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SACRIFICE! 5 Acres - Corner Lot - 400+ feet by 600+ feet with electric - Flat and Wooded

Near River and Narrowsburg - Two Hours NW of NYC - Offered for $38,500! SOLD!

Waterfront Upper Delaware / Sullivan County Listings NEW LISTING! - LAKEFRONT - 2 HRS. NYC! Contemporary - 3BR - 2 Bath - Deck - Patio - Close to Bethel Woods Arts email or call for VIDEO and Photos! Vintage 3 BR / 2 Bath - Bluestone FPL - Garage - Porch - Wdfloors 3BR / 2 Bath - 5 Acres - Pool - Deck - NarrowsburgSOLD 6 Acres with driveway - Log Kit - LakerightsSOLD 31+ Acres - Barn - Stream - Lakerights / NarrowsburgSOLD Exclusive WATERFRONT Parcel - 6 acres - Subdividable - Forestburgh 15 Acres - Lakerights - 630+ feet frontage - Near River SOLD Neversink Unique Gorge - Vacant Land - Just Listed!SOLD 6+ Acre Private Waterfront Lot - Long Driveway - Near Jeff. SOLD Upper Delaware River waterfront lot. Great exposure.SOLD 3 BR / 3 Ba Contemp./ 5 acres / Near River / 249k SOLD

Cabela's, the worldwide outfitter, will be hosting their annual "Captain's Weekend" on Friday, Saturday and Sunday March 8 and 9 2008. I have been invited to appear along with 20 other captains from the eastern seaboard. If you have any questions about our area please feel free to e-mail me.

Date	Location	Depart	Arrive	Comment
10-23-08	Long Eddy - Callicoon	42 3.4 feet	48 3.4 feet	The water is the coldest it's been since early Spring in the Catskills. The temps registered 42 degrees when we departed Long Eddy this morning and only got up to 48 degrees by the time we headed in at Callicoon this evening. The levels are a bit above normal and the river is stained near Long Eddy due to reservoir releases. A beautiful day to be out on the water. Brisk and sunny but no wind and bluebird skies. The leaves are now past peak in the river valley but still a beautiful golden bronze. Three walleye came to net today along with a few bass all on Countdown Rapalas.	Smiling Stewart Epstein from the Garden State had has hands full with this toothy 22 inch UDR walleye caught this afternoon south of Hankins. Here's Stewart again. This time with another nice legal walleye caught near Hankins on the Beautiful Big D.! One more time! Stewart with his third walleye caught near Long Eddy. Why travel to Canada...when you can catch nice walleye two hours from NYC? Great fishing Stewart!
10-17-08	Long Eddy - Callicoon	48 3.4 feet	56 3.5 feet	What a day and what a stretch of river! The last three float trips on this stretch from Long Eddy to Callicoon has yielded a nice mixed bag of walleye, trout and smallmouth bass using Countdown Rapalas. The water temperature was a cold 48 degrees and stained when we pulled out of Long Eddy this morning and warmed to about 56 by 6:00pm. Partly sunny and dry with a light north breeze. Levels are a bit above normal.	This 19 inch wild UDR brown trout certainly made Roger's day on our float on the river today! This fish was caught near Hankins. Wow! Big smiles for Roger again with this beautiful river walleye. Let's not forget about John Imbiano, Roger's fishing partner, today. Here's John with a hefty Big D. smallmouth bass caught at dusk a bit north of Callicoon.
10-14-08	Long Eddy - Callicoon	52 3.4 feet	59 3.4 feet	One man on board today and we were into a nice mixed bag on the river - walleye, trout and smallmouth bass. This is a great stretch of water that has been fishing very well with the stained water up near Long Eddy. Countdown Rapalas were the lure of choice for the variety of gamefish we caught today. Two walleye, a nice 'bow up to 18 inches and plenty of smallmouth taping out to 16 inches. Overcast and chilly to start with the fog burning off by noontime. The balance of the afternoon was a beautiful - party sunny, no wind, dry with beautiful fall colors.	Carl Anderson with his first UDR walleye! This was one of two nice walleye Carl caught on today's float trip. Here's Carl with a chunky 18 inch wild Big D. rainbow caught in Pump House Eddy north of Callicoon. And let's not forget about those smallies! Smiling Carl holds up a nice 16 inch UDR bronzeback near Callicoon. Great fishing Carl!
10-12-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	55 3.0 feet	60 3.0 feet	A beautiful crisp autumn day on the Big D. The foliage is peak throughout the river valley. In my opinion, the colors this season are more vibrant than in other years. The water level is normal and the clarity is crystal clear. Cooler water with readings now in the mid 50's to upper 50's. This was a half day trip and the smallies responded well to Rapalas as well as Senkos. About 15 fish in the net with the best taping out to 16 inches.	Yours truly with a hefty 16+ inch UDR bass caught on a Senko this afternoon south of Narrowsburg.
10-07-08	Long Eddy - Callicoon	47 3.2 feet	54 3.3 feet	What a day! This was a 10 out of a 10 - weatherwise and for fishing! No wind, sunny and dry. A perfect autumn day along the Upper Delaware River. Plus, we were into quality trout - and bonus walleyes. Cliff Chu, out of Long Island and Sullivan County, made a UDR Grand Slam with rainbows, browns, walleye and bronzebacks on our float trip today. Cliff's partner, Carmine, also was into very good action with trout, walleye and bass! The water at Long Eddy is stained with visibility to 4 feet. However, the clarity is excellent for spin and much better than at Hancock where the visibility was a 2 feet this past Sunday. The water becomes clearer as you head towards Callicoon. Hatches were Caddis by mid afternoon with no rises. All in all - a great day on the UDR. I think the photos speak for themselves...	BIG BROWNWhat a beauty! Cliff Chu had a lot on his hands with this hefty 23 inch wild brown trout caught south of Hankins. At the tailout of Pine Flats riff, Cliff nailed this nice chunky 17 inch wild Big D. rainbow! A bit south of the Basket Riff, Cliff brought in this dandy legal river walleye. This was one of three walleyes that Cliff brought to net today. Another good looking wild brown UDR trout caught by Cliff Chu on today's outing. Happy Carmine with a legal walleye from the Upper Delaware River Hey! Let's not forget about the scrappy bass! Here's Carmine with a hefty smallie caught at day's south of The Islands near Callicoon.
10-05-08	Balls Eddy - Buckingham	45 2.9 feet (West Branch)	54 3.3 feet (Main Stem)	Today's float went from Balls Eddy down to Buckingham. The weather was beautiful and the fall foliage in the Catskills is now peak. Beautiful reds, purples and yellows. The water on the West Branch and upper part of the main stem is very stained due to water being released from Cannonsvile Reservoir. However, even with these releases, the water levels on the river is still quite low. I was out of the boat and had to walk the boat through shallow areas on a few occasions today. A very slow day with two trout - a small brown and a very large rainbow close to 19 inches. Minimal hatches were sighted. Caddis for the most part on the WB and a few small olives and Iso's on the main stem in the mid afternoon with one one riseform sighted.	Wow! Big Delaware 'Bow!Here's Gregg Kroner with a huge UDR 'bow caught a bit south of the Shehawken access on the West Branch today. Beautiful fish Gregg!
09-30-08	Ten Mile River - Zane Grey	61 2.8 feet	64 2.8 feet	Beautiful fall weather greeted us on today's float trip on the UDR. Most of the smallies were caught using Senkos and Rapalas. The water has cooled down and is gin clear. The best action was from mid afternoon towards dusk.	Here's pretty Meghan Decelie from Long Island with one nice UDR smallmouth bass that she caught on today's float trip. Meghan's been fishing the river for many years and she is one of the best! Great fish Meghan! Meghan's pop, Frank, also nailed more than a few nice bass on today's river adventure on the Big D!
09-19-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	63 2.3 feet	67 2.2 feet (623 cfs)	The water levels on the river are currently the lowest that I've seen in twenty years of fishing this river. We had to get out and drag the boat through a few riffles and also at the eel weir about a mile south of Narrowsburg. Where's the water NYC? Bluebird skies, gin clear low water with a south breeze made the fishing tough for the first four hours. By mid afternoon with the water now in the mid 60's, the fishing began to pick up and we had decent action until dusk at the take out at TMR. Close to 25 fish with the best fish taping out at a little over 15 inches using Senkos.	Man, can this guy fish! Here's Gregg Kroner with a beautiful 15+ inch Upper Delaware bronzeback caught right out of the gate today near Narrowsburg! Nice fish Gregg!
09-18-08	Ten Mile River - Zane Grey	65 2.4 feet	69 2.3 feet (668 cfs)	The water levels on the Big D are the lowest that I can recall in over fourteen years of guiding. 2.3 feet - or 668 cfs - at Barryville, NY on the USGS gauge is very bony. I'm not certain why New York City DEP is not releasing more water since both Cannonsville and Pepacton are over 70% capacity. In any event, the water is low and gin clear. Over 25 fish today with one man on board. Many fish were over legal size with the best fish taping out at over 16 inches. Most of the bass were taken on Senkos with a few coming to net on Chug-Bugs. Bluebird skies, dry and cool with a light North breeze in the morning. The bite is best as the water warms in the afternoon.	The Maestro! Veteran UDR angler, Alan Kaufman, with a hefty sweet 16+ inch bronzeback taken from the Masthope Pool on today's float trip. Same pool...different fish. Here's another beautiful smallie with happy angler, Alan Kaufman!
09-16-08	Ten Mile River - Zane Grey	67 2.7 feet	70 2.6 feet (895 cfs)	One man on board for today's trip on the Big D. Cloudy, dry with no wind. Great fishing conditions. Using mostly Senkos, over 40 fish were caught with the best fish taping out to 17 inches. A few bass were also hitting topwater plug as well. The bite was agressive and consistent for most of the day.	Your host and guide, Tony Ritter, got to fish as well today. Here's a fat 17 inch UDR bronzeback taken in fast skinny water - on top - with a Chug Bug north of Copperhead Rock.
09-13-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	66 2.6 feet	70 2.6 feet (920 cfs)	Calm and cloudy for most of the afternoon. Great fishing conditions for a half day charter on the UDR! The water is crystal clear and a bit warmer than yestreday. A half day float trip and the boys nailed the bass on Rapalas and Senkos. Close to thirty fish with the best taping out at 15 inches.	Here's Rich Mirabeli from Rockland County, NY with a nice fesity bronzeback caught on this afternoon's float trip south of Narrowsburg.
09-12-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	65 2.6 feet	67 2.5 feet (831 cfs)	Cloudy and dead calm to start for about an hour and then we had showers which turned into a steady light rain for most of today. The water is very low and crystal clear cooling to about 65 to 67 degrees. Not a bad day considering the cooler water and rain showers. Over thirty fish caught on today's charter south of Narrowsburg with the best fish taping out at 14 inches - all on Senkos.	Jeremy Phillips out of Long Island had a ball with this feisty smallie south of Railroad Bridge #9 on this afternoon's wet and wild float trip!
09-07-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	68 2.5 feet	74 2.4 feet (757 cfs)	A gorgeous fall like day greeted us when we launched out of Narrowsburg with a bit of a wee bit of a breeze from the north. The water is at the lowest levels of the year due to New York City cutting back the flow from the reservoirs. How low? 2.5 feet - very bony in areas. Great smallmouth conditions however with the clarity gin clear and the water temperatures ideal in the low seventies. Mostly Senkos and some topwater too with over a double limit of smallmouth on the river today.	May this be the first of many!Smilin' Joanne Kroner with her first UDR smallmouth bass. Joanne, caught many more bass on her inaugural float trip on the Big D. today. Way to go, Joanne! And - not to be outdone - here's hubby, Gregg, with a beautiful river bronzeback caught late in the day on top in very skinny water north of Railroad Bridge #9. Last...but not least - your guide and host, Tony Ritter, got to fish a bit as well.
09-05-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	72 2.9 feet	77 2.8 feet (1020 cfs)	Dead calm to start our journey this morning soon became a nasty south wind blowing up the valley that wouldn't let up for four hours. Whitecaps on the eddys. The afternoon was better by 3:00pm as the wind abated and we were into fish big time. The clarity is gin clear and you can't beat the water temps - 72 to 77 degrees! Perfect. The bite was very good using Senkos and the fish even came up on top in the late afternoon using Baby Torpedos and Chug - Bugs. Double limits all around with the best fish a tad under 16 inches.	Big fish for Westchester County angler, Steve Mermey! Steve is another verteran UDR angler who had a banner day this afternoon nailing a double limit of smallies. Mmmmmmmmmm...Black Beauty!Here's Steve again with this chunky dark bronzeback caught south of Narrowsburg. Hey! Let's not forget about Gary Tubridy - an all around great guy - and terrific angler too. Gary's all smiles with this feisty Big D. bronzeback!
09-02-08	Ten Mile River - Zane Grey	65 2.9 feet	73 2.8 feet (1030 cfs)	What a day! Crisp cool weather in the morning followed by a gradual warming trend by late afternoon. The fishing improves by afternoon. Bluebird skies and gin clear water. The levels are now dropping as well. The water temperature registered a chilly 65 degrees when we shoved off and warmed to 73 degrees by the time we ended our trip at Zane Grey. One man on board and we had over a double limit of fish taping out to 15 inches. No topwater action to speak of - it was all Senkos.	Veteran UDR, Joe Lamberti, out of Long Island with one of many legal fish caught on today's charter on the river.
08-22-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	68 3.2 feet	74 3.2 feet (1490 cfs)	More beautiful weather is gracing the Upper Delaware River. Bluebird skies, dry, a tad warmer with light breezes. Heaven on Earth! A half day afternoon float today on the UDR with over twenty five fish in the net. The anglers used Senkos and Tiny Torpedos to fool the bass with the best fish taping out to 15 inches.	Wow! Savvy angler, Bill Rotoli, nailed this nice UDR bronzeback midway through our float trip this afternoon south of Narrowsburg. Great fish Bill!
08-21-08	Callicoon - Skinners Falls	62 3.2 feet	70 3.2 feet (1500 cfs)	Bluebird skies with no clouds and chilly water in Callicoon to start our trip. We launched at 10:30 and the water temperature was only 62 degrees. Excellent clarity with some snotgrass in the pools due a water release from the reservoirs. As mentioned before on this Blog - the fishing gets better as the water warms up during the course of the day. The best fishing was from 3:00pm until take out at 6:30pm at Skinner's using Senkos and Chug-Bugs. Close to 35 fish with the best taping out to 16 inches.	Brandon Kaufman nailed this sweet 16 inch UDR smallie on top with a Chug-Bug late in the day south of Cochecton, New York in very skinny water of about two feet! Way to go Brandon! Here's Brandon's Dad - Alan - The Maestro - with a nice fish - not as big as Brandon's fish - but a good fish just the same.
08-19-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	68 3.2 feet	72 3.1 feet (1420 cfs)	Cloudy to start but the sun soon gave way and we had a sunny dry day on the water. A cold front must have come through since for most of the day we had a constant north wind at our backs. The better fishing was during the last three hours as the water made it to 72 degrees and the wind finally laid down. Close to thirty fish in the net with many over legal. The bite was soft in the beginning and better after 4:00pm. The best fish taped out at 15 inches.	Here's one a great guy and all around terrific angler, Pat Linehan, out of Long Island with a dandy 15 inch UDR bronzeback caught late in the day south of Railroad Bridge #9. Pat's buddy, Danny Viafore, caught more than a few legal fish as well on our trip. Here's happy angler, Danny, with a feisty Big D. smallie. It was great fishing with you boys! Remember...Take your time...and keep your rod up!
08-17-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	68 3.2 feet	74 3.1 feet (1420 cfs)	Another beautiful day in the Upper Delaware River Valley - sunny, warm and dry with light northerly breezes. As mentioned before, the later you fish - the better it gets. Most of the consistent action came during the last three hours of our float from 3:00pm until 6:00pm. One man on board and we had close to twenty five fish with the best taping out to 15 inches all on Senkos.	Welcome Aboard Carl Anderson! This was Carl's first float trip on the Big D and he came away with some decent action throughout the afternoon. Here's Carl with a nice 15 inch bronzeback.
08-16-08	Callicoon - Skinners Falls	67 3.3 feet	72 3.3 feet (1620 cfs)	A beautiful late summer day on the river. Man, it feels like September already! Dry, sunny with north breezes - but enough warmth in the afternoon to make those bass frisky. A great day on the Callicoon stretch. The water temps are perfect and the clarity is gin clear. Some snotgrass can be found floating in the Callicoon Pool but seems to vanish the further south one floats. It was all Senkos today and we must have caught over forty fish with many over legal size and the best taping out at 16.75 inches. The fishing gets better as the water warms up during the day.	What a beautiful bronzeback for Gregg Kroner of Orange County! Gregg nailed this chunky 16.75" smallie along with his double limit using Senkos on our float trip south of Callicoon, NY today. Great fish Gregg! Not to be outdone...here's Gregg's buddy, Les Satz, with another beautiful river smallmouth bass. This was the first time Les fished the UDR and he came away with lots of smiles about his outing on the Big D. How about another nice bass from Les? Satz Life...on the UDR right now. It doesn't get any better than this!
08-13-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	67 3.2 feet	72 3.1 feet (1420 cfs)	Partly cloudy skies with a light north breeze made the fishing real comfortable for mid August. A half day starting at 1:00pm trip netted both anglers over twenty smallmouth bass using Senkos. The water is slightly stained up about a half foot and on the cool side for summer - 67 to 72 degrees. All in all, the bite is best as the day and the water warm up.	Veteran angler, Steve Alexander from Long Island, floated the UDR with his nephew and me this afternoon and caught some fine bronzebacks. Here's Steve with a nice smallie close to 15 inches!
08-12-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	66 3.4 feet	72 3.3 feet (1570 cfs)	A beautiful day to be out on the water. It still feels like early September eventhough it's August - crisp and dry with cool temps in the morning. The water level came up a few inches due to yesteday's rain and chilled down to 66 degrees when we shoved off from Narrowsburg this morning. Water temps rose into the low 70's by takeout at 5:00pm. It was all Senkos and small crankbaits on the float today with many legal fish in the net. Topwater action, however, was weak and dropping soft plastics near submerged boulders was the ticket to success.	Welcome back to the UDR! It's been a log time since Alan Rosen plied his angling skills on the Big D. Today, he broke away from his busy schedule in the city to catch more than a few smallmouth bass. Here's a feisty bronzeback with a happy angler. Great fishing Alan!
08-10-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	68 3.0 feet	72 3.0 feet (1290 cfs)	Rain greeted us to begin our voyage but was over by 10:00am. Mostly cloudy with no wind throughout the day. Very few boaters on the river for a Sunday in mid-August - possibly they got chased off the Big D by the weather. No matter - we had the river to ourselves and caught in excess of forty bass up to 15 inches. Senkos were the ticket. The water is a bit cooler - from 68 to 72 degrees - and clear. Great conditions for the bronzebacks.	Savvy UDR angler, Dave Pilla, with a nice UDR smallie caught from the get-go straight out of Narrowsburg this morning. Whoa! This guy doesn't take a bad picture! That's Dave again - and this time he nailed a bigger fish - which taped out to 15 inches - also on today's float trip. Great fishing Dave!
08-09-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	70 3.1 feet	75 3.0 feet (1280 cfs)	Perfect conditions on the UDR! Crisp dry weather with clear warm water in the 70's. The bass have turned on big time. I charted a half day float out of Narrowsburg this afternoon and the boat must have landed close to forty smallmouth bass all on Senkos. As long as the conditions remain like this - and we avoid any heavy rain, the bass fishing will stay great for the next four to six weeks on the Upper Delaware River. Fish On!	Hey! There's upstater, Dick Fennessey, with a gorgeous scrappy UDR smallmouth bass caught on this afternoon's float trip. Dick and his son, Pat, caught plenty of fish - close to 40! - floating from Narrowsburg to Ten Mile River. Great job Boys!
08-05-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	75 3.2 feet	79 3.1 feet (1310 cfs)	The river conditions right now for smallmouth are probably the best this summer. Water temps are in the mid seventies with low humidity and light north breezes. The river clarity is very good. We had a half day float out of Narrowsburg this afternoon with over 20 fish - many going to 15 inches. Senkos were the primary bait and the bite was very aggressive. It doesn't get any better than this for UDR bronzebacks. Wet a line!	Young angler, Thomas Sharkey, of Queens, had a great day on his maiden voyage on the Upper Delaware River this afternoon with his Pop. Young Tom caught and released a limit of legal smallies like this fine fish. Here's Tom again with a beautiful 15 inch river bronzeback! Welcome aboard Tom!
08-04-08	Ten Mile River - Zane Grey	70 3.3 feet	76 3.2 feet (1510 cfs)	What a day! It felt like early September in the Catskills. No haze or humidity - just a light north breeze, dry and partly sunny for today's trip. The water clarity is still off color with visibility to about five feet and the level is up a half foot. Many fish were caught on today's float with the majority hitting Senkos. The best fish taped out to close to 15 inches. The bite was strong and the fishing will continue to be very good barring any rain.	Here's Gregg Kroner with a hefty UDR smallmouth bass! One of many bass that Gregg caught on today's river float trip on the Upper Delaware River. Gregg's buddy, Bill Bronner, also got into the action as well. This was Bill's first trip to the UDR and he came away with plenty of fish...and good times! Great fishing guys!
08-02-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	74 3.4 feet	78 3.3 feet	Heavy rain delayed our trip out of Narrowsburg this morning but the precip ended around 10:00am and off we went. The river is still colored but fishable with water temps ranging from 74 to 78 degrees. Visibility is about 4 to 5 feet. Not much of a topwater bite - possibly due to water clarity and levels up about a half foot but the bass were taking 4 and 3 inch Senkos throughout the day. Violent downpours - along with thunderstorms and lightning - ended our day by 6:00pm. Over 30 fish on today's trip - many legal.	Long Island's own, Joe Lamberti, a veteran Upper Delaware River angler, with a healthy UDR river bass caught just below railroad bridge # 9 this afternoon.
07-31-08	Ten Mile River - Zane Grey	72 3.6 feet	80 3.5 feet - 1870 cfs	We're back in the saddle again after being out of action for over a week due to the downpours that hit the Catskills last Thursday and blew out the river for many days. The water clarity is still off color with visibility to about four or five feet but the bass had no trouble in hitting agressively today. One man on board with over thirty fish - close to a double limit with the best fish taping out to sixteen inches. Countdown Rapalas and four inch Senkos were the ticket.	The Maestro - Alan Kaufman - with a hefty sweet 16 inch UDR smallmouth bass caught on this afternoon's float trip.
07-21-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	76 2.9 feet	84 2.9 feet	Senkos...Senkos...and more Senkos! The bass on this river can't get enough of the soft plastic baits and today was no different. Bluebird skies and a light breeze greeting us for our float trip south of Narrowsburg. Our boat brought in over thirty fish with the best fish measuring 14.5 inches.	Big smiles for James Haluska of Queens with this handsome UDR smallie that was one of many that James caught on today's river trip.
07-20-08	Ten Mile River - Zane Grey	78 3.1 feet	86 3.1 feet - 1420 cfs	Real hot out on the river today! 88 degrees was the air temp by 5:00pm. Hazy hot and humid with water temps maxing out by 5:00pm at Zane Grey to 86 degrees! The clarity is excellent and the levels are normal - but that's the warmest water we've had in a very long time. All day sun baking the rocks - and, in turn, the streamside rocks heat up the water...That's TOASTY!! Not withstanding the heat - a very good day with over 40 fish - many legal - with the best fish taping out to 16.5 inches. All on Senkos - hot stuff!	Here's Dennis Scanlon with a beautiful 16.5 inch UDR smallmouth bass caught on today's float trip. Dennis had a great day with the bronzebacks hitting a double limit! Smiling Chris Cahill of New Jersey got into plenty of action with the bass as well. This photo is of Chris with a nice 14 inch river bass.
07-12-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	76 3.0 feet	81 3.1 feet - 1360 cfs	Warm and humid with partly sunny skies on today's float trip south of Narrowsburg. The water levels have come up about a half foot due to a water release at Cannonsville yesterday and the clarity of the water is a bit stained along with floating vegetation. Water is still in the upper 70's to low 80's. No matter. The fish were into Senkos big time today and the boat netted close to 25 bass.	Young angler, Noah Skelskie, caught this beautiful Upper Delaware River smallie this afternoon along with many others. Great fishing Noah!
07-11-08	Ten Mile River - Zane Grey	76 2.4 feet	80 2.4 feet - 722 cfs	The bass fishing is as good as it gets right now on the Upper Delaware River. Low, gin clear warm water has put the bass on an agressive feed. Over 50 fish on today's float trip with the majority of fish hitting Senkos and also nailing Baby Torpedos in the fast skinny water. The level on the river is the lowest this year at 722 cfs - 2.4 feet - very bony with plenty of boulders and large rocks. A bottom coldwater release happened today out of Cannonsville and the lower river will probably rise two to four inches by Sunday.	Here's Harry Bloomfeld out of Rockland County with one of many feisty UDR bronzebacks caught during his float trip south of Narrowsburg today. Big smiles for Gregg Kroner who went close to a double limit of smallmouth bass running from TMR to Zane Grey today. What a day guys!
07-10-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	76 2.6 feet	82 2.5 feet - 728 cfs	What a day! Crisp, dry with a light north breeze. Heaven on Earth! Low humidity after this past week's heat made this float trip comfortable - and productive! Over 25 fish in the net today with the best bass taping out to 16 inches. Bait of choice with this low, clear water are Senkos along with Baby Torpedos. The river levels are the lowest that I've seen this year at 728 cfs - or 2.4 feet - on the USGS gauge. Where's the water New York City?	Avid Catskill angler, Marvin Putter, with a dandy 15 inch Upper Delaware River bronzeback caught on this afternoon's float trip south of Narrowsburg, New York. Marvin's buddy - also a great Catskill fisherman - Bernie Van Hook - out of Rockland County nailed this handsome 16 inch UDR smallmouth on today's river adventure. Great fishing guys!
07-08-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	76 2.6 feet	82 2.5 feet - 808 cfs	The 3 H's! Hazy, hot and humid. The weather didn't prevent an excellent day on the river. The water remains clear and getting toasty - over 80 degrees by 6:00pm. Over 30 fish in the net today with an agressive bite. The majority of the bass were fooled with Senkos along with a few vicious strikes on Baby Torpedos.	Yeeee-hah!The Upper Delaware River brings out the native in "Spike" Berliner of Philly. Here's the Spike Man with a nifty 15 inch UDR bronzeback!
07-07-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	73 2.6 feet	77 2.5 feet - 780 cfs	Hazy sunny and warm. The water clarity is gin clear and the levels are low. The bass are hitting plugs, soft plastics and topwater baits. A half day float with over twenty fish going to 14 inches.	Steve Cox with one of many nice smallmouth bass caught on today's half day float south of Narrowsburg.
06-24-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	70 2.6 feet	74 2.5 feet - 816 cfs	Partly sunny for most of the afternoon with a light north breeze at our backs. The morning was unsettled with a few showers but - all in all - a great day to be out on the river. The water is a bit stained with visibility to about six feet and water temps for smallmouth are perfect. We caught over 30 bass on today's float with the best fish going to 17 inches. The fish took a variety of lures - soft plastics, topwater plugs and spinnerbaits.	17 inches of Bronze! Steve Gilman of Long Island nailed this beautiful 17 inch UDR smallmouth bass on our trip out of Narrowsburg, NY today. Great fish Steve!
06-20-08	Ten Mile River - Zane Grey	67 2.9 feet	71 2.8 feet - 1030 cfs	On and off clouds and sun for most of our river trip today with air temps maxxing out in the upper 60's. The water temp only went up a few degrees and ended the day at 71 degrees. Gin clear. However, the bite was better by mid afternoon as the water reached 70. Over 25 fish in the net today with many others dropped especially in the morning due to a soft bite. Senkos were the bait of choice and the bass nailed a few Tiny Torpedos in the fast skinny water as well. Overall, the quantity was good with the best fish taping out at 14 inches.	Big smiles for Gary Tubridy of Connecticut who caught this feisty river bronzeback on our float trip this afternoon. Here's Steve Mermey with one of many UDR smallmouth bass caught on today's river adventure on the Big D!
06-19-08	Ten Mile River - Zane Grey	67 2.9 feet	71 2.9 feet - 1130 cfs	Crisp and cool to start with partly sunny skies throughout the trip along with a light breeze. The water clarity is good at Ten Mile River and gets clearer the further south you float to Zane Grey. Close to 25 bass on today's float trip with the best taping out to 14 inches. Rapalas, Senkos, topwater lures like Torpedos and jigs were all used today with success.	Savvy angler, Bert Fichman of New York, with this nice 14 inch UDR smallmouth bass caught on a Senko near Diver's Rock at the tail end of our float trip today.
06-18-08	Ten Mile River - Zane Grey	67 3.0 feet	70 2.9 feet - 1220 cfs	In the past 48 hours, both the water temps and the air temps have cooled down considerably from last week's heatwave. The water temperature is at least ten degrees cooler and the Catskill night's have gone down to forty five degrees. More temperate readings have put the bite back into the bass. Today's float trip consisted of over twenty bass up to fifteen inches. Unsettled weather for most of the day - some sun and clouds and then showers. During overcast periods - fish responded well to topwater plugs such as Tiny Torpedos and Chug-Bugs. We had to cut the trip short at 4:00pm due to heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning.	Jerry Allpart of the Garden State graced the waters of the UDR today and caught this fat 15 inch river bronzeback!
06-14-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	76 2.9 feet	80 2.8 feet - 1060 cfs	Hazy, hot and humid for today's half day morning float. Same lure selection as yesterday - Senkos and topwater plugs. However, none of the bass were over 12 inches and the bite was very light - not an agressive strike. Close to 20 fish for our four hour float trip on the UDR - not bad - but, hopefully, we'll start landing a few fish over 15 inches and the bite will become more forceful - if and when the water temps cool down into the upper 60's to mid 70's. The levels on the river are low and and the clarity is clear.
06-13-08	Ten Mile River - Zane Grey	77 2.8 feet	82 2.7 feet - 971 cfs	Bluebird skies greeted us on our float today. The water is clearer and lower due to the fact that NYC has cut back any water releases from their reservoirs. Action was good in the morning when the water was in the mid 70's and slowing as the water began to get very warm - into the low 80's - by the end of the day. Over 20 bass in the net - with the best fish to 15 inches using Senkos and some topwater plugs like Torpedos and Chug - Bugs. We found most of the fish in moving oxygenated water close to structure and submerged boulders.	Veteran angler, David Isaacson of Rockland County, had a ball with the scrappy UDR bronzebacks on today's float trip. Here's David with a nice 15 inch river smallie!
06-12-08	Ten Mile River - Zane Grey	77 3.1 feet	82 3.0 feet - 1310 cfs	Violent thunderstorms and downpours struck the UDR Valley late Tuesday night and a cold front came in. Drier conditions prevailed today with north breezes although the water is still quite warm for mid June. Over 80 degrees by 6:00 takeout at Zane Grey. The warm water is making the bass sluggish and the bite is soft. About fifteen fish in the net on today's float trip with many bass dropped all on Senkos. Bluebird skies - no clouds - and the water has a stain with visibility to six feet or so. Water levels have gone up about a half foot due to a water release that occured yesterday and has since been cut back out of Cannonsville.	Here's Jim again! Different date on a different stretch of river with a nice 14 inch UDR bronzeback.
06-10-08	Narrowsburg - Ten Mile River	77 3.0 feet	85 2.9 feet - 1200cfs	Hot and humid! What a scorcher with readings in the mid 90's for early June! The water temps by the end of the day were in the mid 80's too. Shame on NYC DEP for not releasing more cold water from their reservoirs when their capacities are almost at 100%. One man on board today with close to twenty bass all on four inch Senkos. Most of the fish were caught in moving water in 2 to 6 feet close to submerged boulders. Best fish taped out at 14 inches.	Big smiles for angler,Jim Merwin, of New York City with one of close to twenty river smallies he caught on this scorcher of a day on the UDR today.
06-09-08	Ten Mile River - Zane Grey	76 3.1 feet	84 3.1 feet - 1400cfs	Very warm and humid out on the river today. The hottest day that we've had this year with air temps in the low 90's. Thankfully, there was a light breeze from time to time. Close to thirty smallies came to net taping out to 14 inches using four inch Senkos in a variety of colors. The river level south of Narrowsburg came up a few inches due to downpours that affected Ten Mile River and Masthope Creek. Water temperatures on the Upper Delaware River in Lordville and Callicoon are 79 degrees and 82 degrees respectively by the end of the day due to hot weather and minimum reservoir releases from New York City eventhough their reservoirs are close to 100% capacity.	Veteran angler, Andy Blau of Rockland County, with this handsome UDR smallmouth bass caught on today's float trip on the river.
06-07-08	Ten Mile River - Zane Grey	72 2.9 feet	78 2.8 feet - 1100cfs	It's summertime in the Catskills! Sunny, hot and humid on the river today - and, thankfully - with a light breeze. Not much river traffic for a hot Saturday. The water is crystal clear, warming to the upper 70's and low. Terrific bass'n conditions! Half day float trip with one man on board. Over twelve fish up to 17 inches using Senkos and floating Rapalas. Very little water is being relased from the NYC reservoirs - for instance - Lordville, NY water temperature on the tailwater UDR is at 74 degrees at 3:00pm and the freestone Beaverkill is registering 72 degrees by mid afternoon - will be in the mid 70's by 7:00pm tonight. More hot weather for the next few days ahead with highs in the 90's! Don't target trout when the water is this warm - fish for smallmouth bass - you'll have a ball!	Best UDR smallie of 2008 (so far!)Long Islander, Pete Byrnes, floated with me on a different stretch today and nailed this dandy 17 inch river bronzeback. Great fish Pete!
06-06-08	Ten Mile River - Zane Grey	66 3.0 feet	74 2.9 feet - 1150cfs	Overcast to start and then becoming hazy, warm and humid by lunchtime. The river is crystal clear and lower. Great smallmouth conditions on the river - it feels like summer! One man on board today and we used four inch Senkos and floating Rapalas to fool the bass. No topwater action to speak of but plenty of subsurface takes with over 30 fish in the net today. Warmer weather tomorrow with high forecast in the upper 80's.	Here's Pete Byrnes with one of the thirty smallmouth bass he caught on today's river float trip on the UDR.
06-03-08	Ten Mile River - Zane Grey	66 3.0 feet	72 2.9 feet - 1170cfs	Partly cloudy and calm started today's float becoming overcast with an oncoming low pressure front towards evening. Rain showers forecast for tonight and tomorrow. The river is lower, gin clear and in summer-like conditions. Over twenty five smallmouth in the net today - mostly on Senkos. We tried for shad in the tailouts and yours truly connected with a nice roe but dropped the fish after a ten minute fight in fast water. It happens. All in all - excellent smallmouth bass conditions have begun on the UDR for 2008.	Big smiles for veteran UDR angler, Dave Pilla out of the Garden State. Late in the trip, Dave connected with this feisty 14 inch river bronzeback on light tackle. Savvy angler and master chef, Mark Pilla, on today's float trip nailed over 15 smallies. Good fishin' Mark!
06-02-08	Ten Mile River - Zane Grey	66 3.3 feet	72 3.3 feet	Sunny and dry with not a cloud in the sky for today's trip out of Ten Mile River south of Narrowsburg. The water temp has gotten close to 70 degrees so it's time to target smallmouth bass and shad. River levels are normal with good clarity and we caught over twenty smallmouth bass today mostly using four inch Senkos. Agressive bite eventhough the bass were on the small side. We also fished the tailouts for shad and came up with one beauty and dropped two others.	Her first UDR Shad!Here's Jean Herold of Long Island with her first Upper Delaware River American Shad caught on today's float trip! Great catch Jean! Jean never met a fish she didn't like! Jean caught over a dozen river bronzebacks as well!
05-30-08	Long Eddy - Callicoon	60 3.3 feet	69 3.3 feet	Three boat trip with six anglers. Mostly sunny with light breezes. The water remains low and gin clear. Clouds moved in late in the day. Water temps near Callicoon approaching the 70 degree mark. Minimal hatches compared to the previous few days. A smattering of small BWO's, large Stoneflies, and sulphurs observed. Plenty of shad sighted but none caught during today's float with six anglers.	Big Bow!Veteran UDR angler, Richard Quigley, with one of the largest Delaware River wild rainbows that we've caught in a while. Over 19 inches with a nice wide girth and beautiful markings. Taken in the fast water south of Callicoon late in the trip. Great fish Richard!
05-29-08	Long Eddy - Callicoon	60 3.3 feet	67 3.3 feet	Another bright sunny day with north breezes greeted us today. The water levels are the lowest this year at 1140cfs - or 3.3 feet - at the Callicoon USGS gauge and the clarity is crystal clear. Bright sun and low clear water make for challenging fishing and today was no different. The primary hatches was large yellow Stones in #6 along with Grey Fox, a few Drakes and caddis. When we launched out of Long Eddy this morning the surface of the water was littered with thousands of spinners. The fish are well fed from nymphs and spinners which has added to the challenging fishing. Shad were sighted but no hookups. Two browns and a handful of smallmouth bass.	Veteran Long Island angler, Alan Kaufman, with a beautiful wild UDR brown trout caught in the fast water late in the day. Nice fish Alan!
05-28-08	Hankins - Damascus	60 3.4 feet	69 3.3 feet	A cold front passed through the Western Catskills last night and today we were greeted with a steady north wind which blew at our backs throughout the day. Not a cloud in the sky along with low, gin clear water made for challenging fishing. Water temps were in our favor, however, ranging from 60 to 69 degrees. In addition, a big hatch of large stoneflies (yellow body size 6) began hatching north of Callicoon in heavy numbers by 1:00pm. Possibly the fish were gorged on stonefly nymphs. A mixed bag were caught today - walleye, trout and bass with one shad dropped.	Joe Citelli came up to the Upper Delaware River today and caught this dandy river walleye!
05-25-08	Long Eddy - Callicoon	54 3.6 feet	62 3.5 feet	A beautiful day to be out on the water with a bluebird sky, no wind and no clouds. The highs hit near 70 degrees by the afternoon. With the lower water levels - especially in the riff at Pine Flats - and high sun, the water temps finally managed to make it above 60 degrees after 3:00pm north of Callicoon. The water clarity is super clear with visibility to over 11 feet making the fish spooky. One man on aboard fo today's trip. We concentrated with fly and nymphed in mostly the faster water and rowed through the pools if we didn't see targets. Three good sized trout were on and then off - all with LDR's (long distance releases). All were fooled with a tandem rig of a BH PT with the fish hitting the trailing emerger.
05-22-08	Hankins - Damascus	48 3.8 feet	55 3.7 feet	Showers and squalls plagued us on and off throughout the day along with a cool north wind made for challenging fishing today. The water was quite cold for late May when we started - only 48 degrees - and warmed up only to 55 degrees by 7:00pm takeout at Damascus. Possibly the cold water have given the fish lockjaw. Gin clear with visibility down to 11+ feet. Plenty of sulphurs on the water from 1:00pm until 4:00pm in size 16 with a smattering of large March Browns and small (22) BWO's. Very few targets with all that food on the surface.	Right out of the gate this morning, David Issacson of Rockland County, New York, nailed this beautiful 16 inch wild Delaware River rainbow!
05-18-08	Hankins - Damascus	52 3.9 feet	56 3.8 feet	A mixed bag today - both weatherwise and with the fish. Partly sunny to start then changing over to overcast / clouds with moderate rain showers around noontime. Very damp with highs only in the 50's. We had a mixed bag - four walleye up to 20 inches, browns and a handful of smallmouth bass up to 16 inches. Two big trout - rainbow and brown - were dropped at the tailout of Pine Flats and north of Cochecton. In addition, a very big Sulphur hatch in 16 occured from 2:00pm until 6:00pm south of Callicoon down to Damascus with decent targets close to shore near large boulders. Water level is up a foot.	Albert Yee with a beautiful UDR walleye he caught on todays river float trip. Like Father...like Son! Andrew Yee with one of three river walleye he caught along with smallmouth bass and trout.
05-17-08	Long Eddy - Callicoon	53 3.8 feet	60 4.0 feet	We received the most rain during the past six weeks for most of the day yesterday and all of the rivers rose during the past 24 hours about a foot. There was a slight stain to the water when we launched at Long Eddy but the river is very fishable with visibility to about five feet - clearer as you go south to Callicoon. Plenty of March Browns, Caddis and Sulphurs from Long Eddy to Hankins but few targets. Partly sunny to start and then mostly cloudy with south winds for the afternoon and into early evening. The afternoon winds could have put down the risers and bugs. Walleyes and smallmouth bass were caught on today's trip.	Patrick Meagher of New Zealand with one of three walleye he caught on today's float trip on the UDR!
05-08-08	Long Eddy - Callicoon	58 3.7 feet	63 3.6 feet	Sunny to start and then turning overcast with the approching front. Rain is forecast for tomorrow. The water is gin clear and at the best temps this year maxing out in the low 60's. We had wind this afternoon with minimal hatches of March Browns, Grey Fox and a few Caddis. Today's trip featured a mixed bag - brown and rainbow trout, walleye and smallmouth bass.	Leo Rosenberger of Lancaster, PA and Hortonville, NY nailed this chunky 18 inch wild UDR brown trout near The Islands north of Callicoon on today's river float trip. And - Bill Rosenberger got into the action as well with this feisty 16 inch wild rainbow taken in the fast water near The Chutes south of Kellams Bridge. Congrats Leo and Bill!
05-07-08	Long Eddy - Callicoon	54 3.8 feet	60 3.7 feet	A beautiful spring day with light breezes and sunny bluebird skies. The river is dropping, clear and the water temperature is now at the best temps we've had this year for trout, shad and walleye . Today's half day morning trip had the water ranging from 54 to 60 degrees. A few March Browns and plenty of tan 16 caddis about. No trout but seven walleye were caught along with a few smallies.	Double your pleasure...double your FUN! Andy and Lori Valladares of New York City had a doubleheader with these two river walleye on our half day float out of Long Eddy today! Here's Andy with a larger walleye that taped out to 20 inches. This was one of seven walleye caught on our half day river float.
05-04-08	Long Eddy - Callicoon	46 3.8 feet	52 3.9 feet	One man on board today. The river started rising about three inches from last night's rain and disclored the water when we launched at Long Eddy this morning. 12 hours ago the water had been gin clear with visibility to 12 feet - now the visibilty was 5+ feet or so. The water began to clear the further south we floated. Overcast with no wind to start - perfect conditions - although the water was still cold at 46 degrees. Tan size 16 caddis when the sun poked out along with March Browns and Blue Quills. Very few risers however. Not many Hendrickson - possibly finished for 2008. Mostly walleye caught today with a stray wild brown in the mix.	Veteran Upper Delaware River angler, Jim Merwin, with one nice river walleye caught late this afternoon north of Callicoon. The fish taped out to 24 inches. This was one of three walleye Jim caught on the float from Long Eddy to Callicoon. Nice going Jim!
05-03-08	Long Eddy - Callicoon	44 3.7 feet	50 3.6 feet	Overcast and cold out there today - just like yesterday. We had July weather in April and now we're having April weather in May! The water is clear and cold - 44 degrees when we left Long Eddy. That's definately putting a damper on the hatches. Very weak hatches of Blue Quill and a few March Browns after 3:00pm but no risers or targets. Nagging south wind on and off throughout the day. A mixed bag on today's float with browns, walleye and a rainbow.	Westchester County native, Kevin Ennis, nailed this beautiful 20 inch Upper Delaware River walleye on opening day of the walleye season on our float trip today. And not to be outdone, Kevin's buddy, Richard Quigley, caught a handful of rainbows and browns. Here's Rich with a chunky 14 inch UDR 'bow.
05-02-08	Long Eddy - Callicoon	44 3.7 feet	50 3.6 feet	Overcast for all of the day with some south wind in the eddys. A slow day all around. Chances are the cold air temps that we've had at night in the upper 20's has dropped the water temp to 44 degress when we shoved off from Long Eddy this morning. That's a drop of 10 degrees from two days ago and enough to put the feeding off. Very few hatches - with small BWO's and Blue Quill and a handful of March Browns after 3:00pm north of Callicoon. Weak caddis hatch compared to last week when we had heat and sun.	Garden State angler, Rich Toohey, had his hands full with this sleek UDR walleye that taped out at 23 inches on this afternoon's float trip.
04-27-08	Long Eddy - Callicoon	52 3.8 feet	58 3.7 feet	The day started off with overcast conditions and by noontime became partly cloudy. Light breeze and the water is gin clear. Levels are about a half foot above normal. Primary hatch is apple caddis and grannom throughout the day when the sun is out. Hendrickson and Blue Quill by mid afternoon. It was a mixed bag on the UDR for today's trip. Trout, walleye, smallmouth - and our first shad of the season caught north of Callicoon. The highpoint was Walt's 18 inch wild Delaware rainbow caught in the Sippin' Hole on a dry with 5x tippet.	It's early but...They're here! Here's Art Terwilliger with a beautiful roe shad caught north of Callicoon, New York. Art again...this time with a lanky 21 inch walleye! Walt Hammill with his first wild rainbow. And what a fish - 18 inches! Walt caught this beautiful fish on a CDC emerger on 5x at the Sippin' Hole yesterday. Smile for your closeup! In the net... Walt's 18 inch wild UDR 'bow!
04-23-08	Balls Eddy - Buckingham	45 4.5 feet	53 4.0 feet	It's been sunny and hot for late April in the Catskills for the past two weeks and all the anglers were in shirtsleeves and shorts for today's trip on the West Branch and Main Stem. Finally, NYC released a bit of water out of Cannonsville and the levels were floatable and there was some stain on the WB making the fish less skittish. Hatches were heavy caddis throughout the day and Hendrickson and Blue Quill in the afternoons. We are about three weeks ahead of schedule. Trees and shrubs are green and blossming throughout the valley.	Big smiles for Aldo with a sweet West Branch Delaware brown trout.

Optimum water temperatures for the following gamefish are listed below:

B r o w n T r o u t	R a i n b o w T r o u t	S h a d	S m a l l m o u t h B a s s	W a l l e y e
48 to 62 degrees	54 to 68 degrees	52 to 66 degrees	67 to 77 degrees	Below 50 degrees

Normal water levels on the main stem are from 2.7 to 3.2 feet or 600 to 1500 cfs.
Anglers should use caution above 3.3 feet and the river is not wadable at 3.5 feet and above.

Upper Delaware River at Lordville, NY	Station	Date and Time	Height	CFS	Temperature
USGS	01427207	2009-03-28 13:30	7.50	2700	47

Upper Delaware River at Callicoon, NY	Station	Date and Time	Height	CFS	Temperature
USGS	01427510	2009-03-28 12:00	4.19	3000	49

Callicoon Creek at Callicoon, NY	Station	Date and Time	Height	CFS	Temperature
USGS	01427500	2009-03-28 14:00	1.47		N/A

Upper Delaware River above the Lackawaxen River	Station	Date and Time	Height	CFS	Temperature
USGS	01428500	2009-03-28 13:30	4.25	3200	50

W. Br. Delaware River at Hale Eddy, NY	Station	Date and Time	Height	CFS	Temperature
USGS	01426500	2009-03-28 13:30	4.12	1220	38

Beaverkill River at C o o k s F a l l s, NY	Station	Date and Time	Height	CFS	Temperature
USGS	01420500	2009-03-28 13:45	3.38	777	47

Lackawaxen River at Hawley,PA	Station	Date and Time	Height	CFS	Temperature
USGS	01431500	2009-03-28 14:00	2.56		ICE

Daily Water Storage for Cannonsville, Pepacton and Neversink Reservoirs

Left Image: Webcam - Upper Delaware River
Right Image: Ice breaking up on river at 3:00pm Tuesday, March 18 2003

In Narrowsburg, New York, the time is now 3:38pm Click for 600 mile Northeast Doppler radar map and seven day weather forecast. Click to return to Gone Fishing Guide Service of Narrowsburg, New York.

Questions? Please feel free to write and I'll do my best to answer your question. Your Name: Your E-Mail Address: Message:

Recent images of the Upper Delaware River Valley by Linda Slocum can be viewed by clicking the photos to your right...

This past fall, I had the pleasure of taking New York Times photographer, Suzy Allman, out on the Upper Delaware River for a float trip. Her portfolio of "An Afternoon on the Upper Delaware River" can be viewed by clicking the photos on your right...

Market Currents Articles as of Friday's bank closure: Since nowadays it wouldn't be Friday without a bank failure, this week it was Omni National Bank of Atlanta's turn. There's no buyer, but SunTrust will act as FDIC's agent, disbursing insured deposits through April 27. Omni had assets of $956M and deposits of $797M. Estimated cost to FDIC, which is assuming the assets: $290M. <strong>Friday's bank closure:</strong> Since nowadays it wouldn't be Friday without a bank failure, this week it was <a target="_blank" href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/FDIC-seizes-Atlantas-Omni-National/story.aspx?guid={C41B87B3-0D1C-4877-AF62-78C6E815B945}&amp;dist=hplatest">Omni National Bank of Atlanta's turn</a>. There's no buyer, but SunTrust will act as FDIC's agent, disbursing insured deposits through April 27. Omni had assets of $956M and deposits of $797M. Estimated cost to FDIC, which is assuming the assets: $290M. Forget China! "I am waiting for a round of stories pondering whether money market funds will continue to buy Treasuries and Agencies at their 2008 pace." <a target="_blank" href="http://blogs.cfr.org/setser/2009/03/26/china-v-us-money-market-funds/">Forget China!</a> "I am waiting for a round of stories pondering whether money market funds will continue to buy Treasuries and Agencies at their 2008 pace." Who passed the Geithner plan? "It seems to me that committing hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars should still be considered a serious business. It seems to me that if Congress wouldn't approve the Geithner plan, in a democracy, that ought to have some meaning, and not just get written off as populist outrage and then extralegally ignored." <a target="_blank" href="http://interfluidity.powerblogs.com/posts/1238144871.shtml">Who passed the Geithner plan?</a> "It seems to me that committing hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars should still be considered a serious business. It seems to me that if Congress wouldn't approve the Geithner plan, in a democracy, that ought to have some meaning, and not just get written off as populist outrage and then extralegally ignored." Consumer staples and retailers squeaked out gains today. General Mills (GIS) +3.35%, American Dairy (ADY) +12.96%, Coca-Cola +0.56%. Lululemon (LULU) +9.13% on earnings (see transcript), Liz Claiborne (LIZ) +12.7%, Best Buy (BBY) +0.98%. <strong>Consumer staples and retailers</strong> squeaked out gains today. General Mills (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/gis' title='More opinion and analysis of GIS'>GIS</a>) <font color="green">+3.35%</font>, American Dairy (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/ady' title='More opinion and analysis of ADY'>ADY</a>) <font color="green">+12.96%</font>, Coca-Cola <font color="green">+0.56%</font>. Lululemon (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/lulu' title='More opinion and analysis of LULU'>LULU</a>) <font color="green">+9.13%</font> on earnings (see <a target="_blank" href="http://seekingalpha.com/article/128122-lululemon-athletica-inc-q4-2008-earnings-call-transcript">transcript</a>), Liz Claiborne (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/liz' title='More opinion and analysis of LIZ'>LIZ</a>)<font color="green"> +12.7%</font>, Best Buy (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/bby' title='More opinion and analysis of BBY'>BBY</a>)<font color="green"> +0.98%</font>. What If No One Came? Could it be the biggest problem with PPIP is not the concern that Goldman Sachs (GS) et al might make off with more money -- but that almost no one participates? <a target="_blank" href="http://dealbreaker.com/2009/03/what-if-no-one-came.php">What If No One Came?</a> Could it be the biggest problem with PPIP is not the concern that Goldman Sachs (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/gs' title='More opinion and analysis of GS'>GS</a>) et al might make off with more money -- but that almost no one participates? Whatever happened to...? 25 tech brands that are forgotten but not entirely gone. Whatever happened to...?&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://technologizer.com/2009/03/26/whatever-happened-to/4/">25 tech brands</a> that are forgotten but not entirely gone. All 10 industries in the S&P 500 fell today, but the index still managed a 6.3% increase for the week and held onto a 21% gain over its March 9 low. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&amp;sid=afLfWXQwDa6A&amp;refer=home">All 10 industries in the S&amp;P&nbsp;500 fell today</a>, but the index still managed a 6.3% increase for the week and held onto a 21% gain over its March 9 low. "Once upon a time there was a president named George. He liked to do things his own way, which annoyed some of his 'friends' in Europe. But then a new president named Barack was elected... and the people of the world thought we would see a new era of international cooperation. Not so much." "Once upon a time there was a president named George. He liked to do things his own way, which annoyed some of his 'friends' in Europe. But then a new president named Barack was elected... and the people of the world thought we would see a new era of international cooperation. <a target="_blank" href="http://baselinescenario.com/2009/03/27/us-europe-g20-payback-time/">Not so much</a>." Even with a down day, many stocks showed major gains for the week. Whirlpool (WHR)+26%. U.S. Steel (X) +21%. Alcoa (AA)+19%. Financials also bounced back: Prudential (PRU)+32%, Morgan Stanley (MS)+20%, Bank of America (BAC)+19%, JPMorgan (JPM)+19%. Even with a down day, many stocks showed <strong>major gains for the week</strong>. Whirlpool (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/whr' title='More opinion and analysis of WHR'>WHR</a>)<font color="green">+26%</font>. U.S. Steel (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/x' title='More opinion and analysis of X'>X</a>) <font color="green">+21%</font>. Alcoa (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/aa' title='More opinion and analysis of AA'>AA</a>)<font color="green">+19%</font>. Financials also bounced back: Prudential (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/pru' title='More opinion and analysis of PRU'>PRU</a>)<font color="green">+32%</font>, Morgan Stanley (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/ms' title='More opinion and analysis of MS'>MS</a>)<font color="green">+20%</font>, Bank of America (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/bac' title='More opinion and analysis of BAC'>BAC</a>)<font color="green">+19%</font>, JPMorgan (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/jpm' title='More opinion and analysis of JPM'>JPM</a>)<font color="green">+19%</font>. After staying below the line all day, markets attempted a dive into the close, setting new intraday lows along the way but running out of time to do more serious damage. DJIA -1.87% to 7776. S&P -2.03% to 816. Nasdaq -2.63% to 1545. After staying below the line all day, markets attempted a dive into the close, setting new intraday lows along the way but running out of time to do more serious damage. DJIA <font color="red">-1.87%</font> to 7776. S&amp;P <font color="red">-2.03%</font> to 816. Nasdaq <font color="red">-2.63%</font> to 1545. With unemployment at 8.1% and quickly approaching double digits, the U.S. government is actively discouraging the recruitment of foreign workers. With unemployment at 8.1% and quickly approaching double digits, the U.S. government is <a target="_blank" href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123810912615352681.html">actively discouraging</a> the recruitment of foreign workers. If the IMF could speak freely about the U.S., former IMF chief economist Simon Johnson writes in The Atlantic, "it would tell us what it tells all countries in this situation: recovery will fail unless we break the financial oligarchy that is blocking essential reform. And if we are to prevent a true depression, we&rsquo;re running out of time." If the IMF could speak freely about the U.S., former IMF chief economist <a target="_blank" href="http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/print/200905/imf-advice">Simon Johnson writes</a> in <i>The Atlantic</i>, "it would tell us what it tells all countries in this situation: recovery will fail unless we break the financial oligarchy that is blocking essential reform. And if we are to prevent a true depression, we&rsquo;re running out of time." Like its parent, little-known AIG Private Equity (AIG) is in steep decline as investments sour. While losses are likely to be tiny compared with the billions the company lost elsewhere, the unit is a sign of how far AIG strayed from its insurance roots, and how complicated it will be for AIG to unravel. Like its parent, little-known AIG Private Equity (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/aig' title='More opinion and analysis of AIG'>AIG</a>) is <a target="_blank" href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123811526155053633.html">in steep decline</a> as investments sour. While losses are likely to be tiny compared with the billions the company lost elsewhere, the unit is a sign of how far AIG strayed from its insurance roots, and how complicated it will be for AIG to unravel. Sector laggards:Gold Miners (GDX) -4.07%. Oil (USO) -3.37%. Transports (IYT) -3.03%. Regional Banks (IAT) -2.86%. Commodities (GSG) -2.81%. <strong>Sector laggards:</strong>Gold Miners (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/gdx' title='More opinion and analysis of GDX'>GDX</a>) <font color="red">-4.07%</font>. Oil (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/uso' title='More opinion and analysis of USO'>USO</a>) <font color="red">-3.37%</font>. Transports (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/iyt' title='More opinion and analysis of IYT'>IYT</a>) <font color="red">-3.03%</font>. Regional Banks (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/iat' title='More opinion and analysis of IAT'>IAT</a>) <font color="red">-2.86%</font>. Commodities (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/gsg' title='More opinion and analysis of GSG'>GSG</a>) <font color="red">-2.81%</font>. Sector leaders: Only two sector ETFs are in the green - Biotech (BBH) +0.86%. Insurance (KIE) +0.38%. <strong>Sector leaders:&nbsp;</strong>Only two sector ETFs are in the green - Biotech (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/bbh' title='More opinion and analysis of BBH'>BBH</a>) <font color="green">+0.86%</font>. Insurance (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/kie' title='More opinion and analysis of KIE'>KIE</a>) <font color="green">+0.38%</font>. Nassim Taleb. He got it right, but still gets no respect. Nassim Taleb. He got it right, but <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thebigmoney.com/articles/judgments/2009/03/26/mr-taleb-goes-washington">still gets no respect</a>. At least three fund managers (BLK, AZ, LM) are readying funds that will take advantage of various parts of the government's private/public toxic-asset program - offering the small guys a chance to get in on the action. At least three fund managers (<a target="_blank" href="http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BLK">BLK</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZ">AZ</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/LM">LM</a>) are <a target="_blank" href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123810941742052705.html">readying funds</a> that will take advantage of various parts of the government's private/public toxic-asset program - offering the small guys a chance to get in on the action. Instead of trumpeting the fictitous benefits of "clean coal," the coal industry needs to get its head out of the mine and help find its own replacement - before it finds itself asking for TARP loans. Instead of trumpeting the fictitous benefits of "clean coal," the coal industry <a target="_blank" href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/story.aspx?guid=%7BC0B517D9%2DC30B%2D444E%2D828F%2DC9DCE0AD9758%7D">needs to get its head out of the mine</a> and help find its own replacement - before it finds itself asking for TARP loans. Many of the high-level executives who approved many of AIG's (AIG) riskiest bets, leading to its near collapse, are still at their posts. Many of the high-level executives who approved many of AIG's (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/aig' title='More opinion and analysis of AIG'>AIG</a>) riskiest bets, leading to its near collapse, <a target="_blank" href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123812287215554481.html">are still at their posts</a>. Markets seem to have lost the energy to rally and continue to slide. Dow -2.24% at 7747. S&P -2.22% to 814. Nasdaq -2.52% to 1547. Crude -3.8% to $52.26. Gold -2.1% to $920.30. Markets seem to have lost the energy to rally and continue to slide. Dow <font color="red">-2.24%</font> at 7747. S&amp;P <font color="red">-2.22%</font> to 814. Nasdaq <font color="red">-2.52%</font> to 1547. Crude <font color="red">-3.8%</font> to $52.26. Gold <font color="red">-2.1%</font> to $920.30. Marion Maneker takes issue with Alan Greenspan's op-ed. "Whatever the complexities of regulating the shadow banking system or supervising the ratings agencies are, acting as if the Fed Chairman bears no responsibility for the excesses that took place on his watch is a recipe for moral decline." Marion Maneker <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/03/greenspans-amnesia/">takes issue</a> with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9c158a92-1a3c-11de-9f91-0000779fd2ac.html">Alan Greenspan's op-ed</a>. "Whatever the complexities of regulating the shadow banking system or supervising the ratings agencies are, acting as if the Fed Chairman bears no responsibility for the excesses that took place on his watch is a recipe for moral decline." The Nasdaq's strength relative to the Dow has been quite striking. But don't mistake it for the new leader. The Nasdaq's strength relative to the Dow has been quite striking. But <a target="_blank" href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/story.aspx?guid=%7B55AF6813%2D3EAD%2D4D12%2D870B%2D578D89F8E5B2%7D">don't mistake it for the new leader</a>. Details are beginning to leak of the deals GM (GM) will offer to UAW and bondholders in order to meet Tuesday's government deadline. For $20B owed to UAW for retiree healthcare, offer is $10B cash amortized over 20 years and $10B in preferred stock at a 9% coupon. For $28B due bondholders, one plan calls for 8 cents cash, 16 cents in unsecured debt, and all told, 90% of the equity in GM. Alternative choices for bondholders would also include the 90% of equity. Details are beginning to leak of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/29915225"><strong>the deals GM&nbsp;(<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/gm' title='More opinion and analysis of GM'>GM</a>)&nbsp;will offer to UAW&nbsp;and bondholders </strong></a>in order to meet Tuesday's government deadline. For $20B owed to UAW&nbsp;for retiree healthcare, offer is $10B&nbsp;cash amortized over 20 years and $10B in preferred stock at a 9% coupon. For $28B&nbsp;due bondholders, one plan calls for 8 cents cash, 16 cents in unsecured debt, and all told, 90% of the equity in GM. Alternative choices for bondholders would also include the 90% of equity. While lawmakers press for answers about what happened and is happening at AIG (AIG), WSJ discovers the government's had a paid mole there for the past four years. While lawmakers press for answers about what happened and is happening at AIG (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/aig' title='More opinion and analysis of AIG'>AIG</a>), WSJ discovers the government's had <a target="_blank" href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123811115157553013.html">a paid mole</a> there for the past four years. Newspapers need a new business model now, Jon Friedman writes. "When a series of closures recently shook the newspaper industry, some observers expressed public sympathy but took solace privately that at least the industry's biggest players were still holding the line. Not any more." <a target="_blank" href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/story.aspx?guid=%7B3620D465%2D63E1%2D4AC7%2D9757%2DFE7DF99D0776%7D">Newspapers need a new business model now</a>, Jon Friedman writes. "When a series of closures recently shook the newspaper industry, some observers expressed public sympathy but took solace privately that at least the industry's biggest players were still holding the line. <i>Not any more.</i>" Apple (AAPL) is now selling 3G iPhones without contracts at its Apple stores. The phones can be unlocked and used with other services - primarily T-Mobile and MetroPCS (PCS) - though not fully supported. Prices start at $599. AT&T (T) recently announced plans to sell the full-price phones to existing subscribers. Apple (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/aapl' title='More opinion and analysis of AAPL'>AAPL</a>)&nbsp;is now <a target="_blank" href="http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/03/26/apple_stores_now_selling_iphone_3g_without_a_contract.html">selling 3G iPhones without contracts</a> at its Apple stores. The phones can be unlocked and used with other services - primarily T-Mobile and MetroPCS (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/pcs' title='More opinion and analysis of PCS'>PCS</a>) - though not fully supported. Prices start at $599. AT&amp;T (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/t' title='More opinion and analysis of T'>T</a>) recently announced plans to sell the full-price phones to existing subscribers. Is Microsoft (MSFT) acquiring Yahoo (YHOO) one employee at a time? [AllThingsD] Is Microsoft (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/msft' title='More opinion and analysis of MSFT'>MSFT</a>)&nbsp;acquiring Yahoo (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/yhoo' title='More opinion and analysis of YHOO'>YHOO</a>)&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20090327/microsoft-acquiring-yahoo-one-employee-at-a-time/?mod=ATD_rss">one employee at a time</a>?&nbsp;[AllThingsD] The short-term excitement in solar stocks following Beijing's pledge to subsidize up to half of the cost of installing solar panels belies the key long-term risk: oversupply. The <a target="_blank" href="http://seekingalpha.com/market_currents/post/20688">short-term excitement</a> in solar stocks following Beijing's pledge to subsidize up to half of the cost of installing solar panels belies the key long-term risk: <a target="_blank" href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123815174071355951.html#mod=rss_Heard_on_the_Street">oversupply</a>. As anticipated, Charter Communications (CHTR) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today. Current common shareholders will be wiped out. CHTR -13.5% to 3 cents. <a target="_blank" href="http://seekingalpha.com/news/market_currents/post/17679">As anticipated</a>, Charter Communications (<a href='http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/chtr' title='More opinion and analysis of CHTR'>CHTR</a>)&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2009/03/27/charter-communications-files-chapter-11/" target="_blank">filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection</a> today. Current common shareholders will be wiped out. CHTR <font color="red">-13.5%</font> to 3 cents. Three great reads for lunchtime: 1) Nationalization and constitutionality 2) Geithner overreaches on regulation 3) What Congress can learn from Nascar Three great reads for lunchtime:<br /> 1) <a target="_blank" href="http://seekingalpha.com/article/128040-constitutional-issues-in-nationalization-and-the-economic-rescue-plan?source=feed">Nationalization and constitutionality</a><br /> 2) <a target="_blank" href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123811070760052941.html">Geithner overreaches on regulation</a><br /> 3) <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&amp;sid=aAFgqtwU4K2Y&amp;refer=home">What Congress can learn from Nascar</a> Market Current Change Percent Change YTD % DJIA 7776.18 -148.38 -1.91% -41.36% NASDAQ 1545.20 -41.80 -2.71% -41.76% SP 500 815.94 -16.92 -2.07% -44.38%

Market Commentary Articles as of Thoughts on Japanese Demand Numbers <strong><a href='http://www.zerohedge.com'>Tyler Durden</a> submits: </strong><p><em>by Cornelius</em></p><p>Through this whole crisis, the conventional wisdom has been that the yen was somewhat more insulated to the crisis than other currencies, due to the inherently low levels of inflation in the Japanese economy (courtesy of the 90s). Much of the price movement since then has been attributed to ex-Japan macro factors; the &quot;safe haven&quot; theory, Japanese repatriation due to fiscal year end, open market actions by BoJ, etc. There was some discussion of pain due to lower demand for exports but it hasn't been really explored in any great detail and typically been viewed as secondary to other factors, given the relative nature of FX.</p><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128281-thoughts-on-japanese-demand-numbers?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> Learning About Options (Part Two): The Exchanges <strong><a href='http://vixandmore.blogspot.com/'>Bill Luby</a> submits: </strong><p>When I first started drafting yesterday&rsquo;s <a href="http://vixandmore.blogspot.com/2009/03/learning-about-options-1.html" >Learning About Options (1)</a>, I initially intended a brief overview of sources for those interested in teaching themselves about the subject of options. The more I thought about it, the more I decided that I really needed a multi-post series to properly address the subject and based on the enthusiastic response to the first post in this series, I am glad to have chosen that path.</p> <p>In keeping with yesterday&rsquo;s theme of free content from independent sources, today I wish to focus on the options exchanges. In the world of options exchanges, there are two large players at the top of the food chain. The <a href="http://www.cboe.com/" >Chicago Board Options Exchange</a> ((CBOE)) is the undisputed leader in index options and a close second to the <a href="http://www.ise.com/" >International Securities Exchange</a> ((ISE)) when it comes to single-equity options volume.</p><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128276-learning-about-options-part-two-the-exchanges?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> CDS Recoveries: Down and Out <strong><a href='http://www.acredittrader.com/'>Credit Trader</a> submits: </strong><p>&ldquo;Taken out to the woodshed and shot&rdquo; is a phrase you often hear from CDS traders when one of their names blows up. The same can easily apply for recovery rates in the last few months across the credit markets (<em>click on chart to enlarge</em>).</p> <div><a href="http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2009/3/28/saupload_collapse_rec.jpg" rel="lightbox"><img src="http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2009/3/28/saupload_collapse_rec_thumb1.jpg" class="size-full wp-image-125" alt="High grade data: 2007 had 1 default and was taken out of the sample" width="446" height="284" /></a><p>High grade data: 2007 had 1 default and was taken out of the sample</p></div><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128272-cds-recoveries-down-and-out?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> Book Review: Getting Off Track by John B. Taylor <strong><a href="http://maseportfolio.blogspot.com/">John M. Mason</a> submits: </strong><p><em><font size="2" ><img src="http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2009/3/28/saupload_4971_6.jpg" align="right" />Getting Off Track: How Government Actions and Interventions Caused, Prolonged, and Worsened the Financial Crisis</font></em></p><font size="2" >, by John B. Taylor (Hoover Institution Press: 2009)</font> <p><font size="2" >In this little book, John Taylor pulls together some of his recent research relating to monetary policy and the recent financial crisis. Taylor claims:</font></p><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128271-book-review-getting-off-track-by-john-b-taylor?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> Friday's Options Recap <strong><a href='http://whatstrading.com/'>Frederic Ruffy</a> submits: </strong><h3>Sentiment</h3><p>The major averages pulled back Friday, as the financial headlines held no news items that might inspire another round of aggressive buying in the equity market. Stock index futures were lower before financial markets opened for trading in New York, as overseas equities slumped and Google (GOOG) said late Thursday that it was laying off 200 workers. An earnings warning from Accenture (ACN) seemed to weigh on sentiment as well.</p><p>Meanwhile, the day's economic news was mixed. Data released pre-market showed personal incomes falling .2 percent and spending increasing .2 percent in February. Economists were looking for incomes to fall 0.1 percent and spending to increase 0.2 percent. Separate data released about 30 minutes into the trading session showed modest improvement in consumer sentiment. The University of Michigan Sentiment Index rose from 56.6 to 57.3 in late-March. Economists were expecting the index to stay unchanged.</p><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128264-friday-s-options-recap?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> Bond Expert Friday Wrap: Crowded Trade <strong><a href="http://acrossthecurve.com/">John Jansen</a> submits: </strong><div><div><div><div><p>Prices of Treasury coupon securities are posting bizarre and random price changes in a session characterized by volatility and conflicting crosscurrents.</p> <p>The yield on the 2 year note is unchanged at 0.91 percent. The yield on the 3 year note is a basis point lower at 1.26 percent. The yield on the 5 year note climbed a basis point to 1.80 percent. The yield on the 10 year note edged higher by 2 basis points to 276 percent. The yield on the Long Bond declined 3 basis points to 3.62 percent. Very random. Maybe reader and commenter Greg, who predicted illiquidity would triumph, is onto something.</p></div></div></div></div><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128263-bond-expert-friday-wrap-crowded-trade?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> A Week of Stronger Than Expected Economic Reports <img src='http://seekingalpha.com/wp-content/seekingalpha/images/tickersenseauthors.jpg' align="left" hspace="6" vspace="6" width="120" border='1' /> <strong>Hickey and Walters (<a href="http://bespokeinvest.typepad.com/">Bespoke</a>) submit: </strong> <p>While the week is ending on a down note, we thought it was worth highlighting the trend of less weaker than expected economic reports this week. </p><p>As shown below, of the twelve reports released this week only three were weaker than the consensus forecast. While none of these reports can be classified as 'good', the fact that they are beating expectations is a positive sign. The next test will come next week when we get the first look at reports for the month of March. Will the relative strength follow through, or was the recent string of reports just an aberration?</p><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128259-a-week-of-stronger-than-expected-economic-reports?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> Options Trader Friday Update: CTX, DHI, XHB, XLI <p><strong>Centex Corporation (CTX) &ndash; </strong>Shares of the residential construction company had rallied about 5% in pre-market trading this morning, but are currently down by 1% to stand at $8.99. Option trades on the company suggest that investors are over the good news released recently regarding the rise in February housing starts and the boost in existing home sales. Traders are once again proceeding with caution on the housing market. One investor picked up 6,000 puts at the April 7.5 for 40 cents apiece and funded the purchase by selling 3,000 calls at the May 10 strike for 1.00 per contract. The investor pockets a 20 cent credit on the trade and establishes downside protection should shares fall beneath $7.50 by expiration. The 20 cent credit is retained in exchange for bearing the risk that shares rebound (above $10.00) as we head into May where this investor is now short 3,000 calls.</p><p><strong>D.R. Horton, Inc. (DHI) &ndash; </strong>The homebuilding company&rsquo;s shares had dipped slightly at the opening bell, however have since rallied more than 2% to $11.17. A nearly identical trade to the one observed on Centex was established in the April and May contracts for DHI. Purchasing 6,000 puts at the April 10 strike price for 75 cents apiece and selling 3,000 calls at the May 12.5 strike for 90 cents each indicates that this investor is looking for shares to decline. This investor does not receive a credit for bearing the risk that shares rebound but instead was obliged to shell out 60 cents to initiate the trade. Shares would need to fall by 16% from the current share price in order to breach the breakeven point on the downside at $9.40 by expiration.</p><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128255-options-trader-friday-update-ctx-dhi-xhb-xli?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> Trash-Talking the Dollar <strong><a href="http://hardassetsinvestor.com">Hard Assets Investor</a> submits: </strong><p><a href="http://seekingalpha.com/author/brad-zigler" ><em>By Brad Zigler</em></a></p><p>There was a lot of talk this week about finding an alternative to the U.S. dollar as a reserve currency. Some of that talk seemed, at one point at least, to have come from U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner himself.</p><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128254-trash-talking-the-dollar?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> Dividend Stocks: Some Champions <strong><a href='http://www.dividends4life.com/'>Dividends4Life</a> submits: </strong><p>There are winners and there are <a href="http://dividendsvalue.com/1924/the-best-dividend-stocks-in-the-world/" target="_blank" ><strong>champions</strong></a> in every walk of life. The difference is subtle, but very real. A champion is driven for success and will not let anything stand in its way. Some <strong>dividend stocks</strong> can be classified as champions. A bad economy, tight credit markets and a dark cloud of uncertainty are enough send some dividend companies running for the exit. However, these are the times that champions stand firm.</p><p><span></p></span><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128249-dividend-stocks-some-champions?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> Corporate Bonds: The Pace of Issuance <strong><a href="http://acrossthecurve.com/">John Jansen</a> submits: </strong><div><div><div><div><p>Here is a very interesting presentation on the pace of investment grade corporate bond issuance this year prepared by a friend who works at Bloomberg. Issuance is frantic, it would seem:</p> <p>Of late, the IG new issue corporate bond market has been in a rush. As noted before, the first quarter of 2009 in Bloomberg&rsquo;s data base is a record. It is likely that the same is true for other tracking services. And interestingly the weekly pattern for March is within a range that is relatively consistent with the first two months of then year. (Each month assumes 4 weeks/20 trading sessions)</p></div></div></div></div><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128247-corporate-bonds-the-pace-of-issuance?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> Has the Monetization Really Started? <strong><a href="http://maseportfolio.blogspot.com/">John M. Mason</a> submits: </strong><p>Headlines on the Wall Street Journal website Thursday afternoon, &ldquo;<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123807273254847621.html#mod=testMod" >Treasurys Climb After Solid Auction</a>.&rdquo; <br><br>Success!</p><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128245-has-the-monetization-really-started?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> Personal Income and Spending: Same Crisis, New Challenges <strong><a href="http://www.capitalspectator.com/">James Picerno</a> submits: </strong><p>Today's <a href="http://bea.gov/newsreleases/national/pi/2009/txt/pi0209.txt" >update</a> on personal income and spending reminds that the attack on the consumer rolls on.</p> <p>As our chart below suggests, the recession is bearing down on Joe Sixpack and the pressure isn't likely to ebb for some time. Disposable personal income was flat to slightly down last month on an annualized seasonally adjusted basis. Personal consumption expenditures fared a bit better, posting a roughly 0.2% rise in February, but that looks like statistical noise and a reaction to the sharp pullback from previous months. Given the sober outlook for the labor market, there's little hope that we'll see much improvement for spending or income any time soon. As the crowd comes to terms with the economic backdrop, we're likely to see ongoing retrenchment in the late, great consumption binge.</p><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128244-personal-income-and-spending-same-crisis-new-challenges?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> Economic Decline and Recovery: A Visual <img src='http://seekingalpha.com/wp-content/seekingalpha/images/paulkedroskynew.jpg' title='paul kedrosky' alt='paul kedrosky' width="75" height="89" border='1' align="left" hspace="6" vspace="6"/><strong><a href="http://paul.kedrosky.com/">Paul Kedrosky</a> submits: </strong><p>Good graphic from McKinsey comparing decline and recovery across the last four U.S. downturns, compared to the current one. McKinsey argues that the current downturn, far from being unprecedented, matches much of what we saw in the preceding one.</p> <p>That is true, of course, but at a high level it is also a mathematical truism, so it's not particularly surprising. What's different is what matters, and that flows from the origins of the current downturn in credit markets, as opposed to being rooted in the normal business cycle. (<em>Click graphic to enlarge.</em>)</p><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128243-economic-decline-and-recovery-a-visual?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> The Financial Crisis Is Escalating Out of Control <strong><a href="http://jonsyrose.blogspot.com/">Jonathan Rose</a> submits:</strong><p><span><span>The current financial crisis we are in is escalating out of control. I question whether the current administration has anyone who understands what is happening, why it is happening and is operating without some vested interest; never mind whether they have the correct answers as to how to solve it. The creation of a new entity &quot;The Public-Private Investment Corporation&quot; to purchase toxic debt funded by some $1 Trillion of taxpayer money is going to buy up mortgages, car loans, credit cards loans and other toxic debt off balance sheets for banks and other lenders....... If these assets are sold to large investor groups, hedge funds and other such entities at 5 cents on the dollar then it is an open admission that the tax payer will never see any return on its investment and those in power will have scratched the backs of many who put us in this position in the first place. This is the definitive version of the [[AIG]] bonuses being paid and we will unwittingly agree to this, not that we have any say, because of the language and structures used to deceive us.</span></span><span></p> <p><span>We are talking about a quarter of the total bail out funds which will never even be attempted to be recouped, it would be impossible for it ever to be returned and it will be small component of the $10 Trillion of additional debt that will be created by the Obama plan. The question is will the repayment of this money be handled as cavalierly. At least in Europe the governments have taken shares and stakes in the banks they bailed out so they will get share growth and dividends, the lack of commercialism and understanding in the US government is a strong indicator of how we got ourselves in this mess in the first place. If our representatives can sign the patriot act without reading it and give away our civil liberties why would we expect them to have read how the money will be used and where it will come from.</span></p></span><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128236-the-financial-crisis-is-escalating-out-of-control?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> Options Trader Friday Outlook: Bagholders Beware <img src='http://seekingalpha.com/wp-content/seekingalpha/images/pdavis_photo.jpg' align="left" hspace="6" vspace="6 width="70" height="83" border='1' /><strong><a href="http://philstockworld.com/">Phil Davis</a> submits: </strong><div><p><img src="http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2009/3/27/saupload_excitement_feb31.jpg" align="right" width="250" height="359" />What an exciting week this has been.</p><p>A nice 10% up move in the markets and yesterday the Nasdaq closed green for the year, but we&rsquo;ll have to see if it lasts today. We went short into the close, 60% bearish as two days in a row of pumped-up closes was just too much to&hellip;. bare. After a near 25% run off the bottom, a 5% correction would be good and healthy and we&rsquo;ll be looking to hold the same levels we set on the way up on this pullback - those would be: Dow 7,636, S&amp;P 805, Nas 1,525, NYSE 5,075 and Russell 420, roughly 15% off the bottoms with 5% rule adjustments.</p></div><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128238-options-trader-friday-outlook-bagholders-beware?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> Political Will and the 75-Year Cycle <p>&ldquo;Still waters run deep.&rdquo; The origin of this statement comes from the fact that shallow rivers are rough with waves as the rocks are close to the surface. Deep rivers have a lot of water between the rocks on the bottom and their smooth surface. Additionally, while appearing placid they move much more water towards the sea.</p><p>Events this week have proved this to be true once again as the congressional henchmen (p.c. henchpeople) noisily took swipes at Ben and Tim over monies promised to people that had not caused the problems but signed on to bring [[AIG]] to an orderly end.</p><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128235-political-will-and-the-75-year-cycle?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> Market at Overbought Extremes: Not the Time to Buy <p>Based on Birinyi Associates' proprietary market and sector indicators, we are at short-term extremes. Traders with aggressive accounts should look to take profits, and investors with more long-term accounts should be cautious on taking new positions. Consumer discretionary, technology, and materials stocks are the most extreme, while health care and utilities names have lagged.</p> <p><em>click to enlarge</em></p><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128227-market-at-overbought-extremes-not-the-time-to-buy?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> Struggling for Inspiration This Week <strong><a href="http://macro-man.blogspot.com/">Macro Man</a> submits: </strong><p>What a rubbish week.</p> <p>Markets have been dominated more by positioning than so-called fundamentals, Macro Man's carefully-constructed portfolio has seen its correlation structure go awry, and he's bled away the accumulated work of the previous three weeks.</p><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128224-struggling-for-inspiration-this-week?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a> Bond Expert: Friday Outlook <strong><a href="http://acrossthecurve.com/">John Jansen</a> submits: </strong><div><div><div><div><p>Prices of Treasury coupon securities have edged higher in quiet overseas trading. The yield on the 2 year note has edged lower by 2 basis points to 0.89 percent. The yield on the 3 year note has slipped 3 basis points to 1.24 percent. The yield on the 5 year note has dropped 2 basis points to 1.77 percent. The yield on the 10 year note declined 2 basis points to 2.72 percent. The yield on the still investment grade Long Bond is unchanged at 3.65 percent.</p> <p>The 2year/10 year spread is unchanged at 173 basis points.</p></div></div></div></div><br/><a href='http://seekingalpha.com/article/128220-bond-expert-friday-outlook?source=feed'>Complete Story &raquo;</a>