Reported by: Phil Kee
Annual West Branch Angler & Resort Trip...
Each June members of the AFTU Chapter leave the confines of Long Island, and travel north to fish the headwaters of the Delaware River system in New York's Southern Catskill Mountain region. The group enjoys the serene and rustic setting of the West Branch Angler Resort located in the Township of Hancock, New York. The complex sits on the south bank of the West Branch of Delaware River, and is just a short distance down river of the Hale Eddy Bridge. The comfort of well-appointed cabins that give grand views of the resort's "Home Pool" on the WB are "home away from home" to chapter members.
The WB is always a challenge. Its wary wild Rainbow & Brown Trout, and the changing conditions of a tailwater, each year & day, keep AFTU members on their "A" game. The camaraderie of sharing a pool or riffle, swapping late evening fish tales, and the usual libations after a long day of angling adds to the bond amongst members, and the memory of a true angling adventure...
...A special note of Thanks to Chapter Member Doug Ernst for organizing and coordinating the trip.
As the saying goes..."A picture is worth a thousand words"... Hoping more can enjoy future adventures!
West Branch Angler & Resort weekend cabins... home away from home.
West Branch Angler & Resort's "Home Pool" below cabins.
Saturday morning breakfast before getting down to the business of fishing...
A hearty meal to start the weekend.
PA & NY border waters_WB "Monument Pool"- upstream view.
PA & NY border waters_WB "Monument Pool"- downstream view to PA Gamelands.
Resting from the long hot march back from "Monument Pool"...
Afternoon break... resting & relaxing in anticipation of the evening hatches & spinner falls at dusk and then some.
Killing time late afternoon tossing an oversized "Big & Brown" while waiting for the evening spinner falls and hatches to commence at dusk.
Night fall comes to the WB Angler & Resort complex.
Sunday afternoon catch...Tony Ertola's nephew, Darion, with a fine WB specimen that came to a suspended nymph before heading home.
Evening Brown Trout surrenders on the PA Game Lands...
...and another PA Gamelands Brown Trout comes to net.
As evening falls on the West Branch, AFTU members share the camaraderie of fishing the Resort's "Home Pool".
Working a rising fish...
Mending line...
Stalking the bank in search of some heads...
Fish on!
... Come to daddy!
Saying "Good bye" to a new friend...
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