Confidence on the Upper Delaware River with Joe Demaldaris

Episode 160 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – Dec 18, 2025 Today Our destination is the Upper Delaware River, a legendary tailwater often called the crown jewel of the East. This tailwater system is known for clear, cold water all year long and highly selective wild brown and rainbow trout – a graduate school for fly anglers where precise presentation and light tippets are the rule.      Joining me is long time guide, fly shop owner, and Upper Delaware expert, Joe Demalderis, Cross Current Outfitters in Hancock, PA.   He's been fishing the Delaware since the 1970's, appeared in many national fishing magazines like Field & Stream, Trout, American Angler, and quoted in fly fishing books like, 50 Best Tailwaters to Fly Fish, and Paul Weamer's Fly Fishing Guide to the Upper Delaware River.  We cover important questions like, what are the major hatches and the most effective fly patterns, what's the character of the water from top to bottom, why is a downstream presentation a must along with stories of swimming porcupines, wild trout so selective they even refuse naturals, and some bougie shore lunch ideas.      With host Steve Haigh Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber  Contact Joe Demaldaris:   Cross Current Outfitters Destination Angler Podcast:   Website YouTube Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast  Please check out our Sponsors: Redd's Flies Premium flies, tied with purpose.  Redd's is a family-run company built around premium, hand-tied flies that actually hold up and flat-out catch fish, delivered to your doorstep in days, not weeks.   A portion of every order goes directly to organizations protecting trout habitat and restoring rivers.  Facebook @ReddsFlies      Instagram @ReddsFlies TroutRoutes  The #1 Mapping Resource for Trout Anglers.  Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore 50,000 trout streams with TroutRoutes today.   Get 1 Month Free   Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes    High N Dry Fishing Where science and performance meet.  Check out the full lineup of floatants, line dressings, and sighter waxes at www.highndryfishingproducts.com    Facebook @highndryfishingproducts  Instagram @highndryfishing Got Fishing  Crafting world-class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.    Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing  Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email [email protected] Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Recorded Oct 22, 2025