Immediately above Shehawken and just below The Delaware River Club is the town of Hancock, NY. Taking PA 191 across the steel bridge public parking will be located immediately to your right. Several access paths lead down to the NY side of the river, and the PA side may be accessed by crossing the bridge into PA. Due the the ease of access this section is often popular with anglers. Immediately downstream of the bridge is a set of riffles leading into a long slow pool. Fishing is often best in the head of the riffles and the transition point between them and the pool. Hancock offers limited float fishing opportunities, however because of its ease of access it can be a quick stop to pick up a fish or two.
Up stream of Hancock, for the angler that doesn't mind a walk, is located several prime float fishing locations. Access can be gained wading along the NY shoreline. Often people will attempt to gain access along the PA side or by using the railroad. Keep in mind that the river is public, however the land is not. All efforts should be made to respect land owners property, avoid trespassing and be informed. Ignorance of a persons property line is not an excuse, and it is your responsibility to look for posted signs and heed them.
Once access is gained, float fisherman will be please with the long moving pools. The walk in is worth every step foot of the longish walk. Don't let the long walk lull you into a feeling of entitlement, as access by private individuals and drift boats is easily done. So do not be surprised when you see other anglers, and don't feel you have the right to crowd them because you took a walk.
However, again the faster water is often over looked by dry fly anglers, and a short walk upstream will yield faster water moving into Delaware River Clubs Home Pool. Just about that is a series of riffles and runs that are very suited to float fishing.
Fishing this section can be very rewarding or very frustrating. At times insect hatches can be large, drawing many fishing to the surface causing the float fisherman to wonder if it is even worth fishing. The answer is yes. Careful inspection of the insect activity can provide you with clues in how to gain some success. Presence of duns on the water provides the float fisherman the opportunity to trot nymphs, wet flies and emergers. Most often strikes will be savage and be the result of checking the float and raising the jig or fly to the surface. The presence of spinners on the water provides the opportunity to fish drowned patterns at a dead drift.
This section is home to large browns and bows, large fish mean meat eaters. Early mornings, late evenings and night provide excellent opportunities to fish large heavily dressed jigs.
