Orvis Saltwater Helios 10 wt.

Last Fall I fished a Helios 10 weight in the salt for stripers, bluefish and false albacore. The rod performed beautifully. It's light weight, lighter than many five weights, made casting all day long very easy. Casting this rod is distance made easy.

The wind didn't matter as this rod generated tight loops and line speed to slice through the up to twenty knot winds we encountered. I have to admit that initially I had some reservations about the fish fighting ability of such a light rod. That concern was put to rest after the first fish was hooked. This rod is no light weight, it just doesn't weigh much. With the drag cranked down the rods backbone and muscle were put to the test on big North Carolina false albacore and New Jersey's chopper blues and striped bass.

The five weight Helios spent a whole season with me on trout and smallmouth bass. Scroll down to read about that rod.

Smallmouth Bass

From late June through October the smallmouth bass fishing really turns on in parts of the Upper Delaware. Last July this fishery was placed on Field & Stream magazine's top five list of smallmouth rivers. The section of river I fish is not just loaded with bass, but it's among the most scenic in the system.

Each year this fishery is becoming more and more popular with my clients, so if you've never done it and would like to give it a try call or email me. I'm sure you'll get hooked just like the fish! FlyFishTheDelaware.com

Summer Trout Fishing

Last year we saw some excellent sulfur hatches. With the higher flows this past winter there should be some excellent summer hatches again this season. No anchor ice and bank to bank water in the river means high nymph survival rates not just for the Spring hatches, but for the Summer hatches too.

Now is the time to make plans for this coming season. Drop me an email at crosscurrent@optonline.net or visit www.FlyFishTheDelaware.com

Upper Delaware Current Conditions & Forecast

Upper Delaware Current Conditions & Forecast

The Upper Delaware reservoirs are currently at more than 100% of capacity. Couple that with the remaining snow pack in the higher elevations and the typical spring rains that have yet to come and we should be looking at some normal to above normal river flows for this Spring. The river remained higher than normal all winter due to scheduled water releases form NYC and rain and snow fall. With no anchor ice, it should mean some better than decent bug hatches and a high fish survival rate. The brown trout also had to have had an excellent spawning season with a higher than usual redd survival rate.

America's Sportsmen Take Aim at Congress:

Global Warming Threatens Hunting, Fishing Traditions

More than 670 Groups From All 50 States Call for Cap-and-Trade Climate Legislation To Protect America's Wildlife Legacy


Washington, DC (February 12) – More than 670 hunting and fishing organizations from all 50 states, representing the millions of Americans who share America's sporting tradition, are urging their U.S. Senators and Representatives to target global warming with strong climate legislation.

Read the rest of the article: Click here

Learn more about global warming at targetglobalwarming.org

Walnut Creek Fishing Hours

Erie County, PA, 2/6/08—Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Dr. Douglas Austen, acting under the authority of the Commission, has ordered the immediate closure of fishing on Walnut Creek from Route 5 north to Manchester Road Bridge between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

The Executive Director has found that this action is necessary and appropriate to conserve and preserve fishing opportunities in the area. The action reflects the concern of some property owners about the noise levels and unnecessary neighborhood disturbances caused by anglers fishing Walnut Creek during the time period of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Prior to this action, from the day after Labor Day until the opening day of trout season in April, all Lake Erie tributary streams were closed to fishing from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., except for Walnut Creek and Elk Creek north of Route 5. The amendment now prohibits fishing on Walnut Creek from Route 5 north to Manchester Road Bridge between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

The modified regulation has been posted and is now fully effective and enforceable. This temporary modification will remain in effect until January 1, 2009, unless the Commission, by appropriate action, adopts the amendment. The Commission, under a separate notice of proposed rulemaking, will seek public comments on a permanent change to the Commission’s fishing regulations.

Fish Factoid

Just a little tid bit of information I find interesting...

In 1883, seven smallmouth bass were traded to Germany in exchange for the first brown trout eggs to be introduced in North America.

Upper Delaware River Gas Exploration

It seems like all the nice places left in this country are continuously under attacks that threaten to degrade the environment.

With on going water, or rather de-watering issues almost a daily threat throughout the early and mid summer, to the eyesore of a proposed high power line along its bank, the Delaware river, the longest un-dammed river in the Eastern US is no stranger to these assaults.

Now add in natural gas exploration. In its January 17, 2008 issue, the Delaware River Reporter reveals the quiet maneuverings of natural gas drilling companies in the Upper Delaware River Basin. Read the whole story at:

Fishing’s Broad Economic and Conservation Impact

Report Highlights Fishing’s Broad Economic and Conservation Impact
by Mary Jane Williamson

January 8, 2008 — Alexandria, VA — Recreational fishing is more than just a getaway for millions of Americans. As an industry, it provides a living for countless people in businesses ranging from fishing tackle and accessories manufacturing to travel and hospitality to boat manufacturing. According to a new report on fishing statistics, published by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), when expenditures are multiplied by America’s nearly 40 million anglers, their dollars have a significant impact on our nation’s economy. Read the rest of the report HERE

Off Season Reading

Here are two recent books on the Delaware and Catskills that should be mandatory reading for any serious fly fisherman of this historic region.

The first is Fly-Fishing Guide to the Upper Delaware River
by Paul Weamer.

The second book is Ed Van Put's Trout Fishing in the Catskills