July 12, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 12, 2015

Yesterday was a typical summer day with afternoon sulphurs in Deposit and Iso’s through the evening.  The lower West was decent in the evening with a fair amount of vitreus.  The Main Stem fished early on but the temps were too warm in the evening to produce many rising fish.
The water is still dropping and more of the river is becoming accessible to those on foot.  The sun will shine bright today, so look for fish in the shade and riffles.

Eric Athey with a great WB rainbow.

Eric’s son Tom, left, with his first Delaware rainbow.

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 11, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 11, 2015

The reservoirs have stopped spilling and the release has been stepped down to 700 cfs. This should make the West Branch good for both floating and wading today. Overall, the Upper Delaware is in good shape with clear water. The sun will be out today, look for trout rising in the shade.

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 10, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 10, 2015

Yesterday the  West Branch provided us with decent afternoon suphur hatches to land  a few decent fish.  A few fish were also taken on streamers, but not as many were eager to chase now that the water is dropping.  More of the river is becoming more wade accessible for release from Cannonsville has been cut back to 1,000 cfs.  The rain from last night has brought Walton, the Cannonsville inflow, up to 800 cfs and it still continues to rise.
The sun is supposed to shine today and the wind will speak subtly with gusts up to 15mph from the NW.  Despite the sun, one should expect to see Sulphurs, Isonychia’s, Golden Drakes, and small Olives. Patience is the key as the hatches might not be strong early in the day.  Stay vigilant and look for big heads on the banks and in eddies.

A nice fish from yesterday afternoon. Photo by Jared Makowski

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 9, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 9, 2015

It looks like Cannonsville Reservoir has stopped spilling.  The river flows are dropping back this morning as the feeder creeks drop. The flows at Stilesville and Hale Eddy are similar so there isn’t much runoff left.   At these levels there are places to wade on just about every river plus floating is still an option.  Keep an eye on the graphs during the day by clicking the links below.  The release may be ramped down over the course of a few days.
The weather looks good today with light winds and a 60% chance of thunderstorms.  We’ll have to see how much rain we get over the next few days.  It won’t take much above the reservoirs to have us spilling again.
Olives, isonychias, sulphurs, and golden drakes.  We have found quite a few fish rising on the sunny days in sections.  If you see a fish rise once be patient and give it some time to come back, especially if you see the little olives on the water.

Peter should make the blog since his brother did- July 4th family trip

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 8, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 8, 2015

Yesterday was another day of good fishing.  The flows and temps are in great shape so the bugs and fish continue to be active.  We kept the cloud cover for most of the day which certainly helped the fish feel more comfortable.  Along with the normal isonychias, sulphurs, and olives be sure to carry a couple of golden drake patterns this week.
Today looks like a mirror image of yesterday with a bit more sunshine.  We should see some clouds off and on with some intermittent showers.  The total rainfall amount should be insignificant to the system.

Lou with a nice brown yesterday. Photo by Samantha Dennis

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 7, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 7, 2015

We woke up this morning to light rain and overcast skies, not exactly the weather forecast we had from Accuweather.  It sounds like we should have this type of weather for the next few days. Warm air temps, light scattered showers, and the possibility of thunderstorms.  It should make for good fishing this week if they are correct.  It looks like Pepacton has dropped below 100% so we should see the East Branch come down over the next few days.  The Beaverkill is dropping also.  Both of those rivers are now wadeable.  Cannonsville is spilling 107 cfs this morning.  If the rain totals are negligible this week we should see the West Branch stop spilling and the release cut back.  Same story with olives, isonychias, and sulphurs depending on what section of river you are fishing.  The water temps are in great shape throughout the upper system this morning so there are a lot of choices for this time of year.

Drew working his favorite fish pose on the 4th of July

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 6, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 6, 2015

Yesterday’s bright sun slowed the fishing down a little bit but overall the good fishing continues.  There were decent sulphur hatches in sections plus a smaller mix of  olives and isonychias.  Streamers are still working well with the high water.  Today looks even better with warm air temperatures, winds under 9 mph, and some clouds moving in later this afternoon. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms later in the week but we should be clear for the next couple of days.  The reservoirs are still spilling so the flows are high on the East and West Branches.  The Beaverkill is still the best option for wading.

Lina with a nice brown yesterday. Photo by Jared Makowski

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 5, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 5, 2015

Yesterday’s rain, overcast skies, and no wind made it one of the most productive fishing days of the season.  Fish were eating streamers very well for most of the day and there were afternoon hatches of olives, isonychias, and a few sulphurs that brought fish to the surface in some river sections.  Finding consistant risers has been tougher than normal due to the higher flows but that should improve as the water drops this week,
The flows are stil high so floating is the best option on the West, East, and Mainstem.  Sections of the Beaverkill and Willowemoc should be fine for wading.  The East Branch cleared up well during the afternoon yesterday but the West Branch still had quite a bit of color.
Accuweather is calling for sun, warmer air temps, and light winds today.  Water temperatures look great throughout the system.

Beth with a nice fish yesterday. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 4, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 4, 2015

Happy 4th of July!
We woke up this morning to overcast skies with a little light rain falling.  It looks like it should be a good fishing day.  While the flows are still high, the rivers are dropping slowly and clearing.  Floating is still the best option on the West Branch, East Branch, and Mainstem.  Wading is an option on sections of the Beaverkill and Willowemoc.  We are seeing some fish rise to sulphurs and olives with th eoccassional isonychia but streamers are still producing the most fish.
Accuweather is calling for a 1/4″ of rain today, air temps in the low 70s and almost no wind.

Josh with a nice brown yesterday. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 3, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 3, 2015

Cannonsville, Pepacton, and the Neversink Reservoirs are still spilling this morning.  The Rivers are still off color but the West Branch looks to be in the best shape this morning.  Streamers worked well yesterday with white patterns working the best.  There are some mayflies around but dryfly fishing won’t improve until the flows drop a bit.  Today looks like a great day with little wind, some sun, and air temperatures in the mid 70’s.  Floating is the best and safest option right now.  The release from Cannonsville was ramped up throughout most of yesterday and sits at 1,103 cfs.

Dave with a nice streamer fish yesterday. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 2, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 2, 2015

Cannonsville, Pepacton, and the Neversink Reservoirs are now all spilling.  Good thing they starved the rivers in May and saved all that water for the drougt.
The rivers are off color this morning but the West Branch has cleared enough to fish.  It looks like a streamer day but there is always a shot of finding risers in the eddies and tailouts of longer pools.  The flows are up so wading is not a great option but fishing from a boat is safe at this level.  You’ll notice the water temperature is higher at Stilesville this morning due to the warmer water spilling over the top of the dam.  The gauge at Stilesville 5:45 am update still shows the upper West Branch on the rise so keep an eye on that throughout the day.  There is no additional rain in the forecast for the next few days.  The release from Cannonsville Reservoir is 701 cfs and the current spill is 925 cfs.

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 1, 2015

Mid-day update / Conditions July 1, 2015

Double check the USGS graphs on the links below.  The West Branch is beginning to drop but we are still dirty.  The flow at Stilesville has risen slightly over the last couple of hours.