Sulphurs: John Miller Mayfly Photos

The upper West Branch of the Delaware River as fair to heavy mid day sulphur hatches, with sizes 16 and 18 emerger imitations your best choice in pattern selection. The evenings on the entire West Branch of the Delaware River are seeing good spinner falls as well as fresh hatches, with spinners and dun imitations in sizes 18 and 20 being the most productive.

I have been really busy this season, with alot of great fish taking dry flies and sliding into the net. For those of you that asked and really wanted this, here is a quick photo essay I put together on the sulphurs and summer time on the West Branch. I hope to see many of you again this fall on the Lake Erie Tributaries for steelhead. I hope you enjoy the photos!

Sunset is sulphur time on the West Branch of the Delaware.

Here's what the trout looking for..

John Miller with a nice Delaware River brown trout caught on a #18 sulphur emerger.

Delaware River rainbow trout caught on a #16 sulphur dun on a rainy day.

Sulphur Nymph

Sulphur Cripple/Emerger Size #18

Male Sulphur Dun Size #16; Look at the foot impressions on the water surface, this is why parachute patterns work so well.

Female Sulphur Dun Size #18

Male Sulphur Spinner Size #16

Check out the eyes and color in this male sulphur spinner.

Sulphur Dun that fooled this Delaware River brown trout.

Home pool riffle in front of the West Branch Angler- Excellent sulphur water!

Female Size #16 Sulphur Dun

Mid day sulphur hatch in July on the West Branch of the Delaware River.

If you would like more information of fly fishing the Delaware River please visit the West Branch Angler Website at http://www.westbranchresort.com.

Good Fishing!

John Miller

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Spring Creek Gold and Elk Creek Bronze

This past Sunday, I ventured to Central Pennsylvania in the "wee hours" to meet up with Joel Bock, a veteran of the Spring Creek waters and a good friend. After a quick breakfast and a few laughs we would trek the beaten trail, in hopes of tight lines and solitude. Initially we would find those rewards as the fish were cooperative and the water fishermen free. As the Sulphurs magically appeared from the riffles, the fishermen did the same from the landscape. I have to say that it was very easy to loose the crowds in my mind as the fish occupied my conscious.

First fish of the day and the first fish

caught on my new Orvis Hydros 4wt

Nice Brown Trout that fell to a Sulphur Emerger

Joel with a nice Spring Creek Brown Trout!

Another Spring Creek Wild Brown Trout

Upon my return to Northwestern PA, I decided to wade my home waters of Elk Creek in search of the mighty Lake Erie Small mouth. I was a mere 30 minutes into it and already landed 3 nice bronze beauties. After my last release, 30 seconds passed and I was standing in water that rose an incredible 2 1/2 feet and turned to mud. I was forced to the bank and watched in awe as mother nature stole my moment.....I have never seen The Elk come up that quickly!

A Nice " pre flood" Caught Lake Erie Small Mouth Bass.

Another View

I will be back on Elk Creek in the days to come chasing Bronze Backs and praying Mother Nature decides to pick on someone else's Fishery! The Small Mouth Bass fishing on our tributaries has been fantastic! If you would like to get out let us know...

Until Then...Tight Lines!

Tim Hess

Fly Fishing Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters