July 29, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 29, 2021

The release from Cannonsville stayed the same and the flow at Stilesville is 602 cfs.  That keeps us at decent levels for wading and floating.  There were decent daytime hatches of small sulphurs and Isonychias on the upper West.  The lower West had a few caddis and Isonychias but nymphing and blind casting Isonychhias and cahills produced the most fish.  Wunderground is predicting an 80% chance of rain today.  Hopefully most of the storms slide south of us but we keep the cloud cover.  Definitely have your olives ready.  If the storms hit hard enough to color the water try dark streamers.  75 degrees with wind 5 – 10 from the South.

Zack with a great rainbow yesterday. Photo by his father Larry

Liz found dry fly fish on her first day fly fishing!

What’s Hatching:
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – E. invaria
Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Tiny Blue Wing Olive – #20 – 24 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – D. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – E. cornutella, attenuata
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 28, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 28, 2021

We were hit with a good storm late yesterday afternoon but luckily it was brief.  Everything looks good on the West Branch.  The release from Cannonsville was cut slightly bring the flow at Stilesville to 602 cfs.  There is mid day hatching near the dams.  Mid to low West Branch picks up in the evening. Especially on the sunny day. Still sulphurs, olives, and isonychias.  Today will be 78 degrees with a mix of clouds and sun.  Probably more sun.  There is a chance of an afternoon thunderstorm so bring a raincoat.  Wind 5 – 10 mph from the North.

The Beaverkill at Cooks Falls peaked at 70 degrees yesterday.  The lower East and Main hit the high 60’s.

What’s Hatching:
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – E. invaria
Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Tiny Blue Wing Olive – #20 – 24 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – D. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – E. cornutella, attenuata
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 27, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 27, 2021

The release from Cannonsville has been dropped again.  The flow at Stilesville is 686 cfs and falling as of 6 am.  There are definitely a lot more wade opportunities now and it’s still decent for floating.  Sulphurs, Isonychias, and olives are still the main mayflies on the water.  Nymphs and streamers put some fish in the net too.  Match your nymph sizes to naturals.  The daytime activity has be in the colder water sections.  We may see a little rain today so hopefully that pushes all of the bugs a little earlier.  Today is going to be warm hitting 87 degrees.  Wind from the North 5 – 10 mph. There will be some isolated thunderstorms but it’s hard to predict if we’ll get hit.  Bring a raincoat.

The release from Cannonsville has been dropped.

What’s Hatching:
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – E. invaria
Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Tiny Blue Wing Olive – #20 – 24 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – D. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – E. cornutella, attenuata
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 26, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 26, 2021

The West Branch flow at Stilesville is 990 cfs and falling this morning.  The release hotline says 1,066 cfs but that hasn’t matched the gauge in a long time.  The East Branch flow at Harvard is 577 cfs and falljng slowly.  That definitely opens up more wade opportunities on both rivers.  Overall the weekend fished well with a combo of dry fly fishing and streamer fishing.  The streamer fishing may slow down a little as the water drops but nymphing areas will become more defined.  The sulphurs, isonychias, and olives should hatch like normal.  Mid day in the coldest water and evening on the lower river sections.  Especially since we’ll see quite a bit of sun today. Wind will be 5 – 10 mph from the North.

What’s Hatching:
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – E. invaria
Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Tiny Blue Wing Olive – #20 – 24 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – D. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – E. cornutella, attenuata
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 25, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 25, 2021

The flow at Stilesville is 1,380 cfs and dropping slowly this morning.  We had a little rain overnight but only enough to wet the ground.  We may see another shower this morning but it will be a non event for the flows.  Wading is still not recommended on the tailwaters but it is getting better.  The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are at good levels for that.  We should keep the clouds for most of the day.  Yesterday people had another mix of success between streamers, nymphs, and dry flies.  The bright sun made it tougher but fish were landed.  Day time dry fly fishing is better closer to the dam while the lower river sections turn on in the evening.  Sulphurs, olives, and Isonychias.  Have a few cahills too.  Normal July fishing.

Jake found some happy fish yesterday

Marc with a brown yesterday. And one hell of a hat!

What’s Hatching:
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – E. invaria
Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Tiny Blue Wing Olive – #20 – 24 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – D. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – E. cornutella, attenuata
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 24, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 24, 2021

The flows dropped throughout the system yesterday but the best wading is still on the Beaverkill and Willowemoc Rivers.  The West Branch at Stilesville seems to be steady at 1,480 cfs.  It looks like it’s just leveling out. That gauge usually reads 50 – 100 cfs less than the actual release.  Yesterday fished the way we expected with a mix of streamers and dry flies.  Isonychias, olive, sulphurs, and even a few cahills were out there.  Water temps stayed decent on all the rivers yesterday opening up a lot of choices.  It sounded like people caught some fish no matter where they went.  We warm up today with a high of 82 degrees, sunshine, and wind 5 – 10 mph from the South.

Peter with a nice one yesterday. Tim Glynn photo

Gary found some fish yesterday. Bruce Miller photo

What’s Hatching:
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – E. invaria
Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Tiny Blue Wing Olive – #20 – 24 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – D. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – E. cornutella, attenuata
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 23, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 23, 2021

The West and East Branches are still too high to wade with the combination spill and releases.  They are clear and good for floating.  The freestone flows have dropped so there are wade opportunities on the Willowemoc and Beaverkill.  Streamers will be a good choice this weekend but there will be dry fly opportunities.  Olives, Isonychias, and sulphurs should be hatching in the afternoon through the evening. The fish on top will be on edges and slow sections.  The high water spreads the bugs out so be patient if the fish aren’t steady.  We are also clear enough to nymph.  No rain in today’s forecast.  We’ll hit 77 degrees with sunshine.  Wind will be 5 – 10 mph from the North.

What’s Hatching:
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – E. invaria
Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Tiny Blue Wing Olive – #20 – 24 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – D. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – E. cornutella, attenuata
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 22, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 22, 2021

Cannonsville is now spilling.  The flow at Stilesville is 1,600 cfs.  Overall the runoff has dropped and the rivers flows throughout the system are down quite a bit from yesterday.  Wading still is not an option.  Some of the small streams in the headwaters may offer some opportunity.  The clarity has improved a lot since yesterday morning.  Enough that if there are bugs the fish will eat.  Most people will opt for streamers today as their best bet.  We’ll have sunshine, wind 5 – 10 from the North, and hit 75 degrees.  We don’t see any rain in the forecast for the next few days.

What’s Hatching:
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – E. invaria
Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Tiny Blue Wing Olive – #20 – 24 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – D. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – E. cornutella, attenuata
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 21, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 21, 2021

We were hit by more thunderstorms last night and all of the river flows are up this morning. Hale Eddy looks like it’s peaking over 4,000 cfs and is off color.  Cannonsville is not spilling yet so Stilesville is still at 1,400 cfs.  Pepacton is spilling.  Wading is not an option.  Throwing streamers from a boat is the best option.  Luckily the next few days look dry so hopefully the rivers will drop and clear a bit.  We had some Isonychias and olives on the lower West last night and some of the fish were getting on them.  That should pick back up once the flows drop.

The flow at Hale Eddy has peaked. Hopefully we don’t get anymore rain.

What’s Hatching:
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – E. invaria
Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Tiny Blue Wing Olive – #20 – 24 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – D. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – E. cornutella, attenuata
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 20, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 20, 2021

The West Branch flow at Stilesville is a steady 1,400 cfs.   The gauge is off a bit but all that matters is that it’s steady.  No spill from Cannonsville.  Pepacton is spilling a bit.  The rivers are dropping slowly as the runoff subsides.  Wading is still not a great option.  The West Branch has some color in it but it is definitely clear enough to fish.  Most people will be throwing streamers but it is clear enough for fish to eat dry flies.  If the bugs are there fish will eat them.  We’ll have sunshine today with a chance of a stray shower.  We may see 1/4″ of rain overnight.

What’s Hatching:
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – E. invaria
Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Tiny Blue Wing Olive – #20 – 24 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – D. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – E. cornutella, attenuata
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 19, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 19, 2021

The West Branch at Stilesville shows a steady 1,400 cfs this morning.  So it’s high, clear, and not spilling. People are getting out a bit up there but it’s really tough at this level.  The West Branch at Hale Eddy is 2,860 cfs and dropping.  There is color in the water but it looks much, much better than it did yesterday.  On the graph it looks like the East Branch is spilling.  Wading is not recommended anywhere.  You will see people trying it.  Use your best judgement.

We shouldn’t see any additional rain today and tomorrow so the rivers should continue to clear and drop.

What’s Hatching:
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – E. invaria
Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Tiny Blue Wing Olive – #20 – 24 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – D. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – E. cornutella, attenuata
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 18, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 18, 2021

All of the river flows are way up this morning.  The Beaverkill  is over 5,000 cfs, the East Branch at Fishs Eddy is over 10,000 cfs, and the West Branch at Hale Eddy is just under 3,000 cfs.  There is some big water out there.  The feeder streams are adding a lot of water below hale so keep that in mind.  All of the rivers are going to be off color. It looks like Pepacton is spilling and Cannonsville is very close.  Stilesville is steady around 1,400 this morning.  Keep an eye on the gauge if you are up there in case the spill begins.  While not ideal at 1,400 cfs that is the only place there is a shot at wading today. Definitely not ideal.   If you do it be careful and watch for rising water.

Daniel found one before the rivers came up yesterday

What’s Hatching:
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – E. invaria
Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Tiny Blue Wing Olive – #20 – 24 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – D. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 20 – E. cornutella, attenuata
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update: