WB March 29

**emerger** · 03-30-2008, 08:06 PM

Floated the West Branch of the Delaware from Hale eddy to Shehawken. Flow was 2500 cfs. It was Freakin' cold! 26 degrees when the boat hit the water and it only got up to 34 degrees. Wind blew about 15-20 mph all day. Rod guides froze solid after about 15 minutes. We boated 2 browns and had one other follow. We fished streamers all day. The water temp was 37 degrees and had a slight green color to it. No luck with alewife patterns. Fish responded to a brown trout immitation that was about 4-5" long. The two fish were 15" and 20". It was great to be out but I wish it was a bit warmer.

**AaronJasper** · 03-30-2008, 08:23 PM

Thats a good day this time of year! The water is high and cold! Two fish is nothing to be ashamed of. What type of sinking lines were you using? 6 or 7 weight rods? Where were you throwing? On the banks or mid channel. Sometimes the fish are mid-channel in surprisingly high flows. Was the fly jointed? I can't wait to fish up there. Thats my favorite river hands down!

**emerger** · 03-30-2008, 08:46 PM

I was fishing a sink tip line on a 10' 6 weight Orvis Trident rod. Leader was about 6 feet long tapered to 8.5 #. We mainly fished the banks but did try the middle of the river. Both fish came out of deep slow water. Although I do have some articulated flies I did not use them. I used an alewife, baby brown trout, and a zoo cougar. Only the second pattern produced. I didn't expect to catch alot of fish with the water and air temps so cold.

**emerger** · 03-30-2008, 08:52 PM

Baby brown trout pattern (#4 hook)

20" Brown

alanb_ct · 03-30-2008, 09:24 PM

Nice wild brown! Regarding that pattern, is there a monofilament loop under the zonker strip above the bend? The loop supports the zonker strip to prevent wrapping. I tie a similar fly usually in black and olive with an ice dub body, but sometimes the zonker wraps around the hook. Thanks.

Fascist Killer · 03-31-2008, 11:10 AM

What was the sink rate on your tip?

**emerger** · 03-31-2008, 04:03 PM

No mono loop on the fly. It is tied in at the bend of the hook. I only had it tangle one time. I like using magnum bunny strips that are wider then the standard bunny strips. They are not as "floppy" as standard strips. I think that helps keep it from tangling on the hook point.

I am not sure of the sink rate of the fly line. I would say it is intermediate. Not real slow but not a depth charge either.