May 30, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 30, 2016

The Mainstem and the Lower East Branch are both starting off over 70 degrees this morning and are not fishable for trout.  The lower West Branch is 62 degrees this morning so fish with your thermometer as the day goes on and temperatures rise.  The Upper West Branch and Upper East Branch are your best bets for cold water today.  Definitely check the water temperature on the Beaverkill today if you are fishing that river.  We had a light shower this morning but it wasn’t enough to bump the flows.  We will have cooler air temperatures today with a high in the mid 80’s.  The bright sun hitting the exposed rocks in the lower water will cause the water temps to rise despite the cooler air temperatures.

Hopefully we get the 500 cfs release on June 1st along with a cool down in the weather.

Lower West Branch temperatures are still higher than we’d like to see

Hatching:
Green Drakes – 8-2xl – 10-2xl – E. Guttalata
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Gray Fox #12-2xl- Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema fuscum)
Pink Lady – #14 – Epeorus vitreus
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 29, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 29, 2016

The additional release from Cannonsville is a step forward in river management but it is not enough to protect the system.  While today will be cooler than yesterday we are still going to have sun and air temperatures around 90 degrees.  If you are going to fish today stay on the Upper West Branch and Upper East Branch.  Do not fish for trout on the Lower East Branch or the Mainstem at all.  Both rivers are over 70 degrees already this morning.  The lower West Branch is okay this morning at 61 degrees but temps will climb throughout the day.  Check with your thermometer before you fish it.  We will likely lose it to temperatures by mid day.  Even Harvard peaked at 70 degrees yesterday so check the Upper East with a thermometer and move closer to the dam as the day gets warmer.

Hale Eddy temps are okay

The Mainstem is not an option

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Gray Fox #12-2xl- Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema fuscum)
Pink Lady – #14 – Epeorus vitreus
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 28, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 28, 2016

The Cannonsville Release was bumped up to 381 yesterday to help lower the river temperatures.  As of right now we are still scheduled to increase to 500 cfs on June 1st.  The bump in flow did start to flush some of the green slime down making nymphing the upper WB difficult.  As you move lower down the river the slime has cleared out some and it is fishable.  Most of the dry fly action has been happening in the late afternoon into the evening- especially with the bright sun.  We di get hit by a thunderstorm last night.  It was very isolated and some areas received more ain than others.  Overall it soaked into the ground and the flows changed very little on the system.
You have a good chance of seeing tan caddis, march browns, gray fox, and sulphurs are hatching.  There have been some green drakes, cahills, and small olives spotted too.

Found:  Rod and reel on the lower West Branch.  If you lost one send us an email at: flyfish@thedelawareriverclub.com

Dave Z found a nice one despite the sun. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Gray Fox #12-2xl- Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema fuscum)
Pink Lady – #14 – Epeorus vitreus
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 27, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 27, 2016

The thunderstorms missed us for the most part so the rivers are starting off this morning very similar to yesterday.  Unless you’re close to the dams fish with your thermometer.  The forecast is calling for air temperatures in the 80’s, winds only around 7 mph, and a 45% chance of an afternoon thunderstorm.  Right now we either need a good rain or a bump in the releases.  The hatches remain the same with tan caddis being the best pattern.  Nymphing the West Branch has been tough due to the green slime floating down.  That should flush out when we get a bump in the flows. The water temperature in Callicoon hit 74 degrees yesterday, Lordville hit 69 degrees,  The East Branch at Fishs Eddy hit 68 degrees, and even the lower West Branch hit 66 degrees.  The current storage for NYC’s drinking supply is 98.9%.  Normal storage on tis date is 98.2%

Found:  Rod and reel on the lower West Branch.  If you lost one send us an email at: flyfish@thedelawareriverclub.com

Ray taking advantage of the cloud cover yesterday. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Gray Fox #12-2xl- Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema fuscum)
Pink Lady – #14 – Epeorus vitreus
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 26, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 26, 2016

The Upper Sections of the System remain in good shape this morning with decent temperatures.  The better hatching should be up river due to the higher water temperatures low.  The lower Wb and lower EB are okay this morning.  Caddis, Olives, March Browns, Gray Fox, and Sulphurs are the main hatches right now.  You may see some Green Drakes but with the warm air temperatures and warmer water many of them may come off at night.  If you’re up for it don’t leave the river too early.  Nymphing is your best daytime bet right now but the Upper West Branch does have some slime coming down.

If you are fishing the lower West Branch, lower East Branch, or anywhere on the Mainstem check the water temperatures with a thermometer before you fish.  Temperatures on the Main are starting off high this morning

Nick found a nice one yesterday. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Gray Fox #12-2xl- Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema fuscum)
Pink Lady – #14 – Epeorus vitreus
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 25, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 25, 2016

We will get a change in the FFMP on June 1st- hopefully we move up to Chart 4G with a 500 cfs release from Cannonsville.  NYC certainly has enough water stored to feel comfortable.  In the meantime if you are fishing the Mainstem it’s time to start fishing with your thermometer.  The USGS Temperature Gauges at Fishs Eddy on the East Branch and Lordville on the Mainstem both peaked in the high 60’s yesterday.

It’s going to be hot out there today so dress appropriately and wear sun protection.  The bright sun and warm temperatures have pushed the hatching back to evening into dark on a lot of the system.  Caddis in the riffles have been offering some action during the day but you have to be in the right place at the right time.  Nymphing has produce some fish but will probably be more effective in the morning or in the evening when the sun isn’t shining directly on the water.  We may get some thunderstorms moving in tomorrow which would be great for the system.

Temperatures remain cool on the upper river.

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Gray Fox #12-2xl- Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema fuscum)
Pink Lady – #14 – Epeorus vitreus
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 24, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 24, 2016

The bright sun and warm temperatures have made the daytime fishing tough.  Over the last couple of days a lot of the hatching has been pushed to late evening leaving daytime for nymphing and swinging wet flies.  We should have some cloud cover today- hopefully it pushes in early. The weather over the weekend looks better with some rain and clouds.  Wind looks negligible with gusts under 10 mph.  Keep an eye on the water temperatures on the lower Mainstem over the next couple of days. We’ll get through the next few days feeling like July and we should get some cooler weather by early next week.

Patrick with a shad over the weekend. Photo by Bob Lewis

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Gray Fox #12-2xl- Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema fuscum)
Pink Lady – #14 – Epeorus vitreus
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 23, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 23, 2016

The current release from Cannonsville Reservoir is 260 cfs.  It seems that most of the rain in the forecast skirted northwest of us so all of the rivers in the system are dropping back as the natural runoff subsides.  The mayflies seem to be hatching later in the day with a mix of March Browns, Gray Fox, Blue Winged Olives, and Sulphurs. Tan Caddis #16 – 20 are getting us fish on top during the day.   Add in the odd Green Drake and a few Cahills and you should be set for the next few days.
Weatherunderground is calling for much warmer air temperatures over the next few days with highs approaching or reaching 80 degrees.  We may see a little rain today but the amount will be negligible.  We should have clouds and wind gusts under 10 mph so today definitely looks like a good day on paper.

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Gray Fox #12-2xl- Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema fuscum)
Pink Lady – #14 – Epeorus vitreus
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 22, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 22, 2016

The release from Cannonsville Reservoir has been dropped to 280 cfs.  The spill over Cannonsville is currently 31 cfs.  The runoff and spill are subsiding so the West Branch is in great shape for wading this morning and is still floatable in the lower sections.  Today looks like a great fishing day with Weatherunderground forecasting cloudy skies, winds 8 mph and below, and a possible shower or two giving us around .12″ of rain.  Caddis have been a mainstay for us over the last few days and we expect that to continue.  Size 16-20 tan patterns are working well for us.

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 21, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 21, 2016

The fishing picked up yesterday- especially in the afternoon.   Nymphing paid off early and then the caddis popped on some sections of river offering dry fly opportunity if you were in the right place.  There were some March Browns and Gray Fox floating by sporadically throughout the day but only a few fish seem interested in the big bugs.  Sulphurs hatched in the evening on the Main in sections offering decent fishing in the evening.
Today looks like a better weather day with cloud cover, air temperatures in the low 60’s, and wind only reaching 5 mph.  All of the rivers in the system are dropping back and the lower flows are now great for wading.  The Cannonsville Reservoir spill is also decreasing dropping the flow at Hale Eddy to a comfortable 590 cfs this morning.

A nice Delaware rainbow. Photo by Kevan Smaracko

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 20, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 20, 2016

The river was finicky yesterday and the quality of the fishing was totally dependent on where you were.  Depending on the section there were apple caddis, tan caddis, small hendricksons, olives, march browns, gray fox, sulphurs, and even some green drakes.  It sounds like the best plan yesterday was to keep moving until you found the bugs and fish.  Some parts of the system were very slow while others produced decent action for most of the day.
The West Branch is still dropping as the spillover from Cannonsville and the runoff from the tributaries subsides.  Weatherunderground is calling for a sunny day with air temps in the mid 70’s.  Winds should be under 8 mph and then drop to almost nothing by the afternoon.

some nice fish were found yesterday.  Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 19, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 19, 2016

The cloud cover stuck around most of the day, the bugs hatched, and the fish were happy.  Some sections are still seeing decent hatches of hendricksons and apple caddis while other sections are seeing march browns, gray fox, and sulphurs starting up.  The spill from Cannonsville Reservoir is dropping so we are seeing the flow drop below the reservoir this morning.  We should be at great wading levels this weekend.  We have more sun today with warm air temperatures and light winds.  It’s going to be a pleasant day out there.

Dennis with a nice brown yesterday. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)