Roscoe Area Fishing Guide Recommendation

[virgil]

My cousin in flying in from California for opening week of turkey season.  I might try to arrange an afternoon/evening of fly fishing as he's never fished Eastern water.  Does anyone have a guide service that you recommend?

[left field]

I know a few.

I assume fly fishing. Wade or drift boat? Small or big water? How experienced is he?

 

Edited March 6, 2023 by left field

[virgil]

41 minutes ago, left field said:

I know a few.

I assume fly fishing. Wade or drift boat? Small or big water? How experienced is he?

 

I always prefer smaller water.  He doesn't have much experience fly fishing- but, i think he'll pick it up well.  I've never done a float trip- i generally prefer wading.  I would assume it's probably better for a first timer.

[left field]

Yes and no.

Drifting gives you multiple shots at fish (and big fish), but he'll have to spend some time learning how to cast from shore. Wading gives you the real experience.

I would contact Craig Buckbee (easterncaster@gmail.com) who is a casting coach as well as a great guide. Craig is the guy I go to when I need to straighten out my cast. He only wades.

If you want to drift, I have other names.

[virgil]

21 minutes ago, left field said:

Yes and no.

Drifting gives you multiple shots at fish (and big fish), but he'll have to spend some time learning how to cast from shore. Wading gives you the real experience.

I would contact Craig Buckbee (easterncaster@gmail.com) who is a casting coach as well as a great guide. Craig is the guy I go to when I need to straighten out my cast. He only wades.

If you want to drift, I have other names.

thanks very much.  Yes, i think it'll definitely be a wade trip.  Does he work through one of the local outfitters?

[left field]

No. Craig is an independent guide., though he does host trips to Iceland and Patagonia at times.

I have fished with him many times as friends, but I always come away with learning something.

Highly recommend.

[Bucksnbows]

5 hours ago, virgil said:

My cousin in flying in from California for opening week of turkey season.  I might try to arrange an afternoon/evening of fly fishing as he's never fished Eastern water.  Does anyone have a guide service that you recommend?

You mention the Roscoe area which is the Little Beaverkill, Willowemoc Creek, and the Beaverkill once those first two rivers meet up in Roscoe.  All are wade fishing rivers with a combination of stocked, wild and holdover trout.  The big tailwaters nearby are both wade and drift fished and are among the toughest waters to land big numbers as anywhere trout are fished with fly rods.  And that's due to the insane pressure we anglers place on the resources of the West, East and mainstem Delaware.  If your cousin is new to the sport, I would stick to the Willow or the Beaverkill as both have enough stocked and holdovers to eat flies well.  Any wild fish will be a bonus.  The tailwaters are mostly all stream bred wild fish (browns and bows). 

I don't have wade guides I would recommend, but know many drift boat guides on the big D.  May is a great time to fish the hatches!  The Beaverkill sees a great Hendrickson hatch in late April and into May followed by March Browns which brings up smashing hits on dries when that hatch is on.  Lots of caddis as well.  Late May can have sulphurs and olives pretty much hatch on most rainy days and sometimes on sunny days too.        

[left field]

Or wait a week for the Green Drakes.

Yeah, the WB and the Mainstem can be tough. The EB will gut you and leave your broken body by the shore. BK/W are better choices.

I usually take newbies to the Esopus as it is filled with feisty little rainbows. 

[Bucksnbows]

3 minutes ago, left field said:

Or wait a week for the Green Drakes.

 

7 hours ago, virgil said:

My cousin in flying in from California for opening week of turkey season.  

Green drakes will likely be a bit early this year, but not first week of May early. But should have solid Hendricksons and evening spinner falls plus caddis galore. 

[left field]

I was following the May hatches ... Hendricksons > March Browns > Caddis > Sulphers > Drakes.

Currently, I'm fishing this:

This beady eyed little bastard is killing the baby tarpon.

[crappyice]

I know @Chef has a boat guide he really likes on the WB but I agree with the above suggestions for the BK or Willow for newer fly fisherman.

[virgil]

Thanks everyone. Appreciate the advice. 

[Chef]

1 hour ago, virgil said:

Thanks everyone. Appreciate the advice. 

F that fish with Sam from the Delaware river club. She is awesome and great with new fishermen and will do a half day float trip down the west branch. F the BK and willow. The upper west is the best wild trout fishery in the country 

[Bucksnbows]

19 minutes ago, Chef said:

 The upper west is the best wild trout fishery in the country 

You need to get out more. 
 

The WBD is certainly one of the most difficult rivers to catch big, wild browns and rainbows in consistently, I’ll give you that. That is due to heavy fishing pressure. But it’s wild fish per mile numbers aren’t remotely near the top nationwide.  That said, it is my favorite east coast river and has been for decades. Learning to catch fish regularly on that river will make you a better angler on any and all waters. 

[2BuckBizCT]

58 minutes ago, Chef said:

F that fish with Sam from the Delaware river club. She is awesome and great with new fishermen and will do a half day float trip down the west branch. F the BK and willow. The upper west is the best wild trout fishery in the country 

The country of NY or country or America?