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Delaware River Report / Conditions May 27, 2014

Well it took a while but the system is in great shape and good for both wading and floating.  The temperatures dropped on the West Branch over night due to the decease in the amount of warm spill and the cold release of 525 cfs.  We are still seeing Hendricksons on the West Branch and the beginning of the March Browns.  The East Branch and Mainstem have March Browns and the fish are eating them.  The hatch should continue to improve throughout the week.  If you go down far enough there have been some sightings of a few Green Drakes.  The sun has hurt the mid day activity but the evenings have been fishing great.  Definitely have your spinner box full.

 

Photo by Jordan Davenport

Photo by Jordan Davenport

Hatching:

March Brown #10 – 2xl  – S. Vicarium

Gray Fox # 12-2xl – S. Vicarium (formerly fuscum)

Small Dark Hendrickson #16 – E. X

Light Hendrickson #12 – E. subvaria

Dark Hendrickson #14 – E. Subvaria

Apple Caddis #16 – Lt Brachycentrus sp.

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans

Little Black Caddis #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM:
West Branch at Stilesville, NY 777 cfs @ 54º
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 911 cfs @ 50º
East Branch at Harvard, NY 551 cfs @ 55º
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,200 cfs @ 59º
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 2,430 cfs @ 60º
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 473 cfs @ N/A

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 26, 2014

The #16 Hendricksons continued on the WB yesterday offering some decent fishing, especially in the evening.  The EB and MS turned on in the evening and most of the fish were not picky.  A #14 -16 Rusty Spinner worked well.  The thunderstorms never developed here and we received just a small sprinkle in the afternoon so the rivers continue to drop to wadeable levels.  Stilesville is now under 1000 cfs and the Beaverkill / Willowemoc look great.  The March Brown / Gray Fox continue to hatch and it won’t be long before the fish recognize the big bugs as food.

Dave with an East Branch brown.  Photo by Jordan Davenport

Dave with an East Branch brown. Photo by Jordan Davenport

Hatching:

March Brown #10 – 2xl  – S. Vicarium

Gray Fox # 12-2xl – S. Vicarium (formerly fuscum)

Small Dark Hendrickson #16 – E. X

Light Hendrickson #12 – E. subvaria

Dark Hendrickson #14 – E. Subvaria

Apple Caddis #16 – Lt Brachycentrus sp.

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans

Little Black Caddis #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM:
West Branch at Stilesville, NY 962 cfs @ 57º
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 1,110 cfs @ 52º
East Branch at Harvard, NY 654 cfs @ 54º
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,390 cfs @ 57º
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 2,870 cfs @ 55º
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 539 cfs @ N/A

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 25, 2014

Just about all of the rain missed us and the rivers are finally dropping back.  The WB is almost wadeable but the best wading access is still the Beaverkill and Willowemoc.  We should be in great shape over the next couple of days with warmer temps and a few clouds mixed in.  Of course the weatherman was incorrect on the winds yesterday and it did blow for a while making the fishing tougher.  In between gusts we found fish rising to #16 Hendricksons and then spinners at dark.  There were some March Browns on the WB yesterday but I didn’t see any fish recognize them as food yet.  The EB and MS are better options for the big bugs but that should change over the next few days as the hatch grows and fish begin to realize there’s a big meal floating by.

Dave with a great WB brown.  Photo by Steve Shen

Dave with a great WB brown. Photo by Steve Shen

Beth with a nice fish yesterday.  Photo by Steve Shen

Beth with a nice fish yesterday. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:

March Brown #10 – 2xl  – S. Vicarium

Gray Fox # 12-2xl – S. Vicarium (formerly fuscum)

Small Dark Hendrickson #16 – E. X

Light Hendrickson #12 – E. subvaria

Dark Hendrickson #14 – E. Subvaria

Apple Caddis #16 – Lt Brachycentrus sp.

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans

Little Black Caddis #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM:
West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,180 cfs @ 58º
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 1,380 cfs @ 53º
East Branch at Harvard, NY 714 cfs @ 52º
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,600 cfs @ 55º
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 3,210 cfs @ 55º
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 662 cfs @ N/A

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 24, 2014

Hatching seemed a little slower yesterday during the day but the streamer bite was decent while we had cloud cover.  There were some Gray Fox and March Browns on sections of the system with fish eating them.  As a bonus the weatherman was wrong on the wind predictions and we never had to deal with the 26 mph gusts.  It turned on at dark.  Today looks decent with some cloud cover and light winds, maybe a brief thunderstorm or two rolling through.  On the West Branch make sure you have #16 Hendrickson duns and spinners.  Caddis have been coming off all over the system offering some daytime fishing.

Roger with a nice fish this week.  Photo by Bruce Miller

Roger with a nice fish this week. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:

March Brown #10 – 2xl  – S. Vicarium

Gray Fox # 12-2xl – S. Vicarium (formerly fuscum)

Small Dark Hendrickson #16 – E. X

Light Hendrickson #12 – E. subvaria

Dark Hendrickson #14 – E. Subvaria

Apple Caddis #16 – Lt Brachycentrus sp.

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans

Little Black Caddis #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM:
West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,430 cfs @ 57º
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 1,660 cfs @ 53º
East Branch at Harvard, NY 697 cfs @ 52º
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,580 cfs @ 54º
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 3,730 cfs @ 55º
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 657 cfs @ N/A

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 23, 2014

Luckily most of the heavy storms missed us yesterday.  We even had bright sun mid- day that slowed the fishing down for a while.  Later in the afternoon we had a very brief heavy shower that seemed to kick start the fishing on the West Branch and Mainstem.  Most fish were landed on Hendrickson and Hendrickson spinners with a few caddis mixed in for good measure.  Some people are beginning to see Gray Fox and March Browns eaten on the Mainstem.  We have sighted a few of the big bugs on the West Branch so it won’t be long now.  Today looks a little cooler, light rain, and some wind gusts that disappear by primetime (if you believe Accuweather is accurate).

 

Dave looking happy yesterday.  Photo by Steve Shen

Dave looking happy yesterday. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:

March Brown #10 – 2xl  – S. Vicarium

Gray Fox # 12-2xl – S. Vicarium (formerly fuscum)

Small Dark Hendrickson #16 – E. X

Light Hendrickson #12 – E. subvaria

Dark Hendrickson #14 – E. Subvaria

Apple Caddis #16 – Lt Brachycentrus sp.

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans

Little Black Caddis #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM:
West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,620 cfs @ 56º
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 1,920 cfs @ 53º
East Branch at Harvard, NY 914 cfs @ 53º
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,940 cfs @ 56º
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 4,260 cfs @ 55º
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 814 cfs @ N/A

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 22, 2014

A big brown and a big cigar.  Boris knows how to live!  Photo by Steve Shen

A big brown and a big cigar. Boris knows how to live! Photo by Steve Shen

Bob Lewis can fish as well as guide.  Photo by Bruce Miller

Bob Lewis can fish as well as guide. Photo by Bruce Miller

The rivers fished well yesterday- lots and lots of Hendricksons on the building this morning.  Looks like a great mix of duns and spinners.  The weather held and the fish rose willingly.  Caddis were still everywhere but the fish loved the Hendricksons more.  Today looks like another warm day with some rain mixed in so keep and eye on the flows.  Cannonsville is currently 102.8% capacity.  The system is still dropping as a whole.  The Beaverkill and Willowemoc offer the best wading opportunities right now so we’ll watch what the rain does to us.

 

Hatching:

March Brown #10 – 2xl  – S. Vicarium

Gray Fox # 12-2xl – S. Vicarium (formerly fuscum)

Small Dark Hendrickson #16 – E. X

Light Hendrickson #12 – E. subvaria

Dark Hendrickson #14 – E. Subvaria

Apple Caddis #16 – Lt Brachycentrus sp.

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans

Little Black Caddis #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM:
West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,830 cfs @ 56º
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,120 cfs @ 53º
East Branch at Harvard, NY 984 cfs @ 53º
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,830 cfs @ 55º
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 4,710 cfs @ 55º
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 745 cfs @ N/A

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 21, 2014

We had great Hendrickson spinner falls last night and most of the system fished very well into dark.  The wind wasn’t bad for a change and the fish were happy and willing to eat on the surface.  Along with the spinners was a healthy mix of #16 Hendrickson duns, olives, and caddis.  The weather looks good today with light winds, overcast, and just a shower or two in the afternoon.  The rivers are still dropping and the water temps are great for fishing.  Wading is still difficult but there is definitely some opportunity on the Beaverkill.  Our flows over the next few days are totally dependent on the predicted rain.  We’ll have to wait and see if the weatherman is correct this time.

 

Sam showing the results of spinners in the dark.  Photo by Bob Lewis

Sam showing the results of Hendrickson spinners in the dark. Photo by Bob Lewis

Bruce with a classic Delaware rainbow

Bruce with a classic Delaware rainbow

Hatching:

March Brown #10 – 2xl  – S. Vicarium

Gray Fox # 12-2xl – S. Vicarium (formerly fuscum)

Small Dark Hendrickson #16 – E. X

Light Hendrickson #12 – E. subvaria

Dark Hendrickson #14 – E. Subvaria

Apple Caddis #16 – Lt Brachycentrus sp.

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans

Little Black Caddis #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM:
West Branch at Stilesville, NY 2,340 cfs @ 56º
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,670 cfs @ 54º
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,320 cfs @ 52º
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,390 cfs @ 54º
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 6,040 cfs @ 55º
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 853 cfs @ N/A

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 20, 2014

Carlo with a nice brown.  Photo by Bob Lewis

Carlo with a nice brown. Photo by Bob Lewis

Tony landed a nice brown. Photo by Kevan Smackaro

Tony landed a nice brown. Photo by Kevan Smackaro

The rivers are still slowly dropping and the clarity is greatly improving daily.  The hatching has continued with a great mix of Hendricksons and caddis.  We have found more fish rising every day since the rain.  Yesterday the action started mid afternoon and continued until dark.  Wading is still tough on most of the system.  There are spots on the Willowemoc and Beaverkill that are okay right now but drifting is still the best option.  Streamers have been productive in the mornings through mid day.

Hatching:

March Brown #10 – 2xl  – S. Vicarium

Gray Fox # 12-2xl – S. Vicarium (formerly fuscum)

Small Dark Hendrickson #16 – E. X

Light Hendrickson #12 – E. subvaria

Dark Hendrickson #14 – E. Subvaria

Apple Caddis #16 – Lt Brachycentrus sp.

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans

Little Black Caddis #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM:
West Branch at Stilesville, NY 2,980 cfs @ 54º
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 3,360 cfs @ 53º
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,850 cfs @ 49º
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,970 cfs @ 50º
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 7,980 cfs @ 54º
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,060 cfs @ N/A

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 19, 2014

The rivers are slowly coming back down.  The clarity is improving and both the EB and WB began to fish better yesterday.  There were lots of caddis on the water yesterday, and a surprisingly heavy hatch of Hendricksons and “X’s” on the West Branch starting around 2 pm  It just took the fish a while to realize they were there, but when they did quite a few fish were found feeding on the surface. As water levels continue to drop the fish should just keep getting better and better.  Although this flow is too high wade, drift boats make for a great method of transportation. This high water event may be a blessing in disguise, giving us a great outlook for flows and fishing for the next 2-3+ weeks. As soon as the Main Stem drops to a fishable level expect to see the start of the big bugs. (March Browns, Gray Foxes, Sulphurs etc.)

 

Pat working the high water.  photo by Bob Lewis

Pat working the high water. photo by Bob Lewis

Hatching:

Light Hendrickson #12 – E. subvaria

Dark Hendrickson #14 – E. Subvaria

Blue Quill #16 – Paralep sp.

Apple Caddis #16 – Lt Brachycentrus sp.

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans

Quill Gordon #14 -Epeorus pluralis

Little Black Caddis #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM:
West Branch at Stilesville, NY 3,060 cfs @ 54º
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 3,860 cfs @ 53º
East Branch at Harvard, NY 2,490 cfs @ 49º
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 4,000 cfs @ 49º
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 10,300 cfs @ 53º
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,300 cfs @ N/A

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 18, 2014

The rivers have settled and are slowly dropping back.  We are clearing slightly but it will take a while to get back to where we were and none of the rivers are currently wadeable.  There were fish rising sporadically in some of the long flat pools yesterday but the majority of the fishing is big streamers right now.  The system should improve during the week and begin to fish better as the water falls and clears.

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Hatching:

Light Hendrickson #12 – E. subvaria

Dark Hendrickson #14 – E. Subvaria

Blue Quill #16 – Paralep sp.

Apple Caddis #16 – Lt Brachycentrus sp.

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans

Quill Gordon #14 -Epeorus pluralis

Little Black Caddis #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM:
West Branch at Stilesville, NY 4,080 cfs @ 54º
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 5,100 cfs @ 54º
East Branch at Harvard, NY 3,440 cfs @ 51º
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 6,190 cfs @ 51º
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 14,500 cfs @ 54º
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 2,100 cfs @ N/A

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 17, 2014

 

So we had some rain yesterday.  A lot of rain.  The wall of water has started to come over Cannonsville so even though Hale Eddy is dropping this morning it will rise later today.  Stilesville is still rising from the spill.  The color is okay in Stilesville.  The color on the lower WB is manageable for fish to eat streamers but not pretty.  The lower EB and MS are chocolate this morning.  As you move below the USGS gages figure the water is higher due to the feeder creeks coming in pushing a lot of water.  Wading is definitely not an option today.  The rivers should crest and begin to clear sometime today.  Most people that fished yesterday just got wet.

Hatching:

Light Hendrickson #12 – E. subvaria

Dark Hendrickson #14 – E. Subvaria

Blue Quill #16 – Paralep sp.

Apple Caddis #16 – Lt Brachycentrus sp.

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans

Quill Gordon #14 -Epeorus pluralis

Little Black Caddis #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM:
West Branch at Stilesville, NY 2,490 cfs @ 56º
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 6,090 cfs @ 54º
East Branch at Harvard, NY 2,620 cfs @ 51º
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 10,200 cfs @ 51º
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 24,900 cfs @ 61º
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 5,140 cfs @ N/A

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 16, 2014

The system fished well yesterday in between the wind gusts and in the evening when it finally calmed down.  A decent mix of hendricksons, olives, and caddis had the fish up and happy.  Nymphing and swinging wet flies also produced fish.  There were some hendrickson spinners mixed in throughout the day so take a close look at the water when fish are working.  It seems like most of the predicted rain missed us last night so the rivers are in good shape this morning.

Conner with a nice brown.  Photo by Steve Shen

Conner with a nice brown. Photo by Steve Shen

Ted coming through in the wind yesterday

Ted coming through in the wind yesterday

Hatching:

Light Hendrickson #12 – E. subvaria

Dark Hendrickson #14 – E. Subvaria

Blue Quill #16 – Paralep sp.

Apple Caddis #16 – Lt Brachycentrus sp.

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans

Quill Gordon #14 -Epeorus pluralis

Little Black Caddis #18-20 – Chimarra sp.

FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM:
West Branch at Stilesville, NY 463 cfs @ 48º
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 715 cfs @ 54º
East Branch at Harvard, NY 203 cfs @ 59º
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 788 cfs @ 62º
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,840 cfs @ 61º
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 430 cfs @ N/A
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