May 21, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 21, 2019

The rivers are dropping slowly and the West Branch is clear enough to fish today.  The wall of mud came through around 7 am but seemed to begin to clear up by late afternoon.  We still have color in the West but it looks much better than it did at lunch time yesterday.  The Eastern drainage is clear.  That must have been quite a thunderstorm that hit above Cannonsville and upstream on Oquaga Creek.  The best wading is still on the Beaverkill / Willowemoc.  The Beaverkill at Cooks Falls flow has dropped back under 1,000 cfs again this morning.  We’re back to cooler air temps but we’ll have to deal with the wind today as the front finishes pushing through.  That should be finished tomorrow and the wind will drop and we may see some sunshine.  There were a lot of hendrickson spinner flying in the yard last night so definitely have that box ready today.  Nymphing will be a good option in the wind.

Hatching:
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Dark Hendrickson  – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 -14 – E. subvaria (female)
March Brown – #10- 2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema vicarium)
Gray Fox – 12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Quills – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva – mostly spinners
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Brachycentrus sp.
Dark Grannom – #16 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 20, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 20, 2019

Morning update. 9 am.  The stream runoff has caught up with us on the lower West Branch and we are off color.  It is still safe to float.  Hold off fishing the West today.  It should be clear enough to fish tomorrow

The bright sun made fishing tougher than we’ve been used to but bugs hatched and fish were landed.  We still have the mix of hendricksons and caddis on some river sections while other sections are caddis and the first few march browns.  Hopefully the march brown and gray fox hatches push soon.  It looks like the western drainage got more rain than the Eastern side last night.  The Beaverkill / Willowemoc still offer the best bet for wading.  The Beaverkill at Cooks Falls flow bumped to 1,000 cfs but it looks like it is peaking.  The West Branch at Hale Eddy is over 4,000 cfs so definitely no wading over here.  It is fine to float and is fishable this morning.It looks like the rain is done for the most part and we’re in for a warm day.  We should cool down tonight and have normal temperatures for a while.

Pat made a successful appearance on the river yesterday. Michael Johnson photo

Hatching:
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Dark Hendrickson  – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 -14 – E. subvaria (female)
March Brown – #10- 2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema vicarium)
Gray Fox – 12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Quills – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva – mostly spinners
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Brachycentrus sp.
Dark Grannom – #16 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 19, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 19, 2019

Yesterday people caught fish on hendricksons, hendrickson spinners, and caddis.  The dry fly fishing was good on some sections with a mix of bugs.  Nymphing produced fish befroe thehhatches started.  It was sunny with light wind making it one of the better spinner days of the year so far.  Today is going to feel more like Summer with the air temp hitting 80 degrees and thunderstorms moving in towards the evening.  Wind should be 5 – 10 mph from the South.  The Beaverkill at Cooks Falls flow has dropped to 800 cfs offering more wade opportunities.  The Upper Beaverkill and Willowemoc are in great shape for wading.

Kevin with a good fish yesterday. Steve Shen photo

Theo with a good one in yesterday’s sun. Sean Tallon photo

Hatching:
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Dark Hendrickson  – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 -14 – E. subvaria (female)
March Brown – #10- 2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema vicarium)
Gray Fox – 12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Quills – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva – mostly spinners
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Brachycentrus sp.
Dark Grannom – #16 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 18, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 18, 2019

Yesterday was a mix of dry fly fishing and nymph fishing.  People who swiched up methods did well overall and there were some really nice fish landed.  There are still hendricksons and blue quills on some river sections while we wait for the march brown hatch to intensify on other sections.  Different caddis species are hatching on different river sections but we are seeing them just about everywhere.  The warm weather continues and we should see the air temp hit 70 degrees today.  We should have sunshine with a few clouds with wind 5 – 10 out of the North.  The river flows are dropping slowly.  The reservoirs are still spilling so the West Branch and East Branch will drop the slowest.  The Beaverkill flow has dropped below 1,000 cfs so there are some wade opportunities there now.  There is no real amount of precipitation forecasted in the near future.

Ed with a nice fish yesterday. Steve Shen photo

Doug and Bruce with a nice brown yesterday

Hatching:
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Dark Hendrickson  – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 -14 – E. subvaria (female)
March Brown – #10- 2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema vicarium)
Gray Fox – 12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Quills – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva – mostly spinners
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Brachycentrus sp.
Dark Grannom – #16 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 17, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 17, 2019

Yesterday was a good day to be on the river.  Sunny and warm.  The caddis were out and there were some hendricksons and blue quills hatching in the afternoon.  The bright sun kept some of the risers sporadic but it picked up as the sun dropped behind the hills.  We are seeing some hendrickson spinners hitting the water in the evening.  The apple caddis showed up in good numbers on some river sections offering some opportunities earlier in the day.  Nymphing and swinging wets has also payed off.  The wind played havoc with the hatches at times but overall the fish were happy.  Today looks even better with a few more clouds, a light shower, and winds 5 – 10 from the West.

Doug with a brown in the sunshine. Steve Shen photo

Eric with a really dark fish yesterday. Steve Shen photo

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

Dark Hendrickson  – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 -14 – E. subvaria (female)
March Brown – #10- 2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema vicarium)
Gray Fox – 12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Quills – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva – mostly spinners
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Brachycentrus sp.
Dark Grannom – #16 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 16, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 16, 2019

We’re still seeing hendricksons, blue quills, and a handful of march browns.  There are a few species of caddis out there too so definitely have your caddis box handy.   The sun actually came out yesterday and fish were landed on dry flies and nymphs.  We did get some afternoon rain that came through quick but not enough fell to really affect the flows.  Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs are both spilling again.  Wading is tough on the main rivers but people are finding a few spots to get out far enough to catch some fish.  Just use your judgement and be careful.  The Beaverkill is dropping so you should definitely be able to find wadeable water in the upper stretches of that system.  Today looks beautiful with air temps hitting the mid 60’s, afternoon sunshine, and winds under 10 mph.

Eric with a good fish yesterday. Samantha Dennis photo

Leonard with a good one during the afternoon shower. Bruce Miller photo

Hatching:
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Dark Hendrickson  – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 -14 – E. subvaria (female)
March Brown – #10- 2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema vicarium)
Gray Fox – 12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Quills – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva – mostly spinners
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Brachycentrus sp.
Dark Grannom – #16 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 15, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 15, 2019

There were bugs hatching and fish eating on top yesterday.  We mostly saw hendricksons and blue quills with a few caddis mixed in.  There were periods of light rain and it was cool but we never had any heavy precip fall yesterday.  Plus there was no wind.  The river flows are pretty much where we started of yesterday so fishing from a boat is definitely the way to go.  The Beaverkill flow is dropping quickly and will offer some wade opportunities first.  It’s still running high today though so if you want to wade explore the headwaters and small feeder streams.  The air temps should get back to normal today with a high of 60 degrees.  We may actually see the sun today in the late afternoon.  Wind from the north around 10 mph.  We still have some color in the water but it’s definitely better than yesterday and is fishable.

The Beaverkill flows are dropping quick- hopefully the rain is done

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

Dark Hendrickson  – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 -14 – E. subvaria (female)
March Brown – #10- 2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema vicarium)
Gray Fox – 12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Quills – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva – mostly spinners
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Brachycentrus sp.
Dark Grannom – #16 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 14, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 14, 2019

We had quite a bit of rain fall yesterday.  It was one of the steady all day rains so it really took a while to notice the river flows changing.  All of the river flows are up this morning and wading is not an option today.  It is safe to float.  The West Branch is off color and it definitively looks like a streamer day.  It’s not chocolate milk but it definitely has color.  Right now Cannonsville Reservoir is not spilling so most of the water is coming from the feeder streams.  If we don’t see much additional rain we should be in better dry fly shape tomorrow as the runoff subsides.  Today also looks like the last day of cooler weather and we see air temps climb back into the 60’s beginning tomorrow.  There’s no significant rain in the forecast through the weekend.

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

Dark Hendrickson  – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 -14 – E. subvaria (female)
March Brown – #10- 2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema vicarium)
Gray Fox – 12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Quills – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva – mostly spinners
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Brachycentrus sp.
Dark Grannom – #16 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 13, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 13, 2019

A few fish were landed yesterday on nymphs and streamers but the dry fly fishing didn’t really happen.  The temperature drop brought by the front moving through was pretty significant.  The rain was steady all day but not really heavy. It was enough to bump the river flows but most of the system has already peaked and is dropping back this morning.  Wading is going to be tough today.  The head waters of the Beaverkill system would be the best bet.  If you’re wading give the rivers a day or two to drop and keep an eye on the flows.  The West Branch is clear enough to fish this morning but would be best fished from a boat.  The air temp will be cooler again today staying in the 40’s before climbing back to the 60’s mid week.  There is some rain in the forecast today but the amount predicted seems to change every time we look.  Most of it should fall after lunch so if you’re heading out definitely bring a raincoat.  We may see another 1/2 spread out over the afternoon much like yesterday.

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

Dark Hendrickson  – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 -14 – E. subvaria (female)
Blue Quills – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva – mostly spinners
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Brachycentrus sp.
Dark Grannom – #16 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 -16  – Taeniopteryx spp.
Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 12, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 12, 2019

Yesterday turned out to be a pretty decent day with bugs, fish, and good weather.  People saw good flushes of hendricksons and blue quills followed by some a few spinners in the evening.  Different river sections saw different action but it seemed like everyone we spoke to found something.  We had a shower or two overnight but there hasn’t been enough to change the river flows.  The lower water has made wading an option – especially on the Beaverkill.  There are people wading all of the rivers in spots.  It depends on your comfort level.  The weather reports have been changing every time we look but right now it looks like we’ll have a steady rain for most of the day with over 1/2″ falling.  If it really comes over the course of 8 – 10 hours that’s not so bad.  If the flows change dramatically we’ll update this post.  Wind will be out of the East 8 – 10 mph with the air temp staying in the 40’s.

Jackie spent some time nymphing yesterday

Richard and Bruce yesterday. Photo by Tamar

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

Dark Hendrickson  – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 -14 – E. subvaria (female)
Blue Quills – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva – mostly spinners
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Brachycentrus sp.
Dark Grannom – #16 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 -16  – Taeniopteryx spp.
Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 11, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 11, 2019

Overall yesterday turned out to be a nice day.  We had a mix of sun and clouds with light wind and it definitely hit 70 degrees.  There was a heavy but brief rainstorm in the afternoon but things went right back to normal after it passed through.  Caddis, olives, hendricksons, and blue quill spinners were around.  We’re also starting to see some March Browns on some river sections.  Today’s forecast looks nice with a partly cloudy sky, wind 5 – 10 mph out of the North, and an air temp around 60 degrees.  It’s breezy and cool this morning but if Wunderground is correct it should calm down a bit over the next few hours.  The flows bumped up slightly from the rain but not enough to be noticeable on most rivers.  Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs have both stopped spilling and the freestone stream flows should keep dropping slowly as the runoff subsides

Bob Lewis releasing a good fish

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

Dark Hendrickson  – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 -14 – E. subvaria (female)
Blue Quills – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva – mostly spinners
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Brachycentrus sp.
Dark Grannom – #16 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 -16  – Taeniopteryx spp.
Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 10, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 10, 2019

The wind made yesterday a really tough one on the water. Some of those gusts had to be over 25 mph.  At least the rain held off during the day.  On a good note the flows are still dropping throughout the system despite the overnight rain.  Everything looks good this morning.  Today’s rain forecast has been reduced considerably and we should only see 1/4″ of rain spread out over 7 hours.  The air temp will hit the low 70’s .  It looks like a good day to be on the water.  Hendricksons, caddis, blue quill spinners, and olives.

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

Dark Hendrickson  – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 -14 – E. subvaria (female)
Blue Quills – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva – mostly spinners
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Brachycentrus sp.
Dark Grannom – #16 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 -16  – Taeniopteryx spp.
Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update: