Guide Trips
The Upper Delaware features 100's of miles of fishable streams and rivers. With so many options and conditions, river flows, water temperatures and hatch activity can have a large affect on the fishing. The help of a guide can be a great way to cut the learning curve, or even simply improve success for those who don't have the free time to fish as often. The Delaware watershed can provide some of the best dry fly fishing you'll come across. However, with angling pressure and the Delaware's extremely extensive aquatic insect life, it can also be one of the most challenging and technical fisheries around - all the more rewarding when putting a wild trout or your personal best to net! All guide trips and lesson are booked by advanced reservation.
Walk Wade Trips
For those who would rather spend their days trekking the riverbeds, guided walk wade trips afford the angler a great learning experience. Our guides can help you learn many new spots to come back to. They can help teach you to read water on your own, from feeding habits to insect life, all the while helping tweak your technique and approach. Trips will be on the Willowemoc and Beaverkill rivers. Animals (other than service dogs) are not allowed on guided trips for the safety of all. We encourage you to bring any of your own gear, however we have waders, boots and gear for rent.
Half Day (4 hours): $350 Rates are for 1-2 anglers Additional $100 for a 3rd Walk Wade Angler
3/4 Day (6 hours): : $425 Rates are for 1-2 anglers Additional $125 for a 3rd Walk Wade Angler
Full Day (8 hours): $475 Rates are for 1-2 anglers Additional $150 for a 3rd Walk Wade Angler
Be sure to having a NYS Fishing License! Be ready before you arrive, get your NYS fishing license on-line! We encourage you to bring any of your own gear, however we have waders, boots and gear for rent.
Email flyshop@detteflies.com for inquiries or to book a lesson.
Upper Delaware Float Trips
A float offers a different way of experiencing the river system. Mostly all of our trips our run down the Main Stem of the Delaware or Lower East Branch, big waters where a boat offers you access to pool and sections wading fishing often does not allow.
3/4 Day (6 hours): $525 Rates are for 1-2 anglers
Full Day (8 hours): $575 Rates are for 1-2 anglers
Animals (other than service dogs) are not allowed on guided trips for the safety of all.
Special Trips and Programs
Fly Fishing Foray - Encounter
This two hour class is for those interested in learning fly fishing basics as well as those that might need a refresher course. Topics covered during the encounter include an overview of fly fishing designed to give an introduction to the angling sport. From basic gear needed to various casting mechanics such as roll and overhead casts, you will learn techniques and skills needed for fly fishing. Additional information will be provided on aquatic entomology to match the hatch, a well as water/wading safety and conservation practices. More info and rates. All guide trips and lesson are booked by advanced reservation.Animals (other than service dogs) are not allowed on guided trips for the safety of all.
Fly Fishing Foray - Intermediate
For those past the basics, looking to improve their luck! This is the choice for you. Find more success on the water by fine tuning your presentation, increasing your proficiency at reading the water and habitat and understanding entomology and trout behavior. Everything it takes to ultimately feed them your fly and get them in your net!. More info and rates.Animals (other than service dogs) are not allowed on guided trips for the safety of all.
Casting Instruction/Lessons
We offer two sessions, each formatted to improve your casting skills and develop better mechanics. Taught by our friend and in-house FFI certified Master Casting Instructor Craig Buckbee these lessons are guaranteed to help your casting proficiency and overall enjoyment no matter what your level.
- Foundation: Teaches skills to get you up and running with the Roll and Basic overhead casts, ways to deal with the wind and line management. All are key components in being self-sufficient and instill confidence when out on the water.
- Advanced: For the experienced caster looking to expand their horizons, this class can cover skills such as the Double Haul, distance, accuracy, Spey (single and two-handed) - a session tailored to the caster’s needs.
Lessons are $125.00 per angler for a 90 minute session. Lessons are conducted on lawn and water. Bring your own gear (rod/reel, waders/boots) or rent gear. Lessons are booked by appointment only.
Animals (other than service dogs) are not allowed on guided trips for the safety of all.
Main Stem Smallies
Downstream from the amazing trout fishery of the Upper Delaware is an amazing Summer fishery for smallmouth bass. Smallies provide a great change of pace for the trout angler when Summer fishing options can be limited. They are an aggressive species that put up amazing fights. They are targeted with a combination of streamer, nymph and topwater patterns on heavy weight rods. *Float trips only, standard rates apply.
Animals (other than service dogs) are not allowed on guided trips for the safety of all.
Email flyshop@detteflies.com for inquiries or to book a trip
Guides 
Jim Kennedy has been fishing Catskill Rivers for 50+ years. He is a skilled angler and caster and enjoys teaching others who are eager to learn. Jim enjoys all levels of guiding, but, to him there is nothing better than seeing a new angler catch their first trout on a fly. Having spent many days fishing local rivers, Jim has intricate knowledge and respect for our river systems and looks forward to sharing his experience with others.
Mike Konecni A graduate of the Wulff School of Fly Fishing Instructor's program, he has become an extremely successful and adept instructor and guide. Previously, Mike worked at Orvis in Yonkers for over 6 years, but due to his addiction, moved to the Catskills for greener (and bluer) pastures. When not tied down in the shop or out with clients, Mike can almost always be found out on the water.
George Epley George started fly fishing in the early 70s. Over the coming decades, he has pursued Atlantic Salmon in Russia, Permit in Belize, Tarpon in the Florida Keys, Bonefish in the Bahamas, Striped Bass on the East coast, and Steelhead in the Great Lake tributaries. Still, his real passion lies with the trout of the Delaware River system. George has been running his drift boat down the Delaware River system for nearly fifteen years and experiencing some of the best trout fishing on the East coast. George is a Wulff School of Fly-Fishing certified casting instructor and an avid fly tyer. George is a resident of the Catskills and is committed to protecting our natural resources for the next generation of anglers.
Joe Cauvel is an avid angler of our local waters and loves to share his passion with others. Whether you are looking to try out fly fishing for the first time or build upon your past experiences, Joe’s knowledge and patience shine through. Growing up, he cut his teeth fishing Pennsylvania streams and is now happy to call the Catskills his home. Teaching about and sharing our clean rivers and beautiful natural resources with others is a lifelong pursuit.
Mark Wilde began fly fishing and fly tying at the age of 12. He has over 25 years’ experience as a fly fishing guide, is a FFI Certified Casting Instructor, staff instructor at the Wulff School of Fly Fishing, and former lead guide and instructor for L.L. Bean in Burlington, VT. Mark guides in Vermont as well as New York and provides casting instruction throughout the year to at a variety of recreation programs, schools, and vacation resorts. In his free time, Mark enjoys traveling to new locations in pursuit of fresh and saltwater species.
Casting Instruction
Craig Buckbee has close to forty years experience on the Delaware system. His extensive knowledge of the ecosystems in this area showcase his appreciation for both angling and the environment associated with fly fishing. He is an FFI-Master Casting Instructor, NYS licensed guide and on staff at the Wulff School of Fly Fishing. He has competed nationally with the ACA (American Casting Association) in both distance and accuracy. Craig has travelled widely for fishing adventures. Add his enthusiasm to all this and you’ll know why he is a respected and sought after instructor - teaching students the basics of fly fishing as well as fine tuning the advanced caster’s mechanics.
Lessons and Trip payment required in full at time of booking.
Cancellations made 3 days prior to the lesson or trip will be refunded in full. Cancellations within 3 days may result in forfeiting 50% of payment.
For any reason the trip is cancelled by the shop or guide, all payments will be refunded in full.