Author: Jeff White

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 7, 2018

We had a couple of inches of snow fall yesterday morning.  The afternoon turned out warmer and switched to some rain.  There is just a dusting left in the yard this morning.  Cannonsville is spilling 925 cfs with a release of 1,499 cfs.   We’re in for a couple of cooler days staying in the 30’s before we warm up a bit.  Nymphing the soft edges may turn up some fish but there is a lot of water flowing down the river.  Throwing streamers and covering water looking for the aggressive fish may be the better option.  Plus moving a lot will help keep you warmer.

Wunderground shows an improvement in the weather beginning Monday and lasting through the week.  If the pattern holds we should see air temperatures in the 50’s on Friday and Saturday.

 

Can't wait for the warmer weather beginning Monday!

Can’t wait for the warmer weather beginning Monday!

Hatching:

Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 2,350 cfs °  Equipment Failure
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 3,250 cfs 37°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 611 cfs 37°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,870 cfs 37°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 6,200 cfs 37°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,140 cfs 35°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 37°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 2,100 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 101.5%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 96.6%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 6, 2018

It’s cold this morning.  The cold nights and cold runoff have kept the water temperatures down.  Cannonsville Reservoir is spilling 766 cfs this morning.  The release is 1,499 cfs.  The Upper EAst Branch is 536 cfs and may offer some wade opportunities.  The Beaverkill flow is dropping this morning too.  We are going to get 1 – 3 of a rain / snow mix today.  The flows may rise depending on how much of the precip falls frozen vs rain.  Check the graphs before you come up.  Streamers.

Our weather should improve next week with warm days and cool nights.  It’ll feel like a normal Spring again.

Hatching:

Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 2,230 cfs 39°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 3,100 cfs 37°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 536 cfs 36°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,940 cfs 37°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 6,250 cfs 36°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,270 cfs 34°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 36°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,940 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 101.5%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 96.6%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 5, 2018

Cannonsville Reservoir is spilling a little this morning.  The release is 1,499 cfs.  The flow below the dam is still increasing this morning.  The air temp will stay a bit lower today but it looks like that will improve next week.  The East Branch flow at Harvard bumped up a bit from runoff but is dropping back now at 576 cfs and falling.  There will be water that is decent for wading from there up to Downsville.  Stick with streamers on the West Branch and change them up until the fish tell you what they want.  Most of the action will be in the warmest part of the afternoon when the water temps are at their highest point of the day.

 

The East Branch at Harvard is dropping slowly this morning

The East Branch at Harvard is dropping slowly this morning

Hatching:

Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 2,020 cfs 39°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 3,110 cfs 38°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 576 cfs 37°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,530 cfs 38°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 7,230 cfs 38°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,840 cfs 36°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 37°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 2,510 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 100.7%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 95.9%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 4, 2018

Yesterday’s rain and runoff have the rivers running higher this morning.  The release from Cannonsville has also been increased to 1,499 cfs.  Cannonsville Reservoir is close to spilling at 99.7% capacity.  We had clouds, rain, and cooler air temperatures yesterday so the water temps never really climbed.  Today looks windy but definitely warmer with some light rain.  The weather should turn more favorable after the weekend.  The higher water flows leaves streamers as the best option.  You may be able to nymph up fish in soft edges but covering water makes the most sense.  Winds will make it tough in the afternoon but hopefully Wunderground is not correct.

 

Getting the small flies ready

Getting the small flies ready

Hatching:

Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,450 cfs 39°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,590 cfs 39°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 576 cfs 39°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,120 cfs 39°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 6,030 cfs 39°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,420 cfs 38°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 38°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 2,260 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 99.7%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 95.3%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 3, 2018

The runoff has really bumped the reservoir levels over the last week.  Cannonsville is 98.5% capacity and Pepacton is now 94.7% capacity.  We still have a bit of snow on the ground especially on the north facing slopes.  There is a bit more rain and snow coming this week too but you can feel Spring coming.  Yesterday’s snow melted quickly and it turned into a beautiful sunny afternoon. The release from Cannonsville has been increased overnight leaving Hale Eddy flowing at 1,290 cfs.  There are some stoneflies out and the first few olives can’t be too far behind.  If you want to take a chance on seeing a rising fish concentrate on the big slow pools or eddys.   In the short term streamers and nymphs are still your best bet.  Cover a lot water and find the aggressive fish.

 

Working streamers in tight side channels photo by Kristin White

Working streamers in tight side channels photo by Kristin White

Hatching:

Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 589 cfs 39°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 1,290 cfs 39°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 521 cfs 39°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,810 cfs 39°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 4,550 cfs 40°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,150 cfs 38°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 600 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 38°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,730 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 98.5%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 94.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 2, 2018

Snow is falling this morning.  The sun should come out this afternoon and all of this will melt quickly.  Wunderground is forecasting 1 – 3″ today.  A little extra cold runoff will be good for the system.  Most of the water in the system is runoff so the rivers are dropping slowly.  The release from Cannonsville is 374 cfs.  NYS water is now open making wading much easier if you stay above most of the feeder creeks. Water temps are similar throughout the system starting off in the high 30’s to low 40’s.   Nymphs and streamers are definitely the way to go.  Keep changing it up until you find the fish.

 

 

Samantha with a brown from the weekend

Samantha with a brown from the weekend

 

Hatching:

Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 332 cfs 39°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 1,200 cfs 38°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 576 cfs 38°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,030 cfs 39°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 4,740 cfs 40°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,330 cfs 37°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 200 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 38°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,950 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 92.9%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 92.1%

 

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 1, 2018

The rivers are dropping as the runoff subsides.  There is still some snow and ice to melt, especially on the North facing slopes.  The best bets are nymphing or throwing streamers.  Change up colors, retrieves, and types of water your fishing until you start finding fish.  It has been changing a bit with the flows and temps.  There have been a few fish eating stoneflies off the surface here and there.  Patience is the name of that game right now.  That should get more consistent as the water temperatures rise.   Look for the highest water temperatures.  The reservoir levels are in great shape to start the season.  We definitely have water to start the year.  This week we are looking at okay daytime temps with cold night time temps.  It will take a little longer for the water temps to climb in the afternoon.  It seems like a great setup for the rest of the Spring.

 

Patrick with a nice fish from the weekend.  Photo by Bob Lewis

Patrick with a nice fish from the weekend. Photo by Bob Lewis

 

Hatching:

Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 332 cfs 40°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 1,440 cfs 40°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 664 cfs 40°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,230 cfs 41°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 5,570 cfs 41°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,480 cfs 39°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 200 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 40°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 2,390 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 92.9%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 92.1%

 

March 15, 2018

We still have snow but Spring will come.  It’s time to start to get ready!

DSC_6204

February 23, 2018 Reservoir levels

Things are looking good for the water supply.  We should see levels climb over the next few days as the runoff continues

levels

The 2018 Fly Fishing Show in Edison, NJ

Edison-2018-Banner

Join us January 26 – 28 in Edison, NJ for The Fly Fishing Show.  We will be in Booth # 440.  The show has moved to a larger space in Edison so there should be more vendors and more space to help break the winter doldrums.  As usual Bob Lewis and Steve Shen will be giving an Upper Delaware presentation each day.  This year Bob and Steve will be presenting Become a Better Delaware River Angler in Room A-100 at 2 Pm Friday, 12 Pm Saturday, and 11 Am Sunday.

Double-Trouble

 

 

Delaware River Report / Conditions November 10, 2017

The cold front has arrived.  The high is going to be 25 degrees today and the wind is blowing 15- 20 mph.  There are a few snow flurries right now but there shouldn’t be any accumulation.  We’ll suffer the cold for the next few days.  Next week the forecast is calling for some days reaching the mid 40’s with some sunshine.  That may push a few of the last olives.  Otherwise nymphs and streamers.

Hatching:
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – Baetis sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 183 cfs
49°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 337 cfs
44°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 147 cfs 42°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 748 cfs
42°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,300 cfs
42°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 535 cfs 42°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 200 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 41°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 449 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 51.6%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 80.9%

Delaware River Report / Conditions November 9, 2017

The sun came out yesterday and it was a really nice day to be on the water.  The bugs didn’t really show on the mid West Branch but the guys who were nymphing seemed to do really well.  Smaller flies seem to be working best right now matching the small olives that are hatching sporadically.  There are still caddis in the bushes but yesterday they decided to stay in the bushes.  Today looks like another nice day with air temps climbing to the mid 40’s by the afternoon. From here on out nymphing will be your best bet but carry olives and caddis just in case.  Tonight the temps are going to drop pretty low and we may see some snow showers.

 

Hatching:
Slate Drake #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – Baetis sp.
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 184 cfs
49°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 348 cfs
43°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 151 cfs 40°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 777 cfs
41°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,370 cfs
42°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 519 cfs 42°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 200 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 40°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 471 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 51.3%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 81%
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