Upper Delaware river float trip 4/17- Beaverkill NY 4/18:

[AndyS]

DAY 1: Floated with Wilson on the upper Delaware river from Buckingham to Long Eddy. Water temps were in the low 40's, seems like the fish are just waking up. Day was over cast with light wind, no rain. 7 hour float we did okay. Had some MONSTAHS follow to the boat but wouldn't commit. Rolled a few big ones and boated a few, spiced it up with a few SMB too. No shortage of bald eagles and saw a small black bear wandering the banks. Circle E for breakfast before we floated and Lidia's for steak and beers after the float trip. Stayed in Hancock NY at Smith's Colonial Motel.

Day 2 : Up bright and early, headed up to Roscoe NY Trout Town USA. 1st stop, Roscoe Diner, then onto the Beaverkill. Air temp was in the low 30's when we started fishing and again water temps were in the low 40's. Beaverkill was good to us, flows were high due to the snow still melting up there. Water was clear, rolled a few bigguns and had some lit up fish follow, but again, they wouldn't commit. Small pools on the river edge were alive with bugs, so many different types, pretty cool stuff.
Wilson peeled off for home when we hit the East Branch, I continued fishing. Hit a few spots on the East Branch and a few spots on the Big D down to Callicoon. One spot I had to clamor up the bank and I had to cut through a small brush pile. When I got to the top I look down at my arm and there is one of those nasty deer ticks crawling on me. Killed that one and hope I didn't pick up any more that went unnoticed.
Not a bad few days. Small ponds are still frozen up there and West facing slopes still hold snow and ice. West Branch was very low, looks like they are trying to top off Cannonsville res. All other waters were at bank full.