2008 NEWSLETTER

Greetings everyone:

At years end, we all (Al, Betti, Blair, Jerry, Jeff W., Kristin, Faye, Sandy, Ben, Jeff C., John, Josh, Wiley, Steve, Carl, Kevan, Jim, Joe and Conrad) would like to express our thanks and appreciation to all our customers who have visited and traveled with us over the past year, in person and on the web. We look forward to serving you in 2008 and wish you all a wonderful Holiday Season and a prosperous and healthy New Year!

Here’s what’s new and exciting at the DRC and ACFF for 2008:

- Fabio will return as our chef. Fabio has served fantastic Italian cuisine for our clients and staff for eight out of the last nine years (he took a sabbatical in 2007). Buon Appetito!

- Carl Holmquist, our internationally famous spey caster and DRC casting instructor, is planning to return to the DRC from his home in Sweden to join us again for our schools in 2008.

- We are extremely excited about our 2 “NEW” Montana trips – absolutely incredible! Both the new combo “Clark Fork and Missouri trip” and the brand new “Beaverhead/Big Hole/Secret River trip” represent the worlds best sight fishing for big wild trout on dry flies!(see below)

- Al has moved all 4 of his annual bonefish trips to the Andros Island Bonefish Club. The club together with Al’s top guide staff, has been the favorite choice of our bonefish clients with non fishing wives (see below).

- New! “Fall/Winter Trophy Brown and Steelhead trips” to Lakes Erie and Ontario with our top guides (see page 6).

VERY IMPORTANT!!
Don’t miss our “insider” email letters which include all the latest happenings on the river as they develop, Delaware River Club Fly Shop sales, DRC resort and campground news and Al’s trips to the Bahamas, Montana and other parts of the world. If you want to be included as an “insider”, you must contact us with your email address at drc@hancock.net or alcaucci@hancock.net.

RIVER REPORT:
The Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs are at 90% and 80% full respectively and are filling rapidly, insuring another great early season of hatches and big fish. The 2007 Hendrickson hatch was the best in 5 years and we expect it to be heavy in 2008 for big wild trout (see big fish pics at www.mayfly.com, then 2007 photo gallery). The rivers have rebounded greatly from the 2006 flood. Spring and summer hatches were prolific, followed by disappointing fall hatching. We feel this fall will produce much better hatching as this rich river system is quick to recover! Here’s what we see for Spring, 2008!

In the first weeks in April expect great dry fly action with the Taeniopteryx, (Early Brown and Early Black stoneflies) plus Chimarra caddis, followed by the Baetis and Blue Quills starting around the 10th or 12th of April. The Hendricksons and Epeorus (Quill Gordon) usually start around April 24th and continue into mid to late May. The famous Hendrickson hatch is always reliable, lasting about 4 weeks – from April 20th till the end of May barring an extended warm spell. Prepare yourself early for the spring hatches, see our “big winter fly sale, 20% off all flies” on page 7.

AL CAUCCI FLY FISHING SCHOOLS AT THE DRC – Our 24th year on the Delaware

We teach our students on a gigantic lawn and on our own “private river access” right outside our door at the DRC and on some of the best pools in the entire Delaware system! Many say that “Home Pool”, directly in front of the resort, is the best on the river, I agree!

During the past 4 years I have developed a “revolutionary technique” in fly casting. We teach beginners how to “double haul” during the 1st day of our 3 day school. Every good professional caster will tell you that the reason most novice and intermediate casters don’t progress beyond the novice level is because they seldom load the rod in the back cast. My new method teaches students to load the rod on the first day of class. Think about that – most fly casters, even those with over 10 years of experience seldom load the rod! You will learn to load the rod and cast further and more accurately in the first few days than most experienced anglers.

I am truly amazed at the rapid progress we have achieved with our students. Every beginner leaves our program able to go fishing on their own, correctly and effectively. Almost all beginners through advanced students are able to cast tight loops and double haul. You will be able to identify the natural insects, match the hatches and make drag free presentations to trout on one of the best wild trout rivers in the world.

Beginner 3 Day Course:
· Learn to fly fish with me and my friendly, expert staff with an instructor at your elbow. We teach all the basics, plus we teach you to fish on the river over wild trout.
· We are a ‘hands on’ fly fishing school - by the end of the first day you will be casting to wild trout on our beautiful private stretch of the West Branch.
· Casting, fly selection, bug identification, nymph, streamer and dry fly presentation are all part of the program. We are considered the best in the world for teaching entomology and “match the hatch” strategy. Call for the itinerary. See enclosed Program Summary and Registration Form for 2008 dates and prices

Experienced Fly Fishermen:
If you’re not happy with your casting, fly presentation, knowledge of bugs and imitations, read on: Can you cast 50-60 feet accurately and hit a 3 foot circle? Can you cast a tight loop at this distance and penetrate the wind? Can you cast a fly 50-60 feet to selective trout in clear water with a perfect drift? Can you figure out quickly what the trout are on and select the proper fly to hook them? If the answer is “no” to any of these questions and you really want to improve your fishing success, you need our Advanced River Guided Program. And, “yes”, we will teach you how to feel your rod load in the back cast and increase your distance and accuracy.

You will bring your game to a new level and you won’t miss out on your fishing. Look at the school as a fishing trip – from breakfast through lunch you will learn all the skills to become the fly fisher you always dreamed to be – the upper 10%. After lunch we will guide you on our excellent rivers for big wild browns and rainbows until dark. After fishing, you will have cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with fellow fly fishers and guides, followed by a multi course dinner by Chef Fabio from Lake Como, Italy.

The low package price is one of the best bargains in fly fishing and includes: 2-1/2 days of guided fishing and clinics, 2 nights lodging and 8 gourmet meals (3 meals on Friday and Saturday and 2 on Sunday). Plus 2 ‘cocktail hours’ with hors d’oeuvres, wines and beer and lots of fun! Free loaners of ‘top of the line’ equipment for you to test and fish with. We will also customize the program to suit you. If you’re interested in bone fishing or striper fishing, we will teach you casting techniques with bonefish and striper equipment. I recommend this program for all serious fly fishermen. For more details and prices, see enclosed Program Summary & Registration Form.

AL CAUCCI FLYFISHING GUIDES at the DRC:
This is the 22nd anniversary of the ACFF guide operation. Over the years, our guide service has grown significantly into one of the highest quality and size in the country, and the most knowledgeable on the Upper Delaware with 12 full and part time river guides. Many of our staff have been instructing and guiding with me on the Delaware for at least 10 years. Our younger guides are ‘cream of the crop’, bright, well educated, upbeat, polite and very talented. I take great pride in the knowledge that each of my staff is a superb flyfisher, caster and amateur entomologist; professionals who are dedicated to giving you the best fishing opportunities the river has to offer. Fish the Delaware with the Best! For more details and prices see our “2008 Program and Summary and Registration Form” attached.

AL CAUCCI BONEFISH TRIPS at the ANDROS ISLAND BONEFISH CLUB – (RIGHT on the BIGHTS)
Week 1 – March 24-29 Week 2 – March 30-April 4
Week 3 - November 9-14 Week 4 – November 16-21

My two groups in November consisted of a total of 14 people including four beginning bone fishers and two novices, we hooked well over 600 bonefish during the 10 day period and landed about 75%. Not a bad trip! We landed ten bones in the 7 to 9-1/2 pound class on the boga, and several double digit fish broke off after several long runs (see bonefish pics at www.mayfly.com).
I am now taking reservations for my March 24 to March 30 trip – that’s arrive on Monday, fish Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and depart on Saturday. Participants also have the option of arriving on Tuesday, instead of Monday, and leaving on Sunday (extra days are available on either option, but should be made at your initial registration or well in advance). A second week starts on March 30 – April 4.

Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or experienced bone fisher, this trip is for you. Andros is by far the best bonefish destination in the world where you can catch large numbers of bones as well as large bones, 5-10 lbs. on a regular basis. Plus, you have a chance to hook a world record bonefish every time you venture out on the flats. Every November and March my clients land several in the 10-13 lb. class. This is not normal with other bonefish destinations.
PLEASE NOTE THAT MARCH AND APRIL AT THE AIBC IS SELLING OUT FAST AND RESERVATIONS FOR ROOMS AND OUR TOP PRIVATE GUIDES MUST ALSO BE MADE NOW, SO IF YOU INTEND TO JOIN ME IN ANDROS PLEASE CALL US NOW FOR RESERVATIONS!!

Cost for the program is $2995 based on 2 persons per room and 2 anglers per guide. A $1400 deposit per fisherman is required with your registration. Full payment is due January 20, 2008. We strongly urge trip insurance. Trip includes: Taxi to and from Andros Town Airport; 5 nights and 6 days in spacious creek and ocean view cabins with air conditioning, modern baths, refrigerators and ceiling fans, 2 delicious American and Bahamian meals per day in the dining room, plus a boxed lunch of your choice of food and drinks, 4 full days of guided fishing from fast modern bonefish skiffs with the best private, independent bonefish guides in the Bahamas; an optional half day is offered on departure day. Extra days are also available but must be booked in advance, free cocktail before dinner, bottled water and pop or juice on boats; includes room taxes and free laundry service. Everything is included except gratuities and airfare. Call for prices for extra days.

The unique Small Hope Bay Lodge will also be available for couples who want to enjoy the great Andros bonefishing and this unique diving resort in November. Let us customize a trip for you – call Al before May if you are interested in the Small Hope Bay Lodge trip in November.

“NEW!” SOUTHWEST MONTANA BIG FISH HUNT
June 27, 28, 29, 30, July 1, 2.

I am very excited about this trip. Floating and wading the world famous Beaverhead and Big Hole rivers. Both rivers round out what I consider the best (6) rivers in the world for dry fly fishing to wild trout – they are the Missouri, Clark Fork, Bitterroot, Beaverhead, Big Hole and West Branch of the Delaware.
If this isn’t fabulous enough, we’ve also added the “Secret River” to the mix!

This Southwest Montana trip includes floats on all three rivers: the Beaverhead, Big Hole and “Secret River”. We don’t like to name this river in public because it runs through the heart of privately owned property. My outfitter has one of the few leases that permits floating on this river. We will do a 13 mile float right through the heart of this area and fish to big wild browns and rainbows. The hatches are heavy and diverse, as are those on the Beaverhead and Big Hole; lots of PMD’s, Pale Evening Dun’s, Baetis, Brown Drakes, Golden Stones and 3 species of Caddis flies early evening to dusk. Our guides start at 8:00-9:00 AM and fish us right through the evening hatch at dusk. Like on the Missouri and Clark Fork, we will take our dinner break between 3:00 and 6:00 PM and return to the river, then back to the ranch for a night cap and a well deserved rest!

Trip includes two people per guide floating and wading the Beaverhead, Big Hole, plus the “Secret River” in style. 4 full day float trips and 2 half day wade sessions on our private stretch of the Beaverhead at the beautiful and private Source Ranch – we will have the ranch to ourselves.

We stay in river cabins in private rooms with gourmet food, an internationally famous chef, wine, beer, mixed drinks, hot tub and more importantly, we have the best guides in the area. The first 8 people that sign up will have private rooms, then 2 persons per room. Everything is included in the price of the trip including shuttles from Butte or Bozeman airport, not included are airfare and tips for guides and staff.

All inclusive price $3190, $1500 deposit at registration, Balance due May 7, 2008.

“NEW!” MONTANA “ULTIMATE” DRY FLY TRIP
July 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

This trip combines the three “ultimate” dry fly rivers into one great trip – the Clark Fork, Bitterroot and Missouri Rivers! We will fish these rivers from two venues. The beautiful Double Tree in Missoula will be our home when fishing the Clark Fork and Bitterroot. And, we will stay at a ranch in Craig, Montana for our floats on the Missouri River and for the Land of the Giants!

Clark Fork and Bitterroot: We will stay at the Double Tree Hotel right on the Clark Fork for four nights while we fish the Clark Fork and the Bitterroot!
I can’t be more emphatic about the quality of the ‘rising trout/dry fly sight fishing’ on the lower Clark Fork (and the Bitterroot). Big wild rainbows and browns sip mayflies and caddis and zip into your backing. They call these rainbows “firecrackers” and they are by far the “hottest” fish in the West! In the past four years we’ve been hooking 30 to 40 fish per float - these sipping fish are 17 to 20+ inches. I’ve made special arrangements so that our floats start 9:00 A.M., and go till about 9:30 PM, 12+ hour floats are a rarity in the West. They include our mid afternoon rustic streamside alfresco dining right on the river with grilled elk, beef or chicken with salads, veggies and breads. A bottle of Merlot, Cabernet or Chardonnay (your choice), topped off with a nice cigar, if you wish – it always tastes better on the river. After a well deserved streamside rest on the bank, it’s back to sipping trout until dark. The Clark Fork trip (and the Missouri River trip) are simply the best dry fly ‘sight fishing’ venues in the world today! And this is the best part – aside from our own party, you will rarely see another boat or wading angler on the Clark Fork the whole day, truly amazing! (see photos on www.mayfly.com).

Accommodations are superb. We stay at the luxurious Double Tree Hotel, right on the Lower Clark Fork and Rattlesnake Creek. From the dining deck you can spot rainbows sipping on the hotel’s private access water from the ‘new’ Edgewater dining deck. The food is great and the rooms are spacious with oversized beds, plush furnishings and balconies overlooking the river. Our Missoula, Montana trip is now in its 14th consecutive year. I can’t conceive of missing a July trip to Missoula to fish these two great rivers. I’ve been fortunate enough to do it for over 20 consecutive years!

Missouri River and Land of the Giants: We will stay at a small ranch right on the river for three nights with our own private chef while we fish the great Missouri! For the 5th consecutive season I’ve made arrangements so that everyone who signs up for the trip will be able to fish at least one day in the “Land of the Giants” where you will hook 20”-28” wild browns and bows on dry flies or nymphs if you like. This is an area that is difficult to get to and requires special boats, hence, I am relegated to one and sometimes two boats per day. The remaining 2 float days are also incredible, floating and wading what most consider the best ultimate dry fly river, the famous 35 miles of the Big Missouri from the tailwater at Holter Dam to Cascade, where you will sight fish for hot browns and bows 17-23+ inches on “match the hatch” dry flies (see Montana 06/07 pics at www.mayfly.com).

These trips always surpass everyone’s expectations, an average of 15 wild rainbows and browns per person, per day on dry flies and more if your skill level is high. The Missouri is a “kick ass” river with sipping trout all day through dark! Our guides are the best on the river. I have also made special arrangements to float until dark, a rarity on western rivers, where most other guides and lodges fish from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. We will float from 8:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M., take a break for our main meal and then it’s back on the river from 7:00-10:00 P.M. Back to the ranch for a night cap and a well deserved rest!

The accommodations, food and wine are excellent. We stay in log cabins right on the Missouri, where our chef cooks and serves wonderful breakfasts, dinners and barbeques. Steaks, chops, roasts, chicken and ribs with all the trimmings, plus homemade baked cakes, pies, muffins, you name it, she has it – and plenty of it. So, it’s great fishing, great guides, great food and wine, at the best venue on the river.

Price $3600 for 8 days, 7 nights & 6 floats, all inclusive except for airfare and tips for the guides and staff. $1500 deposit at registration, balance due May 15, 2008.

Option: $3100, We can reduce the trip for you from a 7 night, 6 day float trip to a 6 night, 5 day float day by arriving on July 6 instead of the July 5. We can customize this trip on both ends to meet your needs.

NEW! SIGHT FISHING FOR TROPHY BROWN TROUT AND STEELHEAD:
We are excited to offer two exciting late fall/winter fly fishing destinations for trophy steelhead and brown trout. Sight fish for huge brown trout and steelhead in medium to small tributaries of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie with our expert guides. Oak Orchard, Eighteen Mile Creek, and many other secret spots known to our guides, plus the Salmon River are some of the famous Steelhead and lake run brown trout streams we target. We also fish on the smaller tributaries of Lake Erie know as “Steelhead Alley

The brown trout will be in the 20” to 36” size range and the steelhead will be in the 20” to 30” size range. Some of our Delaware guides are experts on the Great Lakes tributaries, with years of experience chasing and landing huge fish.

The trips run October – March - Please call Jeff at the Delaware River Club 570-635-5880 for reservations and lodging/package details.

Price for 1 or 2 people, full day with a guide $390
Price for 3 people full day of fishing with a guide $540
Guide pricing includes a full day fishing with a guide and an on-stream lunch.

END OF THE YEAR FLY SHOP SALE:
Rods – 20%-50% off. Flies, tippets and leaders – 20% off.

Winter is the perfect time to review your flies for the upcoming season. Stock up early this year and feel confident when you hit the water. All orders placed by March 1st over $100 will receive a 20% discount. Stock up early on comparaduns, compara emergers and cdc emergers tied with our hatch matching spectrumized dubbing and feel confident when you hit the water. Please check our website at www.mayfly.com for a full list of available patterns and the interactive hatch chart or call Jeff at 570-635-5880 for discounts on rods etc.

GIFT CERTIFICATES:
Gift Certificates for Fly Fishing Schools, guide trips, Montana and Andros trips and equipment are available in any denomination from the Delaware River Club and Al Caucci Flyfishing. Redeemable for any of our products, services, or trips, these make great Christmas, birthday, and anniversary gifts. Just give us a call at 570-635-5880 or 570-635-5897 or email drc@hancock.net or alcaucci@hancock.net.

DELAWARE RIVER PRESERVE – Lots for the Fly Fisherman
We have 4 beautiful view lots and wooded lots left. These are 2-1/2 to 5 acre building lots for the fly fishers who want a fly fishing lifestyle with ‘hatch match’ fishing to wild trout on the West Branch Nestled in our vast 400+ acre Delaware River Preserve, the lots are tucked away on private roads within eye shot of the West Branch and include extensive private river access on what Sports Afield magazine calls the #2 trout river in America.

Home sites are ready for construction, with pre-approved septic. Underground utility, phone and cable lines ensure a pristine view. Strategically placed ‘green belts’ and a private trout pond also ensure privacy and openness not found in your typical development, while protecting the natural beauty of the Delaware River Preserve . Buy a lot before May and receive a free pool package and two free Al Caucci Flyfishing Schools for the 2008 season. Call for a free, no obligation tour of the properties; Jeff (570-635-5880), Al (570-635-5897), and Blair (570-689-2261) are ready to answer any questions you may have.

See you at the Delaware River Club soon!

Back To The Top