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

May 8, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 8, 2016

We had another day of decent hatching with Hendricksons, Blue Winged Olives, and Blue Quills.   Some sections had decent March Browns mixed with tan caddis.  We have heard a few rumors of people seeing cornutas so definitely carry of few of those in your box just in case.  The hatching has been happening later in the afternoon so a lot people are having success nymphing in the morning before the dryfly action starts.
We had a brief heavy shower overnight but the creeks and rivers look fine this morning.  Today’s forecast is calling for partly sunny skies with the wind picking up mid day – gusts to 20 mph.  Once that happens find a wind sheltered spot and the fish should still rise.  Streamers and nymphs should be a good bet today too.  The wind will decrease after today and we’re looking forward to a decent weather week.
We have moved up to Table 4D under the FFMP so we now have a release of 224 cfs from Cannonsville.  Better but still not good enough given the amount of water in the system.

Tim with a wide tailed rainbow this weekend. Photo by Bruce Miller

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 7, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 7, 2016

We received some much needed rain yesterday that should keep the rivers in decent shape for a while.  It did seem to come down heavy at times but the rivers look fishable this morning and it’s good to see them filled bank to bank.  The West Branch is in good shape and is definitely wadeable above Oquaga Creek in Deposit.  Below that there are definitely wadeable spots in tailouts and wide pools.  The Beaverkill is high with over 1,000 cfs flowing at Cooks Falls.  The Mainstem looks good and is flowing at 4,220 cfs at Lordville.
The hatch activity seemed to vary by river section.  The water was on the rise yesterday and that may have played a role.  Some people reported decent olives and hendricksons while other people only found a few risers.  Streamers were productive during the day- especially before the sun popped out around 6 pm.  Today should fish better with falling water, overcast skies, and maybe a light shower or two.

Chris with a big, chunky one 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)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis – almost gone – you’ll still find a few here and there

May 6, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 6, 2016

Yesterday was another good day on the river.  The hatching started a little later than expected but we had the same mix of Blue Winged Olives, Hendricksons, Blue Quills, plus March Browns on some sections.  We also saw a few fish eat some tan caddis just to add to the mix.  Cripples and emerger patterns seemed to work the best again.  With so many bugs on the water the fish can afford to be choosy so they are eating the most vulnerable insects.  We’re still seeing a lot of eating in the water column due to the shear volume of bugs.  The clouds hung around most of the day and the rain held off.
The system is starting off today very similar to yesterday in both water temperatures and flows.  Winds are forecasted to be manageable ranging from 4 to 9 mph.  We are in for some showers early turning into a steady rain by mid-day. That’s great news for the reservoirs.  Hopefully the additional precipitation will help DEP make the right decision and bump us up a few tables in the FFMP.  The West Branch is your best bet for wading and gets easier as you move above each feeder stream.
If today’s rain colors the river or the flows increase to a level that makes wading questionable we will post a new report.  It could turn into a great streamer afternoon.  Right now everything is in great shape.

Dave had another good day on the Delaware. 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 5, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 5, 2016

The great fishing continues.  It took the olives a little longer to get going than we expected yesterday but once they came they really came in big numbers.  We’re still seeing decent numbers of Hendricksons in areas plus heavy hatches of Blue Quills.  Once the fish got going by mid-afternoon they were very happy.  The overcast skies should continue today without the rain showers so it’s shaping up to be a great day on the water.  Nymphing should be good in the morning with all of the nymphs migrating for the hatch.  The dry fly action has been starting between 1 – 2 pm and lasting into the evening.  We have seen Hendrickson spinners mixed with the hatching duns so look carefully when you see a fish rising.  Some of the spinners are flush in the film while others have the upright wings and look like duns at first glance.  The system levels and temperatures are starting off this morning as a mirror image of yesterday.
Life is tough when your biggest problem is too many mayflies on the water.

Jordan with a nice Mainstem brown. Photo by Jared Makowski

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 4, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 4, 2016

We don’t say this very often but call in sick and come fish.  The Delaware System is fishing better than it has in recent memory.  The hatching over the last few days has been incredible.  Blue Winged Olives, Hendricksons, Blue Quills. and March Browns are even showing on some sections.  The olive wings have looked like foam in the back eddies. Overcast skies, a few showers, and light winds under 10 mph are in the forecast for the next few days.

Ty and Steve Shen with a great brown yesterday

Yesterday’s bugs in a back eddy. Photo by Bill Zagarski

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 3, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 3, 2016

Once the rain stopped yesterday ended up being a great fishing day.  Blue winged Olives (#18 – 20) and Hendicksons (#14 – 16)  were out in force on some sections of river.  We saw a lot of rising fish and a lot of fish were landed.  There was very little wind and the cloud cover stuck around for the majority of the day.  The rivers were coming up a bit from the runoff but the water color stayed in decent shape.  One of the better fishing days in a while.
We woke up to steady light showers this morning but they are done for a while.  We may see a few more light showers come and go through the afternoon but the precipitation totals won’t be much.  Winds look light with a forecast of 4 mph.    Driving the rivers this morning the lower East Branch, Mainstem, and lower West Branch all look fine.  They may have a little color but they are definitely fishable.  The Beaverkill is running over 700 cfs so the lower East has a shot of water coming down.  The West Branch at hale Eddy is at 601 cfs and dropping. There is still some runoff coming off the hills so the lower West will be a little higher but it is still good for wading and floating.
This is shaping up to be a great fishing week.

Bruce Miller found a big brown yesterday

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria – Definitely Spinners – duns are waning on some sections still strong on others
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 2, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 2, 2016

Yesterday was cold, windy, wet, and fished surprisingly well. Accuweather called the wind wrong again and while we did have some gusts it stayed at a reasonable level for most of the day.   Once the rain let up mid day we had blanket hatches of Blue Winged Olives (#18 – 20) plus decent flushes of Hendricksons (#14-16).  The fish seemed keyed into to olive emergers for a while and a CDC emerger on a curved shank worked well.   Not all the fish were active on top but if you were willing to hunt around a bit there were some very nice fish rising steadily.  Despite the cold I would take yesterday’s fishing anytime.  This should be a fun week with options ranging from Hendrickson fishing to hunting down the March Brown hatch.
The release from Cannonsville Reservoir has been dropped to 150 cfs under Table 4A in the FFMP plan.  Luckily we have cool nights, cloud cover, and daytime temperatures in the mid 60’s so water temperatures should be fine.  The lower water on the West Branch is a wader’s dream and should push the bugs to hatch.  The Mainstem and East Branch received a little help from the rain and both are floatable and wadeable in most sections.  The Beaverkill is also at a great level this morning.
We should have warmer air temperatures and light rain over the next few days.  Winds should be slight all week while this system just kind of sits on us.  We should see some really good fishing over the next few days.

Theo stuck it out yesterday and found a nice brown

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria – Definitely Spinners – duns are waning on some sections still strong on others
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 1, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 1, 2016

Yesterday was the definition of bug soup.  The menu changed depending on your location but there was some major hatching on the river.  March Browns came off on some sections while others had blanket Blue Wing Olive and Blue Quill  hatches.  Some people even saw pockets of decent Hendrickson hatches mid day.  A lot of olives were being taken just under the surface so a wet fly would have shined.  We did well on CDC emergers and the classic rusty spinner.  The river doesn’t fish much better than it did yesterday.
We’re in for a bit of a weather change today with air temps in the 40’s, rain, and winds around 10 mph (if Accuweather is correct).  Weatherunderground has roughly the same forecast with the rainfall totaling .29 of an inch.  Hopefully we get enough precipitation over the next few days to make Cannonsville Reservoir spill.  Keep an eye on the water temperatures.  Hopefully they rise enough today to create some hatching.

Chris with a great brown yesterday. Photo by Kevan Smaracko

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria – Definitely Spinners – duns are waning on some sections still strong on others
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
Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniidae sp. – Waning
Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taenopteryx & Strophopteryx spp. – Waning