All the river levels are good and water temperatures are looking great this morning.  We have some sun shining which should help get the mid-day caddis active.  Hopefully some end up on the water offering a chance of earlier dry fly fishing.  There are a few hendricksons holding on in the upper sections and March Browns are moving up the system.  the sulphur hatch should get better towards the weekend so don’t get off the river early.  The nymphing has picked up with the lower water levels and the fish are eating smaller nymphs that match the olives and sulphurs hatching.  We  may see some rain over the next few days but the ground should absorb most of the precipitation.  The weather people seem to be changing the forecast every few hours and it seems like they are wrong most of the time anyway.  They definitely called the last two storms wrong and they missed us completely.

Louis with a wide bodied rainbow yesterday. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
Sulphur – #16 – Ephemerella dorothea
Hendrickson – #16 – Ephemerella X
Blue Quill – #16 – Paraleptophlebia. adaptiva
March Brown – #10 -2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Dark Grannom – #14 – 18 – Brachycentrus spp.
Apple Green Caddis #16 – 20 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Little Black Caddis – #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

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There are a few hendricksons left but the caddis and march browns were the main hatches yesterday.  There are a few sulphurs and cahills showing up on the warmer stretches that should make the dry fly fishing good towards the weekend.  The water throughout the system has now dropped back to comfortable wade levels and temperatures remain good.  Today looks like a good fishing day with low winds, air temperatures in the low 70’s, and mostly sunshine.  The sun should bring more caddis out of the trees giving the fish more food to find.

Louis with a nice rainbow. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
Sulphur – #16 – Ephemerella dorothea
Hendrickson – #16 – Ephemerella X
Blue Quill – #16 – Paraleptophlebia. adaptiva
March Brown – #10 -2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Dark Grannom – #14 – 18 – Brachycentrus spp.
Apple Green Caddis #16 – 20 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Little Black Caddis – #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

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The flows are still dropping throughout the system and wading is no longer an issue this morning.  Water temperatures look good with most of the system in the mid 50’s.  Hendricksons are still holding on in some sections and the March Brown hatch is progressing with some fish eating them.  We have seen huge amounts of caddis lately and the fish have been rising to them when they are are on the surface.  Today feels like a great blue winged olive day so definitely have that box ready.  The lower water levels have made nymphing a more viable option and we are catching fish before the hatch on the mayfly nymphs and caddis pupa.  We should see some rain showers today but the forecasted totals are negligible.  Air temperatures will be around 60 which is a welcome relief after the July-type temperatures over the weekend.

Bruce Miller ending the weekend with a chunky brown

Hatching:
Hendrickson – #12 – 14 – Ephemerella subvaria
Hendrickson – #16 – Ephemerella X
Blue Quill – #16 – Paraleptophlebia. adaptiva
March Brown – #10 -2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Dark Grannom – #14 – 18 – Brachycentrus spp.
Apple Green Caddis #16 – 20 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Little Black Caddis – #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

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The flows have dropped back throughout the system and we have more safe wadeable water than we’ve seen all season.  The West Branch has finally dropped below 1,000 cfs and is looking good this morning. We’ve had cool nights that have kept the water temperatures in check despite the sun and hot air temperatures.  There are still some hendricksons around and a lot of caddis.  Bring a lot of caddis patterns.  Hendrickson spinners are still making a good showing on the upper rivers.  The March Brown hatch is making it’s way up river and should get stronger over the next week.  A few cahills are showing here and there and the sulphurs can’t be too far behind.  It looks like the next few days will have clouds and rain but the amount of precipitation looks low overall.

Jack’s first Delaware dry fly fish was an awesome one! Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
Hendrickson – #12 – 14 – Ephemerella subvaria
Hendrickson – #16 – Ephemerella X
Blue Quill – #16 – Paraleptophlebia. adaptiva
March Brown – #10 -2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Dark Grannom – #14 – 18 – Brachycentrus spp.
Apple Green Caddis #16 – 20 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Little Black Caddis – #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

Yesterday ended up being a lot warmer than the forecast called for with highs in the 80’s with some wind.  The dry fly fishing started later in the afternoon due to the brright sun but nymphing was good early.  The flows dropped again overnight and now the East Branch and Beaverkill are in great shape for wading.  The West is coming into it’s own and we are seeing more people wading comfortably.  Hendricksons, caddis, and a few march browns seem to make up most of the hatching.  We cooled down overnight and are starting off in the 50’s this morning.  the forecast is calling for cloudy skies, low winds, and air temperatures in the high 60’s.  It looks like a great day to be on the water.

Patrick with a fat brown yesterday. Photo by Bob Lewis

Hatching:
Hendrickson – #12 – 14 – Ephemerella subvaria
Hendrickson – #16 – Ephemerella X
Blue Quill – #16 – Paraleptophlebia. adaptiva
March Brown – #10 -2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Dark Grannom – #14 – 18 – Brachycentrus spp.
Apple Green Caddis #16 – 20 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Little Black Caddis – #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

The release from Cannonsville is 251 cfs and there is 707 cfs still spilling over the top.  The West Branch is finally dropping back to decent wading levels.  There will still be spots that are high and moving quickly but there is a lot more wading water available than we’ve seen all season.  The entire system is looking good this morning with decent levels and water temperatures.  Water temps on the East side drainage have come up a bit but should settle down withe the cooler air temperatures and clouds in the forecast.  Caddis, hendricksons, and march browns are being spotted.  Definitely stay late looking for spinners and keep an eye out for the odd mid-day spinner falls.

Dave with a nice one yesterday. Photo by Steve Shen

Niel with a nice one too. Photo by Samantha Dennis

Hatching:
Hendrickson – #12 – 14 – Ephemerella subvaria
Hendrickson – #16 – Ephemerella X
Blue Quill – #16 – Paraleptophlebia. adaptiva
March Brown – #10 -2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Dark Grannom – #14 – 18 – Brachycentrus spp.
Apple Green Caddis #16 – 20 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Little Black Caddis – #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

Yesterday was another day of mixed caddis and hendricksons on the cooler parts of the system.  Other sections saw good hendrickson spinner falls in the evening.  The wind was not too bad and the warm air temperatures made it feel like July for a bit out there.  The hot weather breaks after today and we’ll drop back to mid to high 60’s for air temps.  The water temperatures on the East Branch drainage have come up quite a bit and that side of the system is getting better and better for wading.  The West Branch held onto the cooler water temperatures due to the higher flows but we are dropping back to more comfortable levels.  People are wading the West Branch and finding success.  The rivers are fishing great and we’re seeing a lot of really nice fish this Spring.

Fred with a really nice brown yesterday. Photo by Ted Smith

Hatching:
Hendrickson – #12 – 14 – Ephemerella subvaria
Hendrickson – #16 – Ephemerella X
Blue Quill – #16 – Paraleptophlebia. adaptiva
March Brown – #10 -2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Dark Grannom – #14 – 18 – Brachycentrus spp.
Apple Green Caddis #16 – 20 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Little Black Caddis – #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

Yesterday was a great day on the water.  The air temperatures stayed pleasant and the clouds stayed around for most of the afternoon.  There seemed to  be fewer hendicksons hatching but the massive amounts of caddis and hendrickson spinners definitely made up for it.  Today should be warmer with some winds that will drop in the afternoon.  There are finally enough leaves on the trees to give some wind protection.  Wading is getting better and better each day as the feeder creeks drop back and the reservoir spills slow down.  If the wind drops in the afternoon do not leave the river early.  We’re seeing quite a few spinners so it’s been worth sticking it out until dark.

Bill with a nice brown yesterday. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
Hendrickson – #12 – 14 – Ephemerella subvaria
Hendrickson – #16 – Ephemerella X
Blue Quill – #16 – Paraleptophlebia. adaptiva
March Brown – #10 -2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Dark Grannom – #14 – 18 – Brachycentrus spp.
Apple Green Caddis #16 – 20 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Little Black Caddis – #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

The hendricksons hatched and the wind blew.  There were fish eating and they were friendly if you could get the fly to them.  All in all not a bad day on the Delaware given the conditions.  The water levels continue to drop and more wading opportunities are opening up.  We are now in a warming spell with air temperatures approaching 70 today with some wind (but less than yesterday).  March browns are moving up the system and hopefully the caddis become more active in the sunshine.

Theo found a good one on top yesterday

Hatching:
Hendrickson – #12 – 14 – Ephemerella subvaria
Hendrickson – #16 – Ephemerella X
Blue Quill – #16 – Paraleptophlebia. adaptiva
March Brown – #10 -2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Dark Grannom – #14 – 18 – Brachycentrus spp.
Apple Green Caddis #16 – 20 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Little Black Caddis – #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

Yesterday fished very well with hendricksons through most of the day.  We had some spinners mixed in with the duns in the afternoon.  Some people never had to leave their spot to find more fish.  We had a few showers pass through in the afternoon and overnight but the rivers look good this morning and are still dropping back.  There were some caddis out there and still some blue quills but the hendricksons seemed to be the bug of choice for the surface feeders.  We’ll be in the high 50’s today with some wind but the bugs should come and the fish will rise along the banks and protected areas.  We start a warming trend tomorrow that will make it feel like summer out there.

Art with a really healthy dry fly eater yesterday. Photo by Al Caucci

Hatching:
Hendrickson – #12 – 14 – Ephemerella subvaria
Hendrickson – #16 – Ephemerella X
Blue Quill – #16 – Paraleptophlebia. adaptiva
March Brown – #10 -2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Dark Grannom – #14 – 18 – Brachycentrus spp.
Apple Green Caddis #16 – 20 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Little Black Caddis – #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

Most of the rain seemed to miss us yesterday and we had a light steady rain all day.  It seemed like the perfect Spring fishing day.  The flows did rise throughout the system overnight but are dropping now.  The East Branch drainage came up the most but is running clear under the Rte 97 Bridge in Hancock this morning.  The West Branch looks good and is slowly dropping now.  The Beaverkill and Upper East are going to be tougher to wade today so keep driving upstream to the Willowemoc.  We had decent hatches of hendricksons on some sections while others saw a smattering of march browns.  We may see a few additional showers today.

Steve with a healthy brown yesterday. Photo by Jared Makowski

Hatching:
Hendrickson – #12 – 14 – Ephemerella subvaria
Blue Quill – #16 – Paraleptophlebia. adaptiva
March Brown – #10 -2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Dark Grannom – #14 – 18 – Brachycentrus spp.
Apple Green Caddis #16 – 20 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Little Black Caddis – #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

We’ve been watching the weather closely over the last few days and the forecast has been all over the place.  The latest forecast this morning is .4″ or less of rain today.  That’s way better than some of the earlier reports.  Winds look light at 7 mph too.  If the rain spreads out over a long period it shouldn’t be an issue.  If things change we’ll post a mid-day update.
We’re still seeing decent hendricksons in sections. We are seeing some of the X hendricksons in #16.  Decent #16 fishing can’t be too far behind so definitely add those to your box.  There are March browns on some sections offering some good big bug fishing.  The East Branch drainage looks good for wading with the flows at both Cooks Falls (Beaverkill) and  Harvard (East Branch) dropping below 600 cfs.  Water temperatures look good with most of the system starting off around 50 degrees this morning.

Mr T with a hefty brown yesterday. Photo by Jared Makowski

Hatching:
Hendrickson – #12 – 14 – Ephemerella subvaria
Blue Quill – #16 – Paraleptophlebia. adaptiva
March Brown – #10 -2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (Stenonema fuscum)
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Dark Grannom – #14 – 18 – Brachycentrus spp.
Apple Green Caddis #16 – 20 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Little Black Caddis – #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update: