Author: Jeff White

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 24, 2020

It rained a little this morning around 6 am.  Not enough fell to affect the river flows but still good to finally see the ground wet.  It’s just awesome to see a cloud!  Today will be a mix of clouds and sun with the air temp about 10 degrees cooler hitting 80 degrees.  Wind will be from the West 10 – 15 mph.  The air temp will drop to the low 50’s tonight which should help the water temps.  The release from Cannonsville was pulsed to 700 for a brief  period overnight but the flow is already dropping back.  The current release is probably 460 cfs so we’ll end up right around where we’ve been for the last few days.  We’ve hard mixed reports from yesterday.  Some people saw okay dry fly fishing and others didn’t – even within a mile or so of each other.  If you’re seeing a few bugs but no fish move.  Sulphurs, cahills, olives, and a few isonychias should cover most of what you will see.  If the clouds stick around it will definitely fish better today.  For day time dry fly action your best bet is in the coldest water.  Evenings have been okay on the lower West Branch.

The lower Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem are all starting off over 70 degrees again today.  Give those rivers a break until they cool down.

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #16 – 18 – E. dorothea
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella
Dark Blue Sedge–  #16 – Psilotetra sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 589 cfs 46°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 750 cfs 50°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 173 cfs 64°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 402 cfs 73°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,170 cfs 71°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 169 cfs 71°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 460 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 62°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 101 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 92.2%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 95.6%

 

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 23, 2020

The lower Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem are all starting off over 70 degrees today.  Give those rivers a break until they cool down.

There was a pulse from Cannonsville last night that brought the flow at Stilesville up to 750 cfs.  It was brief and the river is dropping back this morning to it’s normal flow with a release of 460 cfs.  Today will be warm again with the air temp hitting the high 80’s.  We may see a stray thunderstorm in the afternoon but most of those miss us.  Wind will be 10 – 15 mph from the South.  We cool down a bit tomorrow.  There has been some early morning activity on caddis and left over spinners.  Nymphing and wet flies may be your best bet in the mid day sun.  There are hatches coming off in the evening once the sun drops behind the hills.  Sulphurs, cahills, and caddis make up most of the hatch.  There are some isonychias out too.  Your best bet finding dry fly action mid day is to find the coldest water.

 

Cannonsville pulsing to cool Lordville but only for a brief part of the afternoon

Cannonsville pulsing to cool the Mainstem at Lordville but only for a brief part of the afternoon

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #16 – 18 – E. dorothea
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella
Dark Blue Sedge–  #16 – Psilotetra sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 637 cfs 46°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 791 cfs 48°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 162 cfs 64°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 393 cfs 72°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,210 cfs 71°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 180 cfs 70°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 460 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 58°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 91 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 92.7%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 95.9%

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 22, 2020

The lower Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem all went over 70 degrees yesterday.  Give those rivers a break until they cool down.

There was another small, quick pulse release from Cannonsville to cool the rivers down a bit but the flow is already dropping back.  It’s not enough water or long enough to cool the Mainstem down to a decent temperature for fishing.  It was only enough to keep the Lordville temp within the confines of the management plan.  Nymphing and wets have been working during the day.  Last evening we had a mix of sulphurs and cahills with a few isonychias and small olives in the mix.  Keep your sulphur wets hady even in the evening.  The larger fish we saw were eating them just under the surface and not off the top.  Today will be a lot like yesterday with the air temp hitting the high 80’s, sunshine, and light wind.  We have a small chance of an afternoon thunder shower but it doesn’t look likely to hit us according to Wunderground.  Hopefully we get a few clouds.

Ed landed this early this morning.  Ron Reedy photo

Ed landed this early this morning. Ron Reedy photo

Jesse with a rainbow in yesterday's sunshine.  Bruce Miller photo

Jesse with a rainbow in yesterday’s sunshine. Bruce Miller photo

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #16 – 18 – E. dorothea
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella
Dark Blue Sedge–  #16 – Psilotetra sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 558 cfs 46°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 637 cfs 49°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 165 cfs 62°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 416 cfs 70°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,080 cfs 70°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 194 cfs 70°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 460 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 61°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 97 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 93.5%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 96.5%

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 21, 2020

The lower Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem all went over 70 degrees yesterday.  Give those rivers a break until they cool down.

The was a quick pulse release from Cannonsville to cool the rivers down a bit but the flow is already dropping back.  It’s not enough water or long enough to cool the Mainstem down to a decent temperature for fishing.  It was only enough to keep the Lordville temp within the confines of the management plan.  The thunderstorms missed us again so the rivers are starting off pretty much the same as yesterday.  Today will be in the mid 80’s, sunny, with wind 5 – 10 from the South.  Your best bet for mid afternoon dry fly activity will be in the coldest water.  Otherwise nymphing or swinging wets will be you best bets down below.  Sulphurs, Isos, and caddis.  Blind casting cahills or Isos could also work in the riffles.

 

Mike with a rainbow in the sunshine yesterday.  Samantha Dennis photo

Mike with a rainbow in the sunshine yesterday. Samantha Dennis photo

The brief pulse from Cannonsville overnight.

The brief pulse from Cannonsville overnight.

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #16 – 18 – E. dorothea
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wined Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella
Dark Blue Sedge–  #16 – Psilotetra sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 558 cfs 46°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 632 cfs 49°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 170 cfs 61°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 441 cfs 69°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,120 cfs 69°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 203 cfs 68°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 460 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 59°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 104 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 93.5%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 96.5%

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 20, 2020

The lower Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem all went over 70 degrees yesterday.  Give those rivers a break until they cool down.

We missed yesterday due to server issues.  Everything seems o be back up and running now.  Most of the thunderstorms missed us so the flows haven’t changed much over the last few days.  Nymphing or swinging wet flies are still your best bets during the day.  If you’re looking for the best chance of daytime dry fly activity go to the coldest water.  Sulphurs, light cahills, and isonychias are out there.  Plus we saw some tiny olives coming off yesterday evening. The big dark blue sedges are still around just before dark.  Today we have a little better chance of rain at 60%.  Afternoon thunderstorm are always spotty and a lot of them slide South of us.  Total rainfall according to Wunderground will be less than 1/4″.  Wind 5 – 10 mph from the South.

 

Jeff with an afternoon brown yesterday.  Steve Shen photo

Jeff with an afternoon brown yesterday. Steve Shen photo

Jeff following up with a rainbow.  Steve Shen photo

Jeff following up with a rainbow. Steve Shen photo

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #16 – 18 – E. dorothea
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wined Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella
Dark Blue Sedge–  #16 – Psilotetra sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 542 cfs 46°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 547 cfs 50°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 173 cfs 60°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 462 cfs 69°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,120 cfs 69°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 216 cfs 67°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 450 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 59°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 111 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 93.5%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 96.5%

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 16, 2020

We warm back up today with the air temp hitting the high 70’s.  We’ll see sunshine with no real wind. There’s no precipitation in the forecast until Friday.  People have been finding some fish on top early in the day before the sun hits the water.  If you’re already up here it may be worth checking some of the big pools early.  Mid day with bright sun you may need to break out the nymphs or wet flies. There are a lot of caddis out there so you may find some fish eating in the riffles. Look for edges that get early afternoon shade.  Sulphurs, isos, light olives, and cahills have all been out once the sun starts to drop.  Definitely have some sulphur and isonychia spinners if you’re out until dark.

Peter with a good brown yesterday.  Tim Glynn photo

Peter with a good brown yesterday. Tim Glynn photo

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #16 – 18 – E. dorothea
Green Drake – #8-2xl – E. guttalata
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wined Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella
Dark Blue Sedge–  #16 – Psilotetra sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 582 cfs 45°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 595 cfs 48°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 206 cfs 55°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 629 cfs 61°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,300 cfs 62°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 294 cfs 60°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 500 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 55°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 146 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 94.6%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 97.2%

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 15, 2020

The air temp is in the 40’s again this morning and should climb to the low 70’s this afternoon.  The cold nights have really helped the water temps and we are in great shape this morning.  Multiple species of caddis are out there plus the sulphurs, cahills, and some isonychias.  Some colder sections may still give you a shot at the green drakes so don’t put that box away just et.  Nymphing or swinging wets can be a good way to start the day.  We’ve seen some daytime action but it really turns on once the sun drops a bit.  We’re starting off with sunshine but should see some clouds roll in during the afternoon.  No wind in the forecast which is a rarity this spring.

 

Reggie with an early evening rainbow.  Steve Shen photo

Reggie with an early evening rainbow. Steve Shen photo

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #16 – 18 – E. dorothea
Green Drake – #8-2xl – E. guttalata
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wined Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella
Dark Blue Sedge–  #16 – Psilotetra sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 574 cfs 45°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 595 cfs 47°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 213 cfs 52°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 699 cfs 58°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,380 cfs 60°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 326 cfs 57°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 500 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 54°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 155 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 96%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 97.8%

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 14, 2020

We’re coming off another cold night so water temps are looking good again this morning even on the lower East and Mainstem.  The air temp will reach the high 60’s today with a mix of sun and clouds, wind 3 – 4 mph.  It sounds like another great day to be on the water.  We’re not seeing any rain in the forecast until Friday.  We’re still seeing a good amount of caddis mixed with sulphurs, isonychias, a few green drakes, cahills, and pale evening duns.  The mayflies have been sporadic during the bright sunshine but pick up as the sun drops.  Today looks like a good spinner day if you’re on the water late.

Richard Franklin found a nice fish with Bruce Miller yesterday.  Tamar Franklin photo

Richard Franklin found a nice fish with Bruce Miller yesterday. Tamar Franklin photo

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
March Brown – 10 2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly S. vicarium)
Gray Fox – 12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly S. fuscum)
Sulphur – #16 – 18 – E. dorothea
Green Drake – #8-2xl – E. guttalata
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Dark Blue Sedge–  #16 – Psilotetra sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 574 cfs 45°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 611 cfs 47°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 226 cfs 53°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,030 cfs 61°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,520 cfs 61°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 388 cfs 57°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 500 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 54°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 169 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 96%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 97.8%

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 13, 2020

Last night’s cool weather helped dropped the water temps.  Most of the rivers are starting off a few degrees colder today than we saw yesterday.  The runoff has pushed through and the Beaverkill, East Branch, and Mainstem are back to reasonable levels.  Today will feel totally different from the rest of the week with the air temp only reaching the low 60’s.  We’ll have sunshine and wind 10 – 15 mph from the North.  We’re still seeing a bit of everything on the water but the transition to sulphurs and isonychias is happening.  The higher up the system you fish the more likely you are to see the other mayflies.  Nymphing may be your best bet during the bright sunshine unless the caddis get active over the riffles.

Paul in yesterday's sunshine.  Steve Shen photo

Paul in yesterday’s sunshine. Steve Shen photo

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
March Brown – 10 2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly S. vicarium)
Gray Fox – 12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly S. fuscum)
Sulphur – #16 – 18 – E. dorothea
Green Drake – #8-2xl – E. guttalata
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Dark Blue Sedge–  #16 – Psilotetra sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 574 cfs 46°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 632 cfs 48°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 246 cfs 56°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,030 cfs 61°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,830 cfs 63°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 523 cfs 59°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 500 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 55°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 203 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 96%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 97.8%

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 12, 2020

Yesterday’s rain hit the eastern drainage pretty hard blowing out the Beaverkill.  Flows are dropping but the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls is still just under 1,000 cfs this morning.  The West Branch feeder streams were pushing in some silt but the flow didn’t jump too high and it was clear enough to fish in the afternoon.  There’s no rain in the forecast for today.  We’re cooling back down and the air temp should hit the mid 70’s.  Sunny with a few clouds and win 10 – 15 from the North.  The air temp will drop down in the 40’s tonight which should really help the water temps.  Caddis, sulphurs, and isonychias have been our go to flies over the last couple of days.

 

Mike with a good fish yesterday.  Bruce Miller photo

Mike with a good fish yesterday. Bruce Miller photo

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
March Brown – 10 2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly S. vicarium)
Gray Fox – 12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly S. fuscum)
Sulphur – #16 – 18 – E. dorothea
Green Drake – #8-2xl – E. guttalata
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Dark Blue Sedge–  #16 – Psilotetra sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 582 cfs 46°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 687 cfs 50°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 288 cfs 60°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,680 cfs 64°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 3,150 cfs 66°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 997 cfs 62°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 500 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 59°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 339 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 96%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 97.6%

June 11, 2020 Update

The creeks are adding some color to the rivers after this mornings rain.  It took a while for Oquaga’s dirt to reach the West Branch.  The river flow isn’t changing dramatically so it should filter though and clear in a reasonable amount of time.

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 11, 2020

Yesterday was a tough dry fly day.  Most of the hatching we saw happened at dark.  It was a pretty hot an humid day. Nymphing was definitely the best option but there were some sporadic fish eating caddis that you could target if you were patient.  Daytime activity will be best in the coldest water.  On a good note we’re seeing some isonychias which really starts the fun blind casting in the riffles type fishing.    Today will be cooler with the air temp only reaching the high 70’s.  We may see some thunderstorms in the morning but should clear to partly cloudy by the afternoon.  We’ve had a few storms move through so far.  The river flows have bumped a bit but a lot of the water should soak into the ground.  We found some gray fox spinners on the door this morning so keep that box with you if you are fishing late.

The water temps are too high to fish the lower Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem. Give those rivers a break until they cool down.

 

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
March Brown – 10 2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly S. vicarium)
Gray Fox – 12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly S. fuscum)
Sulphur – #16 – E. dorothea
Green Drake – #8-2xl – E. guttalata
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Dark Blue Sedge–  #16 – Psilotetra sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 589 cfs 46°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 692 cfs 52°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 292 cfs 62°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 603 cfs 68°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,340 cfs 69°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 209 cfs 68°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 500 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 62°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 280 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 96%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 97.6%
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