July 27, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 27, 2016

The mid-day sulphur hatches have still been decent on the upper river sections followed by a few olives and isonychias.  The fish are being picky so it’s time to downsize your flies and fish lightly dressed cripples and emergers.  The wind made the fishing tougher yesterday with the fish taking a break during the gusts.  The sun was definitely bright and everyone out there yesterday ended up with a tan.  We have a decent chance of some rain over the weekend that should definitely help the fishing.  Nymphing on the lower West Branch has been effective with an occasional riser being found.   Hatches on the lower West Branch are going to be slim until the water temperatures drop.

So looking back over the last few days we had a short thermal release from Cannonsville that was cut as soon as we had some rain.  The rain soaked in and the rivers dropped back quickly.  The lower West Branch temperatures are now higher then they were before the release.  The East Branch received zero thermal protection and Harvard peaked over 71 degrees the other day.  The lower East and Mainstem have been cooking for most of the Summer.  The thermal release did drop the Mainstem temperatures for one day.  One day.  Lordville is 70 degrees already this morning.  It peaked just under 74 degrees yesterday.

Mike with a colored up brown. Photo by Jared Makowski

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

July 26, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 26, 2016

The release from Cannonsville has been cut back this morning to 497 cfs.  That was a really odd “thermal protection” flow increase.  We were hit by two storms yesterday.  The first one hit us mid day and was quick and powerful with high winds and pounding rain.  The second hit us around 4 pm and lasted longer with more of a steady rain.   A lot of the rain soaked right into the ground but the rivers did come up during the day but dropped back down quickly.  We had a little color to the West Branch right after the storm but it never really became off color.  There were leaves and sticks floating by but the actual water color just had a slight tinge.  The rain brought brief but really heavy olive hatches on the lower West Branch.  After the initial hatch here were enough still coming down to keep some fish up until almost dark.  The upper West Branch is still fishing with sulphurs, isonychias, and olives.

West Branch in the fog yesterday

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

July 25, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 25, 2016

Yesterday we had a few more clouds out than expected but we definitely still had our share of sun.  It was hot but being on the river definitely cut down on the heat.  The release from Cannonsville is still over 700 so we have quite a bit of cold water coming down.  The levels are still good for both floating and wading.  Hopefully the extra cold water extends the mid-afternoon sulphur hatches farther down the West Branch into the Gamelands.  We are still seeing isonychias, cahills and small olives hatching along with the sulphurs.  The fish are being a bit picky so use flush floating flies like spinner or cripple patterns.  We may see some thunderstorms this afternoon.  If you believe the forecast we have an 80% of storms dropping 1/2″ of rain on us after lunch.  We received zero rain when we had the same forecast a few days ago so we’ll have to wait and see.

Dan Treadwell with a nice brown yesterday

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

July 24, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 23, 2016

The release from Cannonsville Reservoir has been raised to 750 cfs until further notice.  The rumor is that this is a thermal release.   This is kind of strange since we have basically been in the same weather pattern for almost 2 months and have had hotter days on record.  The nights are going to be warmer but that seems to be the only difference.  It’s also interesting that as of this morning the East Branch received no additional water for thermal protection.  The flow at Downsville is a steady 130 this morning and Fishs Eddy is already starting over 70 degrees.  The East Branch at Harvard peaked around 71 degrees yesterday.
The entire West Branch is in great shape and the additional cold water release may extend a little bit down the Mainstem – stay on the WB side and check the mid afternoon temperatures before you fish.  The West is still in good shape for floating and wading.  You may see a push of algae breaking loose but that should filter out today.  Sulphurs are still the main hatch mixed with olives and isonychias.  There are still some golden drakes and cahills around too so don’t forget those patterns.  If you want to fish for trout on the East Branch this afternoon stay above Harvard.  Forget anything below that unless you want to use the water to cook pasta.

The West Branch levels are still decent for wading

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

July 23, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 22, 2016

Somehow our chance of precipitation yesterday went from 65% to 50% to 0%.  So we received zero rain and flows remain very similar to yesterday morning.  There are rumors of some kind of thermal release in the works but when it will come and how much water will be released is unknown.  We’re not sure why there is a push for a thermal release now since we seem to habe been in this weather pattern for a while.  There are a couple of warmer nights in the forecast so that may be the factor.  Last night was a warm one staying in the 60’s so we have a good amount of fog on the river this morning.  The sun is already shining so that should burn off early.  We are seeing decent sulphur hatches in Deposit now with fish eating them despite the sun.  They are picky so use cripple or low profile patterns and watch your drift.

Dan Treadwell finding Isos on the West Branch

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

July 22, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 22, 2016

We dealt with the sun yesterday but the sulphurs came and people were able to find happy fish on the upper West Branch.  Today looks a little different with the potential for decent thunderstorms. This is going to be tough to predict since the forecast seems to change every half hour.  It looks like we have a 50 – 60% chance of somewhere between 1/4″ and 1/2″ in of rain over the course of the day.  Winds will pick up to over 10 mph during the passing storms but that’s a small price to pay to get the cloud cover.  We may see some rain early but the better chance comes later in the afternoon.  Hopefully the rain brings stronger hatches of olives along with the sulphurs and isonychias.  There isn’t a lot of fog on the lower West Branch this morning so the air temps should warm up quicker.  This may bring the trio spinners down earlier than we’ve seen lately.

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

July 21, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 21, 2016

The forecast today is calling for clear skies with slightly lower air temperatures peaking in the mid 80’s.  Wind gusts will pick up slightly in the afternoon and peak just under 10 mph – definitely still fishable.  Luckily a lot of the extreme heat called for in earlier forecast was wrong and we are even looking at some light rain tomorrow with totals a little over 1/4″  We are still seeing decent number of sulphurs and olives hatching mid-afternoon  on the upper West Branch.  There are a few isonychias around.  We have seen more over the last week so hopefully that trend continues.

The steady release from Cannonsville has been great for wading and floating

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

July 20, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 20, 2016

Today looks like a mirror image of yesterday. The East drainage has dropped slightly from the runoff but the West Branch flows and temps are right on yesterday morning’s numbers.  Today is going to be clear with air temperatures in the low 80’s.  Winds should stay below 7 mph.  We are now in full summer swing with mid- afternoon  consistent sulphur hatches in Deposit mixed with some small olives and an occasional isonychia.  The lower West Branch is fishing well with nymphs in the morning before the fog burns off.  Things slow down a bit when the bright sun hits the water but you can still find fish eating in the heavy currents.  Once the fog burns off it’s worth heading to a long slow pool and wait for the trico spinner falls.  The air temperature is cool this morning which may push the spinners back to late morning.

Marie fighting a fish over the weekend. Photo by Bob Lewis

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

July 19, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 19, 2016

We’ve had some storms hit here and there since yesterday evening but the West Branch is in great shape this morning.  We are clear and flow at Hale Eddy has barely bumped.  The East side and the West Branch above Cannonsville are up a bit from the rain but everything looks clear.  The water temperatures are in great shape on the upper East Branch and the entire West Branch but the lower East and Mainstem are already too warm to fish for trout.  Smallmouth fishing should be coming into it’s own down there.  The sulphurs are hatching on the upper West Branch by early afternoon through early evening.  We’ve been doing well with #18 -20 sulphur cripples and #22 – 26 olives.  Nymphing has been good in the morning s or on overcast days when the sun isn’t beating down on the water.

Malcolm finding fish yesterday. Photo by Bob Lewis

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

July 18, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 18, 2016

The release out of the Cannonsville Reservoir remains at 500 cfs, keeping the whole West Branch in good shape for waders and boaters. The Lower East and Main Stem are starting out at 70 degrees, so look elsewhere for trout fishing. Nymphing has been productive in the riffles in the morning and afternoons before the hatches start up. Try blind casting Cahill, Caddis and Isonychia patterns in the moving water to work up some fish as well. Weather Underground is calling for thunderstorms this afternoon that could bring us 0.33″ of rain as well as SW winds ranging from 10-15 mph. For dry fly hatches, the upper river has been the most productive, from Stilesville down to Hale Eddy. Check your flies often as there has been an increase in the green slime in the system.

Awesome father daughter trip. Tim and Emily with a morning rainbow. Photo by Samantha Dennis

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

July 17, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 17, 2016

Yesterday evening we were hit with a brief storm plus a few showers overnight.  The West Branch flow hasn’t really changed and there is only a minor change on the East side with the Beaverkill now flowing at 248 cfs.  The water clarity is fine and the rivers have some fog that will burn off mid-morning.  The fog and clouds should help the morning fishing with nymphing picking up and the possibility of tricos or left over spinners.  The sun will poke through eventually and then it will be time to head up river towards the dams for the mid-afternoon sulphur hatches.

Not much change on the West Branch despite the rain

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

July 16, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 16, 2016

Yesterday was a hot one but luckily we are coming into a cool down period with air temperatures only reaching 85 degree today.  We should have some cloud cover move in which will make the fish feel a little more comfortable eating off the surface when the sulphur hatch comes.  Winds will be light staying under 10 mph.  Nymphing the lower West Branch has been best before the sun hits the water but if the clouds stick around today the fish should keep eating.  The sulphur hatches (#18 – 20) continue on the upper river above Hale Eddy offering some mid-afternoon dry fly action.  While we have been finding fish eating in the sunshine look for steadier fish in the shaded areas.  Blind casting isonychias and cahills has been working in some riffles but should be better today with the cloud cover.  There may be some small olives mixed in with the sulphurs so if you get rejections check the water carefully for a “masking hatch”

Bob preparing Maggie for her introduction to the Delaware

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)