Upper Delaware trout on the fly 10/1/16
 

I've been meaning to try my hand at fly fishing for trout for a while, and finally worked up the courage to make a total ass of myself! :D Assisting me was my ace Delaware guide Mike, and providing moral support (i.e. making fun of me) was my brother Kris, a far more experienced fly angler.

First the warm-up act, the East Branch in Hancock on Friday. No fly rod this time; I was after a walleye or two for the table. I worked over the whole pool for about 4 hours with swimbaits, catching a few smallies and a jumbo rock bass, before I finally came tight on my walleye. It was 17-7/8 inches! Heartbroken, I let her go. Even more heartbreaking, I learned the following day that the size limit for walleyes on the East Branch is 15", and not 18" like the West Branch and main stem. So, I let a perfectly good walleye dinner swim off. Oh well, she'll only be bigger next year.

After Kris arrived in town later that night, it was off to meet Mike in the morning. We put in at Shehawken and got set up with our flies. It took a while, but I finally hooked up with my first "real" fly rod trout, a beautiful 16" rainbow! During the course of the day, I landed another rainbow and a brown of similar size, and my brother only managed a 10" rainbow on the fly. All of them fell for a large rubber-legged stonefly larva pattern.

Beyond those fish, we also threw our spinning gear a little bit. I managed a JUMBO chub on a swimbait, and at the very last hole before the take-out point in Buckingham, Kris scored the fish of the day: a fat 19" brown trout on a rapala. After we pulled the boat out, Kris and I both headed for home with sore casting arms.

Below are some photos of the day's catch.

Re: Upper Delaware trout on the fly 10/1/16
 

Very Nice

Re: Upper Delaware trout on the fly 10/1/16
 

Looks like a great time- kinda jealous
Also+100 for the go pro mount

Re: Upper Delaware trout on the fly 10/1/16
 

Nice trip!
I caught 2 18"+ brown trout on the main stem Delaware last week while trying for walleye at night - they are definitely taking those bigger rapalas right now.
Still no walleye lol

I thought walleye regulations are 15" fish state wide in NY. That's what their chart says on their website. They are in no danger from me though..haha.

Re: Upper Delaware trout on the fly 10/1/16
 

Awesome !

Re: Upper Delaware trout on the fly 10/1/16
 

The West Branch and main stem of the Delaware are managed as a trophy walleye fishery, so the regs are different there.

Re: Upper Delaware trout on the fly 10/1/16
 

Why wait around for a stocking truck when there's very fishy waters a little north and west! Very nice fish Almighty brothers! Way to whack multiple species! Great colors on the Browns!!!:D

Re: Upper Delaware trout on the fly 10/1/16
 

Sweet...looks like a really fun trip Craig...Congrats on the fly fishing first.

Re: Upper Delaware trout on the fly 10/1/16
 

AWESOME video... Always enjoy watching... Thanks

Re: Upper Delaware trout on the fly 10/1/16
 

Nice! Can't wait to check out the video later.

Re: Upper Delaware trout on the fly 10/1/16
 

Beautiful fish...congrats!