Author: Jeff White
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 21, 2017
We are looking at another sunny day with air temperatures reaching the low 70’s! Yesterday was nice but windy. Today’s wind should be light and variable peaking around 5 mph according to Wunderground. It looks like another pleasant week ahead with temperatures staying a bit high for the end of October. We’re still seeing olives and a few heptagenia and isonychias. The dry fly fishing has been better on the wider streams in the slower pools. The West Branch is still running high from the release and has some color to it. There is still good streamer opportunity on the West with a possibility of finding a few risers.
Hatching:
Slate Drake #14 – Isonychia bicolor
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 969 cfs |
59° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,100 cfs |
57° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 70 cfs | 49° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 196 cfs |
51° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,300 cfs |
55° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 80 cfs | 50° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 1,044 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 55° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 56 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 50% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 77.9% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 20, 2017
Another day of steady release. The West Branch remains the same and the East is dropping slightly- although it can’t drop too much more. We’re in for another day that doesn’t feel like October. We should see air temperatures in the mid 60’s, sunshine, and a downstream wind around 10 mph. It’s actually pretty pleasant to be out on the water for this time of year. There is still color coming out of Cannonsville so the West Branch is still in streamer shape. Bring some little olives too for the big slow tailouts. The East Branch is low so there’s not a lot of moving water to work. The Mainstem remains relatively low but it’s great for wading. We’re still finding most of the fish in the big slow pools and the fish seem to be moving a lot while they eat. If they pass by you in a big pool give them a little bit to complete the round and come back by. Lots of cruisers lately.
Caddis seem to be doing well on the East
Hatching:
Slate Drake #14 – Isonychia bicolor
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 969 cfs |
59° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,110 cfs |
57° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 70 cfs | 50° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 201 cfs |
51° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,310 cfs |
56° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 83 cfs | 50° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 1,044 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 55° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 58 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 51% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 77.9% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 19, 2017
Yesterday was definitely warmer- it actually felt hot in the afternoon sun. The wind was manageable and overall it was a pleasant day to be fishing. We saw a good mix of tiny olives, caddis, some hebes, and some isonychia spinners. The fish were sporadic in the bright sun. They were much happier in the shade and then after the sun dropped behind the hills. The West Branch is still running high with color. It’s your best bet for streamer fishing and it is clear enough for fish to eat off the surface if they have the food. The East Branch is low and very clear. The Mainstem is a bit on the low side but a decent blend of the two rivers. You’ll have some color and can wade it well. The best of both worlds. We will keep the sun for the next few days but may see some clouds roll in over the weekend. Air temperatures will stay unseasonably warm. It’s been a very pleasant Fall so far
Upright wing Iso Spinner on the East Branch
Hatching:
Slate Drake #14 – Isonychia bicolor
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 969 cfs |
58° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,100 cfs |
57° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 72 cfs | 49° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 206 cfs |
51° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,310 cfs |
55° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 85 cfs | 50° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 1,044 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 55° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 62 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 51.9% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 77.9% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 18, 2017
The release from Cannonsville has been increased slightly to 1,044 cfs. That won’t be a noticeable flow change on the river. We are getting back into the abnormally warm temperatures we’ve had most of the Fall. We should see 66 degrees, light winds, and sunshine by mid afternoon. Olives are still the main hatch if you’re looking for surface feeders. There are some caddis around but most of them are being eaten under the surface. Think wet flies and pupa patterns. Streamers were producing again. Even that seems to fish better when the flows are steadier. We still have color in the West Branch coming out of the dam. This may be a good day to do a West Branch streamer run and end up on the Mainstem looking for rising fish in the afternoon.
Frank found a nice one yesterday. Photo by Bob Lewis
Hatching:
Slate Drake #14 – Isonychia bicolor
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 969 cfs |
57° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,100 cfs |
55° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 70 cfs | 47° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 211 cfs |
50° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,270 cfs |
53° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 88 cfs | 48° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 1,044 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 53° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 66 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 52.8% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 77.9% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 17, 2017
It was cold yesterday. It was windy. It actually fished better than it has in days. Maybe the pressure settled as the front came through or the fish settled down in the Yo Yo releases but either way they were happy to chase streamers and rise in some sections when the wind would die down. Some would only chase but there were enough fish willing to commit to make it worth fishing in 49 degrees, 15 mph wind, and light rain. Today should be nicer with air temperatures in the mid 50’s and a bit of sunshine. Wind will be much more manageable around 5 – 7 mph.
Jamie stuck it out yesterday. Photo by Bob Lewis
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 915 cfs |
57° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,050 cfs |
54° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 74 cfs | 49° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 224 cfs |
52° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,290 cfs |
52° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 94 cfs | 50° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 993 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 52° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 74 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 53.7% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 77.9% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 16, 2017
The wind made fishing tough yesterday. It felt like upstream 15 mph all day long. That kind of wind makes it tough to set the boat and to cast. If you found a place to hide it was comfortable. The wind pushed most people to streamers and nymphs with mixed results. We are in the midst of a decent weather change so the front may have something to do with it. We had a little rain overnight but the real story today is going to be the air temperature. We dropped back in to the 40’s overnight and will only climb into the low 50’s today. Tonight we drop back into the high 20’s. The we gradually warm up during the week to temps in the high 60’s and low 70’s. The wind may start off high this morning but at least it’s downstream today. It may start off as a streamer day but we may see some surface activity if the wind drops in the late afternoon.
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 915 cfs |
57° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,040 cfs |
56° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 78 cfs | 57° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 229 cfs |
60° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,210 cfs |
61° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 96 cfs | 59° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 993 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 57° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 70 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 55.9% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 77.9% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 15, 2017
Yesterday looked decent on paper but never really reached it’s dry fly potential. We had clouds, winds were tolerable and things looked good. We did have rising water on the West Branch and Mainstem as a result of the recent Yo Yo releases. Today looks similar weather wise but the water has been pretty steady for 24 hours. Hopefully things settle down and the olives and isonychias come today. In the meantime there were a lot of people throwing streamers on the West with mixed results. Fish were landed but not as many as expected. Today is a new day.
The Yo Yo releases need to stop
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 832 cfs |
57° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 944 cfs |
56° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 74 cfs | 54° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 226 cfs |
58° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,170 cfs |
58° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 97 cfs | 58° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 853 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 56° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 66 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 55.9% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 77.9% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 14, 2017
We were staring at graphs all day wondering where they thought the water was going to come from or when they were going to increase the Cannonsville release. It was another Yo Yo move. The release is now 853 cfs to help meet the Montague Flow Target. We had decent cloud cover for most of yesterday with some very, very light precipitation in the evening. People landed fish on isonychias, caddis, and tiny olives. We heard it was the most isonychias people had seen in a while. Today is going to be warmer with more sun. The hatches should remain the same. Streamers become an option again in the higher West Branch flows.
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 756 cfs |
56° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 804 cfs |
55° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 78 cfs | 53° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 252 cfs |
56° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 685 cfs |
57° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 102 cfs | 56° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 853 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 56° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 69 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 55.9% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 77.9% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 13, 2017
The release from Cannonsville Reservoir has been dropped to 282 cfs. Tomorrow there should be a push of water coming out of Rio Reservoir that may be counted on to help meet the Montague Flow Target. Lake Wallenpaupack still lists a zero generation schedule through Sunday night. We are coming off a cool night and heading into a cool day so water temperatures should tay in good shape. We should see clouds for most of today. There is some very light precipitation in the weekend’s forecast but we’ll be happy with just the clouds. Olives are definitely still the mainstay on most of the system. Hebes, isonychias, and just a few cahill / stenos are holding on. Caddis are everywhere but the fish seem to eat most of them under the surface.
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 518 cfs |
56° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 404 cfs |
53° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 103 cfs | 51° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 282 cfs |
55° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 907 cfs |
56° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 112 cfs | 54° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 282 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 56° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 75 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 56.2% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 77.9% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 12, 2017
The release from Cannonsville has been dropped to 481 cfs until further notice. This is a good level for wading and floating. The lower flow should concentrate the olives making them more appealing and easier for the fish to rise to. It will make it skinny in spots on the Mainstem since the East Branch has little water right now. We are starting off with clouds this morning that should give way to sun in the afternoon. Once the sun pops look for shaded banks like always. The West is dropping fairly quickly so wading should be no problem even this morning. Nymphing will pick up in the lower water levels too. It looks like the rain is done for the next week but we should have clouds in and out- plus they change the forecast every hour.
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 518 cfs |
56° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 648 cfs |
56° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 108 cfs | 54° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 310 cfs |
60° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,310 cfs |
59° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 128 cfs | 59° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 481 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 56° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 84 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 56.6% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 78% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 11, 2017
Today looks like a good fishing day. We should have clouds moving in by late afternoon with some very light rain without much accumulation. Winds should stay low between 5 – 10 mph. The West Branch is still running over 900 cfs at Hale Eddy. It is possible to wade some areas but the better wading will be on the other rivers in the System. The West is pin perfect shape for throwing streamers from a boat. Usually by the second day of a release increase enough of the algae has filtered out to make it doable. Some of the bigger pools may have a fish or two rising in the afternoon so definitely bring a dry fly rod. If you fish the lower East Branch keep an eye on the water temperature. It crept up towards 68 degrees yesterday afternoon in the sunshine.
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 788 cfs |
56° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 911 cfs |
56° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 110 cfs | 57° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 362 cfs |
62° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,440 cfs |
61° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 166 cfs | 60° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 917 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 56° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 95 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 57% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 78% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 10, 2017
The release from Cannonsville Reservoir has been increased to 917 cfs this morning. This flush of water will bring additional color and algae in the water – especially on the upper WB. Dry fly and nymph fishing will be better on the East, Main, and Beaverkill. Streamers have been working well on the West and that should continue with the higher flow. We my have some sun this afternoon but overall it looks like we’re in for a cloudy week with maybe some light rain here and there. There were a few olives and isonychias on the water yesterday but most of our fish were landed on caddis fished in the riffles. The bushes are loaded with them so it’s a good time to work the shaded banks when they get active.
And we’re back up
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 846 cfs |
56° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 918 cfs |
56° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 115 cfs | 58° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 478 cfs |
63° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,140 cfs |
63° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 315 cfs | 62° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 917 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 59° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 124 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 59.5% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 78.8% |
