Delaware River, Main Stem - NY

• Light Hendrickson

• Elk Wing Caddis

• 

  Rusty Spinner

• EP apple caddis

Cross Current Guide Service's Recommended Gear

• Best Leader:

  

  Super Strong Plus Leaders

• Best Tippet:

  

  SuperStrong Plus Tippet in 30- and 100-meter spools

• Best Fly Fishing Rod:

  

  5-Weight 9' Fly Rod

• Best Floating Fly Line:

  WF Trout Fly Line

• Best Sinking Fly Line:

  Bank Shot Sink Tip Fly Line

Description: About Delaware River, Main Stem

The Main Stem of the Delaware begins in the Village of Hancock where the West and East Branches meet and forms the border between New York and Pennsylvania. This is a big river. Its pools are long and deep fed by long, gentle riffles. This river is best known for its hard fighting rainbow trout. In recent years there’s been an increase in the number of brown trout with many exceeding twenty inches in length. The river is part of the National Park Service as a Wild and Scenic River, though mostly all of its banks are in private ownership. From April to June the upper twenty to twenty-five miles provide excellent fly fishing with strong hatches of mayflies, caddis and stoneflies. During the summer many trout seek the cooler water temperatures of the upper five to eight miles of river. Summer hatches of Cahills and isonychia are excellent with late evening spinner falls being an almost daily occurrence. Late summer and into October isonychias and Cahills continue to hatch along with small blue wing olives, Heptegenia hebes and Ephron lukon (white fly). Caddis flies can also become important along with terrestrials. The Delaware has the characteristic riffle, run, pool set up like most freestoners, but with the added twist of fishing like a giant spring creek. Like most of the system it’s a dry fly fishers paradise. Flush floating dry flies are the norm on these waters as are emerger patterns. Farther downriver the Delaware becomes an exceptional smallmouth bass fishery offering great sport on fly and light tackle. A spring run of American shad has an almost cult following of light tackle enthusiasts greeting them as they migrate from the sea to their spawning grounds. Shad are also great fun on a fly rod, and with the right techniques not all too difficult to catch.

Nearest Airport:

Binghamton Airport (BGM), Binghamton, New York

Hatches:

Hendricksons Apple caddis

Best Time to Fish:

All day

Best Stretch:

Hancock, NY/Starlight, PA to Callicoon, NY

Best Access:

Any