Delaware River Report / Conditions May 9, 2018

Hendricksons, olives, and apple caddis.  There was an unbelievable amount of bugs out there yesterday.  Some of the fish were eating on top, some of the fish were eating underneath.  Some were easy, some were tough.  It was a fun day to be on the water.  Hendrickson emergers worked well but there were a lot of egg laying caddis around.  Today will be mostly sunny, 72 degrees, with wind around 5 mph.  It’s going to be a beautiful day on the water.  The Beaverkill flow has dropped back to a decent wading level and looks good.  The release from Cannonsville Dam has been dropped to 1190 cfs with only 91 cfs coming over the spillway.  We may see a few thunderstorms tomorrow  bu they are usually wrong about that.  It does mean we should have some decent cloud cover.  The precipitation forecast is only .12″ so it should do much to the flows.

 

Photo by Bruce Miller

Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
Hendrickson  #12 – 14 –  E. subvaria
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Dark Grannom – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,240 cfs 46°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 1,550 cfs 44°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 806 cfs 44°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,620 cfs 52°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 3,540 cfs 51°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 625 cfs 52°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,190 cfs  Spill = 91 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 45°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 969 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 100.5%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.3%

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 8, 2018

The fish were looking up yesterday.  It sounded like most people found fish eating hendricksons or apple caddis off the surface.  Last night we heard the reports we’ve been expecting every day for the last two weeks.  You still need to look for the warmer water temps but the fish are finally happy.  Finally.  We’re starting off with a little more sun today but the air temperature should be about the same as yesterday.  We may get an afternoon shower with a .01″ of accumulation.  That pretty much just gives us cloud cover.  Wind will be 5 mph out of the south.  Today looks really good.

We could have skipped the written report today and just filled it with yesterdays fish pictures.  Finally.

 

 

Nick having a good birthday yesterday.  Photo by Steve Shen

Nick having a good birthday yesterday. Photo by Steve Shen

I think Ted is happy.  Photo by Fred Nelson

I think Ted is happy. Photo by Fred Nelson

Hatching:
Hendrickson  #12 – 14 –  E. subvaria
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Dark Grannom – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,610 cfs 45°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 1,950 cfs 43°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 825 cfs 44°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,720 cfs 49°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 4,340 cfs 48°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 695 cfs 50°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 117 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 44°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,090 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 100.6%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.4%

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 7, 2018

The rain fell steady for most of yesterday.  Even though it was a light rain for most of the day it was a soaker.  A good day to have two raincoats because the first one will soak through.  The rain was a little heavier later in the day but the rivers held up well.  Streamers worked well on some river sections and there were some fish landed on dries. Overall it looked like a tough day. Today we go back to warmer air temps with sunshine in the afternoon.  The water temps dropped a little overnight but will come up quickly with the afternoon sun.  The flows are up slightly but nothing crazy.  The Beaverkill only increased 250 cfs and is already dropping this morning.  The West Branch may begin to rise later in the day if the spill increases as the runoff makes it’s way across the reservoir but so far that only looks like a few hundred cfs.  Right now the spill in only 149 cfs so there may not be much of a change.  The rest of the week looks great with a couple of days of light rain but no real accumulation in the forecast.

 

Peter in the rain.  Photo by Bruce Miller

Peter with a good one in the rain. Photo by Bruce Miller

Tim in between rain drops.  Photo by Bruce Miller

Tim in between rain drops. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
Hendrickson  #12 – 16 –  E. subvaria
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Dark Grannom – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,610 cfs 44°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,070 cfs 43°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,020 cfs 45°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,050 cfs 48°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 4,550 cfs 47°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 882 cfs 50°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 149 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 46°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,420 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 100.8%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.3%

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 6, 2018

Yesterday was a repeat of the last few days.  Fish were landed on dries, streamers, and nymphs.  People are catching fish on river sections that have hendricksons hatching and people are also catching fish on river sections that haven’t seen a lot of hendricksons yet.  This is feeling like the kind of year you need all of your boxes with you because it will be bug soup soon.  The early bugs will overlap and be a little out of order but eventually we will settle down into the normal hatch progression.  An don’t overlook the caddis right now…

We have a light rain and overcast sky this morning.  It will be a little cooler with an afternoon high around 60 degrees.  It looks like the rain will continue and be light for most of the day with an accumulation of a little over 1/4″.  The ground should soak a lot of that up with the trees and bushes budding.

Theo looked happy yesterday

Theo looked happy yesterday

 

Peter and Bruce found fish yesterday.  Photo by Tim Glynn

Peter and Bruce found fish yesterday. Photo by Tim Glynn

Hatching:
Hendrickson  #12 – 16 –  E. subvaria
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Dark Grannom – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,630 cfs 42°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 1,910 cfs 43°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 880 cfs 46°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,700 cfs 52°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 4,060 cfs 52°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 648 cfs 55°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 210 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 45°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,050 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 100.8%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.3%

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 5, 2018

Most of the thunderstorms missed us yesterday.  We had the cloud cover and wind gusts from them but not much else until 8:30.  At that time we were hit by a pretty violent one that lasted less than 15 minutes.  Everything came through fine.  The rivers are in great shape this morning.  Flows are still dropping.  Cannonsville and Pepacton are both still spilling but that is coming close to an end as long as we don’t get any rain storms over the next few days.  We’re still fishing a mix of nymphs, streamers, and dry flies.  There are more hendricksons showing up every day along with blue quills and caddis.  We have sun this morning that may give way to some afternoon clouds.  The wind should drop in the afternoon.

 

 

Geoff on the West Branch.  Photo by Bruce MIller

Geoff on the West Branch. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
Hendrickson  #12 – 16 –  E. subvaria
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,690 cfs 41°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,020 cfs 43°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 968 cfs 47°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,890 cfs 52°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 4,360 cfs 51°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 730 cfs 54°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 210 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 46°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,230 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 100.8%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.3%

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 4, 2018

Yesterday’s brief, heavy rain didn’t affect the flows.  The Beaverkill is starting off the same as yesterday morning while the East Branch, West Branch, and Mainstem all dropped slightly overnight.  The only river that had an increase in flow is the West Branch above Cannonsville Reservoir.  The best wading is going to be on the Beaverkill and Willowemoc.  There are some places on the other rivers that are wadeable in high water – just look for the big pools with gravel bars and wide tailouts.  Just be careful.  There were some fish landed on dry flies yesterday but not as many as we expected.  A lot of came to the net on nymphs and streamers.  Everyday we expect these rivers to break wide open with dry fly fishing.  It’s been getting better gradually but it has to be close to being great.  Water temperatures are looking good and have been holding for a couple of days.  We may see a thunderstorm today but the forecasted rain totals are less than 1/4″.  The air temp will be in the high 70’s o we will get a little fog on the river if it rains.

 

Bruce

Kevin with a  brown.  Photo by Bruce

Tony with a nice rainbow yesterday.  Photo by Steve Shen

Tony with a nice rainbow yesterday. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
Hendrickson  #12 – 16 –  E. subvaria (Just starting)
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,710 cfs 43°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,070 cfs 43°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 979 cfs 46°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,950 cfs 52°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 4,530 cfs 51°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 793 cfs 54°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 232 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 45°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,400 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 100.9%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.2%

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 3, 2018

Summer arrived yesterday.  It was hot out there wearing waders.  The hatching seemed to be sporadic in a lot of pools. Some places had decent bugs while others seemed devoid of life.  The combo of sun and wind was letting the mayflies get off the water quickly.  There is still a lot of water flowing through the system so look for the slower pools, tailouts, and edges.  Streamer fishing was a good option due to the wind.  Today looks like a classic Delaware fishing day.  We should see some clouds roll in today with a little rain from thunderstorms.  Winds from the South.  Hopefully the rain and clouds keep the mayflies on the water longer.  The Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem are all starting off at 50 degrees or warmer today. The West Branch is warming up a little slower than the other rivers due to the release and spill but is still starting off at 45 degrees here in Hancock.  The bugs have to be ready to explode.

 

Tony with a good fish yesterday.  Photo by Steve shen

Tony with a good fish yesterday. Photo by Steve shen

Tony again yesterday.  Photo by Steve Shen

Tony again yesterday. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
Hendrickson  #12 – 16 –  E. subvaria (Just starting)
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,790 cfs 41°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,130 cfs 42°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,010 cfs 45°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,970 cfs 51°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 4,740 cfs 50°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 793 cfs 52°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 280 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 45°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,110 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 101.1%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.3%

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 2, 2018

Yesterday was as beautiful as advertised.  Sunshine with a few clouds.  The sunshine helped the water temperatures and most rivers are starting off warmer today.  Blue Quills, Quill Gordons, Black Caddis, and some Hendricksons are out there.  People are nymphing, throwing streamers, and fishing for risers at this point.  Things are just getting started and should get really good as the water temps continue to climb.  The air temperature will be pushing 80 degrees today with sunshine.  The water temps on the Beaverkill, lower East Branch, lower West Branch, and Mainstem should jump by mid afternoon. We may have some clouds roll in by late evening. Winds will be from the South.

Larry with a nice one!  Photo by Bruce Miller

Larry with a nice one! Photo by Bruce Miller

 

 

Jack as the sun sets.  Photo by Samantha Dennis

Jack as the sun sets. Photo by Samantha Dennis

 

Hatching:
Hendrickson  #12 – 16 –  E. subvaria (Just starting)
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,890 cfs 43°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,280 cfs 42°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,250 cfs 42°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,380 cfs 47°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 5,270 cfs 46°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 911 cfs 47°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 393 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 43°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,360 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 101.2%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.5%

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 1, 2018

May is finally here but with mid June weather.  Today will be in the low 70’s with the night time temps staying in the 50’s.  It’s kind of odd after yesterday’s snow showers but we’ll take it.  Looking at the long term forecast we should have great weather going forward.  Caddis, blue quills, and Quill Gordons will make up the main hatch.  There are a few hendricksons around too so carry that box with you too.  They’re coming.  We’re seeing a good mix of streamer and dry fly fishing now.  The warmer weather should help push the hatches.  The rivers are still up a bit but people are finding wadeable water in spots.  The Willowemoc and Beaverkill are beginning to look good and a few high water wade spots on the WB should start to come into there own soon.

 

Dave on the West yesterday.  Photo by Bruce Miller

Dave on the West yesterday. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,920 cfs 40°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,390 cfs 40°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,320 cfs 40°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,560 cfs 42°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 5,710 cfs 42°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,040 cfs 41°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 429 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 40°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,450 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 101.1%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.1%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 30, 2018

We woke up to a nice mix of light snow and rain this morning.  It’s not sticking here in the lower elevations but you can see it on the trees on the ridges so be careful if you’re driving in early.  It won’t last long as the air temperatures climbs up close to 50 degrees today. Tomorrow we’ll have sun and 70 degrees.  The sunshine and warmer temps should warm the water pushing the bugs this week.  We’re still seeing blue quills, caddis, stoneflies, and Quill Gordons.  There have been a few hendricksons spotted but not in great numbers.  That hatch will get stronger as the rivers warm.  Streamer fishing was the most productive method over the weekend but there were fish caught on dry flies.  There are enough bugs out there that the fish are going to start looking up very soon.

 

Bob with a nice fish last week.  Photo by Bruce Miller

Bob with a nice fish last week. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,920 cfs 40°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,420 cfs 40°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,270 cfs 40°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,560 cfs 43°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 5,760 cfs 43°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,040 cfs 43°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 438 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 41°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,350 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 101.1%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.1%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 29, 2018

Yesterday was a bit like the previous day.  Most people seemed to be throwing streamers and some people were able to find a few dry fly targets.  It was a beautiful day out there, especially when the sun was shining.  The people doing well on streamers seem to be covering a lot of water and finding the aggressive fish.  Fly color has also been a topic of discussion.  Darker streamers seem to be favored right now.   Today will be a cooler with a slight chance of rain.  The clouds will be here all day.  Winds will be coming from the north around 10 mph.  Dress appropriately.  The weather really improves beginning Tuesday and we’ll have days in the 70’s and nights in the 50’s.

 

Brad with a nice brown.  Photo by Steve Shen

Brad with a nice brown. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,980 cfs 41°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,510 cfs 41°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,270 cfs 42°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,800 cfs 46°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 5,910 cfs 46°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,270 cfs 47°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 476 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 43°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,340 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 101.1%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.1%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 28, 2018

There was actually some dry fly action yesterday!  Caddis, blue quills, and olives were out.  There have been a few hendricksons spotted but nothing crazy.  One here and one there.  You had to work and have a little luck to find the risers but they were there.  Most people are still throwing streamers in the high water.  Today looks a little better with a forecast of 63 degrees and some sunshine.  We should have some clouds roll in and a small afternoon shower.  The river flows came up a bit after yesterday’s rain and both Pepacton and Cannonsville Reservoirs are spilling.  The Beaverkill and Willowemoc will drop back to normal flows first but that will take a day or two.

 

Art with his dry fly fish!

Art with his dry fly fish!

 

 

George with a dry fly fish yesterday

George with a dry fly fish yesterday

Hatching:
Blue Quills #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Quill Gordon #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,960 cfs 41°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,620 cfs 41°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,240 cfs 42°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,800 cfs 44°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 6,500 cfs 44°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,220 cfs 45°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs  Spill = 473 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 43°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,710 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 101.1%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.1%
Close