September 23, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 23, 2014

Last night was definitely the coldest yet this season with temperatures dropping into the high 30’s.  We should hit close to 70 today with the warming trend coming but it definitely feels like Fall in the Catskills.  The hatching remains the same with lots of olives mixes with a few Isonychias and Cahills.  There have been some charcoal caddis #16 -18 on the water too.  The sun is already hitting the water this morning so nymphing is the best option until the bugs begin to pop off mid afternoon.  The colder nights have been cutting the hatches off earlier around 6 PM and the spinners have been falling  mixed with the duns mid afternoon rather than at dark. The West Branch under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 50 degrees this morning.

Photo by Jim Swift

Hatching:

Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Slate Drakes #12 – 14 -Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

September 22, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 22, 2014

Despite the mid day sun and the unrelenting wind, the fish were still eager to rise and take duns off the surface.  On the Main Stem, size 14 Isos, 18-24 olives, 14-16 steno’s, and 26 flying ants were served to the fish yesterday.  Reports from the west branch are very spotty with minute amounts of bugs and fluctuating water levels. There was some early morning streamer action before the sun rose, but the fish ceased to be aggressive once the light shined upon the water.  Today is supposed to be mostly cloudy with a high of 58 with a chance of showers this morning and a downstream wind.

Nothing like your first day on the Delaware!

September 21, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 21, 2014

Yesterday the clouds hung around longer than expected.  Although the wind gusts were an issue at time the olives, Isonychias, and Cahills came and the fish responded.  Primetime now appears to be 2:20 – 6 pm for dry fly activity but that may start earlier today with the predicted warmer air temperatures and light scattered storms moving through the area.  Nymphing and streamers are still producing well when the sun is not hitting the water directly.  The bite drops off on bright days once the morning fog burns off.  The release from Cannonsville Reservoir is 1297 cfs until further notice.  The West Branch under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 52 degrees this morning.

Hojin with his first Delaware Rainbow. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:

Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Slate Drakes #12 – 14 -Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

September 20, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 20, 2014

The release from Cannonsville Reservoir has been increased to 1297 cfs this morning until further notice.  There is a little color in the river but it is definitely clear enough to fish.  The Mainste is in great shape while the East Branch and Beaverkill could use some water.  Streamers should work well this morning until the sun burns the fog away.  Look for olives mixed with a few Cahills and Isonychias in the afternoon.  The weather looks decent today although we may have a bit of wind as a front moves in this afternoon.  Tomorrow looks great with cloud cover and some possible showers.

Dan holding a nice one on the Main. Photo by Art Bartholomew

Jim holding a dryfly brown

Hatching:

Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Slate Drakes #12 – 14 -Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

September 19, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 19, 2014

The mayflies started mid afternoon yesterday on some sections of the river with a mix of olives, Cahills, and just a few Isonychias.  The olives ranged in size from #16 – 26 but luckily the fish were interested in the larger sizes.  The weather held nicely for most of the day but fishing definitely dropped off towards dark when the air temperature dropped.  Today looks pleasant and cool with this being the last chilly day before another warm front moves in on Saturday.  The release from Cannonsville is 866 cfs until further notice.  The West Branch water temperature under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 51 degrees this morning.

Bill with a nice brown on the Main. Photo by Jim Swift

Hatching:

Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Slate Drakes #12 – 14 -Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

September 18, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 18, 2014

They have been dropping the release from Cannonsville reservoir overnight.  The recording states we will eventually end up with a release of 820 cfs until further notice.  We had decent hatches of olives in the evening mixed with a few Cahills and Isonychias.  During they day nymphing was the best option once the sun hit the water and burned off the fog.  We are coming off a cool night so temperatures look good.  The East Branch and Beaverkill could definitely use some water.  The West Branch temperature under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 50 degrees this morning and topped out around 56 degrees yesterday afternoon.

Nice fish from the weekend

Hatching:

Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Slate Drakes #12 – 14 -Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

September 17, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 17, 2014

Yesterday was a decent olive day with clouds and a little of the rain hanging around longer than Accuweather predicted.  We also had the Cahill type mayflies and a few Isonychias mixed in.  Streamers are producing well early before the fog burns off and the sun hits the water.  Nymphing mid- day has brought some fish to the net before the afternoon hatches.  We’ve had success matching the naturals coming off with #14 – 20 Copper Johns and Pheasant Tails.  It is cool this morning with air temps predicted to be in the mid 60s today.  The West Branch under the 191 Bridge is 50 degrees this morning.

Another in the net

Hatching:

Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Slate Drakes #12 – 14 -Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

September 16, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 16, 2014

The olives are still going in the evenings with some Isonychias and Cahills.  The hatching should be decent today if the light rain and clouds stick around through the afternoon.  So far the precipitation has been light and hasn’t changed the rivers too much.  Shame since the Beaverkill and East Branch could use some additional water for the Fall.   The clarity is decent on the lower West Branch and definitely fishable.  We should clear up a bit during the day and have a nice afternoon in the mid 60’s.  The current release from Cannonsville is 1,177 cfs until further notice.  The West Branch under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 51 degrees this morning.  It’s beginning to feel like Fall with cool nights and mild days.

Ted with a great Mainstem brown trout

Hatching:

Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Slate Drakes #12 – 14 -Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

September 15, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 15, 2014

Yesterday was cool with more sun but the olives still hatched in the afternoon bringing fish to the surface.  There were some dark caddis, Isonychias and Cahill type mayflies on the water but the fish seemed keyed on the olives.  The shaded sections of the river fished well early plus a few fish were still chasing streamers in the higher flows on the West Branch.  Accuweather is calling for cooler air temps and sun today so it should fish the same as yesterday.  Tomorrow looks great with some rain moving in overnight.  The West Branch temperature under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 49 degrees this morning.

Joel with a healthy brown with a belly. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:

Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Slate Drakes #12 – Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

September 14, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 14, 2014

Yesterday’s sporadic showers turned into a steady rain for the most of the day.  The change in weather was great for the fishing bringing decent hatches of Isonychias and Cahills- and blanket olive hatches in sections.  For the most part the fish ignored the pseudos and were eating Isos and Cahills.  Streamer was also productive on the West Branch- especially once the color turned a bit from the rain.  Accuweather is calling for mid 60’s air temps today with sun and a few clouds coming through.    The release from Cannonsville is 1,112 cfs until further notice.  The West Branch temperature under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 49 degrees this morning.  There is a little color in the lower West Branch but it is fishable this morning.

Joel with a nice West Branch brown. Photo by Bruce Miller

Steve with a West Branch brown trout. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:

Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Slate Drakes #12 – Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

September 13, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 13, 2014

The current release from Cannonsville is 1264 cfs so we are up a little from yesterday.  We had a decent flush of olives in the evening that brought some fish to the surface.  There were some Summer Stenos and Isonychias mixed in but most of the fish preferred the olives.  We are started off cool this morning and are looking at a high air temp of 62 degrees with some sporadic showers.  Sounds like a great olive day!  The West Branch under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 50 degrees this morning.  The cool nights have helped the water temperatures throughout the system down to Callicoon.  The Beaverkill / East Branch side could definitely use some rain.

Ted with a nice rainbow on a dry fly. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:

Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Slate Drakes #12 – Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

September 12, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 12, 2014

The light rain and overcast conditions were great for the mayflies yesterday but the wind put a damper on the rising activity.  There were decent numbers of olives mixed with a few Isonychias and Summer Stenos but you had to hunt and be patient to find fish rising.  The fish were chasing streamers with some of them eating them and others just flashing.  all in all not a bad day for early September.  We’re coming off a cool night and the water temperatures have dropped a few degrees throughout the system.  We are looking at some clouds coming through today and a light storm  coming in overnight giving us a few sporadic showers over the weekend.  The release from Cannonsville is 989 cfs until further notice.  The West Branch under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is a cool 52 degrees this morning.

Frank on the West Branch yesterday. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:

Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Slate Drakes #12 – Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.