Smallmouth Bass on the Delaware
July 24th & August 14th, 2016
Originating from the western Catskill mountains, the Delaware is a gem of a river offering many fishing opportunities for species including trout and walleye to musky, shad, carp and striped bass. The one under utilized species, especially for fly anglers, is the smallmouth bass.
Clean water, abundant habitat and a vast food source together make the Delaware a prime smallmouth fishery. Over the years many organizations and agencies have worked hard to protect the river and it's resources. Today the Delaware still runs very clean which has also led to it remaining very fertile with an enormous forage base of baby shad, sculpins, dace, rock bass, crayfish, frogs, worms, aquatic and terrestrial insects and much more. Smallmouth also thrive in the river from the diverse habitat of riffles, runs, pockets, back eddies and deep pools which are dispersed with boulders, rock piles, bridge abutments, dead falls, eel weirs, over hangs and weed beds which all give the smallies a comfort zone to live and forage.
Flowing from Pepacton and Cannosville dams the Delaware gains in size as numerous rivers and feeder streams join in it's journey. The most productive stretch of river for "smallies" is from Callicoon, NY all the way downriver to Philadelphia, PA. This stretch has the best temperatures for smallmouth ranging from 65-85 degrees from late spring to early fall. The upper river above Callicoon, although there are smallmouth and at times temperatures are ideal, is best for trout as the releases from the dams produce very cold water. The lower East Branch from the junction of the Beaverkill to Hancock can also be very good for smallmouth and can make a great alternative to trout fishing during the day if temperatures are hot. The upper section from Callicoon to Port Jervis is comprised of more fast water with some long stretches of slower water. This section of river has a large quantity of smallmouth with a little bit smaller average size of 6-12 inches and a good number of fish to the 18 inch mark. 20 inchers are around, but are less common. From Port Jervis south to Philladelphia, the water tends to be larger and slower with abundant weed beds, dead falls, blow downs, rock piles and bridge abutments. Bass average here from 10-16 inches and fish to 20 plus inches are possible. One day we found a dead 21 inch bass on the side of the river with a 6 inch rock bass stuck sideways in it's mouth!
This year in 2016, Tight Lines will be arranging two canoe trips to the Delaware for smallmouth bass. In the past these trips have been very successful and on most trips anglers catch a number of fish and have a great time. During the hot summer months this can be a great alternative to other fishing that may tend to slow as temperatures warm. The trips take place somewhere between Port Jervis and Narrowsburg, NY. We will choose a stretch of river to float as the trip nears based off water flows and temperatures.
2016 dates: July 24th and August 14th
The cost of the trip is for the canoe rental, $50. Bring your own lunch and beverages. We will recommend gear and flies when you call to register. A NY or PA fishing license is required.
To register call us at 973 244 5990.
Clean water, abundant habitat and a vast food source together make the Delaware a prime smallmouth fishery. Over the years many organizations and agencies have worked hard to protect the river and it's resources. Today the Delaware still runs very clean which has also led to it remaining very fertile with an enormous forage base of baby shad, sculpins, dace, rock bass, crayfish, frogs, worms, aquatic and terrestrial insects and much more. Smallmouth also thrive in the river from the diverse habitat of riffles, runs, pockets, back eddies and deep pools which are dispersed with boulders, rock piles, bridge abutments, dead falls, eel weirs, over hangs and weed beds which all give the smallies a comfort zone to live and forage.
Flowing from Pepacton and Cannosville dams the Delaware gains in size as numerous rivers and feeder streams join in it's journey. The most productive stretch of river for "smallies" is from Callicoon, NY all the way downriver to Philadelphia, PA. This stretch has the best temperatures for smallmouth ranging from 65-85 degrees from late spring to early fall. The upper river above Callicoon, although there are smallmouth and at times temperatures are ideal, is best for trout as the releases from the dams produce very cold water. The lower East Branch from the junction of the Beaverkill to Hancock can also be very good for smallmouth and can make a great alternative to trout fishing during the day if temperatures are hot. The upper section from Callicoon to Port Jervis is comprised of more fast water with some long stretches of slower water. This section of river has a large quantity of smallmouth with a little bit smaller average size of 6-12 inches and a good number of fish to the 18 inch mark. 20 inchers are around, but are less common. From Port Jervis south to Philladelphia, the water tends to be larger and slower with abundant weed beds, dead falls, blow downs, rock piles and bridge abutments. Bass average here from 10-16 inches and fish to 20 plus inches are possible. One day we found a dead 21 inch bass on the side of the river with a 6 inch rock bass stuck sideways in it's mouth!
This year in 2016, Tight Lines will be arranging two canoe trips to the Delaware for smallmouth bass. In the past these trips have been very successful and on most trips anglers catch a number of fish and have a great time. During the hot summer months this can be a great alternative to other fishing that may tend to slow as temperatures warm. The trips take place somewhere between Port Jervis and Narrowsburg, NY. We will choose a stretch of river to float as the trip nears based off water flows and temperatures.
2016 dates: July 24th and August 14th
The cost of the trip is for the canoe rental, $50. Bring your own lunch and beverages. We will recommend gear and flies when you call to register. A NY or PA fishing license is required.
To register call us at 973 244 5990.
