May 20, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 20, 2016

The river was finicky yesterday and the quality of the fishing was totally dependent on where you were.  Depending on the section there were apple caddis, tan caddis, small hendricksons, olives, march browns, gray fox, sulphurs, and even some green drakes.  It sounds like the best plan yesterday was to keep moving until you found the bugs and fish.  Some parts of the system were very slow while others produced decent action for most of the day.
The West Branch is still dropping as the spillover from Cannonsville and the runoff from the tributaries subsides.  Weatherunderground is calling for a sunny day with air temps in the mid 70’s.  Winds should be under 8 mph and then drop to almost nothing by the afternoon.

some nice fish were found yesterday.  Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 19, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 19, 2016

The cloud cover stuck around most of the day, the bugs hatched, and the fish were happy.  Some sections are still seeing decent hatches of hendricksons and apple caddis while other sections are seeing march browns, gray fox, and sulphurs starting up.  The spill from Cannonsville Reservoir is dropping so we are seeing the flow drop below the reservoir this morning.  We should be at great wading levels this weekend.  We have more sun today with warm air temperatures and light winds.  It’s going to be a pleasant day out there.

Dennis with a nice brown yesterday. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 18, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 18, 2016

Yesterday fished well with the overcast sky and light winds.  The hatching ramains the same with some hendricksons holding on in stretches and march brown s and sulphurs coming off in other areas.  We have seen a few light cahills and there have been tan caddis showing up just about everyone on low wind sunny days.  There have also been a few cornutas and pseudos on stretches.  We have picked up a few green drakes but haven’t seen a “hatch” yet.  Streamer fishing has been decent over the last few days and should continue to be good as long as we have the higher flows and overcast skies.  Cannonsville is still spilling but the flow behind the dam is dropping.  We should see the West Branch flow below the dam slowly drop over the next few days.  The release is steady at 300 cfs.
The forecast is calling a cloudy sky and warmer air temperatures today approaching 70 degrees.  Wind will be negligible with gusts to 5 mph.  It’s shaping up to be a great day on the water.  The extended forecast looks just as good with a chance of light showers on Saturday.

Dan with a pretty brown yesterday. Photo by Samantha Dennis

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 17, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 17, 2016

It looks like the heavy winds are behind us for a while.  Weatherunderground is forecasting gusts to 9 mph and dropping in the evenings through the weekend.  That’s going to be a welcome change.  We have a small chance of very light rain today but the rest of the week looks clear and warm.  Yesterday was similar to Sunday with winds that made dry fly fishing difficult until the evening.  Once the wind dropped around 6 pm there were sulphurs march browns on some sections and olives in other areas.
Cannonsville Dam is still spilling but the West Branch above the reservoir is beginning to drop.  Sections are wadeable at this level plus both sections of the East Branch and the Beaverkill are in good wading shape.  Streamers and nymphing have been effective before the hatches begin.

Steve cooking a stream side lunch. Photo by Bob Lewis

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 16, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 16, 2016

While the wind was tough yesterday there were bugs and fish eating them during the lulls.  Some sections of the river had decent sulphur hatches around 6 pm and the fish were happy.  When the wind was blowing the bugs were getting blown off the water quickly and the birds benefited the most.  During the wind people who braved the weather had some success fishing streamers.  It was a tough day overall and you had to capitalize on the opportunities you were given.  We’re starting off cool this morning but the air temperatures should reach the low 60’s by mid afternoon.  We will be dealing with strong winds again mid-day but it looks like they should drop in the evening.  It sounds very similar to yesterday.

Peter with a brown over the weekend. Photo by Bob Lewis

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 15, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 15, 2016

Cannonsville is still spilling and the flow at Hale Eddy is 1,100 cfs this morning and just beginning to drop back a bit.  Sections of the West Branch are still wadeable at this level along with the Upper East Branch, Beaverkill, and sections of the Lower East Branch.  The system looks clear and fishable this morning.  The air temperatures will be cooler today approaching 50 degrees by mid-afternoon.  We will have some wind gusts to deal with- how heavy depends on which weather station you are watching.  If it gets too windy for fish to rise streamers and nymphing should be productive.  If you are fishing the West Branch nymph on the lower sections of river because we do have the algea breaking loose due to the increased flows.  There is less now than we had a couple of days ago so that is clearing up and filtering out of the system.
The hatches remain the same with March Browns, Tan Caddis, and Hendricksons still holding on in some sections.  We may have some olives hatching with the overcast skies and intermittent rain. We do have a “Freeze Watch” in effect tonight so bring some warmer gear- especially if you stay out after the sun drops behind the hills.

The flow above Cannonsville has leveled off around 650 cfs this morning

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 14, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 14, 2016

Cannonsville Reservoir continues to spill this morning giving us a flow of 548 cfs at Stilesville.  The release is 300 cfs so the rest is coming over the top.  The West Branch above the reservoir is flowing in over 800 cfs so the spill will increase throughout the day. We were hit with some decent rains yesterday so the rivers throughout the system are in good shape and look good this morning.  Water temperatures look great and we should have a great week coming up.
Hatches remain the same with some sections seeing Hendricksons and others mainly March Browns.  Tan Caddis #16 -20 are throughout the system and we are still finding decent numbers of Apple Caddis #18 on some sections.  Gray Fox should start showing anytime and the Green Drakes cannot be too far behind.  You will find sulphurs and Cahills beginning to pop in some sections too.  Keep an eye out for alewives on the West Branch.  The upper West Branch has some slime floating down but that should flush out.
We should have mid- 60’s for air temperatures today with cloudy skies and maybe a light shower or thunderstorm.  Winds may gust to the low teens but if the bugs hatch you will find fish rising in the protected areas.

Mark with a big brown yesterday. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 13, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 13, 2016

The bright sun seemed to hold the bugs and fish back a bit yesterday but there were definitely opportunities.  We did see some caddis, march browns, and hendricksons on the water.  Some fish were eating even in the sun.  The trick was making the best of each opportunity.  Once the sun dropped the fish and the bugs were happier.
Today looks a little better from a fishing standpoint with clouds, mild air temps in the mid 60’s, and a little over 1/4″ of rain.  We could see decent olive hatches again reminiscent of last week’s.  Along with the #18 – 22 olives definitely have a few cornutas with you just in case the hatch in good numbers today.
Cannonsville is still spilling and the West Branch is both wadeable and floatable.  The surface temperature of the reservoir is warm so you will notice higher water temps right off the bat from Stilesville all the way down the Mainstem today.

Nickey Bulleit coming through again

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 12, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 12, 2016

Cannonsville Reservoir is spilling just a little this morning and is at 100.2% capacity.  The West Branch remains wadeable and in good shape.  The gauge at Stilesville show a flow of 293 cfs and is slowly rising.  The release is still 224 cfs this morning.  Most fish were caught on caddis (apple #18 & tan #18), but there were still hendricksons and march browns hatching in different sections of river.  The weather looks great for hendrickson spinners but we haven’t seen huge swarms yet.  Hopefully today is the day.
Today looks like a  mirror image of yesterday with sun and low winds.  We should see some rain tomorrow- the amount forecasted totally depends on which weather channel you watch.  Most have us around 1/4″ which shouldn’t affect the system much.

Nickey Bulleit with a cool brown that recovered from a serious injury. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis – almost gone – you’ll still find a few here and there

May 11, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 11, 2016

We’re coming off another cool night with frost on the windshields this morning.  That great for the water temperatures.  We had decent clouds roll in yesterday afternoon just in time for the hatches.  The menu hasn’t changed with a healthy mix of hendricksons, blue quills, tan caddis, apple caddis, and march browns depending on what section of river you are fishing.  The wind was not a factor yesterday which was a great relief after Sunday and Monday.
Today will feel like summer out there with mid 70’s, virtually no wind, and clear skies.  The cloud cover has been nice but it does feel good to have the sunshine hit you out there.  Nymphing should be productive in the morning with the hatches coming later in the day.  Caddis should be active all day in the sunshine so keep an eye out for splashy risers.

Cannonsville is at 99.8% capacity this morning and Pepacton is at 99.9% capacity.

Nick back at it. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis – almost gone – you’ll still find a few here and there

May 10, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 10, 2016

The wind yesterday was definitely an improvement over what we faced Sunday.  We still had some gusts to deal with but there were enough breaks to get the fish eating on top and it was low enough to cast.  We saw decent numbers of Hendricksons coming off mid- afternoon.  A lot of females were on the water at times.  We thought it would be a decent caddis day since it was the first really sunny day we’ve seen in a while.  We were correct and there were fish eating apple caddis (#18) and little tan caddis (#18 – 20) in the afternoon.  March Browns are still making their way up the system and we are finding nymphs that look ready to go soon.
Today’s forecast looks great with air temps hitting the mid 60’s, partial cloud cover, and winds gusting only to 6 mph mid day then dropping.  We are coming off a cold night so it may take a while for the hatching today.  Nymphing could pay off in the morning as the clarity is good throughout the system and flows are slowly dropping back.
Cannonsville and Pepacton levels have been updated and sit at 99.5% and 99.9% capacity respectively.

Jack with a great Delaware rainbow. Photo by Kevan Smaracko

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis – almost gone – you’ll still find a few here and there

May 9, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 9, 2016

The story of yesterday was the wind.  Some of the gusts were over 20 mph making fishing extremely difficult.  There were bugs hatching and some fish rising in protected areas and in between gusts but it looked like the geese ate more of the mayflies than the trout.  Nymphing was productive but it was still better in river bends that had some protection. We’re still seeing Hendricksons, Blue Quills, Blue Winged Olives, Tan Caddis, plus the March Browns.
Comparatively today’s forecast looks much, much better.  We will still have some mid-day wind but nothing like yesterday and it looks like it will drop back in the afternoon.  We looking at cool nights and warm day time air temperatures over the next few days.  We should also see more sun than we’ve been accustomed to.  The next rain isn’t forecasted until Friday but that may change over the next couple of days.
Most of the system’s flows have dropped as the runoff subsides.  This should slowly continue over the next few days.  The reservoir levels haven’t been updated since the rain.

Les with a well fed brown over the weekend.  He’s been eating well!

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis – almost gone – you’ll still find a few here and there