Delhi News Bureau

DELHI — The weather forecast isn't promising for the first day of trout season Tuesday, but that probably won't stop seasoned anglers, conservation officials said.

"Trout season's going to start off cold," said Norm McBride, state Department of Environmental Conservation fish biologist. "But we are a lot better off now than we were two weeks ago.

"It looked bleak then, but the snow has all melted now," McBride said Friday. "Just last week the West Branch was flooding and out of the banks, but it's back in the banks now."

McBride said the water flow is dropping, and streams should be accessible. It was uncertain Sunday how new snowfall would affect water levels.

"The fishermen are going to be able to find places to park, and they shouldn't have to struggle to get to the riverbanks," McBride said. "The fishing will be more difficult than it was last year, but most people go on opening day just to get out."

Al Carpenter Sr., owner of Al's Wild Trout Ltd. in Shinhopple, said conditions look very good in the East Branch of the Delaware River, below the Pepacton Reservoir.

"I never saw the river look much better for opening day," Carpenter said. "The water is clear and although it's slightly higher than normal, it's wadeable — with caution. Hopefully we won't get more rain," he said Friday.

On Saturday the area did get rain and by Sunday morning it had charged to snow.

"It's a disheartening weather forecast," Carpenter said. "They are saying there could be snow in the higher elevations. I don't even like that word anymore — snow."

Al Carpenter Jr., who owns Al's Sport Store in Downsville, upriver from his father's store, said the Pepacton Reservoir is just starting to spill, which means the river may be deeper and faster if rain falls over the weekend.

Carpenter Jr. said the Pepacton is still covered with ice, but it is starting to open up along the shoreline and in the coves.

"It will be awhile before the boats can go out, but the fishing should be good along the shoreline," he said. "It's always better right after the ice goes off."

State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Erin M. Crotty said the DEC plans to stock about 2.35 million catchable-size brook, brown and rainbow trout in more than 650 lakes, ponds and streams across the state. The 2003 spring mix will include about 1.8 million brown trout, 440,000 rainbow trout and 115,000 brook trout.

McBride said the harsh winter and deep snow set the stocking schedule back. He said local rivers won't be stocked by Tuesday, but there will still be fish to catch.

"There are plenty of fish out there," McBride said.

McBride said the DEC is studying the hatchery fish in the "no kill" reaches of the Beaver Kill/Willowemoc system in Delaware, Sullivan and Ulster counties. He said radio transmitters will be surgically implanted in 88 yearling hatchery brown trout and in 44 2-year-old brown trout.

The DEC will monitor the movement of the trout. Some of these radio-tagged trout might move outside of the "no kill" regulation areas so anglers are asked to release all fish with external antennas and report the fish location to the regional fisheries office in Stamford. Should any of these radio-tagged trout be creeled, the anglers are asked to contact the Stamford office and make arrangements to return the tag.

McBride said the angler diary program is also continuing this year, but more fishermen are needed to make the program successful. Fishermen who routinely fish the Beaver Kill/Willowemoc are asked to sign up for the Diary Cooperator Program by writing to NYSDEC, Fisheries Unit, Route 10, Stamford, NY 12167.

Diary cooperators also are being sought for the Delaware tailwaters — that is the West Branch downstream of Cannonsville Reservoir, the East Branch downstream of Pepacton Reservoir, and the main Delaware from Hancock to Callicoon.

McBride said that bait, lure and fly anglers are welcome to take part. The diary program is to monitor the trout fishery on these rivers. Cooperators record fishing trip information in a diary. All diaries will be returned to the angler along with an annual summary of results before the start of the 2004 fishing season.

McBride said the information gathered last year wasn't conclusive because there wasn't enough data available, so more people are needed to fill out diaries.

Crotty reminds anglers that the general creel limit for brook, brown and rainbow trout is five. The open season for trout in most state waters runs from Tuesday through Oct. 15, but there are exceptions.

Crotty said that the "border water" reach on the West Branch of the Delaware River where New York and Pennsylvania share a common boundary has a delayed season, which does not open until April 12 this year. This delayed season also applies to all Delaware River tributaries located in Delaware County and on the East Branch between Hancock and the Hamlet of East Branch.

McBride said trout in the Delaware are wild fish, primarily browns and rainbows, spawned in the tributaries, which have the same delayed season opener as the Delaware to provide added protection for spawning rainbows.

West Branch anglers wanting to know current releases can call (845) 295-1006. This hot line is run as a cooperative effort with NYC DEP and Trout Unlimited. Information also is available on the DEC website at dec.state.ny.us.

Anglers are also reminded that there are new procedures for fishing New York City reservoirs. For more information, and permit applications, visit the website at nyc.gov/html/dep/html/watershed.html or by calling (800) 575-LAND.

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Patricia Breakey can be reached at (607) 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.