Author: Jeff White

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 1, 2018

May is finally here but with mid June weather.  Today will be in the low 70’s with the night time temps staying in the 50’s.  It’s kind of odd after yesterday’s snow showers but we’ll take it.  Looking at the long term forecast we should have great weather going forward.  Caddis, blue quills, and Quill Gordons will make up the main hatch.  There are a few hendricksons around too so carry that box with you too.  They’re coming.  We’re seeing a good mix of streamer and dry fly fishing now.  The warmer weather should help push the hatches.  The rivers are still up a bit but people are finding wadeable water in spots.  The Willowemoc and Beaverkill are beginning to look good and a few high water wade spots on the WB should start to come into there own soon.

 

Dave on the West yesterday.  Photo by Bruce Miller

Dave on the West yesterday. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,920 cfs 40°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,390 cfs 40°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,320 cfs 40°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,560 cfs 42°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 5,710 cfs 42°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,040 cfs 41°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 429 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 40°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,450 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 101.1%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.1%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 30, 2018

We woke up to a nice mix of light snow and rain this morning.  It’s not sticking here in the lower elevations but you can see it on the trees on the ridges so be careful if you’re driving in early.  It won’t last long as the air temperatures climbs up close to 50 degrees today. Tomorrow we’ll have sun and 70 degrees.  The sunshine and warmer temps should warm the water pushing the bugs this week.  We’re still seeing blue quills, caddis, stoneflies, and Quill Gordons.  There have been a few hendricksons spotted but not in great numbers.  That hatch will get stronger as the rivers warm.  Streamer fishing was the most productive method over the weekend but there were fish caught on dry flies.  There are enough bugs out there that the fish are going to start looking up very soon.

 

Bob with a nice fish last week.  Photo by Bruce Miller

Bob with a nice fish last week. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,920 cfs 40°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,420 cfs 40°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,270 cfs 40°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,560 cfs 43°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 5,760 cfs 43°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,040 cfs 43°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 438 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 41°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,350 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 101.1%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.1%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 29, 2018

Yesterday was a bit like the previous day.  Most people seemed to be throwing streamers and some people were able to find a few dry fly targets.  It was a beautiful day out there, especially when the sun was shining.  The people doing well on streamers seem to be covering a lot of water and finding the aggressive fish.  Fly color has also been a topic of discussion.  Darker streamers seem to be favored right now.   Today will be a cooler with a slight chance of rain.  The clouds will be here all day.  Winds will be coming from the north around 10 mph.  Dress appropriately.  The weather really improves beginning Tuesday and we’ll have days in the 70’s and nights in the 50’s.

 

Brad with a nice brown.  Photo by Steve Shen

Brad with a nice brown. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,980 cfs 41°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,510 cfs 41°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,270 cfs 42°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,800 cfs 46°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 5,910 cfs 46°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,270 cfs 47°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 476 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 43°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,340 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 101.1%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.1%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 28, 2018

There was actually some dry fly action yesterday!  Caddis, blue quills, and olives were out.  There have been a few hendricksons spotted but nothing crazy.  One here and one there.  You had to work and have a little luck to find the risers but they were there.  Most people are still throwing streamers in the high water.  Today looks a little better with a forecast of 63 degrees and some sunshine.  We should have some clouds roll in and a small afternoon shower.  The river flows came up a bit after yesterday’s rain and both Pepacton and Cannonsville Reservoirs are spilling.  The Beaverkill and Willowemoc will drop back to normal flows first but that will take a day or two.

 

Art with his dry fly fish!

Art with his dry fly fish!

 

 

George with a dry fly fish yesterday

George with a dry fly fish yesterday

Hatching:
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,960 cfs 41°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,620 cfs 41°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,240 cfs 42°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,800 cfs 44°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 6,500 cfs 44°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,220 cfs 45°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 473 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 43°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,710 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 101.1%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.1%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 27, 2018

Things seemed to pick up a bit yesterday.  There were some fish landed on most river sections.  Streamers seemed to be the most productive method but there were a few fish looking up during the warmest part of the day.  The wind was tough at times but the cloud cover was certainly welcome for the fishing.  It’s going to be cooler today with around 1/4″ of rain falling.  The rain looks  light and spread out through the day ending around 5 pm.  Today’s wind looks much better than we’ve seen all week staying around 6 mph from the South.  The Upper East and West Branch flows seem to be holding steady this morning.  The Beaverkill is dropping so the lower East is dropping.  The daytime and nighttime temperatures warm up a lot early next week.  That should do wonders for the water temperatures and push the bugs.

 

Rocky with a great fish to start the year.  Photo by Art Bartholomew

Rocky with a great fish to start the year. Photo by Art Bartholomew

Chris with a nice fish yesterday.  Photo by Steve Shen

Chris with a great fish yesterday. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 0 Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,850 cfs 39°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,570 cfs 41°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,030 cfs 42°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,290 cfs 45°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 5,810 cfs 45°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,040 cfs 44°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 240 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 44°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,380 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 100.9%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 26, 2018

We had rain most of the day yesterday.  While we didn’t have any crazy downpours the steady rain increased the flows on all of the rivers.  We shouldn’t see any more rain today.  The sun should show itself for a bit today with air temperatures in the mid 50’s.  There have been more and more caddis, blue quills, and olives on the water so bring a dry fly rig despite the higher flows, you may get lucky. Most people will be fishing streamers today.  The water temps on the East Branch and Mainstem are starting off in the mid 40’s this morning.  Play around with different sizes and colors of streamers but definitely have some darker flies.  There is a little more rain in the forecast for the weekend but hopefully that changes.  Wading is not an option today.  It looks like the Beaverkill flow has peaked so hopefully it drops fast. Keep an eye on the Stilesville and Downsville flows since Cannonsville and Pepacton are spilling or very close to spilling.

Hatching:
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 0 Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,690 cfs 41°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,590 cfs 42°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,020 cfs 44°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,740 cfs 47°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 6,420 cfs 46°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,460 cfs 47°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 240 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 44°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 2,010 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 100.4%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 99.8%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 25, 2018

We’re getting some light rain this morning with around .31″ left to come.  It seems like Wunderground has dropped the rain total in the forecast.  The Beaverkill and lower East Branch have a small bump showing on the gauge this morning but so far not enough to matter.  The upper East Branch is holding steady at 900 cfs.  The level of Pepacton Reservoir has dropped to 99.9%.  That’s worth watching if it drops a little more.  The spill over Cannonsville dam has decreased to 85 cfs this morning.  The water temps are finally climbing to good numbers with the lower EB and the Beaverkill both peaking over 50 degrees.  It looks like the daytime air temps will drop a bit over the next few days but will still be in the 50’s.  It finally feels like Spring is here.

Water temps are finally looking really good

Water temps are finally looking really good

Hatching:
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 0 Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,550 cfs 40°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 1,880 cfs 41°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 900 cfs 44°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,750 cfs 48°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 4,060 cfs 47°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 730 cfs 48°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 85 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 43°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 790 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 100.8%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 99.9%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 24, 2018

Today looks like a good day to be on the water.  The sun is out now but we should have some clouds rolling in the afternoon.  The air temperature will be around 60 degrees.  All of the flows dropped a little throughout the system.  Pepacton Reservoir is down to 100.1% capacity.  The Beaverkill, lower East Branch and Mainstem have the best temperatures to start off the day between 44 and 45 degrees.  That’s the best we’ve seen this season.  If the sun sticks around long enough those should shoot up to good levels today.  There are decent numbers of little black caddis and some blue quills around but streamers and nymphs will be most effective until the water warms up.  We should see some rain tonight and tomorrow but the amount in the forecast has been decreasing.  Hopefully most of it will shift away from us.

 

Bob handed over the new boat to Chris to row George and Ebby for a bit

Bob handed over the new boat to Chris to row George and Ebby for a bit

Hatching:
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 0 Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,690 cfs 39°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,040 cfs 40°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 900 cfs 41°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,770 cfs 45°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 4,320 cfs 44°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 730 cfs 44°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 224 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 41°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 827 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 101.2%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.1%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 23, 2018

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day.  The weather has definitely helped the water temps and some of the rivers are peaking in the high 40’s everyday now.  The bug activity has increased.  There is a legitimate shot at catching a fish on a dry fly now.  Saying that, nymph and streamer fishing will still be way more productive.  Any dry fly action would be a gift.  If you’re stuck on dries look for the highest water temps in the system, go there, and be patient.  We need just a little more sun and warmth to get it going.  The rivers are dropping throughout the system.  That will help.
Sunny and 61 degrees today.  Winds out of the South 5 – 10 mph.  Sounds like a good day.

 

An unidentified angler makes his first catch of the season a paralep

An unidentified angler makes his first catch of the season a paralep.  He was a fighter!

Hatching:
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 0 Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,940 cfs 38°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,350 cfs 39°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,020 cfs 39°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,930 cfs 42°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 4,920 cfs 42°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 803 cfs 42°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 467 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 39°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 928 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 102.5%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 22, 2018

Yesterday was beautiful except we had some wind to deal with for most of the afternoon.  The water warmed up in the afternoon and we are starting off today a little warmer.  Today’s forecast looks a little better with more sun and air temperatures in the high 50’s.  Hopefully Wunderground is correct and our winds will be around 5 mph.  All of the rivers in the system are dropping this morning.  The East and West Branches are still high but the Beaverkill has dropped down to 882 cfs and is still falling.  That’s shaping up nicely.  There were definitely more active bugs yesterday with caddis, stoneflies, olives, and some blue quills in the air.  A few more degrees in water temp and things will really get going.  Streamers and nymphs are still the mainstays right now but that will change.  A couple more days f sun and warmth will really get things moving in the right direction.

The Beaverkill is shaping up nicely this morning

The Beaverkill is shaping up nicely this morning – and peaked at 45 degrees yesterday

Hatching:
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 2,330 cfs 38°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,790 cfs 38°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,240 cfs 38°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,170 cfs 41°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 5,790 cfs 40°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 882 cfs 40°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 815 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 38°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,070 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 102.5%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 21, 2018

Today is going to feel like Summer out there.  50 degrees, sun, and winds around 10 mph.  It did not snow this morning.  It looks like we’ll have temps in the 50’s all week.  The East Branch and Beaverkill flows are dropping.  The flow on the West Branch has come up due to the increased amount of water spilling.  The water temperatures are still a bit cold throughout the system but a few days of warm air and sun beating down should help them climb.  The dry fly action will get better and better as the temps rise.  Starting off with streamers or nymphs is still your best bet.  The release from Cannonsville will increase in steps today and settle in at 1.499 cfs at 3 pm.

 

Hatching:
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 2,270 cfs 38°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,670 cfs 38°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,580 cfs 37°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,550 cfs 38°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 6,030 cfs 38°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 960 cfs 37°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 1,326 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 37°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,240 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 102.5%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 20, 2018

We have a light snow covering and wind this morning.  Wonderground is sticking to their ten day forecast and today looks like the last cold day.  Tomorrow we see sun and temps climbing into the 50’s. Hopefully they are correct and the weather sticks around for a while.  The sun and warmer air temps should help warm the water bringing out the bugs.  It looks like a good week coming our way.  The hotline says the spill over Cannonsville Reservoir is 1,341 cfs and the release is zero.  The Upper EB and Beaverkill flows are both dropping.    If we don’t get any more rain the Beaverkill should be in great wading shape in a couple of days.

Streamers and nymphs today.

Hatching:
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,320 cfs 38°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 1,890 cfs 38°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 2,030 cfs 38°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 3,320 cfs 38°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 6,600 cfs 38°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,170 cfs 37°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 0 cfs  Spill = 1,341 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 37°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,560 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 102.1%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 101%
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