07.18.23 Last post on the flooding....

     As the days go on more details get released about the victims from the flooding in Washington's Crossing. Above is one picture that just gets you. It's the Seley family from Charlotte, N.C. Confirmed lost were the mother, Katheryn, 32, and still unaccounted for are the two younger children. Also lost were Enzo, 78, and Linda, 74, Depiero, and Yuko Love, 64, all from Newtown, PA, and Titusville town resident Susan Barnhart, 53. The search continues for the two missing children and local leaders from Upper Makefield and the Governor have pledged to continue until they are found. It may become like trying to find a needle in a haystack. 

     While that pledge is heartfelt and with good intention the enormity and probability of locating them wanes with each day. While searching these areas becomes somewhat easier as the water levels decrease there is no telling if the children's bodies made it into the Delaware. If they did the 60,000 cfs flows, now down to just under 30,000 can carry them far distances. But then again, they could also be right in the general vicinity where the initial incident happened. You just don't know. 

     As with all large scale incidents, like I saw at the World Trade Center, and Hurricane's Katrina and Sandy, eventually the area gets locked down. Most of the major roads around the incident have been damaged or destroyed. Now that images of the family and details are out the story has become a major news event and at just about every police blockade there are news crews camped out. 

     While it may have been a stretch for the bodies to have made it into the Delaware there is a place that catches just about any kind of debris traveling downriver. It's on the Morrisville side of the Delaware River opposite Trenton. As I've researched in the past, the old and new levy systems were built but there are sections of wooded areas that still jut out into the river. I thought it might be a good thing to just go and take a walk and look. Sometimes recoveries are simple with bodies right there, regardless of the amount of damage or distance they travel. 

     

     Traveling upriver I got detoured to where the Delaware Canal crosses Woodside Road near the Scudder's Falls Bridge (Route 295). They must have opened the flood gates to drain the canal to make searching the area easier. Besides the mud one of the problems I saw was all of the blowdown, or washdown from the force of the water, of the foliage along the canal and creek beds that will soon stand back up, making access and searching those areas much more difficult. 

     I went and found the rain totals for Saturday July 15th when the storm hit. In an hour and 15 minutes it rained over 5 inches and went to 7 inches a few hours later. That's a lot of water in a short period of time. During press conferences the police and fire chiefs are stating, especially targeted at trolls who blame the drivers, that these people in the 11 cars affected did not attempt to drive through flood waters, they were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Again, it could have been any one of us. 

     

     So as we move past this horrible incident, all along with hope, prayers and praise for the families and first responders, the Delaware River is dropping yet again. What a yo-yo spring into summer it has been. From droughts to blown-outs and from hot water temps to below normal. Below is the chart showing us now down to below 30,000 from 60,000. Water temps are down to 73 degrees. 

 

07.17.23 Rescuers have a daunting task ahead...

     It's a beautiful morning here along the Delaware River. More rain last night took the sting of humidity out of the air, but for sure it will return today. I'm posting more about the tragedy that occurred across the river because it's a huge local story, has to do with the Delaware and it's tributaries, and could be a lesson for all of us that drive. 

     

     When I got home last night I went online to see the latest news. I learned that near the spot I went to yesterday afternoon they had recovered another body. As of now it's confirmed five dead and two children remained unaccounted for. Since I'm off today I couldn't help but spend some time helping out with the search, as other people from the area were doing. 

     Overnight Hough's Creek had dropped down to a trickle exposing the river bed and the surrounding foliage and brush. You could easily read the path of the water as it passed underneath the Delaware Canal. From the looks of it the water appeared to pour down Aqueduct Road, across Taylorsville Road, and even over the Delaware Canal itself. Which means the victims bodies could be anywhere. Where the water goes bodies go as well. I learned that in my time at Rescue 1 in Newark where we were responsible for water rescues and recovery. 

     As I started my way down the creek I could where the high water mark was from the night before. In the distance I could see a car wedged into the bank on the opposite side. I knew all of the adult victims had been recovered so I didn't expect to find anything searching inside. I thought about opening the glove compartment to see if there was any identifying documents, but I just left it as it was. The bumper were both ripped off so I couldn't even identify which state it was registered to. 

     When you're searching for something you just don't want to give up, especially when it comes to victims of such an enormous tragedy. I was surprised there were no search teams where I was. But, when it comes to a recovery operation, there is more planning and logistics involved than just having a bunch of people go out and search. You set up teams. You develop search grids. You X off areas searched. I kept at it for a few hours before realizing the bodies could be anywhere. There was so much

debris, forced-pressed debris, wedged into and under trees, standing and fallen, and bushes and rock piles formed by the force of the water. 

     When I was a news photographer some of the most telling images from tragedy didn't have to include the victims or rescuers. Subtle, innocent images can bring your mind to a place were the enormity of the situation can be palpable. During my search I found many personal items, no doubt fresh from being drawn into the raging waters. Some were items related to children and since this 

isn't a news site I withheld from posting. But you can get the idea. I always say things can happen to anyone, in a flash, regardless of what you think you know or do for a living. That could very well have been me, my family, or someone I know. Shit goes down that quick sometimes. These people, both local and from another state, were going about their Saturday business when the torrential rain started. Who would have thought that a tiny creek, which itself has unnamed tributaries in itself, would swell and cause such destruction. Add to it the fear of possibly being on a road you have never traveled before. Just gut wrenching. 

     On my way out along River Road several search and rescue teams were being formed including K-9 units for body detection. I stopped and informed the rescue team and State Police of the car I had located, which was upriver from where they were searching. They were working from the Delaware River up creek. After seeing what a body would have to get through to get to the big river I am confident they will be located along Hough's Creek. 

     

     I can't and won't tell anyone how or what to do in a situation like this. We have all seen those 20/20 type shows that have stories on how to escape sinking cars, house fires, and other types of emergency situations. But I can tell you what I follow and tell my family to follow as well. Don't drive into flooded roadways. It doesn't take much for your car to be lifted up from the force of the water and carried into a guardrail or flipped into a ditch. If you hit the guardrail you won't be able to open your doors. Additionally, and I saw this in the city, the flooding will displace sewer manhole covers. If you run into one of these you'll either break your neck or your car will be stuck. If you walk flooded streets always walk with a stick into front of you. If you fall in your done. 

     When people get stuck in floods, they either stay in their cars awaiting rescue, or try and exit and make a run or swim for it. I cannot, one even imagine the fear of making that decision, and two trying to  decide which to do if I had family in the car with me. 

     One thing I carry, besides a large fire extinguisher, ropes, first aid kit, crow bars and a life jacket, is the above rescue tool. I gave them to my kids as well. It'll do a few things to save yourself, your loved ones, or strangers if you are inclined to stop and save a life. 

     It does two things. One it can easily break a side window of a car to allow for rescue. And two it has a seat belt cutter in the handle so you don't have to fiddle with the seat belt button. Something you don't want to do if the car is on fire or being submerged. You can find one on Amazon, HERE. For $17 it's a bargain if you need it. I just store mine in my door so I can get to it easily. If you're planning on keeping it in your trunk under your spare tire you might as well pass. 

     Keep the familes and the rescuers in your prayers today. It is surely a recovery operation but an important one for the victim's loved ones to have some closure. 

07.16.23 Tragedy across the Delaware....

 

   Across from our house on the Delaware River is Washington's Crossing, Pa. It's named after the place where Washington and his Army crossed the Delaware on Christmas Day in 1776 before the famous Battle of Trenton. It's a beautiful section of Buck's County, Pa. From the New Jersey side it's a short

ride over the single lane Washington's Crossing Bridge onto Washington's Crossing Road (532). There's the Delaware River, the Delaware and Raritan Canal on the Jersey side and the Delaware Canal on the Pennsy side. There are numerous tributaries, big and small, that empty into the Delaware.

    In 2021, Hurricane Ida planted herself over New Jersey dumping upwards of 10 inches of rain in a short amount of time and Hopewell, where I live, wasn't spared. In all there were 25 deaths reported, several in my town due to severe flash flooding. Last night, Saturday July 15th, nearly 7 inches of rain fell on the Pennsy side causing a flash flood that blew out the usual trickle tributaries causing roads to undermine and flood in as little as an hours time. 

     The tragedy occurred just off Washington's Crossing road about a mile and a half from the bridge. It occurred on Hough's Creek, named after one of the first settlers there, Richard Hough. Several cars became caught in the flooding. Five are dead, including several members of a family from Charleston, South Carolina. The family, a grandmother, husband, wife and three kids, ages 4, 2 and 9 months attempted to flee but got caught in the massive rush of water. The grandmother, husband and four year old survived, the mother perished, and the two children, 2 and 9 months are unaccounted for. The other deaths came from other motorists trapped in the flooding. 

     We were down in Cape May when we heard the news and upon arriving back in town Sunday night I headed over to get another set of eyes on Hough's Creek, the Delaware Canal, and the Delaware River, which is running high, hard, and full of debris. There were all types of emergency services beyond where streets were blocked off but other people were walking the canal just in case. I walked for miles along the canal hoping to find something. The problem is the bodies could be far from where the accident happened. 

Where Hough's Creek passes under the Delaware Canal

   

  Hough's Creek, swollen from a small creek to a raging river, travels east towards the big river, passing under the Delaware Canal at Taylorsville and Aqueduct Roads. While walking the canal you could see the height and force of the water moving everything from trees, rocks, and roadway out of it's path. This afternoon the mother's body was recovered and the recovery operations continue tonight. 

     My hope is they can locate the body in short order. However, a concern is the waters were high and strong enough to carry anything in its path into the Delaware River, making a short recovery doubtful. 

Where Hough's Creek empties into the Delaware River

     My heart breaks and prayers go out to the family, just on vacation from down south and heading to a family barbecue, when this tragedy happened. Mother Nature can be very angry and nasty sometimes. Parts of New Jersey, such as Warren and Hunterdon Counties also saw tremendous flash flooding as well. These quick weather events are too much for developed or developing neighborhoods along small creeks and rivers, big and small, to handle. There is so much damage done from this round of storms. And while I'll be spending some time down in a flooded basement, again, I cannot imagine the horror the family felt during this ordeal. You cannot even compare property or possessions to injury or the loss of life. A very sad summer day for sure. One that will not be forgotten. 

07.14.23 Back to the vice...

     My buddy is heading up to the Cape Cod Canal for a few days in the next few days. I stopped and fished there during one of my return trips from Martha's Vineyard just to see what it's all about. Well, for me that day, not much. It was June and there wasn't anything going on up top and almost no anglers out. But it was cool to check out. 

     The Cape Cod Canal is a special place for a lot of anglers. Has been for decades. It has a kinda Montauk feeling to it. Me writing this is no spot burn. It was built from 1909 until it was completed in 1914. The 17-mile canal connects the Cape Cod Bay to Buzzards Bay. The current rips through there and it isn't a place for the casual angler, although I am sure they catch fish from time to time. There are bike paths along the canal but to fish it you must venture down to some pretty not so pleasant terrain of slippery and not-a-sidewalk placed rocks. 

     It can be fly fished when bass push bait, like squid or mackerel, up into the shallow waters or even up into the rocks. I have only seen that in some videos over the years. I'm thinking 2016 or 2018 was a year the squid were in there thick. Below is a On the Water magazine video from 2011. 

     Last year at the Fly Fishing Show I picked through the Keogh bins and scored some nice saddles. I thought they were perfect for what I needed, but realized when I got home they would be better for mackerel colored patterns. This past fall at the Long Island Fly Fishing Show I stopped by Bard Buzzi's 

booth and found saddles more to my liking and tying, so I swapped them out. I took his home and and this past week at the meeting in Seaside Park I offered him my trade. Little did I remember that I was going to try and tie up some mackerel flies for my buddy. So I had to dig through what I had to make due. 

     I tied two up for him, one on a 5/0 Owner and the other on a 6/0 Mustad. While not perfect in any way, I thought it might good enough for him to have in his quiver if he breaks out the fly rod if the bass are moving bait into the rocks. What I realize now is that I should have tied in a bunch of peacock herl along the back since the backs of mackeral are almost black in color. Hopefully there's enough hanging out the back to fake out a striped bass into biting. 

 

07.13.23 This made me laugh...

     Learned a quick lesson today. Just because you're fishing a dead low tide doesn't mean you can't find one willing to eat. I had the tank and bucket in place but didn't fill it so it was a mad dash when I went tight with the below small, but well built, striped bass. Yes, the images of fish has and will continue to saturate social media. It's just what fishermen and women do. It used to be images of anglers with dead

fish were mostly of ones that were being harvested. Then it became big fish, in all kinds of odd angles making them look enormous, to any fish caught was going to be posted somewhere. In the anglers hands, covered in sand on the beach, flopping on the deck, and bleeding out or not. You don't know why we take pics? Would no one believe us? Is it really a good picture? Does it make us a better angler? Or is just for the memory of a great outing? Or, and it leans this way, is it just for an ego trip. 

     The tank, holding big or small fish, does a few things. It gives the fish time to rehab after being caught. It also provides a fish-friendly place to snap a few photos or run some video. This winter I'm going to make more tanks and look into buying a an aerator to keep the fish happy. 

     Just as the river is starting to settle down and clear up it looks like there's more rain ahead the upcoming days. That'll keep it cooler but most likely will blow it out again. I was surprised I didn't find more fish in the last few days, just ones and dones. I wonder if weather events that occur just at the right or wrong time can have the fish, who were planning on staying, hightail it to different parts of the river or out into the salt. 

It's kind of like planning that vacation spot and having to change it up due to the weather. We'll see.

 

07.12.23 One and done is fine with me...

     It'll be a race to see what happens first. Does the water clear up and drop before the temps increase? We'll see. It's still moving pretty good which in a section with gradient and rocks increases the oxygen

in the water. The turbidity is down so less particles the fish have to try and see through when trying to find a meal. I fished for a bit on the dropping tide and hit multiple holds in the same spot with only

one fish willing to play. He swung and missed but when I went back again he ate and was hooked. I spared him the tank and a photo session so it was just a quick, CPR, catch, photo and release. 

 

07.12.23 Nice night with the Atlantic Saltwater Flyrodders....

     Got a call last week to do a talk in short order this week. I have some old talks in the tank but that was from my guiding days and more-so fly fishing on the beach. It's been five years since I started fishing the Delaware so it was time to put something together. It was more about the river, spawning striped bass, fishing a tidal river, with a little fishing mixed in. And of course I had to pimp out the tank. It was good to see some friends I haven't seen in a bit and I have to make it a point to catch up more often. 

     The guys from the club invited me to dinner before but I wanted to stop in and see an old bud. The Shady Rest looked as inviting as it always does. It was past the prime season of rose blooms but the outside bar was perfect for a few Guinness and a sold cheesesteak sand-which. When I got their I texted Bobby and soon he was saddled up to the bar to catch up. It was a little fly fishing but mostly catching 

up about life and how things have went, are going, and hopefully will be. I see a-lot of my Dad in Bob. My father born in 1946 and Bob in 1948. Both hard workers from the womb and dedicated to their work and businesses. My father is in the process, hopefully, and getting out and enjoying the rest of his life doing whatever he and my stepmother want. I am sure, like Bob, they really want, or can't, separate themselves from something they have done for, say 60 years. I guess it would be giving up, or having to stop fly fishing, or fishing in general. Things do become part of your DNA. I found that with being a Newark fireman. I would go back in a minute, well I'd hit the gym first just to get back in quick shape. 

    On my way out I noticed one of Abe Pieciak's works on the wall. when I think of him I think of Martha's Vineyard. Why, because he lives there. But his works are just fantastic and he has recently teamed up with Vineyard Vines. You just never know when new and good opportunities present them selves. 

     I left sooner than I wished but I had to hit the meeting. I walked past Bob's pick-up and it just looked like a good photo. You can a lot about a man from the vehicle they drive and the stickers they have adorned on it. It almost like a stamp, a tattoo. So what does this tattoo tell me? Here's a guy who, must have started the Atlantic Saltwater Flyrodders, because he has #1 after it, he loves the NY Rangers, is a Marine and Vietnam Veteran, had something to do with something called Pop Fleyes, and is parked at a place called the Shady Rest next to a fence with roses on top. Add Alexis and a cat and I think you know who might drive this. It's not the black van, but it'll still do the beach buggy thing. 

     I got out of the Trip-Boro First Aid building about 915 and wanted to fish somewhere down there since I was there. My first stop wasn't very exciting as the tide had just switched from ebb to flood. 

And then close to home I couldn't help myself and just had to throw some black flies into a dropping tide. It's always cool to stop and fly fish even if there's no one home. 

07.11.23 Rain is good but it messes things up...

     Rain and water is good for the river. I just wish we could have some normal rainfall that does both the ground and rivers good. # inches of rain in a short time upriver wreaks havoc on small tributaries and the bigger rivers. Flash flooding, people needing to be rescued, and just about everything not nailed down makes its way into the river. 

     I like the 74 degree water temps. The flow is about 25,000. There's alot of debris and the color is muddy to Yoo-Hoo. Don't think I'd be looking here for a meal if I was a rock-fish. 

 

07.10.23 Got a call to the bullpen...

      Got a call from ASWF last week asking if I could do a talk this coming Tuesday at their July meeting. I said of course so if you're interested please stop by. Funny, a few days later, my buddy Paul Eidman called me and said, "Did they call you. I couldn't do it and they're desperate so I told them to call you".....