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Delaware River Report / Conditions April 8, 2017

The rivers have settled down a bit but are still running high.  The Upper East has gone up quite a bit.  Both Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs are spilling now.  Wading is still not an option but floating is fine if you’re comfortable with the high flows.  Double check the boat ramps before you leave.  Some of they are tricky when the water is in the trees and you have to figure out alternative takeouts. Things happen quickly at these flows so have a plan ahead of time and watch where you anchor.  Although you probably won’t be anchoring.  There are some alewives in the system and lets face it- streamers are your only option anyway.  I’d bring a dry fly rod with a stonefly but keep it cased.  Water temps dropped a bit overnight but they will improve over the next few days as air temps climb into the 70’s by Monday. The release but Cannonsville has been cut back to 36 cfs and there is currently 4,448 cfs spilling over the top.

 

The West Branch is at the top of the Shehawken ramp this morning.

The West Branch is at the top of the Shehawken ramp this morning.

Hatching:
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 4,670 cfs
40°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 6,360 cfs
38°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 4,060 cfs 37°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 7,480 cfs
39°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 16,900 cfs
39°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 2,780 cfs 38°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 36 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 38°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 3,560 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 104.1%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 100.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 7, 2017

We had quite a bit of rain fall since yesterday afternoon.  Cannonsville Reservoir is still spilling with a lot of water coming in from the back side.  Wading is still dangerous but floating is a possibility if you’re comfortable in very high water.  If you go double check the boat ramps before hand and make sure they are usable at the higher levels.  Hale Eddy and Fishs Eddy are dropping right now as the runoff subsides but there is still a lot of water in the rivers.  We have a little snow in today’s forecast that should amount to about an inch.  Air temperatures will stay in the 30’s.  After today we are definitely on an upswing and the rest of the week will be comfortable with a couple of days peaking over 70 degrees.

The Mainstem is in the trees this morning

The Mainstem is in the trees this morning

 

Hatching:
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 3,870 cfs
38°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 7,320 cfs
40°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 2,940 cfs 40°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 8,860 cfs
42°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 22,900 cfs
41°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 4,930 cfs 40°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,513 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 40°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 5,700 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 102%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 98.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 6, 2017

Cannonsville reservoir is spilling and with more rain in the forecast today we wouldn’t advise wading the river. The weather should improve over the weekend with some sun and warmer temperatures.

Stilesville

Getting some water spilling over the dam on the West Branch

 

Hatching:
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 2,560 cfs
38°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 3,490 cfs
39°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,550 cfs 41°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 3,780 cfs
41°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 9,840 cfs
43°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 2,230 cfs N/A
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,507 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 40°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 2,510 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 100.9%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 97.6%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 5, 2017

The river flows are up again after the runoff from the heavy rains.  Not a great scenario for waders but throwing streamers from a boat has been productive.  Water temperatures are up again this morning which will certainly help the fishing.  It looks like we are either spilling slightly from Cannonsville or are just on the verge.  Accuweather has around 3/4″ of rain in tomorrows forecast.

To keep it short:
1. Fish streamers in the slower pools and drop offs
2. Don’t wade
3.  Bring a raincoat

Stone

Hatching:
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,610 cfs
41°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 3,150 cfs
40°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,800 cfs 41°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 6,170 cfs
40°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 12,500 cfs
41°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 3,280 cfs 40°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,513 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 38°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 3,430 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 98.8%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 96.1%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 4, 2017

The rain came down hard around 2:30 this morning and the rivers are starting to rise.  The feeder creeks are pumping in a lot of water and half of them seem to be clear while the other half are muddy.  The Beaverkill is climbing quickly so the East Branch should rise significantly by mid day.  There is another 1/4″ of rain in the forecast for today.  Wading is not a good idea on the system but floating is still an option.  People have had some success throwing streamers over the last couple of days.  The rivers have warmed up a few degrees and are in decent shape for early April.  The reservoir inflows are climbing too and we may actually see a spill soon if we continue to get heavy rains every day or two.

 

If the rains keep coming we may see these in the river.  It's been a while

If the rains keep coming we may see these in the river. It’s been a while

Hatching:
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,420 cfs
38°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 3,320 cfs
40°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,730 cfs 41°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 4,260 cfs
42°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 9,070 cfs
42°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 3,120 cfs N/A
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,518 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 40°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 3,000 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 97.5%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 95.4%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 3, 2017

The water temperatures have come up a little over the last couple of days with most of the system peaking in the low 40’s.  We are in for some warmer air temperatures for the rest of the week and luckily the nights will stay above freezing.  If we get a little sunshine thrown into the mix the water temps should keep peaking a little higher each day.  We do have some rain the forecast.  Overall it looks like quite a bit between tonight and Friday but we’ll see how accurate Accuweather is this season.  Thursday looks like the wettest day for the near future.  Wading is still an issue but floating is fine and the streamer fishing is picking up as the water temps climb.  Mid afternoon is your best bet when water temps are the highest.  I think we’re still a little cold for any kind of consistent stonefly surface activity but keep a dry fly rod handy just in case you find a riser in the slow pools.

 

The water temperature at Hale Eddy made quite a jump yesterday

The water temperature at Hale Eddy made quite a jump yesterday

Hatching:
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,410 cfs
38°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,640 cfs
37°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,560 cfs 38°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 3,160 cfs
40°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 8,500 cfs
40°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,720 cfs N/A
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,513 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 38°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 2,530 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 91.2%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 92.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 2, 2017

The sun is shining this morning which makes it feel a whole lot better than yesterday.  Wunderground has the air temperature peaking around 51 degrees today so it’s going to feel like Summer out there after the last few weeks.  The rivers are still high and cold with runoff and we still have a bit of snow left in the woods.  Most of the water temperatures peaked in the high 30’s or low 40’s yesterday.  It’s still a bit cold for the fish to look for the stoneflies but people are catching a couple fish on streamers in the slower water and edges.  Nymphing will improve if the water drops.  Finding a safe place to wade is still an issue but boating is perfectly safe.  The forecast looks  dry for the next couple of days with some decent rains coming towards the end of the week.

 

Getting some Hendrickson nymphs ready

Getting some Hendrickson nymphs ready

Hatching:
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,410 cfs
37°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,910 cfs
39°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,680 cfs 38°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 3,260 cfs
39°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 9,400 cfs
38°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,640 cfs N/A
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,513 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 38°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 3,090 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 91.2%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 92.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 1, 2017

The entire Delaware System is cold and high this morning with a mix of runoff and releases.  The reservoirs filled quickly in March and NYC now feels comfortable keeping the releases higher and making room for additional runoff.  That’s quite a change from the late Fall when we were watching the level in Cannonsville Reservoir drop to 18%.  We have plenty of water in the Reservoirs and should be set up for a more “normal” Spring.  We wouldn’t suggest wading until the river levels drop.  It’s possible to throw streamers from a boat or shore right now and that fishing should improve over the next week as the water temperatures rise along with the air temperatures.  It won’t take long to get going.
We are getting a little snow this morning on top of yesterday’s rain.  The plows were out sanding the roads early this morning but be careful if you are out traveling.  Air temperatures should be in the 50’s a couple of days this week and will make fishing much more comfortable.  We are seeing a few Stoneflies around but dry fly action is a distant long shot over the next couple of days until the flow drops a bit and the water temperatures rise.  If you fish your best bet will be to slow strip, swing, or jig streamers in quieter, deep eddys.

 

It's a little chilly and wet on the West Branch this morning

It’s a little chilly and wet at 7 :30 on the West Branch this morning

Hatching:
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx spp.

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,410 cfs
37°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 3,560 cfs
37°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,920 cfs 38°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 3,780 cfs
38°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 11,500 cfs
38°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,790 cfs N/A
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,499 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 37°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 5,020 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 91.2%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 92.7%

3/30/2017 DEP update on Cannonsville & Pepacton releases

Received this afternoon:

 

Hi, folks. I’m following up from my note last week with a quick update on New York City’s reservoir storage and release plans.
 
Because of rain and snowmelt, the past three days have brought a combined total of 17 billion gallons of runoff into Cannonsville and Pepacton. While we’re happy to see the reservoirs refilling, DEP must also strive to meet a storage objective in its reservoirs this time of year. The FFMP says we should aim to keep storage no higher than 93 percent as of now.
 
That is why we began larger releases from Cannonsville Reservoir last week. We have been releasing 1,500 cubic feet per second (975 mgd) from Cannonsville into the West Branch, and we plan to continue that for at least the next week. We will not be ramping down this weekend as previously planned. Doing so would cause the reservoir to fill beyond the objective and cause it to spill earlier.
 
We have also increased releases from Pepacton Reservoir. We are currently releasing about 835 cubic feet per second (450 mgd) into the East Branch. That will likely continue for at least the next week as well.  
 
I hope this information is helpful. And, as always, please feel free to email or call with any questions.
 
Best,
Adam Bosch
 
 
__________________________________________________________­­­­____________________
Adam Bosch | Director of Public Affairs | NYC Environmental Protection | Bureau of Water Supply
(O) 845 334-7868| boscha@dep.nyc.gov

 

Upper Delaware System Water Update February 28, 2017

Things have been looking up for the water supply over the last few weeks and Cannonsville now sits at 79.97% with Walton flowing in at 2070 cfs and even little Trout Brook coming in at 136 cfs.  We have more rain on the way with over half in inch in the forecast tomorrow.  There have been a few early stoneflies around but the water temperatures are still a little low for great fishing.

The West Branch above Cannonsville has had good water for a while now

The West Branch above Cannonsville has had good water for quite a while now

2017 Fly Fishing Show Somerset, NJ

Join us January 27th, 28th, and 29th in Somerset, NJ at The Flyfishing Show.  Like normal, we will be discussing the upcoming season’s prospects and booking rooms and guides for 2017.  We will also have a limited supply of our Spectrumized Dubbing for sale. Our booth location is C22 & C23 in the Main Hall.

Double-Trouble

Delaware River Club Guides Bob Lewis and Steve Shen will be presenting:

Mastering The Upper Delaware

Friday, January 27th – 2:00 PM, Hillsborough Room
Saturday, January 29th – 12:00 PM, Techniques Theater
Sunday, January 31st – 10:00 AM, Hillsborough Room

Tying the East Branch Caddis

Watch more Delaware River Club tying videos here.

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