Bug Soup
The Wild and Scenic Upper Delaware River system has gained a renowned reputation for its breathtaking wild trout fishery and the incredible abundance of aquatic insects that swarm its waters every year Anglers from all corners of the world flock to these rivers, eager to test their skills against the elusive and cunning trout that call this place home. Legendary names like Lee Wulff, Art Flick, Al Caucci, Dave Brandt, and modern day anglers such as Joe Demalderis, Anita Coulton and my good friend Ken Tutalo have immortalized these waters through their writings, sharing tips and tricks on how to successfully lure in these wily creatures.
The term "Bug Soup" is well-known to anyone fishing the Upper Delaware River. It describes a time of year, typically from late May to early June, when the river is teeming with a diverse array of aquatic insects. As I embarked on our annual club camping trip this year, I couldn't help but feel excited for what was to come. The air was thick with the promise of hatching mayflies; the majestic Green Drakes, giant Isonychias, delicate Blue Winged Olives, hearty March Browns, copious Sulphurs and a plethora of caddis species all preparing for their annual emergence. It truly felt like a fly fisher's paradise, but as any experienced angler knows, there's always a catch. Despite the abundance of insect activity, it takes skill and finesse to lure these selective fish to your fly. But when you do hook one on a dry fly, there's no greater thrill or satisfaction for a fly fisher.
The Upper Delaware River, with its abundance of mayfly and caddisfly insects, is a fly fisherman's dream come true. However, it's not as easy as one might initially think. The term "Masking Hatch" looms over these waters, causing frustration for many experienced anglers. A "Masking Hatch" occurs when large insects like the green drake and Isonychia are present on the water, yet the fish seem to ignore them completely. This goes against all logic, as one would assume that the trout would be drawn to such big food sources for their high energy content. So why do they refuse to take the bait? It's a question that still baffles me. You can witness a big fly drift right over a feeding fish, only for it to ignore it and go for a smaller fly nearby. It's like watching a picky eater at a buffet, choosing only the tiniest morsels while ignoring the larger and more tempting dishes.
In my experience, it seems that trout are creatures of instinct, sticking to what they know and recognize in their environment. Perhaps it's due to their keen eyesight or natural survival skills. One thing is for sure, they have no qualms about devouring a fly like the Blue Wing Olive, a multi-brood species that hatches throughout the year, I call it the caviar of aquatic insects. As the seasons change, these flies decrease in size and by the fall, only the smallest size 22 flies remain, providing a challenge for even the most seasoned angler.
After setting up camp and satisfying my hunger with a quick meal, I eagerly made my way to the river. This time of year, we typically begin our fishing adventures in the late afternoon and continue well into the evening hours. It's during this time that the trout are known to rise in abundance due to the cooler air temperatures and sun being lower in the sky, making them less susceptible to predators. As I made my way down to the river, I couldn't help but admire the peacefulness and stillness of the water. There were very few insects fluttering about, so with determination, I headed upstream towards a riffle that I knew was a hot spot for rising trout. As I settled in and watched intently, hoping for just one glimpse of a trout on the surface, my patience paid off as a beautiful rainbow trout emerged from the water to aggressively feed on caddis flies. With a quick and precise cast, I landed my elk hair caddis up stream of the feeding trout, watching as it danced and bobbed its way towards the feeding fish. Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, the trout darted to the surface and snatched my fly in its jaws. The water erupted as the fight began, the fish thrashing and pulling against my line with all its might. The sun glinted off its shimmering scales as it leaped out of the water, determined to break free. I dug my heels into the riverbank, bracing myself for the battle ahead.
After a vigorous struggle between myself and the trout, I finally managed to bring it to the surface and into my net The fish shimmered with an array of colors, its scales reflecting the light like jewels. With each gasping breath, it fought valiantly against me, determined to break free from my grasp. This was no ordinary catch - it was a true gem of the Delaware system, a vibrant and feisty rainbow trout that tested my fishing skills to the limit. As I held it up to admire its beauty, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction and awe at this magnificent creature before releasing it back into the river
Once a few of these energetic rainbow trout were successfully caught, I couldn't help but observe an upsurge in bug activity fluttering above the water's smooth top. Intrigued, I walked towards the end of the run where I spotted a magnificent trout feeding on the surface, its nose gracefully breaking through the tranquil water. The sun reflected off its gleaming scales as it hungrily devoured insects with precise and fluid motions. As I scanned the surface, I noticed several Green Drakes hatching, their tell tale wings fluttering in the sunlight. My first thought was to tie on an impressive Green Drake, I carefully cast the Drake just above the fish, watching as it floated gracefully and effortlessly downstream. But despite my perfect drift and presentation, there was no response from the fish. Frustrated, I let the line and fly drift well below the fish before picking up my fly line for another cast, in hopes I would not spook the fish and stop it from feeding. Once more, I cast the line and the fish rose to a smaller fly, casually sipping it from the surface directly next to my impressive Green Drake. My ego took a hit as I realized that the trout preferred a tiny morsel over my larger, showier offering. "Alright," I said to myself, "you're eating a small fly." I took a moment to observe the water's surface, scanning for any clues as to what the trout might be feeding on. And lo and behold, there were Blue Winged Olives dancing on the surface, their delicate wings fluttering in unison. With this masking hatch in full swing, I knew that presenting the right fly would be crucial. Carefully selecting a size 18 Blue Winged Olive pattern from my box, I tied it onto my tippet with shaky hands. As I delicately placed it on the water's surface, I couldn't help but marvel at how perfectly it mimicked the smaller insects that the trout seemed to be keying in on. Will this be enough? Only time would tell.
No response and I thought maybe it was just a timing issue or did I put the fish down from my previous efforts, so I decided to just watch for a second. As I waited for a response from my hungry friend, my heart raced with anticipation. Seconds later, he rose again, his nose just barely breaking the surface of the water., making my initial thought of a big fish become more of a reality. With careful precision, I made a cast upstream of the trout and gracefully mended my line upstream to ensure my fly would be the first thing the trout saw. In a subtle yet graceful rise, my fly disappeared beneath the surface, I waited for a second then set the hook. I felt the unmistakable tug on my line and knew that this was no ordinary fish - it was a nice-sized trout. My pulse quickened as I prepared to reel in my prize, savoring the thrill of the catch. As I carefully landed the impressive 18 inch brown trout I felt a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of gratitude to the amazing fish that call the beautiful Upper Delaware River their home
The Delaware River, with its swift currents, varying currents speed, abundant aquatic insects and masking hatches provides a formidable challenge for those seeking the elusive, PHD trout that dwell within its depths. With a steady hand and an eagle eye, one can conquer this wild river and reel in a prize catch. But it takes more than skill alone; careful observation of the ever-changing conditions is key to success. Every cast must be calculated, every movement deliberate. Only then will the river reward the angler with a vibrant, sophisticated and beautiful trophy trout.
