Drift Boat Fishing
on the Upper Delaware River
e're off on another adventure, this time to Narrowsburg, New York, where we'll be fishing with Michael Padua. Mike's a New York State Licensed Guide who offers drift boat fishing for small mouth bass, shad, striped bass, trout, as well as walleye. Michael is a personable and knowledgeable guide. The scenery on the Upper Delaware River is spectacular, and drift fishing there is a great way to experience angling.
I had contacted the Sweetwater Guide Service on the internet. Michael emailed back and said he would like to be featured on our television show, ADVENTURES IN FISHING WITH CAPT. RAY KELLY. We scheduled the trip for August. Michael had recommended staying at the Motel at Lander’s River Trips which was close to the public boat ramp on the Upper Delaware River.
My cameraman, Bill Rapp and myself were excited and looking forward to the trip because we had not filmed this type of fishing before. It always looked so relaxing and different from the saltwater fishing that we were used to. Michael specializes in ultralight tackle and flyfishing. And let me tell you when you catch a nice smallmouth on one of his ultralight rods, you get some fight. Ultralight fishing is something every angler should try at least once.
Although we had an overcast and rainy day, we managed to land quite a few fish using a variety of baits, which ranged from deep diving Rapalas, spinners, rubber grubs and live bait such as hellgramites and shiners. I know some of you are asking what are hellgramites so I will tell you. Hellgramites are the small larvae of the Dobson Fly. They are about an inch or two long and look like a prehistoric little creature with many legs and two pincher type looking things coming from it’s head. Mike let the eerie creatures walk on his hand and said they are harmless. Mike said they are under the rocks in the river and he demonstrated how he catches them using a metal sifter type net. Small mouth bass love them. On my first cast with one, I hooked up with a nice smallie. Bill also hooked up but lost his at the boat. He immediately cast out again and immediately caught another one.
Mike guided the boat to his favorite locations and we caught fish most of the time. Mike explained how Bald Eagles are very common in the area. True to his word we saw three. One actually beat us to the punch. The eagle swept down and grabbed a fish with it’s feet just ahead of us and then landed in a tree beside us to enjoy his catch. It was just one of many naturalistic sites that the Upper Deleware River has to offer.
As Bill and I took turns on the camera and we just kept catching fish after fish. Imagine; this type of fishing is only 2 hours from New York City!
I hated the first day to come to an end but I knew if the weather held up, we would be out again the the next morning. As it happened, the weather held so we were able to spend a second day drifting the Upper Delaware. The second day was even better that the first. More fish and bigger fish. The average size of smallmouth that we caught were between 14-18 inches. Nice fish for that time of year. Mike also explained about the spring Shad run where you can practically walk over fish and how exciting that type of fishing is also.
Mike has a 14-ft. McKensie Drift Boat, which provides a stable ride as you drift down the river. He also supplies a nice box lunch for his clients (and it was truly relaxing having lunch right on the Delaware River). What is more important is that Mike makes your trip enjoyable and educational as he explains different facts about the Upper Delaware River while you drift along. He also enjoys taking children fishing which I was glad to hear since we try and promote getting children involved in fishing as much as we can on the show.
I learned quite a bit on this trip, and I hope to schedule another with Mike for that spring Shad run that he was telling us about. Until then, I have the memories of this time. Fishing trips do give anglers a lot of memories. Even if the fish don't cooperate (and we all know that happens on occasion), I recommend anglers enjoy the beauty of the moment. I used to get very angry if I didn't catch fish. I don’t anymore. I make the best of it. I guess it's an 'age thing' or something - mellowing as they say.
But if you would like to try and experience a different type of fishing, I would recommend a Drift Fishing Trip. Needless to say, I would say go with Mike Padua of Sweetwater Guide Service. His telephone number is 914-252-3439. You can also reached him on the internet at sweetwater78@juno.com. There is no doubt in my mind that you will enjoy the experience and I bet you'll even see a Bald Eagle!!!
And remember- "Let's get kids hooked on Fishing...NOT on drugs!"
We welcome comments on this article and suggestions about subjects you would like to read about in the future. Email me at kelly@interport.net, or send your comments to ADVENTURES IN FISHING, PO BOX 531, WADING RIVER, NY 11792 or call us at (516) 929-6711.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR- Capt. Ray Kelly is a USCG licensed charter boat captain. His boat, ADVENTURES, is based in Riverhead, NY with charters available in Peconic Bay, Shinnecock Bay and offshore out of Shinnecock Inlet. Flounder, Fluke, Bluefish, Striped Bass, Shark and Tuna charters are available when in season.
Ray is also the Executive Producer of ADVENTURES IN FISHING WITH CAPT. RAY KELLY, a weekly television show which airs in New York, Massachusetts and California. They are always looking for charter, party and private boats to be featured on the show. For further information, call Starlight Productions at (516) 929-6711.
