Any recent news from East Branch Croton River

[AVK]

Hello, everybody! Didn`t have opportunity to go myself yet to check the conditions on East Branch. Has anybody fished there recently? Any comments?

[jimmy1]

I fished the Amawalk on Saturday, but stayed less than an hour. Creek was in great condition, but to many fishing. Every decent run someone, or two had it occupied. The crowds should die off in a couple of weeks. I figure the E/B is the same.
Going to hit the Esopus this weekend. Should be clearing after all the rain a few weeks back.   

[AVK]

Thanks for the update. I see your point...also appreciate solitude while fishing. But this is difficult today) Good luck on Esopus! I saw this creek last winter on my way to skis center. I liked it a lot, would like to try there someday

[AVK]

Did you manage to go fishing last weekend? I don`t know much about Esopus. I guess, it has private stretches, as well as public ones. Which parts of the stream have better access? I know, I should go and explore myself, but if this is not a secret I would appreciate your advice.

[jimmy1]

Yeah, caught a few and lost a few. All bows except for 1 brown. I have a few pics, but I can only load one.

[AVK]

Nice fish...I fished Titicus outlet Saturday afternoon. I didn`t have much time, from 5 to 7 p.m. I usually fish there with a nymph, or a nymph and a dry in tandem later in the season. But this time I tried a different technique - fished with a bucktail and a wet soft hackle pattern. To my surprise black nosed dace produced fish...Sure they were much more modest in size, compared to one on the pic but it`s OK...

[jimmy1]

I never fished Titicus outlet, I'll check it out. Hope we get some rain soon its amazing how fast these creeks start drying up, especially in the Catskills. The Esopus is under 300cfs at present. A few weeks ago it was at 12,000cfs. Low water will send the larger rainbows back to the reservoir. I was catching them till the end of June last year. All in the 15-18" range. Zug bugs and Iso imitation's done the job.

[AVK]

Wow! To me, 18" sounds huge, given that I normally fish this type of water with 4 wt. The biggest trout I caught in Westchester/Putnam area streams with a fly was a 15,5" brown. He fought me well...

[jimmy1]

I hooked landed and released a 17lb steelhead on the salmon river back in January on a 9ft 5wt. Had to chase him up and down the creek fighting the current trying to keep his head up and turn him. The swelling in my left knee still hasn't gone down from one of the many stumble's I took. Now that's Fishing

[AVK]

Cool! You must be an expert to tackle such a situation. These fish are tough..

[jimmy1]

No way, just started a couple of years ago, but I get out as much as I can. Took a casting lesson and weekend class from Orvis. Best money I ever spent. 

[AVK]

Same here Although I took interest in flyfishing over 6 years ago (I bought my first fly rod then), I`ve been actively fishing with a fly for less than 2 years. I also took several lessons (not Orvis but still good to understand the mechanics of casting to start with). I agree, it`s a matter of practice. Go out as often as possible - that`s something I`m trying to do. The more I fish this way the more passionate for it and addicted to it I am.

[jimmy1]

Last May I took a lesson from a guy in Roscoe. I wanted to get more distance in my casts for fishing the Delaware. He taught me to double haul in con-junction with the reach cast. This is a down stream cast that extends the drift of the fly. The lesson was expensive, I had the guide all day, but worth every penny.

[AVK]

Yes, it promotes you to a different, higher level of handling a flyfishing tackle. The more you can do on the water the more enjoyable fishing is. I use double haul with longer strokes to get more distance when fishing reservoirs (sometimes shooting up to 10 feet of line). I didn`t realize stillwater fishing might be this fun. It`s action all the time. Sure, I must learn more for consistently better casting combining long distance and delicate presentation. Luckily you can hammer flies like poopers and large dries on the water to get the attention of bass and smaller panfish.