October 4, 2017

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 4, 2017

The release from Cannonsville was dropped slightly to 1,139 cfs – just a small adjustment so you’ll notice no real change this morning.  It looks like they will not be releasing from Lake Wallenpaupack at least through Saturday night.  Any rain we receive over the next few days will soak right into the ground.  It looks like we should keep the higher release to meet the Montague flow target.  We’re going to have another warm day with sunshine today.  Look for the banks that get shade early if you’re looking for rising fish.  The little olives are around in good numbers even sometimes mid-day in the sun.  The cahill / stenos, isonychias, and caddis have been more active towards evening.  There have been a lot of caddis out there both hatching and diving to lay eggs.  A good caddis pupa should work well in the riffles.

Hatching:

Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

October 3, 2017

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 3, 2017

Today looks like it will be a carbon copy of yesterday.  Starting off cool with decent fog giving way to sunshine and warm temperatures.  Kind of a pleasant Fall day ahead of us.  There are a few people out throwing streamers early trying to beat the sun.  You will find some willing fish once the fog burns off but it it has been better in low light conditions.  We have decent water temperatures throughout the system so if you want to nymph lower water with more seams and structure the Mainstem and lower East are solid options now.  The West is still running high but there are spots good for wading depending on your comfort level.  Olives are still our mainstay with some cahill / stenos, hebes, and isonychias.  Dry dropper combos can be deadly in some of the riffles.  We should have more clouds moving through tomorrow setting us up for a good weather weekend with light rain and overcast skies.

Hatching:

Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

October 2, 2017

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 2, 2017

The weather is warming up a bit again despite the frost warnings this morning.  We should have another day of 70 degrees with sunshine making for a pleasant Fall afternoon.  The bright sun has made the fish a little hesitant to rise so nymphing was probably a better option yesterday.  Once the sun drops we are seeing decent numbers of olives mixed with our normal array of players.  We are still doing better on smaller nymphs since most of the food is small right now.  Caddis pupa and wets mimicking the hatching and egg laying caddis out there should be productive.  The West Branch still has some color in it but streamers have been more productive in low light conditions.

Dave with a nice WB brown yesterday. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:

Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

October 1, 2017

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 1, 2017

Everyone seemed to find fish eating on top yesterday.  Interestingly it seemed everyone threw different flies to catch fish.  The olives were the main players of course.  There were a lot of tiny olives in the #22 -26 range.  Some people saw bigger olives mixed in with fish eating #16 – 18 olives.  A few people found fish eating cahills on sections of the West Branch.  Then towards dark some people were throwing Isonychia patterns.  The Fall caddis are doing there thing.  While you do see some get eaten off the top a lot of times a wet fly or pupa covering the emergence and egg laying stages will work better.  Don’t put any of your boxes away yet.  The cool weather and overcast sky certainly helped the fishing.  It felt raw out there for a while but it seemed worth it.  Besides the better dry fly fishing streamers were still producing some nice fish on the West Branch.  We should feel a little warmer today with air temperatures in the mid 60’s and some more sun.  Winds should be light and variable so overall we’re looking at a nice Fall day.

Tom and Jess on the West Branch. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:

Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

September 30, 2017

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 30, 2017

We had a little rain overnight but the river flows have not budged.  Everything is starting off about the same as yesterday.  There is a chance of additional rain during the day today but the amount forecasted is negligible and will soak right into the ground.  We should have some decent cloud cover for most of the day.  It definitely feels like a fall blue winged olive day.  If the winds pick up look for fish in protected edges of the larger pools.  Aside from the decent streamer fishing there have been fish eating dries on the West Branch- especially in the evening.  Streamers are still bringing some nice fish to the net and a lot of the browns are stating to darken up.  Mix it up and be patient.  A lot of nice fish have been landed since the hot weather ended and things have cooled down.

Geoff with a good fish yesterday. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:

Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

September 29, 2017

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 29, 2017

The wind was heavy yesterday.  We had clouds in and out for most of the day but the wind was constant.  Despite that the river fished well with streamers and nymphs.  The clouds and cooler air temperatures seemed to push the fish a bit and they were more aggressive than they were on Wednesday.  The wind should be way, way lower today.  We had a cold night that has really helped the water temperatures on the Mainstem, Lower East Branch, and Lower Beaverkill.  They had quite a drop in temp and look pretty good this morning.  The cooling trend will continue through the weekend.  It finally feels like Fall again.  We should have some clouds today so carry your dry fly boxes.  There is a 20% chance of some light precip but we’ll likely see some sun this afternoon.

Ed working in the wind

Ron with another yesterday

Hatching:

Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

September 28, 2017

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 28, 2017

The heat has finally broken and we are at 56 degrees this morning.  I actually feels like Fall.  Air temperatures should peak in the low 60’s today and actually drop into the high 40’s overnight.  We should have some cloud cover this morning giving way to sun this afternoon.  The release from Cannonsville is 1,075 cfs this morning.  There is still color on the West Branch making it look good for streamer fishing.  Bring a dry fly rod too just in case you find fish in the slower pools.  The high flows on the West and low flows on the East make the Mainstem a decent level for wading.  The Main is also your best option for nymphing and dry fly fishing.  We are still seeing tiny olives, a few cahill / stenos, a few isonychias, and heptagenias.  There may still be a few white flies around in the evening depending on the section you are fishing.  The cold water from the West is keeping the Mainstem in check but the water temps on the lower East Branch and lower Beaverkill are climbing too high for trout fishing.  Hopefully that will change over the next few days with the cooler air temperatures.

Ron with a chunky West Branch fish yesterday

Hatching:

Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

September 27, 2017

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 27, 2017

The release from Cannonsville has been increased slightly and now sits at 1,027 cfs.  The cold water release is keeping the Mainstem temperatures in great shape despite the sun and heat.   There is some color on the West Branch still and it looks good for streamer fishing.  Wading is definitely better on the Mainstem although there are a few wadeable spots on the West.  Small nymphs and wet flies worked the best in yesterday’s bright sun.  Luckily today is the last day of the heat wave.  We should be back to more normal weather tomorrow with air temps in the 60’s.  We even have a chance of some light rain on Friday.  The cooler air temps, clouds, and light precip should help the dry fly fishing over the weekend.  The lower East Branch and lower Beaverkill have both been too hot to fish.  Hopefully a few days of cool weather and clouds will cool those rivers off.

Hatching:

Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

September 26, 2017

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 26, 2017

We have heavy fog on the river this morning with comfortable temperatures.  The release from Cannonsville has been dropped back slightly to 990 cfs.  We are looking at another hot, bright, sunny day so if you have the opportunity hit the river early and late.  The West Branch still has some color from the release so streamer fishing has been decent.  You can pick up fish in the sun but the action definitely picks up in low light conditions.  Wading is still easier on the Mainstem and fortunately that’s where the better dry fly fishing is happening.  Again concentrate on low light consitions.  We’ve been seeing a mix of tiny olives, white flies, some cahill / stenos, with a couple of isonychias mixed in for good measure.  Be patient.  Mid day concentrate on nymphing or swinging wets in the riffles.  Dry dropper combos have also produced.

Bob Lewis in Montana yesterday. You don’t need this awesome a hat on the Delaware yet.

Hatching:

Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

September 23, 2017

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 23, 2017

The release from Cannonsville is now 953 cfs.  We were looking forward to writing that the release has been steady for a whole 12 hours but our dreams were dashed just after midnight.  This is one of those perfect situations where the powers that be could release 500 – 600 cfs from Cannonsville and the remaining water needed from Pepacton.
There is color in the West Branch but it is fishable.  There was quite a bit of algae in Deposit yesterday but it flushed out enough to keep the lower sections fishable.  It sounded like very few bugs on the WB but the fish were chasing streamers.  There was better hatching on the Mainstem with small olives and white flies mixed with cahills / stenos and just a handful of isonychias. As people left the water at dark their boats, oars, and waders were covered with brown caddis.  It may be a good time to swing wets or fool around diving egg laying caddis patterns.  We are looking at another warm day with sunshine.  If you want to find fish on dries the best advice seems to be to find a shaded bank on the Upper Mainstem and be patient.  Very patient.

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

September 22, 2017

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 22, 2017

Update:  The Cannonville release will be increased on the following schedule today

8 AM – 755 cfs

9 AM – 856 cfs

10 AM – 890 cfs

The release from Cannonsville peaked at 815 cfs around 5 PM last night.  This morning it has been dropped back a little to 654 cfs until further notice.  The increased cold water release should help the Mainstem temperatures during this heat wave.  Lordville peaked over 70 degrees yesterday so this is a welcome relief.  The Montague Flow target is at least partially responsible for the release since they have cut back the release from Lake Wallenpaupack for the weekend.  While the additional cold water is certainly welcome it made for tough fishing yesterday.  The increased released colored the upper river and let loose the normal algae we see when the water rises.  It hit the lower river by early evening bringing some color and increased debris but most of the algae filtered out up top.  We did have quite a few tiny olives out in the evening.  It took a long time for the fish to get happy and there was finally some rising towards dark.  Today should be better provided they keep the release steady and don’t pull any Yo Yo moves.  There were a few Heptagenia hatching but they never really seemed to get going.  The increased cold water will also open up more water on the Mainstem where the isonychia hatch has been stronger.

Jim working the wet flies in the rising water

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

September 21, 2017

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 21, 2017

Update.  The release from Cannonsville is being increased on the following schedule:

9 Am – 453 cfs
10 Am – 554 cfs
11 Am – 654 cfs
12 Pm – 755 cfs
1 Pm – 815 cfs

Yesterday was another day of sunshine.  There were a few light clouds around in the afternoon but they never amounted to much.  Nymphing or fishing small wets was the best daytime bet again.  There were some small olives with a few heptagenia later in the afternoon into evening.  Definitely heavier on the tiny olives.  They did not change the release overnight so we are starting off roughly where we were yesterday.  Conditions will also be similar with air temperatures in the high 70’s and moderate winds.  We’ll have the sun during the day again.  There have been some fish eating olive spinners in the morning if you get on the water before the fog burns off.  If you don’t see fish eating don’t waste a lot of time.  Drive around or walk to a different pool until you find them.  The lower East and Main water temperatures have been heating up in sunshine with the low flows.  Check the temps with a thermometer if you’re fishing in the afternoon.

Find the cold water on the West and upper East

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update: