Top baits for West Branch Trout

Looking for big trout? Well the West Branch of the Delaware is the place for them. The right baits can make a huge difference between a fish or two and double digits.

Butter Worms or Trevo Worms
Butterworms are the soft bodied larva of the Chilecomadia moorei moth native to the mountains of central Chile. They are known for their strong fruity smell that trout love. They have smooth, fat bodies, with a very soft exoskeleton, as at full maturity these worms will become Chilecomadia moorei moths.
You will be hard pressed to find these in the tackle shops, but they are worth every penny. Not to long ago a couple friends of mine land 40 fish in a couple hours on butters, when fishing in just on hole.


Wax Worms

Wax worms are the soft bodied fat grubs of the Galleria mellonella moth. Easy to store and fairly easy to find at most bait shops or pet stores. Waxies are another smoking bait on the West Branch of the Delaware. Excellent in low flows or when a more finessful presentation is needed. Waxies are particularly useful when scum covers the bottom of the river, as they float. Small hooks and a proper shot pattern will cause waxies to hover just above the bottom and right at feeding level. Think of a wax worm as the caddis on crack.

Crickets
The catching of aquatic insects is illegal on NY trout streams, however stoneflies are simply irritable to West Branch trout. Crickets minus the rear legs are a legal and easy substitute for stoneflies.

Mealworms
Mealworms are the larval form of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, a species of darkling beetle. Mealworms are the most available of the insects in the bait shops and easiest stored. Mealworms are not the best bait going but in a pinch they work well.

Fishing the West Branches at Different Flow Rates

200 cfm
Fishing the WB is somewhat confining at these levels. Holding water becomes more spread out and much walking is in order. Fish are often podded up in the heads of pools that have fast water or holding in the deeper sections. Watching a float may become painful at times and perfect drifting is needed to fool fish who have all day to examine your offering. Summer time the lower sections of the WB, and mainstem are general to hot to fish safely. Stay above Balls Eddy for the best fishing, and safest water temperatures.

200 to 400 cfm
This seems to be becoming the summer time normal flows. Fish are spread out in the larger pools, but still podded up in the smaller one. Early mornings and evening fish move into feeding lanes in riffles, rapids and the heads of pools. Access to the whole river is possible and easy for wading. Pontoon boats are perfect at these levels and will float over almost everything, making mobility a big advantage for the floater. Lower sections of the WB and mainstem are likely to be to hot to fish safely. When in doubt call a fly shop and ask, even if they know you are a pinner(very hated) only a fool would not direct you to safe fishing temperatures.


400 to 700 cfm
Now we're talking. Wading is still easy but cross some sections will be slightly restricted by flows. Fish begin to spread out nicely, and its possible to start trotting more. At this flow jigs, wet flies and emergers show signs of life in them. Look for rising fish and target them by checking the float


700 to 1000
Wading is still fairly easy, but crossing becomes restricted. It is important to choose your access accordingly. Flows are moving nicely and it is creeping up on 13ft rod water, but 11'6" rods are perfect. Fish are spread out in typical trout holding areas. These are great flows to fish.


1000 to 1500 cfm
Its on! For all you big water fisherman the river is now perfect. Access is cut down for most fisherman making a float the perfect way to present an offering. Current breaks are dynamite and attract fish, as do eddys and seams. It is time to get excited about fishing the west branch. Big fish will slam jigs and beefing up line to 10lb test is advisable, to fish 5x-3x leaders. Go big or go home, a 4" white and silver bunny jig can be deadly.


1500 to 2500 cfm
Most fly fisherman are confined to drift boats at this level, but not pinners. Big jigs are key now, as is targeting softer water. The heavy feeders however will be sitting right off fast water exactly where you would expect them to be.

Over 2500 cfm
Its fishable, but its time for a wading staff and lots caution. Fish can be stacked up near the banks so deep wading and long cast are not as important. Big stone flies get washed out of there hiding spots. For that matter so does everything else. I would not be afraid to use a 6" long brown trout pattern, but you better make sure your tippet is up to the possibility. This is not the time to be drifting unless you know what your doing and know the river.

Gearing up for the West Branch

Float fisherman are often caught off guard at the shear size of the water that confronts them on the upper Delaware system. Most pinners that visit the upper Delaware cut their teeth on the tribs of NY, and only make forays to larger waters like the Black, Genny and Oswego.
As a result they assume the worst and arrive with 13ft rods designed for chrome and salmon. Most of these rods are a mis match for the wider, yet slower flows of the west branch.

Flows dictate floats, and floats dictate rods.

Most pinners on the West Branch will use 4-5gram floats, and as such 9-11'6" rods rated for 4-8lbs are best. One of the most enjoyable rods I have fished the West Branch with is St. Croix's WST116LM2. For those unfamiliar it is a 11'6" light action rod rated for 4-10lb line, and is in the Wild River series. Steelheaders often describe this rod as a wet noodle, however for the 2-6lb fish one is likely to encounter this rod is nearly perfect. It allows for a quick load when casting, a fight matched to the size of the fish and most importantly still allows for the fish to be landed quickly. Rods of this description will cover most of the water levels you are likely to encounter on this system. However in high water or fishing the main stem 13ft rods do have their place.
Casting lighter floats because a bit easier with lighter lines and my preference is 8lb siglon, followed by 5x-4x tippets. Fluorocarbon is a must as the water is often clear and the fish fairly educated.

Fishing the West Branch falls someplace between steelheading and local trout fishing. Slight modifications to gear selection and you will find you have a rewarding and fun experience.

Good Luck

Centerpins; Not just for Steelhead Any More

Yes centerpinners and float fishing is evolving from its roots as a steelhead tool. Why? Well its fun, and it's that simple. You can make what you want out of centerpinning, some enjoy bait fishing, some plugs, some jigs and other flies. Like any sport centerpinners have their own scoundrels and cheaters, and unfortunately often times these are the first meetings many have with pinners.
So whats this centerpinning all about? Well for some it is the tremendous amount of fish that you can catch, others its about watching a float like when you where a kid. But for most it is being one on one with a fish, no drag to stop them and no room for error. Every run passes through your hands, and every head shake is telegraphed through the rod. More often then not you can predict what a fish is going to do just by feeling the line. And thats just too cool.

Sounds good? Well why does it work so well?

The answer to that is a simple one, yet the actions need to produce it is not. Centerpinning utilizes a float to provide a long presentation. Generally finesse fishing requires short controlled casting to generate pin point accuracy. Indicator fishing with a fly rod is an excellent example of this. However it is limited to a very short piece of water. Centerpinning expands this pin point accuracy over greater distances.
Unlike indicator fishing centerpinning provides a lure first presentation. Simply put your hook and what ever is attached to it is viewed by the fish before lead, line or leader. It is the ultimate in stealth, and when employed properly can cover 50ft of water to near perfection.

With gas price on the rise every steelhead fisherman wants to maximize their time on the water. For most that means getting out and practicing. Any body of moving water presents an opportunity for the centerpinner. Often time streams with prime trout temperature ranges provide centerpinners with a chance to break away from the baits used steelheading and learn the keys to fishing artificials.

Google Map Ovew View of Access

Here is a little gem of a map, giving pool names, and parking for the West Branch of the Delaware. I can only take credit for finding it, not making it. Make sure you double check all parking areas for yourself as it is important to respect the towns and landowners rights. Enjoy

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