete Seeger, “Deeper Down” Wilco.

Autumn fly fishing is fun with fewer people around but is not easy. Water levels are lower in the fall, water clearer, and a “maple leaf hatch” challenges both newbies and veterans alike. 

Lex saw one of our posters at The Bagel Chateau in Maplewood Village (Thanks, John) and contacted us about doing a half-day wade trip. With some fly experience under his belt, Lex was interested in learning more about nymphing and where he might find a cooperative trout in NJ. We thought we could help.

We fished the Musconetcong, New Jersey’s longest river which empties into the Delaware near Milford, NJ. The colder nights turned the fish off a bit and required that we moved from spot to spot. 

Nymphing is especially important in the fall and winter. As temps drop, the fish will move into slower and deeper parts of a river where they use less energy but can still access food. Lex used a tandem rig with a Prince and a Walt’s with a chartreuse tungsten bead to get down to the fish. 

Well done, Lex! See you in the spring.

Driving playlist “Beauty and the Beast” Wayne Shorter, “Indian Summer” Joe Walsh, “Pictures of Me” Elliott Smith, “San Antonio Baby” Raul Malo.

Kenny was gifted a walk and wade trip with Suburban Fly Fishers by his wife for his birthday a few months ago. 

Between personal schedules and fishing conditions it took a while to get the trip in but we were finally able to get out on the water. And it was worth the wait!

With the Flatbrook flows slightly above average, we took a drive up into the skylands to see if we could find a few fish. After a slow start, the bite picked up late morning and was pretty good all day. 

Egg patterns, IPW's and Walt's Worms brought a few fish to the net and one that got away.

Kenny had fished a lot with his father, but now with kids of his own, he hasn't had a lot of free time to cast a fly. I'm glad we could get him out. I think after today, we might find him exploring NJ's trout streams a little more.

Driving playlist “Be Real” The Sir Douglas Quintet, “Too Much Water” George Jones, “That I’ll Be The Day” Buddy Holly & the Crickets, “I Need You” The Beatles

As much as I like to think I’m guiding my clients on trips, they are in fact, guiding me. Nancy and Jo reached out to me about doing a half-day wade trip. Both ladies are over 70 years young and inspirational (and adorable).

Wade fishing is not easy and the slick rocks make it challenging for young and old alike. But to get to where the fish are, you’ve often need to get “out there.” 

With wading staff (and old rake handle) in hand, Nancy and Jo took it slow and got into some spots that usually produce a fish or two. Usually is the operative word. 

Despite getting a feel for nymphing, we came up short in a few spots. Frustrating. I’ve never wanted to see someone hook up on a fish as much as I did for Nancy and Jo. It’s been a very productive year at least 95% of the time (57 trips YTD with only 3 days skunked). Hated that they fell into the 5% but they didn’t seem to mind. 

Getting out on the river, learning a new skill, successfully navigating some treacherous rocks, and only getting caught in the tree twice was seen as a good day. Learn to let go. That is the key to happiness.

Driving playlist "Fisherman’s Blues" The Waterboys, "Cruel" Calexico, "Social Call” Betty Carter, “The Harder They Come” Jimmy Cliff.

There are a lot of nuances to fly casting whether a nymph, steamer, or dry fly. Add an upstream wind of 20 mph and gusts over 30 at times, well, it's frigging hard just getting the simplest of lobs over the boat.

Kat and Bill visited the Delaware River Club as part of an Albany, NY area fly fishing group. This was their first-time fishing from a drift boat, and they did great despite the howling wind.

After a quick demo fish on a stonefly nymph at the launch, we struggled against the wind for the next few hours. While the back channels provided some slight protection against the gusts, they provided no fish to net.

 
After rejoining the main river and fighting two-foot swells, (really, no kidding) the wind let up just enough for us to find a few rising fish at the end of the trip. Their persistence paid off!

 
Bill threw a BWO dry to a small pod of rising fish and bam, a whole day’s worth of windburn was gone. I think they got the Delaware "flu" and we'll see them in 2023!

Driving playlist "Ain't No Telling" Jimi Hendrix, "Delfeayo's Dilemma" Wynton Marsalis, "Against The Wind" Bob Seeger, "Jackson" Johnny Cash.

Uncle Terry from Florida, braved the early autumn chill of the Catskills for a few days of fly fishing. Although more of a salt spin guy, he caught on early to nymphing from a drift boat and wading.

With low but cold water, we floated from the mid-section of the West Branch. After a couple of hits, Terry very quietly landed a beautiful brown trout on a Walt's Worm with an orange bead. By the end of the evening, we had a hatch of olives and landed another on a Hebe #18 dun pattern. 

The next day we fished the Main Stem and saw fewer fish despite favorable general conditions. Kinda sucked. After wading in a few spots without netting a fish, we finally landed a colored-up rainbow trout. Phew, not skunked!

The last day on the river showed us what a sensative resource this waterway is. The NYS DEP changed the flow from the dam to a piss of 100 CFS from a meager 300 CFS just the day beore sending the fish in to a state of shock and likley hurting the fall spawn. We can do better.

Driving playlist "Needle and the Damage Done" Neil Young, "New Lace Sleeves" Elvis Costello, "Chain of Fools" Aretha Franklin, "Friday" Joe Jackson.

Jody and his son Paul visit the Upper Delaware River every year for a weekend retreat that connects the spiritual life to many aspects of fly fishing.

We fished a half-day on the lower West Branch of the Delaware. Despite the low (but cold) water and high sun I thought we could find at least one fish willing to take a nymph or dry fly. We didn't. Nada. Zlich.

While I was pretty upset, Jody who lead the retreat reminded me that it's not just about the fishing. Time with his son on the water and gathering with friends was the core of his trip. Sage advice.

The next day I had husband and wife Richard and Tamar, long time fisher people and a lovely couple. While we didn't get skunked, fishing was lackluster. 

But over the course of the day, we had many laughs and conversations that reminded me again it's not just about the fishing. Thanks, Richard and Tamar for your great company and dinner too!

Driving playlist "Morning Morgantown" Joni Mitchell, "Wade In The Water" Young Holt, "Martha" Tom Waits, "If You Love Somebody" Sting.

Athan and his dad were first-timers on the Delaware and looking to test their skills on these fabled waters. With water temps good on both the West and Main, we set out on a full-day float out of the Delaware River Club.

 
While water flows were still below preferred levels, water temps and mostly cloudy skies gave us a good amount of optimism. 

 
Before too long, we had hooked up on two fish using a fire orange Walt's Worm. Alas, they didn't make it into the net. With a third LDR (long distance release) at the storied Home Pool, I could feel my blood pressure rising as the sun dropped behind the clouds.

 
We hit the main by midafternoon and were greeted with a few consistently sporadic rising fish. Yup. Before too long, back to the nymph rod to pick up a few more fish. Patience and persistence. This time one made it to the net!

Driving playlist "Social Call” Betty Carter, “Miss Misery” Elliott Smith, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” U2, “Driven To Tears” The Police.

On this very solemn day, I had the privilege to support a very worthy organization, Paint the Delaware Pink. PTDP offers the “Hooked on Hope” weekend fly fishing retreat for breast cancer survivors. The three-day event provides women who have battled through this awful disease, a chance to experience the beauty of the Upper Delaware and expand their support network.

Hosted at The Delaware River Club, we did a short float to cap off a weekend’s worth of fly-fishing education along with a lot of laughs, tears, and fish! 

I had the privilege of having Dr. Karen in the boat. An experienced fly fisherwoman and OBGYN, Dr. Karen put her flies in all the right places but didn’t find fish until the last 200 yards of the trip. 

In short order, she landed an 18-inch colored up brown (shown) and a 17-inch rainbow on a fire orange and chartreuse beaded Walt’s. The doctor was most definitely in!

http://www.paintthedelawarepink.com to learn how you can support or participate!

Driving playlist “Court & Spark” Joni Mitchell, “New Friend” Aqualung, “Tell Her This” Del Amitri, “The Only Mama That’ll Walk The Line” Linda Rondtadt.

Fran, Dick, and John are long-time fishin' buddies who do a few float trips each year on the Upper Delaware River. All are excellent fishermen and good guys to be around.

I was on a two-boat prime-time evening float for my friends from the Delaware River Club and had John, a former NYC school teacher both nights in the boat.

Despite the yo-yo water levels both evenings, we found some rising fish on the Upper and Lower sections of the West Branch. Each night John used a hopper dropper or a dry dropper set up with some success. On evening two, we had fish on a #14 Purple Haze, a #16 Steely Dan dropper, and a #14 Sexy Walt's dropper with hot orange bead. Aside from the Walt's, a very musical fly selection.

Over the two trips we had 9 solid fish including the fish pictured above which measured 19-inches. Give my friends a call at the DRC about a full, half-day, or 3 hour prime-time float. Great way to see the river!

Driving playlist "Purple Haze" Jimi Hendrix, "Reelin' In The Years" Steely Dan, "And Your Bird Can Sing" The Beatles, "Kiss Me On The Bus" The Replacements.

Maplewood, NJ is a great community, we've been there for over 20-years. We have some great neighbors but none like Paul. I’d come home from trips and Paul would always ask how it went and what’s fly fishing all about anyway. So, I dragged him from suburban New Jersey to the relative wilds of the Catskills for his first ever fly-fishing trip. Joined by his son-in-law John, we floated the upper west branch in search of at least one rainbow or brown trout. One is all it takes for me. And, well…um one is all we got. 

At 72 years young, Paul took to nymphing from the boat pretty quickly. We landed a nice 16-inch brown on a “fly formerly known as Prince” nymph within the first hour. Sometimes, quick success can be a bad thing. 

With dropping water levels and bright sun the fish were a tad picky the rest of the float. We put a streamer rod in John’s hand and he moved several fish and hooked one but nothing in the net.

Never stop learning or trying new things. We hope to see Paul and John on the river again soon!

Driving playlist "Beyond The Sea" Bobby Darin,"Tommy" The Who, "Inagodadvida" Iron Butterfly, "Feels Like The First Time" Foreigner.

As summer drifts into early fall, streamer fishing can pick up if/when conditions are right. Thomas is a fishing guide from western Pennsylvania who spends two weeks camping on the Delaware every year before returning to his local waters near Erie, PA for the fall run.

He booked at trip through the Delaware River Club and wanted to chase some brown trout on a streamer. I thought I could help him. With the low light, high cold water, and favorable turbidity, the bite was on! He landed his first of four fish within 200 yards of the ramp on a black crystal bugger. It worked all day. 

Three of the four were over 16-inches and the best was 18. Nice! Over the course of the morning, we moved another 8 fish with the tell-tale boil behind his fly.

Driving playlist "Cape Town" The Young Veins, "She's Fetching" Big Dipper", "Milonga Del Angel" Astor Pizzolla, "Dear God" XTC.

A full-day float trip with college buddies Alex and Alex proved to be very successful thanks to a dam release of nearly 1,000 CFS. With the off-colored cold water, the fish were happy to take a sulphur, olive, and even an Amy’s Ant pattern.

We put in about noon and had dry fly targets almost instantly. Alex (shown with fish) who now hails from Northern Virginia, had been working on his casting long before this trip. It paid off. First cast nothing. Second cast, BAM! Fish on. 

With 7 fish in the net, 'da boys maximized the opportunities they had thanks to their casting practice before they ever wet a line on the Delaware. Practice makes perfect - or at least effective enough to land some pretty picky Delaware trout on a fly.

Driving playlist "All Is Well" Coby Petricone-Berg, "Shoot To Thrill" AC/DC, "Our Man Higgins" Lee Morgan, "Baby You've Been On My Mind" Linda Ronstadt.

It’s through teaching, that we learn. I had the chance to fish with world-class embryologist, and experienced fly fisherman Glenn on the Upper Delaware. Having spent the last 10 years in Colorado, his go-to fishing rig was a hopper dropper. It's something I just never did much of in NY, PA, or NJ. But I will now!

Ants, crickets, and beetles are a temporary but important part of a trout's diet in the last weeks of summer. With a cold-water release from the dam, fishing was excellent on a hopper dropper rig. Thanks for the lesson, Glenn. With the cooler water and nights, we fished the Main Stem which offered some targets as the last of the summer dipped behind the storied hills of the Catskills.

Driving playlist “Be Real” The Sir Douglas Quintet, “Too Much Water” George Jones, “That I’ll Be The Day” Buddy Holly & the Crickets, “I Need You” The Beatles

Jay and his family were visiting the Upper Delaware river for some kayaking, hiking, and fly fishing. His boys did a great job on their first fly fishing trip and we're quick learners with fishing from a drif boat. Thanks to cold water pulses, the lower west branch offered a few targets and a few fish without having to navigate between too many waders.

While we saw some rising fish in a few spots, nymphing gave us three fish in the net and most productive. While no real "bruisers" in the net, landing any fish on the Upper Delaware is a gift! Great job you guys!

Driving playlist “Yes And No” Branford Marsalis, “Wind That Shakes The Barley” Solas, “Contusion” Stevie Wonder, “The Race Is On” George Jones, "American Tune", Eva Cassidy.

Day one on the WBD gave us cold but low water and bluebird skies. We had consistent targets, several hookups, and a few fish in the net. Unfortunately, day two was a better wine day than fishing day. On day two, I was joined in the boat by long-time Delaware River Club regulars, George and Chris and their three pups. Excellent fly fisher people, lovely folks to spend a day with, and would-be sommeliers! 

George had a fish on a sulphur cripple early on and Chris had a few eats, but the fish were picky all day! After some riverside "shrimp on the barbie" courtesy of chef and guide Samantha Dennis, we struggled with fish eating only the smallest of sulphers and olives. After a few more misses, we called it a day enjoying a nice St. Emilion on the row out.

Driving playlist “Layla” Derek and the Dominos, “Never Been to Spain” Three Dog Night, “So Very Hard to Go” Tower of Power, “Rockaway Beach” Ramones. 

I had the chance to fish with Gus from Madison, NJ, one of the nicest young fishermen I've had the pleasure to work with. Gus is a long-time salt and spin fisherman but starting to develop his skills as a fly caster. 

As it's been too hot for trout, we hit a local reservoir to fish for bass and bluegill on the fly. If you're new to fly fishing and want to pratice your casting stroke, pond and lake fishing can be just like hitting a driving range when working on your golf swing. Water temps were in the low 70's but the sun was high and sky clear. Not great. But as the sun started to set, the bluegill bite picked up using a small Sneaky Pete popper fly. Not big fish but fun fish!

Driving playlist "Miami 2017" Billy Joel, "Love Vigilantes" New Order, "My Back Pages" The Byrds, "Blue Sunday" Cootie Williams.

With NJ trout fishing on hold with the summer heat, we took in some "not so suburban" fly fishing on the West Branch of the Delaware River. A short evening float produced a few fish on dries, but the lower river didn't really get exciting until dusk and we couldn't see our fly. 

The next day, we stared just a mile below the dam where water temps were in the high 40's!! Dry fly fishing was excellent from the ramp until the sun got too high and the fish felt too pressed from the crowds. Sulphur emergers and cripples did the trick! A slow row downriver midafternoon and we found rising fish as the sun started to dip behind the mountains. Overall, five fish in the net and missed several other very picky fish.

Driving playlist "Come Fly With Me" Sinatra, "Black Codes" Wynton Marsalis, "I Am My Mother" Wilco, "Laughing" REM, "Grand Coulee Dam" Woody Guthrie.

Todd and Reed were visiting PA colleges and thought they would sneak in a half-day fly fishing trip on the way home. I'm glad they did! Despite the heat and high sun, we saw rising fish within 30-minutes of putting in. The bugs really came out once the sun started to set. Todd landed a few fish just below the 191 bridge on an olive and sulphur pattern. Reed with the assist on the net! 

Bennett and Sharon joined me for a half-day the next day. Visiting from Sanoma, CA they were intown to take in the Dead & Co. show at Bethel Woods. Sharon nymphed up a chunky brown trout in within the first 20 minutes but it was a long distance release at the boat. A really good fish! Unlike the day before, we didn't see consistent risers until dusk and then it was game on for 30-minutes on a sulphur cripple pattern. Bennett had two and lost a few more. Hope they come visit the WBD next year.

Driving playlist "Clovers" Barrie, "Cold, Cold, Heart" Hank Williams Sr., "Ophelia" The Band, "I Know You Rider" The Grateful Dead, "Lucky Dime" Calexico.

Peter and I took a quick trip to fish the Pequest and get some freshwater time in together. I really love this NJ river, it's more of a creek but most standards. With plenty of action and only a few other anglers around, we felt alone which is really hard to do in NJ.

It was a nymph game all day with hot spot pheasant tails, caddis pupa, and hares ears brining numerous rainbow trout to the net. We fished the waters in the trout conservation area (TCA) and then moved closer to the town of Belvidere to a classic honey hole. Temps remained in the low-mid 60's all day which helped with the bite!

Driving playlist "Waiting On A Friend" The Rolling Stones, "Rock Steady" Aretha Franklin, "Atlantic City" The Band, "Mendocino" Sir Douglas Quintet, "Jackson" Johnny Cash.

Fellow Maplewood resident Jay reached out to us for a full-day trip. Like many, he fly-fished in his teenage and college years, and then life got in the way a little. He decided to play hooky from work today and figured I could help him make the most of his PTO time! 

The recent rain and cool nights have been great for our NJ waters. We started early at the Ken Lockwood Gorge and Jay nymphed up a few rainbows on a tungsten surveyor and squirmy wormy. Yes, haters go ahead and hate on the worm fly. A quick stop for lunch at Max's in Califon (highly recommended) and off to the Point Mountain TCA to pick up a few more 'bows. Congrats Jay, on a great day! Now get back out there and fish

Recomended playlist "Uncle Albert" Wings, "American Squirm" Nick Lowe, "Blue" The Jayhawks, "River" Joni Mitchell, "River Man" Nick Drake, "Satan" Teenage Fanclub.

Mark and David joined me for their first Delaware float trip. Low clear water and bright sun made fishing hard but they were troopers. In these kinds of conditions, the bugs start late and can be very picky. A half and half sulphur emerger helped David put one in the net. I guess that was good enough to be invited back for bourbon tasting and a little food after a long day. Thanks, guys! 

Day two with Greg and Bob proved to be the same sort of struggle but we had a some shots on caddis in the riffles mid-day. Both are experienced fly guys from central Pennsylvania and fun lads to have in the boat. It was Bob's first time nymphing and floating a dry on the WBD. He landed a good one and I think got the "bug."  

Driving playlist ""Scarlet Tulip" KT Tunstall, "Brandy" The Looking Glass, "Superman" REM, "Clovers" Barrie, "Moving The River" Prefab Sprout, and "Searchin'" The Coasters.

Bill was travling back to his home state of West Virginia from a Rhode Island striper trip and stopped to fish with us in New Jersey. He's fished in over 40 states and had yet to be skunked, a fact that I didn't take lighly.

After hitting a few often productive spots on the Musky that proved to be, well, unproductive, I rolled the dice and moved us up river. With flows near 400 CFS from recent rains, Bill eventually found a few 'bows and a small bass too in the soft water and tailouts. We kept his U.S. streak alive! Phew!

Driving playlist "Didn't I Blow Your Mind" The Delfonics, "Waiting On A Friend" The Rolling Stones, "Alfie" Bill Evans, "Ana Ng" They Might be Giants., "And Your Bird Can Sing" The Beatles.

Photo and netting credit goes to my "brother from another mother" Billy G who joined me for his first ever Delaware fly fishing trip. We fished two days on the West and Main, landing a couple and missing a few more - including one that bent my hook! Lost that one right at the boat. It still hurts.

The torrential rain that hit MAPSO, Friday and Saturday skirted us in the Catskills providing favorbale conditions all weekend. By day two, Billy G had improved his casting, mending, and feeding and is well practiced for his next visit. 

Driving playlist "Dirty Work" Steely Dan, "Legal High" Mooney Suzuki, "Surrender" Cheap Trick, "Badhead" Blur, "Billy Boy" Oscar Peterson.

Experience matters. Lifelong friends and true gentlemen, Fred and Ted fish the Catskills every year and are great fishermen. With a focus on dry fly fishing, we looked for heads both days. On day one, 1500 CFS made rowing easy but the bluebird skies and windy conditions challenged us. Still, both we’re able to land a few brown trout.  

On day two, we fished the lower East and Main and found consistent fish feeding on the surface but they were especially picky and frustrating. After a while, Fred picked through a few flies in his box and pulled out a classic pattern, the Henryville Special. Bam, fish on. Landed 6 and missed a few more. Thanks Ted and Fred for guiding the guide and two good days on the D! 

Driving playlist included “Witchcraft” Frank Sinatra, “Last to Know” Del Amitri, “Radio Free Europe” REM, “Restless Farewell” Bob Dylan, “Song of Praise” John Coltrane.

Spent the day with two of the nicest fishermen and musicians I've met, Tim and Bill Murphy. They did a family fishing weekend in the Catskills hitting up the West Branch, East Branch, and Willow. WBD flows just under 2,000 CFS and mostly cloudy skies helped with the bite that started with Bill landing a little fish at the put-in. The skunk was out early!

A chartreuse beaded Walt's Worm did the trick as far as nymphs and Hendrickson emergers got us two on top over the course of the day. Tim hadn't done a lot of fly fishing before but by the end of the day he landed a nice brown on a dry (pictured). Well done, lads!

"Beacuse The Night" Patti Smith, "The Punk Meets The Godfather" The Who, "Sparky's Dream" Teenage Fanclub, "Actual Proof" Herbie Hancock.

Great day floating the mainstem with Brian and Mark, part of a two-boat corporate trip out of the Delaware River Club in Starlight, PA. Hendricksons, Quills, and Olives all in the mix and gave us several targets during the day.  

With water temps near 50, flows over 2,500, and rainy skies fish were caught on dries, nymphs, and streamers, and lost a few too. Mark lost a really great fish on a Hendrickson emerger #16 but made up for it at the end of the day with a beautiful rainbow

"In The Dark" Doug Sahms, "Weather With You" Crowded House, "Rain" The Beatles, "The Weight" The Band, and "Stumblin' In" Suzi Quatro

There's nothing like dry fly fishing. I love throwing streamers and enjoy nymphing but getting a trout to take your fly, that's something special. It's like a birdie at TPC Sawgrass in April.

I had a trip cancel and decided to stay up and fish solo. So glad I did. High water just under 5,000 CFS and gusts over 25 MPH made holding anchor hard so I pulled into a soft eddy that can hold fish. Cracked an IPA and only had to wait for 10-minutes for the first dimple. Landed a nice 18-inch brown on a Hendrickson pattern. Landed two smaller fish and then had plenty of targets the rest of the afternoon. I was the last boat at the ramp. Pure joy.

Driving playlist included “Nobody" Mitski, "Big Boss Groove" The Style Council, "Royal Garden Blues" Brandford Marsalis, "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" Neil Young.

Persistence matters. The continued high water had us all dreaming of a great streamer bite for a couple of days. But the record snow last week and subsequent snowmelt "cooled down" the recent hot streak. Daniel had his first fish in the first hour and his second fish in the last hour of fishing. Some laughs and great sandwiches in-between. Mike had nothing in the net unfortunately.  

Mike joined for day two. We had our one and only brown on a Pat's. Saw some rising fish - stones and quills here and there, but nothing consistent. Then the winds came. Glad to say we didn’t get skunked either day and that Mike landed his first fish on a Pat’s. A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.  

Driving playlist included “Accident Waiting To Happen,” Billy Bragg, “Writing To Reach You” Travis, “One Hundred Years From Now” The Byrds, “The Distance” Cake, “Surrender” Cheap Trick. 

First guided trip of the season was "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat" (if you're of a certain age you should have Jim McKay's voice in your head). Day one looked good on paper but water temps kept fish low and gusts well over 20MPH at times was a challenge for both caster and rower. With the dams still spilling white streamers provoked many hits but nothing in the net.   

Day 2 was excellent! Overcast and 60-minutes of sideways rain (and falling snow chunks, yes true). A switch to a sink tip helped bring 8 beautiful fish to the net. Lost 3 more and moved another 10. Mike and Andrew did a great job fighting the elements and fish!  Congrats, boys!

Driving playlist included “Money to Burn” George Jones, “Brandy” The Looking Glass, “Cathy’s Clown” The Everly Brothers, “Anarchy in the UK” Sex Pistols, and “Xana” Enrico Pieranunzi. 

With the heavy rains and flooding across the region the last few days, it was hard to find fly fishing friendly water in NYS or NJ. So, I took a quick trip out to the heavily fished but highly fishable Little Lehigh Creek near Allentown, PA. (and we're living here in Allowntown...)

Water flows were just over 400 CFS, and temps just above 50-degrees with a milky white color from the limestone runoff. High but very fishable with a couple of 'bows landed. The slow pools and tail-outs were most productive with a Pat's Rubber Legs in a coffee and rootbeer color.

Driving playlist inlcuded "Into Tomorrow" Paul Weller, "5:15" The Who, "Boots of Spanish Leather" Bob Dylan, and "Stomp" The Brothers Johnson.

A quick trip to the Catskills rewarded us with a few brown trout willing to take a streamer in the bright, chilly sunshine. With the dam spilling a small white streamer did the trick especially during the most cloudy moments. Water temps approached 40-degrees by midday and the high water near 2,000 CFS made rowing easy.

With the cold water and bright sun, a sink-tip line helped Peter bring a few fish to the net and move a few more. We were hoping for a second-day of fishing but we woke up to 34-degrees and snow on the ground. Next time.

Our driving playlist inlcuded John Coltrane Live At Newport 1963, ELO, Hank Mobley, The Jam, Jackson Browne, Velvet Underground.

Sean and Ali picked up their first-ever trout on the fly today! Fished two open TCA's here in NJ and netted up a few fish. What the 'bow pictured here lacked in size, it made up for in beauty!

Water was about 300 CFS and had some color from recent rains which helped with the bite. These two were quick learners with nymphing and importance of mending their line to get their flies down to the fish. Well done you two, and thanks again for dinner!

Driving playlist Crowded House, Elvis Costello, Frank Sinatra, Beatles, Big Star, and The Harvard Baroque Chamber Orchestra and Choir.

Not so suburban fly fishing on the upper Delaware system for two days. Over 4,000 CFS both days, water temps upper 40's, and a pretty good streamer bite. Friday's high bright sun felt more like May than March but many fish didn't mind chasing a bugger. 

Day two conditions were more like early spring, windy at times, mid-50's and mostly overcast  - and we moved a lot more fish. Over the two days we landed about 10 browns and moved another dozen or so fish. Not too shabby.

Driving playlist included some Miles Davis, Paul Weller, The Waterboys, Nina Simone, Art Blakey, Bobby Womack, The Band, Bill Evans.

The Musky. Some early season, pre-closure fishing on the lower end of NJ's longest river. Day job keeping me busy and needed a mental heath break. Trying to get the perfect drift for my jig nymphs kept my mind off work for a while.

An overcast morning gave way to clearing with air temps over 60 degrees! Water flows and temps were awesome for early spring. Saw a few odd rises and Peter put on a stonefly immitation. Sip, sip, wait. Cast. Nothing. Repeat and bam! Last cast of the day was his first dry fly fish of the season, a lovely wild brown trout!

Driving playlist included some John Coltrane, Tom Waits,The Everly Brothers, Lyle Lovett, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis.

Made the trek to one of our favorite PA rivers, The Lackawanna which runs through Scranton. Insert the theme from The Office here. This is great water for nymping but can produce some good dry fly hatches in the Spring in the right spots. 

Euro nymping a Pat's with a chartreuse hot spot Walt's on the dropper did the trick in the slow pools and deeper holes today. The day began bright and chilly but clouds moved in and fishing got better. Moved 4, landed 3. Go visit our friends at A&G Outfitters if you make the trip to Scranton, they'll set you straight.

Driving playlist included some Chick Corea, Solas, CSNY, Bill Monrow, Elvis Costello, The Pogues, and Jim Carroll.