Delaware River Report / Conditions April 15, 2017

The rivers are dropping quickly and the water temperatures are climbing.  Things are looking good for this coming week.  The nights have been cool but the days have been beautiful.  We are starting off with sunshine this morning but we may see some clouds move in and a light shower this afternoon.  late tonight / tomorrow looks like the best chance of rain with around 1/4″ predicted.  Wind gusts will be around 12 mph today so definitely manageable and very Delaware Spring like.
The rivers fished well yesterday with most fish landed on streamers but there are people finding fish eating dries here and there.  That will  improve over the next couple of days as the water temperatures climb.  The Beaverkill system is still your best bet for wading.

 

Dan with a healthy looking fish yesterday.  Photo by Bruce Miller

Dan with a healthy looking fish yesterday. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Little Black Caddis – #18-20 – Chimarra sp.
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,340 cfs
41°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,140 cfs
40°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 973 cfs 40°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,670 cfs
44°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 4,900 cfs
44°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 662 cfs 44°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,504 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 40°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 877 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 101.5%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.3%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 14, 2017

Yesterday’s wind seemed quite a bit stronger than the forecast called for but fish were landed.  Cannonsville, Pepacton, and Neversink Reservoirs are all still spilling but the levels are dropping and we should see that end over the next few days if we don’t get additional precipitation.  The river levels are dropping back too but the best wading today will be on the Beaverkill and Willowemoc Rivers.  The East, West, and Main are in perfect shape for boating.  There are still alewives in the system and we’re seeing some caddis mixed with the stoneflies and olives.  Streamers are still your best bet but bring a dry fly rod just in case.  The rising will get more consistent as the water temperatures rise over the next week.  Winds should be lower today and air temperatures in the high 50’s.  We do have a possibility of some rain tomorrow.

 

Patrick with one of his fish yesterday.  Photo by Bob Lewis

Patrick with one of his fish yesterday. Photo by Bob Lewis

Hatching:
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Little Black Caddis – #18-20 – Chimarra sp.
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,650 cfs
39°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,490 cfs
39°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,260 cfs 39°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,940 cfs
42°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 5,770 cfs
42°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 756 cfs 43°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,490 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 39°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,230 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 102%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.4%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 13, 2017

We are coming off a cooler night so water temperatures dropped back a few degrees.  You’ll do better if you choose your fishing spot based on the warmer water temps.  Streamers are still your best bet but bring a dry fly set up just in case you run into the stoneflies and olives.  Streamers have produced better when you fish deep and slow rather than using a quick retrieve.  The water is dropping  but concentrate on the real slow pools and eddys.  The weather will be more “normal” for April over the next few days with cool nights and daytime temps in the mid to high 50’s.

 

Pete with a chunky brown yesterday.  Photo by Bob Lewis

Pete with a chunky brown yesterday. Photo by Bob Lewis

Hatching:
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 2,060 cfs
39°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,990 cfs
40°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,550 cfs 40°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,320 cfs
44°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 6,910 cfs
44°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 876 cfs 46°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,492 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 40°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,230 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 102.6%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 101.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 12, 2017

Yesterday felt like Summer with air temperatures approaching 80 degrees with sunshine.  The rivers warmed up and the Beaverkill is starting off at 50 degrees this morning.  Streamers were still the most productive method but there were some fish eating stoneflies and olives sporadically in the big slow pools.  Our air temperatures will drop back to normal today with daytime temps in the 60’s and nighttime temps in the mid 30’s.   The release from Cannonsville was bumped up again to 1,496 release.  Cannonsville, Papacton, and Neversink Reservoirs are still spilling but are coming down quickly.  Last night’s rain didn’t add much water to the flows.  Boating is still the way to go but wading will become an option as soon as we stop spilling.  The fish look good and healthy this Spring with some of them getting chunky eating alewives.  The warmer water temperatures will definitely help the hatching activity.

 

Bob found a nice brown yesterday.  Photo by Jared Makowski

Bob found a nice brown yesterday. Photo by Jared Makowski

Hatching:
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 2,720 cfs
40°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 3,640 cfs
40°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 2,040 cfs 41°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,950 cfs
45°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 8,330 cfs
45°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 985 cfs 50°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,496 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 41°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,330 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 103.6%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 101%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 11, 2017

Yesterday was as beautiful as advertised and most people we saw landed some fish.   White streamers produced best for us imitating the good numbers of alewives in the river.  We saw a lot of alewives floating on the surface on the West Branch and Upper Main but the fish were eating the the streamers fished deeper and slow.  We did find some fish rising to stoneflies mixed with a few olives.  If you’re looking for dry fly action pick a slower edge and be patient.  The fish we found were a little sporadic but it was nice to see after a long winter.  The dry fly fishing will improve as the water temperatures climb this week.  Wading is still not a great idea but fishing from a boat is fine.  Today looks beautiful with air temperatures in the high 70’s, winds 10 mph or less, and maybe a shower in the afternoon.  Rain totals look under 1/4″ overnight which shouldn’t be a problem.  The bump in flow on the West Branch was an increase in release to 1,078 cfs.

 

Theo with a West Branch streamer eater

Theo with a West Branch streamer eater

Hatching:
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 3,620 cfs
40°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 4,450 cfs
39°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 2,460 cfs 39°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 3,620 cfs
43°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 9,840 cfs
43°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,170 cfs 45°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1078 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 40°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,530 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 104.4%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 101.3%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 10, 2017

The rivers are dropping back quickly but they are still high and cold.  The Beaverkill looks like it will be the first to offer any wade opportunities.  There is a little rain in the forecast beginning tomorrow but the predicted amounts aren’t large.  We may see 1/4″ tomorrow but it’s only listed as a 30% chance right now.  Today looks beautiful with sunshine, air temperatures in the 70’s, with a few wind gusts around 11 mph.  Floating is still your best option.  There are alewives in the system from the reservoir spills but the lower water temperatures are keeping the fish a little sluggish.  The temps are coming up each day so activity should improve.

Mainstem water temperatures are looking better each day

Mainstem water temperatures are looking better each day

 

Hatching:
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 3,600 cfs
40°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 4,380 cfs
39°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 3,210 cfs 38°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 4,580 cfs
41°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 11,200 cfs
41°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,430 cfs 41°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 36 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 38°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 2,520 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 104.1%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 9, 2017

The rivers are slowly dropping back as the runoff subsides but are still high and cold.  Cannonsville, Pepacton, and Neversink Reservoirs are all spilling.  Yesterday was chilly and blustery until the sun popped out in the afternoon.  Today starts the run of warmer air temperatures for the rest of the week.  We should have sunshine and low 60’s today.  The water temperatures should warm up as the flows drop and we get some sunshine.  We have a little rain in this week’s forecast but the amounts seem negligible right now.  If the reports are correct there may be some wading opportunities on the Beaverkill later in the week.

 

The Beaverkill flow is dropping back quickly

The Beaverkill flow is dropping back quickly

Hatching:
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 4,390 cfs
40°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 5,450 cfs
38°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 4,020 cfs 37°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 6,370 cfs
39°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 14,000 cfs
39°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,870 cfs 38°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 36 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 38°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 2,520 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 104.1%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 8, 2017

The rivers have settled down a bit but are still running high.  The Upper East has gone up quite a bit.  Both Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs are spilling now.  Wading is still not an option but floating is fine if you’re comfortable with the high flows.  Double check the boat ramps before you leave.  Some of they are tricky when the water is in the trees and you have to figure out alternative takeouts. Things happen quickly at these flows so have a plan ahead of time and watch where you anchor.  Although you probably won’t be anchoring.  There are some alewives in the system and lets face it- streamers are your only option anyway.  I’d bring a dry fly rod with a stonefly but keep it cased.  Water temps dropped a bit overnight but they will improve over the next few days as air temps climb into the 70’s by Monday. The release but Cannonsville has been cut back to 36 cfs and there is currently 4,448 cfs spilling over the top.

 

The West Branch is at the top of the Shehawken ramp this morning.

The West Branch is at the top of the Shehawken ramp this morning.

Hatching:
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 4,670 cfs
40°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 6,360 cfs
38°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 4,060 cfs 37°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 7,480 cfs
39°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 16,900 cfs
39°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 2,780 cfs 38°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 36 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 38°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 3,560 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 104.1%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 7, 2017

We had quite a bit of rain fall since yesterday afternoon.  Cannonsville Reservoir is still spilling with a lot of water coming in from the back side.  Wading is still dangerous but floating is a possibility if you’re comfortable in very high water.  If you go double check the boat ramps before hand and make sure they are usable at the higher levels.  Hale Eddy and Fishs Eddy are dropping right now as the runoff subsides but there is still a lot of water in the rivers.  We have a little snow in today’s forecast that should amount to about an inch.  Air temperatures will stay in the 30’s.  After today we are definitely on an upswing and the rest of the week will be comfortable with a couple of days peaking over 70 degrees.

The Mainstem is in the trees this morning

The Mainstem is in the trees this morning

 

Hatching:
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 3,870 cfs
38°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 7,320 cfs
40°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 2,940 cfs 40°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 8,860 cfs
42°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 22,900 cfs
41°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 4,930 cfs 40°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,513 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 40°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 5,700 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 102%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 98.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 6, 2017

Cannonsville reservoir is spilling and with more rain in the forecast today we wouldn’t advise wading the river. The weather should improve over the weekend with some sun and warmer temperatures.

Stilesville

Getting some water spilling over the dam on the West Branch

 

Hatching:
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 2,560 cfs
38°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 3,490 cfs
39°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,550 cfs 41°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 3,780 cfs
41°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 9,840 cfs
43°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 2,230 cfs N/A
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,507 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 40°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 2,510 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 100.9%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 97.6%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 5, 2017

The river flows are up again after the runoff from the heavy rains.  Not a great scenario for waders but throwing streamers from a boat has been productive.  Water temperatures are up again this morning which will certainly help the fishing.  It looks like we are either spilling slightly from Cannonsville or are just on the verge.  Accuweather has around 3/4″ of rain in tomorrows forecast.

To keep it short:
1. Fish streamers in the slower pools and drop offs
2. Don’t wade
3.  Bring a raincoat

Stone

Hatching:
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,610 cfs
41°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 3,150 cfs
40°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,800 cfs 41°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 6,170 cfs
40°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 12,500 cfs
41°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 3,280 cfs 40°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,513 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 38°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 3,430 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 98.8%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 96.1%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 4, 2017

The rain came down hard around 2:30 this morning and the rivers are starting to rise.  The feeder creeks are pumping in a lot of water and half of them seem to be clear while the other half are muddy.  The Beaverkill is climbing quickly so the East Branch should rise significantly by mid day.  There is another 1/4″ of rain in the forecast for today.  Wading is not a good idea on the system but floating is still an option.  People have had some success throwing streamers over the last couple of days.  The rivers have warmed up a few degrees and are in decent shape for early April.  The reservoir inflows are climbing too and we may actually see a spill soon if we continue to get heavy rains every day or two.

 

If the rains keep coming we may see these in the river.  It's been a while

If the rains keep coming we may see these in the river. It’s been a while

Hatching:
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,420 cfs
38°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 3,320 cfs
40°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,730 cfs 41°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 4,260 cfs
42°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 9,070 cfs
42°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 3,120 cfs N/A
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,518 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 40°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 3,000 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 97.5%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 95.4%
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