Delaware River guys

Skunk.....Me and my wife go kayaking there a few times each summer......While going down the river I have seen smallmouth, walleye, shad, and muskies under the kayak...The water is crystal clear. The scenery is beautiful.....The river is awesome and breathtaking in parts.....I suggest packing light and bring a cheap rod just in case you tip and lose stuff...You don't need anything fancy....Go to Walmart and buy a 20.00 combo ..I bring a 5'6" Ug;y stick and a Daiwa Crossfire rod w/ 6 pound mono and have a blast w/ those smallmouth all day long.....If you lose it, no biggie...It's not worth it to lose good rods and reels ...Enjoy the scenery...Fishing is a bonus.......As for tackle, If you want to catch fish,I would bring plenty of Mepps and rooster tail type type spinners, and also Rebel Pop-R's in baby bass and silver/black(the 2" model)...Also anything resembling a crayfish will work miracles as that is the main forage...A Rebel Crayfish or small crankbaits in crayfish will work....Also, they sell disposable throwaway underwater cameras for 20.00 at Walgreens...get a few of these as well...leave your cell phone onshore....you never know when you may hit a rock/ or rapids and tip...trust me it's not worth ruining a great weekend and losing stuff like this...Pack your wallet in a sandwich bag in case you tip.......plan in advance and you will have a great weekend.....Also one more suggestion....bring a small cooler and pack it w/ food and snacks and fruit....you get hungry and thirsty being on the river all day....I like to bring a box of Natures Valley bars and get trail mix and/or mixed nuts for the ride....and I usually end up cutting up pineapple,strawberries,blueberries,orange pieces and an apple.....It sounds like alot but it's healthy and won't mess your stomach up....You can always go swimming if it gets hot(not likely this weekend though).....Have a great time!!!....Keep an eye in the sky for Eagles....they are abundant up there.....

[Wilson]

One more thing since your going with a small crowd; don't pack all your food and drink in one cooler. Spread it out in case the boat with the cooler flips, you'll still have other stuff in other coolers. Don't ask me how I know that either

[Fish n Jeep]

I've always been a fan of dead drifting grubs on jigheads along current seams. Might have to experiment with color, size & weight, but it makes for a natural presentation. Sounds like an awesome trip, have fun!

[jimmythegreek]

great advice from iceehot, I have had good luck w spinners too but I havent fished the D in years other than shad. Theres TONS of bait in the D, makes skunksville and hopatcong look like a joke, and IMO makes fishing tuff especially w clear water conditions. My goto is always a jig of some sort, I love twistertails on VMC halfmoon eyes and anykind of paddle tail soft swimbait, u can catch anything on them. And of course live bait and crayfish, flip some rocks in the shallows and get some freshies and toss em out, if it looks fishy it is fishy, they are everywhere

[Eskimo]

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Watch for bears in that area.

One evening, I was fishing by Worthington State Forest when I saw what I assumed was another beaver swimming by the kayak I had anchored in the river. When it got close enough for my myopic eyes to make it out, I realized it was a big Black Bear doggy-paddling past my kayak!

I pulled in the anchor so fast I almost hit myself in the head with it. After I put some distance between us, I pulled out my camera and snapped a few pics of the bear.

[Fish n Jeep]

Awww, how cute!

[Skunk City]

Awesome stuff guys. I appreciate it.

[GetANet]

That's one hell of a beaver !!!!LOL Sounds like an awesome time Skunk, catch em' up. Fish dinner on the shore and a few cold ones!!! YEA BABY!!!

[privateer]

Be safe, Enjoy your trip and hope for no head wind. I've been canoeing/camping this stretch of river for over 30 years.

Some advice:

Watch out for poison ivy! It's everywhere. Bring some firewood if you have room.

Keep an eye on the weather and secure your rides each evening. The river can rise very fast from upstate/upstream rains floating your once dry canoe away.

Secure your belongings with tarps and bungees. There are some decent rapids you will encounter. Make sure you stay to the left after the matamorus bridge! There's a nasty drop off that stretches 3/4 way across the river. Stay vigilant and keep your eyes peeled for the car size rocks scattered throughout the trip.

Freeze water bottles for ice or p/u some dry-ice. You'll be craving a cold drink 4 days into your trip.

Hope for clear water and not rain swollen chocolate milk.

As far as fishing bring a few boxes of nightcrawlers, mepps gold aglia #2 and #3, Joe's gold spinner flies, 4" senkos, leadheads and grubs, sammies and other topwaters work well on smallies.

I've always had luck fishing the west shores over the eastern shores. Rapids and fast moving water will get you some trout, smallies, fall fish, rockfish and panfish. The deeper slow pools will give up the walleyes on plugs and cranks. At the campsites in the evening use worms to catch up big catfish and carp.