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It’s that magical time of the year when nature puts on a show, beckoning all anglers to come and witness the arrival of the magnificent Hendrickson mayfly. These delicate creatures emerge from their watery homes around mid-April in southeastern Pennsylvania, making their way northward until they reach the upper Delaware River. Here, anglers from all corners of the country, and perhaps even the world, gather to partake in this annual event. The Hendrickson mayfly, scientifically known as Ephemerrella subvaria, is one of the first to make its appearance, sending trout into an absolute feeding frenzy. From nymph to emerger to adult to spinner, these winged insects are a delicacy for any trout lucky enough to come across them. It begins in early April in the lush trout streams of southern Pennsylvania and reaches its peak in mid-May in the scenic Catskills region before gradually tapering off farther north. For about two to three weeks, eager anglers can anticipate good fishing action on any given river. My annual Hendrickson journey begins in mid-April, when the warm winds awaken the broadhead creek and lure out hungry trout. The weather can be unpredictable, but the promise of a bountiful catch makes it all worth it. A group of angling friends eagerly convene at the broadhead for our traditional opening day gathering, but it is not until we conduct our annual stick (Bamboo rod) day ritual that we start seeing the action we crave. For the next week or two, we traverse our favorite spots along the creek, reveling in the thrill of hooking trout feasting on Hendricksons. Amidst the laughter and friendly competition, there's a sense of anticipation for what is to come - for we know that these glorious insects will soon be hatching on the most famous river on the east coast, home to an abundance of Hendricksons. The Delaware river flows through the heart of America's birthplace of fly fishing. This revered waterway has been graced by legends such as Lee Wulff, Al Caucci, Bob Nastasi, Dave Brandt, and Art Flick - names synonymous with fly fishing mastery. As we cast our lines into the sparkling waters of the Delaware, we are humbled by its rich history and honored to continue the legacy of this beloved sport. As April drew to a close, I found myself once again on the Delaware river, eagerly awaiting the emergence of the Hendrickson mayflies. This year, I was joined by my long-time friend and fellow guide, Ken Tutalo (Baxter House Outfitters). We had been friends for over thirty years and had spent countless days together on these sacred waters. Ken is a seasoned guide, with a mastery of the river and an uncanny ability to put his clients in the perfect spot at the perfect time for the Hendrickson hatch. Accompanying us on this expedition was my good friend Ted. Ted’s experience with this type of fishing was limited, but I was excited to introduce him to the magic of this unique hatch and witness his reaction as the trout responded in kind. The day began with a hearty breakfast at the Circle E diner, a popular spot for many anglers who visit the area and the local guides. Its always a pleasure watch the excitement of each angler as they are enjoying their breakfast but anxiously awaiting their time on the river. In the opposite is the expression of the guides as to ok just another day on the river, it is a stark contrast and very entertaining to watch. This weekend was especially entertaining as it was the “One Bug Tournament” an annual event that brings anglers from all over the country to participate. We finished our breakfast and made our way to the boat launch, where we were meeting Ken to start our fishing trip. After introductions and some friendly joking around, we loaded up the drift boat and set off in search of trout. The weather was initially concerning, as the high sun could make it difficult to catch any fish. However, luck was on our side as the weather changed throughout the day with some clouds rolling in, creating the perfect conditions for success. As always, I let Ted take the first opportunity at catching a rising trout. This was his first time experiencing this type of fishing and learning Ken's unique style. Ken and I both know that the trout in the Delaware River are highly intelligent and have become even more so due to the increasing popularity of guide trips on the river. It seems like these resident trout have practically obtained a doctorate degree in avoiding being caught by fishermen. Ted's excitement was palpable as he eagerly absorbed Ken's expert guidance. With renewed confidence, I knew he had a good chance of deceiving the wary trout we were targeting on the Delaware river. After a quick refresher on casting techniques, Ted was ready to put his skills to the test with Ken's approval. Now came the most thrilling and difficult part - presenting our fly in a way that would outsmart these cunning fish. As any experienced angler knows, timing is key; your fly must reach the target before your tippet and leader, or else the chances of success decrease drastically. But achieving this can be quite a challenge when faced with unpredictable weather conditions like wind and constantly changing currents. First step towards success was executing an upstream mend while casting, ensuring that the fly line was positioned above the fly. This initial maneuver was crucial for fooling the trout into thinking our fly was a natural food source floating naturally downstream. The next step was carefully feeding out line through my guide without disturbing the fly's presentation. Despite Ted's enthusiasm and determination, his first few attempts yielded no results. Sometimes it's best to take a step back and observe, using what you've learned to fine-tune your approach. So I took my turn on the deck and made a beautiful cast towards a sizable trout who seemed to be feasting on Hendricksons as if at a buffet bar. My target was about 50 feet away, but thanks to precise casting and a perfect mend, my fly landed with grace on the water's surface. I began feeding out line as planned, when suddenly something rare happened - the trout followed my fly downstream and eagerly took it. This is why it's crucial to let your fly ride for a few extra feet before picking up for another cast. After an exhilarating battle with the fish, I successfully landed a stunning 17-inch brown trout. This auspicious start set us off on a promising course for the day ahead. The river was alive with the promise of trout as we set out for a day of fishing. The sun danced on the water, casting shimmering reflections that glinted in our eyes. We both had several opportunities to hook rising trout, but despite Ted's best efforts, he was unable to land any. I reassured him that even experienced guides like Ken and myself have not seen beginners successfully fool and catch trout on this challenging river on their first outing. As the weather shifted once again, the sun became our adversary, making it difficult to fool rising fish as the sun not only highlight your mistakes but also your tippet, leader and fly line. So it was not until just before dusk, when we found ourselves in a tail-out where large trout were eagerly feeding on spent Hendrickson spinners. With Ken's expert guidance and perfect boat positioning, I was able to hook and reel in two impressive trout measuring 19 to 20 inches. As the daylight dwindled and our time on the water came to an end, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this special day spent with two great friends. We made our way back to the launch, reminiscing about our successes over a delectable dinner at Peppinos Restaurant in Calicoon. The Hendrickson hatch is a cherished time of year for us fishermen, and we vowed not to miss it next year. Mark your calendars!" Tight Lines We all know the feeling, the eager anticipation, the restless excitement that builds as we prepare for an upcoming trip. The first item on the agenda is always preparing our gear and doing extensive research to ensure a successful journey. We meticulously check and double-check everything, leaving no room for error on the water. Seeking advice from others who have experienced the same adventure is also crucial in our preparation process. However, nothing compares to the night before as we lie in our beds with visions of big fish dancing through our heads. Tossing and turning with anxiousness, we can't help but feel a surge of adrenaline at the thought of finally landing that catch of a lifetime. And this evening was no different; except for the fact that I hadn't been smallmouth fishing in quite some time and this increased the excitement exponentially. Tomorrow morning, I would be venturing to the Juniata river - well-known for its abundance of large bass, especially big bass during this time of year. April is prime season for pre-spawn smallmouth that are hungry and ready to strike. As I continued to torture myself with sleeplessness, my mind couldn't help but drift to thoughts of these potential monsters tugging on my line just a few hours from now. As the alarm clock awoke me from an abbreviated night's rest I prepared to embark on my journey west to the Juniata River. The sky was still dark, with no sign of the sun yet, but it was a beautiful morning for traveling. I estimated the trip would take about two hours and used that time to finalize my plans in my head. My first stop was the convenience store for my daily ritual, I won't go into detail about that ritual. Second cup of coffee in hand, I made my way to the boat launch. Despite being an hour early, I parked my truck and sat on the tailgate, sipping my coffee and taking in the serene surroundings of the Juniata River. The crisp air, the sound of rushing water and birds singing their morning symphony put me at ease and filled me with a sense of peace. Before long, our guide Mike arrived in his impressive RO Drift boat. Memories flooded back as I watched him load up the boat and launch it into the river. I had been a guide myself many years ago, and remember purchasing one of the first RO Drift Boats manufactured. Watching Mike at work reminded me of all the hard work and dedication that goes into being a guide. It also made me appreciate how nice it was to be just a guest this time around. Mike Rosa, Stream Bred Anglers, is an expert Smallmouth guide on not only the Juniata River, but also on the Susquehanna and other streams in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area. I had the pleasure to meet Mike through my local fly fishing club and was immediately impressed by his extensive knowledge, friendly personality, and undeniable passion for fishing. Without hesitation, I had booked him for this highly anticipated smallmouth trip. I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of my long-time friend, Vince, whom I affectionately referred to as Magumbo - a nickname with a story that could fill a book. As Magumbo rolled up, the party was about to begin. Bursting with energy and a love for fly fishing, Magumbo was always ready for some good-natured ribbing. With our gear loaded up, we pushed off from the shore and onto the river. As we sat on the tranquil water, Mike took a moment to show us his special technique for catching bass. The first step: bouncing a crawfish pattern off the bottom. We quickly rigged up and started drifting down the river. On just my second cast, I felt a strong tug on my line - clearly Mike's techniques were effective. Confidence soaring, I engaged in an exhilarating battle with the smallmouth bass that had taken my fly. After a few tense moments, I finally brought it to net - a perfect specimen with striped markings along its side and a striking red eye that seemed to stare right back at me. The day was just about perfect, temperature hovering around mid 50's and just a slight breeze. Our guide Mike was very happy as he explained the last few days were ruined by heavy winds. I was thanking the fish gods for this day. As we cast our lines, it wasn't long before several fish were caught, but it was my buddy Magumbo who got the big fish MOJO going with a beautiful, healthy plump 18 inch smallmouth. Magumbo threw down the gauntlet and set the standard high, so it was my only response to catch a bigger fish. Not long after Magumbo's catch I hooked a big smallmouth bass, fought it valiantly but the fish gods were not in my favor and the bugger threw the hook right at the boat. I have to go on the guides opinion of 19 inches because we never got the fish to the measuring tape. Therefore Magumbo was still high rod so far!! Despite losing that first big catch, I wasn't discouraged and soon enough, I got another bite from a large bass. This time, our efforts paid off and we were able to reel him in and measure him - a beautiful plump 18 inches smallmouth bass! The 19 inch bass would have put me top spot on the leaderboard but I was happy to share the spot with my friend! As the sun shone brightly and the waters were calm, we thought it would be a perfect day of fishing. However, just as we settled into our lunch spot, the wind suddenly picked up and the temperature dropped. A sudden drop in temperature can dramatically alter the behavior of smallmouth bass, particularly when it comes to their feeding habits. The once active and voracious fish may become sluggish and uninterested in feeding, seeking shelter in deeper, warmer waters. This change in behavior can be frustrating for anglers, but it also adds a new level of challenge and excitement to the sport of fishing. Only the most skilled and patient fishermen will be able to entice these elusive creatures to bite in such conditions. As if mocking our frustration, the. sharp gusts of wind, never eased up making it nearly impossible to navigate our boat and continue our fishing expedition. Poor Mike's arms strained as he battled against the waves, determined to row us back to our take out launch Fish were caught not not as frequently as in the morning hours and our afternoon on the water quickly turned into a test of endurance and skill. The once peaceful river now produced whitecaps. Just as we were about to call it a day, Mike's determination prevailed. He urged me to cast my line near the boat launch, promising that there might still be some luck left in those waters. And sure enough, after a few casts, we hooked a nice bass just before sunset. With fish caught and spirits lifted, we finally made our way to the launch. It had been a challenging afternoon, but being out on the water with my good friend Magumbo and new friend Mike made it all worth it. I realized how much I had missed fishing in this area and vowed to make it a regular trip next year. As we gathered at the launch and reminisced about our day, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this unforgettable fishing adventure |
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April 2024
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