Monster Trout Derby

This story in The News Eagle
The Business Owners of Lackawaxen Township and G. Anderson Homes are sponsoring the third annual Monster Trout Derby, open to all anglers, with approximately $2,500 in prizes being offered. There is no entry fee for the public and no pre-registration. All that an angler needs to do is catch any one of the 100 monster trout being stocked in the Lackawaxen River between Hawley and the Village of Lackawaxen.

Signs of spring

New signs along the Lackawaxen River. Remember the old signs: CAUTION RIVER LEVEL RISES RAPIDLY. To the point. Even a dash of the dangerous.

So here's a new sign from PPL. The level of the Lackawaxen river below the plant is subject to rapid elevation change.

I wonder if the lawyer that wrote that has ever gotten caught in the rapid elevation change

Fantastic! Federal Money... goes to federal agency.

Like so much of 'Federal Money' for our region heres some more being recycled to a Federal Dept. Sort of like paying yourself to research new car prices.

It's a new year.

I'm hoping that this year will be a better year for me than last. One thing I'm gonna do is is expand my fishing beyond the Lackawaxen River. I'm not turning my back on the Lackawaxen but maybe moving upstream. I've notice on the PFBC's trout stocking page that they are stocking up in Honesdale from KMART to Dyberry Creek. I'm also expecting to try the West Branch of the Lackawaxen River above the Prompton Reservoir and Van Aukens Creek. The stocking page has the great feature of including latitude and longitude which when clicked open in a Google Map page. Cool. 

What the hell is this??

This is a Nubbin Post.  When the road was  The Delaware and Hudson Canal the barges on the canal were towed by mule. The tow ropes were wrapped around these posts. The stone is not local. When you're passing by one on the tow path stop and have a look. You can still see the grooves made by the ropes over  hundred years ago.

The Partys' Over

It's been a long time since I've posted because I been stoned. No not that kind of stoned, well maybe. I've been Kidney stoned and thus painkiller stoned. What a drag. and it happened while I was fishing in the Lackawaxen. Boy what a drag. Not only for the misery and pain but I missed all the spring hatches.

      The spring season is over. How do I know. PPL is back to all day power generation. With the tubes starting around 7, there should still be some early morning fishing. The little yellow stones and newspaper caddis have produced big for me during June in the past. Get on the stream around 6 or earlier. When the sun hit the pool, go home.

    Just a little complaining. Last Thursday evening I made the 45 min run to the Lacky and when I hit Rowland corner I was floored. The tubes were running full bore. This was after I checked the site earlier and had called the 800 number the previous day to confirm that they weren't supposed to be running. I wasn't alone there were 20 to 30 guys and ladies watching the water with as much disappointment as mine. Thanks PPL. Heres another good citizen award.   ..|.,

A Beautiful Day on the Lackawaxen River. Where's all the fisherman?

On Saturday I took a few hours and went over to the the Lackawaxen River. I was a little apprehensive about the mobs of 'Monster Derby' folks but when I got there it was just a typical early season Saturday. A few guys in the regular spots. A mix of spinning and fly gear. A light easterly breeze. I went to one of my early season spots and found the the Jolly Green Giant had already been there. I wondered if he had caught a Monster Trout. I bounced the bottom for about twenty minutes without any luck. I moved down stream to a bigger pool and found a few fish snapping at emergers. There was a nice if not extraordinary caddis hatch. I haven't witnessed a hatch like this for several years. At times it was like being in a snow storm. The caddis was about a size 14 with a apple green body and medium gray wing. I got one good rise from a dry. I had little luck with sparkle pupa patterns or small green wooly buggas. I notice a few black stones landing on me so I tried a couple of good imitations. No luck. It was turning out to be one of those 'what are they eating?' days, I tied on a rather odd sparse stone pattern and had no luck with about 30 casts. As I retrieved it a a fairly fast pace to change patterns - Bang - I hooked a very pretty 9" brown. That turned out to be the only taker. Oh well it's early yet.

PPL is giving us a break this week and not scheduling any power runs. That and the weather forecast bode well for for those lucky enough to fish during the week. I can't get on the stream 'til Friday so leave a few Monster Trout for me.