Guided Fly Fishing Trips on the Delaware River
The Delaware River Club offers premiere guide service on the Delaware and the numbers back this up. Our 7 full-time, licensed and certified guides, some with more than 15 years of experience, run about 300 guided wade and float trips each year. With expert knowledge of trout habitat and insect hatches, these guides are your ticket to a fun and informative day of float or wade fishing for fat, wild brown and rainbow trout.
The Delaware River trout are a very selective species. These wild fish live in a fertile river and have an abundance of natural food available to them. Therefore, they are not likely to eat anything except for a perfectly presented fly. Our guides are here to facilitate that process and ensure that you have the best chance possible to land one of the Delaware’s most treasured creatures.
Guided Float Trips
Floating the Upper Delaware in a McKenzie style drift boat is one of fly fishing’s quintessential experiences. The guides at Delaware River Club are expert oarsman, able to safely navigate to the sweet spots where wild trophy browns and rainbows lurk. Our solid drift boats provide room for two and lunch is included in a day on the water. We suggest that you book early for trips in May and June.
Guided Wade Trips
For those who prefer to fish with their feet planted in the stream, we offer numerous options. On the West Branch, we offer private-access water right outside our front door. Additionally, excellent wade trips are available on the East Branch and Main Stem Delaware, as well as the Beaverkill.
Guided Mid-Summer Prime Hours Trips
During July and August, we encourage you to experience a mid-summer prime hour’s trip at the DRC. Our guides select the three most lucrative hours of the long summer day to give you the best opportunity for landing that large Delaware trout.
Guided Smallmouth Bass Fishing Trips
As of July 2009, you now have the opportunity to schedule a smallmouth bass trip through the DRC. Smallmouth are eager to pound flies and they are considered one of the best fighting fish in the world. In 2007, Field and Stream Magazine included the Upper Delaware as one of its top-five smallmouth rivers in the U.S.
The smallmouth bass season runs from July through Mid-October. We offer full day trips along the Susquehanna River or you can choose to do a half or full day trip along the Lower Delaware River or the East Branch of the Delaware. Our drift boat or raft trips will accommodate 1 or 2 people. We encourage you to bring your 6 to 8 weight fly rod or use light tackle with a 6lb test monofilament with light spinning gear.
Fishing for smallmouth is also a great way to introduce your kids to the sport of fishing – bring them along for a fun filled family day.
Guided Steelhead Fishing Trips
In late October, the steelhead begin migrating and moving into the Great Lakes Tributaries. Steelhead are notoriously explosive fish taking you into your backing and cart wheeling down the river, breaking your line and causing you to talk to yourself, but in the end, it’s downright FUN!! Our experienced guides look forward to showing you the most effective ways to catch Great Lakes Steelhead throughout the season, which lasts until mid-March.
We want you to have the best experience possible and therefore, suggest that you book a trip during the week rather than on the weekends if possible. Aside from Elk Creek and Walnut Creek, we also fish some smaller select tributaries and possibly Cattaraugus Creek in order to give you the best opportunity to fight and land steelhead.
A PA fishing license and tributary stamp is required for all Lake Erie tributaries in PA. NY License and reservation permits are required for the Cattaraugus (you can get your reservation permit on site).
In addition to your PA or NY fishing license, you will need waders, sunglasses, warm clothes and your fishing equipment, including a 9 or 10 foot 5, 6 or 7 weight rod with a floating line. Our guides will provide the appropriate flies.
Fishing Trip Rates
Wade: $375 – Full Day; $275 – Half Day
Float: $395 – Full Day; $295 – Half Day
(for 1 or 2 people; full day trips include lunch)
3-Hour Mid-Summer in July & August: $175 – Float or Wade
Steelhead Fishing - $275/day for one person and $350/day for two people, including lunch. Each additional person is $150/day.
