Dogs and the Delaware

[TheFarBankIsAlwaysBetter]

Looking at maybe trying my hand for a few days on the Delaware this year in late June, but there’s a catch. I fish with my dog Almost exclusively at this point, which is already hindering for most of fishing on the Big 3 in central PA.

Wondering if the Delaware near Hancock is a bit more shallow as a whole in that area due to the greater width of the stream the out average central PA stream. And if so, would those shallow areas even be worth fishing come that time of year?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Nocktavius]

I fish the Delaware with my dog a lot, both from the boat and on shore in parts. Two things- crowds and private property should be your primary concern. I like trapping my dogs on the islands mid river while I fish as it tends to alleviate concerns regarding both.

The WB is pretty shallow overall during seasonal flows (you can wade right across in most spots at 600 cfs at Hale), and there are plenty of fish in the fast shallow water in late June.

 

[gibsygoldtop]

Good looking dog... Goldens are the best!

 

[caddisflyer]

I guess just fishing is not complicated enough? I saw a guy fishing and the entire time he was screaming at his dog. The dog was racing up and down the bank, going in people's yards and chasing geese. I did not dare go over in that area because I am sure I would have been greeted with the dog jumping on me and clawing my waders. Not a fan. I see guys floating with multiple dogs in the boat. I cannot imagine the added hassle of it.

 

[Nocktavius]

I guess just fishing is not complicated enough? I saw a guy fishing and the entire time he was screaming at his dog. The dog was racing up and down the bank, going in people's yards and chasing geese. I did not dare go over in that area because I am sure I would have been greeted with the dog jumping on me and clawing my waders. Not a fan. I see guys floating with multiple dogs in the boat. I cannot imagine the added hassle of it.

There’s a major difference between fishing with a well trained dog and one like you described below (although I do let mine chase geese, I hate those bastards). Guess I now have another good reason to fish with my buddy bc it keeps people who apparently hate dogs from high or low holing me 🤣

 

[hooker-of-men]

The WB is pretty shallow overall during seasonal flows (you can wade right across in most spots at 600 cfs at Hale), and there are plenty of fish in the fast shallow water in late June.

I would think this might be a better option than around Hancock. The wide spots below the confluence that I've fished - around the DEC access area, for instance - get really deep really quickly. Wading there is mostly watching the drift boat regatta hammer fish you can't reach.

Hale might pose other issues with fast water for a dog?

 

[TheFarBankIsAlwaysBetter]

I guess just fishing is not complicated enough? I saw a guy fishing and the entire time he was screaming at his dog. The dog was racing up and down the bank, going in people's yards and chasing geese. I did not dare go over in that area because I am sure I would have been greeted with the dog jumping on me and clawing my waders. Not a fan. I see guys floating with multiple dogs in the boat. I cannot imagine the added hassle of it.

Well thankfully he’s a Velcro dog… to a fault almost. Which is what can limit our fishing locations when I have him, he wants to be at my hip at all times even if it means he’s treading water haha.

 

[TheFarBankIsAlwaysBetter]

I would think this might be a better option than around Hancock. The wide spots below the confluence that I've fished - around the DEC access area, for instance - get really deep really quickly. Wading there is mostly watching the drift boat regatta hammer fish you can't reach.

Hale might pose other issues with fast water for a dog?

I’ll look into that area and see what it looks like. I typically run a mono rig, so we are often targeting faster pocket water, so that would be the norm for him. Water depth is the real concern in trying to make sure it’s a place suitable for him.

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

I would consider fishing with a dog akin to fishing with kids - but my dog only weighs about 12 lbs. and she hates water. When my boys were young enough to get swept away in water that was waist deep on me, my concern was for their safety to the point where I wouldn't bring my gear along, and I would stand within a quick grab of their wader suspenders at all times.
I know a lot of guys take a dog along and I personally have no problem with it. I have yet to encounter a dog that interfered with my fishing.

 

[krayfish2]

Was just up with the boys

 

[TheFarBankIsAlwaysBetter]

Was just up with the boys

Love it. Makes me wanna get a raft.

 

[sixfootfenwick]

To people with well trained dogs, fishing with them is not an added hassle, it's an added joy.

 

[sixfootfenwick]

Well thankfully he’s a Velcro dog… to a fault almost. Which is what can limit our fishing locations when I have him, he wants to be at my hip at all times even if it means he’s treading water haha.

This is why you think the far bank is always better, grass is always greener on the other side of a fence. 😂

 

[tomgamber]

As a mere observer, I would say most Delaware River stream reports include dog pics.

 

[MarkC]

I had a well trained lab I'd often fish the Delaware with. The PA game lands on the West Branch would be a good starting point. There's an island at the head of the pool where my dog would hang while I fished the rift. I'd also cross the tail of the upper game lands pool, scramble up to the railroad tracks, and hike downstream to a spot where the bank affords you easy access to deep water, get there before the boats or you'll be shut out, fantastic afternoon Drake spot during high water.

Mainstem: Tough unless the water is lower and you can cross to the NY side, there are lots of places with no houses a short hike down the tracks on the NY side, PA side is pretty well inhabited till you get below Lordville. A long hike up from Long Eddy access puts you on some nice water without houses Check out Google maps.

Mark C

 

[Tiogadog]

I love seeing dogs when I fish. Not sure if he is still around but there was a friendly chocolate lab that was always running on the road near the Barree gorge.

I would not, however, take my dogs fishing with me. One hates strangers and the other loves strangers too much.

 

[krayfish2]

To people with well trained dogs, fishing with them is not an added hassle, it's an added joy.

My dogs are somewhat trained and it is a huge hassle. 🤣. When they hear the line get ripped off the water as a fish takes, they will blow both of your knees out trying to get to the edge of the boat and see what's going on. For the most part though, well-behaved.

One thing I will say if you're a Wade fisherman, if you make a comment or talk to my dogs as we're going past, they will jump out of the boat and swim to you to get petted. That's a slight problem

 

[sixfootfenwick]

My dogs are somewhat trained and it is a huge hassle. 🤣. When they hear the line get ripped off the water as a fish takes, they will blow both of your knees out trying to get to the edge of the boat and see what's going on. For the most part though, well-behaved.

One thing I will say if you're a Wade fisherman, if you make a comment or talk to my dogs as we're going past, they will jump out of the boat and swim to you to get petted. That's a slight problem

They look pretty young.
It should get better with age.

My eldest dog, if he is sleeping and wakes up hearing a chip bag, he won't get up to get one.
I think it's kind of like me when I go to the fridge for a beer, see there are none but remember there are some in the basement fridge...

Yeah, that's a lot of work and gonna hurt the knees, I'm good.

 

[dryflyguy]

Shallowest pool in my wanderings up there, is the upper game land pool
But with the flows we're getting now, not much of anything will be low now
Good luck

 

[wildtrout2]

I have yet to encounter a dog that interfered with my fishing.

There's a local natural repo stream in my area, where EVERY SINGLE TIME I try to fish it there's somebody (at least one, often more) running their dog/dogs in the stream. There are two Dog Parks in the immediate area, but folks seem to need to use the creek too.
I've lost track how many times I've had to leave the stream because of dog issues. It's a shame, because there are some nice wild browns in this creek.