September 12, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 12, 2016

We are coming off a cold night with lows in the 40’s.  This has cooled some of the water temperatures too.  We should only reach the low 70’s this afternoon.  The wind was tough yesterday making most of the day fit for streamers or nymphs.  It did drop back in the evening offering a window of dry fly fishing.  Winds will be low today staying below 5 mph.  The current release from Cannonsville is 1,135 cfs- just a minor change down.  The upper Mainstem offers the best opportunity for wading and nymphing.  The West Branch has a couple of spots that are wadeable but you will definitely do better in a boat.

Sean landed a nice fish this weekend. Photo by Michael Brewer

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- 14- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Golden Drake – #12-2xl – Potomanthus
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

September 11, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 11, 2016

The release from Cannonsville was increased again this morning to 1,366 cfs.  We had some light showers overnight that are ending this morning.  Winds will be upa bit today and should drop by the evening.  The clouds should hang around most of the day.  Overall it looks like a good day to go swing some streamers and look for afternoon olives.  Streamers were the best bet yesterday but people did have decent dry fly activity on cahills, olives, and flying ants.  Nymphing has bee decent when the sun is not beating on the water.

Tim with a nice brown yesterday. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Golden Drake – #12-2xl – Potomanthus
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

September 10, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 10, 2016

The release from Cannonsville has been dropped to 989 cfs.  At 8 am it will drop again to 940 cfs until further notice.  We had a little rain overnight but it had little effect on the system.  There is a little color on the West but it is definitely fishable.  The color has actually helped with the streamer bite.  Cahills and olives are the main hatches but we still are seeing some small sulphurs mixed with isonychias.  There are a few brown caddis showing up.  We have a chance of light rain today but should keep the clouds.  Winds will be 10 mph and under.

Bruce with a nice brown yesterday. Photo by Samantha Dennis

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Golden Drake – #12-2xl – Potomanthus
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

September 9, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 9, 2016

The release from Cannonsville has been increased again to 1,267 cfs this morning.  We did have some light rain overnight so there is also a slight bump on the Beaverkill and East Branch but it is minor.  The water temperature on the lower East is 69 degrees this morning.  This would be a perfect opportunity for them to take some of the Cannonsville release and give it to the East Branch essentially helping the entire system.  Unfortunately that is not going to happen.
Yesterday fished fairly well with a mix of cahills, olives, and a few flying ants.  Today looks like a good fishing day with cloud cover, light winds, and a small chance of light showers.  Air temperatures should be in the low 80’s but the humidity won’t be bad on the water.

Jim with a nice brown on the West Branch. Photo by Bruce MIller

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Golden Drake – #12-2xl – Potomanthus
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

September 8, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 8, 2016

The release from Cannonsville has been dropped slightly to 1,009 cfs this morning.  Just a minor adjustment to meet the downstream flow target.  The forecast looks good today with clouds and winds under 10 mph.  Unfortunately we shouldn’t see any precipitation but the clouds will be a welcome relief from the sun.  It will be warm today with air temperatures in the mid – 80’s but the cold water release will keep the West Branch and Upper Mainstem in decent shape.  Flying ants were the pattern of choice yesterday followed by cahills and small olives.  We are seeing white flies in decent numbers on the upper Main but most of the spinners have been dropping very late.

You do not need a 16 – 20 foot leader with multiple feet of tippet to catch fish on the West Branch in the Summer.  What you need is a really great presentation.  Stop by the DRC this Saturday morning between 9 and 12 for a free Summer Clinic.  We’ll cover casting techniques, leaders, flies, and hatches.  Frank Audino will be giving fly tying demonstrations so bring your vise if you want to pick up some techniques.  Send us an email at flyfish@thedelawareriverclub.com and let us know if you are coming.

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Golden Drake – #12-2xl – Potomanthus
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

September 7, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 7, 2016

The release from Cannonsville has been raised again to meet the downstream flow targets.  The current release is from Cannonsville is 1,245 cfs.  It would be nice if they spread some of the directed release out to Pepacton and throw the East Branch a bone of a few hundred cfs.  If you fish the upper Main definitely carry white flies and caddis.  If you are on the West Branch carry light cahills and some sulphurs.  Everywhere you fish today carry blue winged olives and flying ants.  The forecast is mid 80 air temperatures, partly cloudy, and light to moderate winds (under 10 mph).  We will be warm for the next few days and air temps should drop back early next week.

You do not need a 16 – 20 foot leader with multiple feet of tippet to catch fish on the West Branch in the Summer.  What you need is a really great presentation.  Stop by the DRC this Saturday morning between 9 and 12 for a free Summer Clinic.  We’ll cover casting techniques, leaders, flies, and hatches.  Frank Audino will be giving fly tying demonstrations so bring your vise if you want to pick up some techniques.  Send us an email at flyfish@thedelawareriverclub.com and let us know if you are coming.

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Golden Drake – #12-2xl – Potomanthus
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

September 6, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 6, 2016

After listening to the stories in the shop all summer let’s dispel a rumor.  You do not need a 16 – 20 foot leader with multiple feet of tippet to catch fish on the West Branch in the Summer.  What you need is a really great presentation.  Stop by the DRC this Saturday morning between 9 and 12 for a free Summer Clinic.  We’ll cover casting techniques, leaders, flies, and hatches.  Frank Audino will be giving fly tying demonstrations so bring your vise if you want to pick up some techniques.  Send us an email at flyfish@thedelawareriverclub.com and let us know if you are coming.

Jack with another fish from Sunday. And again Pat caught nothing. Photo by Samantha Dennis

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Golden Drake – #12-2xl – Potomanthus
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

September 5, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 5, 2016

The release from Cannonsville has been increased to 1,041 cfs this morning.  The increased flow has not hit Lordville yet so expect the Mainstem to increase another 300 – 400 cfs today.  The increased release is most likely due to meeting the Montague flow target.  We should keep the higher water until they release again from Rio and Lake Wallenpaupack-  if they do.  The weather looks good today with high air temperatures in the low 80’s and winds gusting to 10 mph and then dropping in the evening.  We had mixed results dry fly fishing yesterday but most people seemed to find some fish eating throughout the river.  Nymphing was still the best bet during the bright sun.  Cahills and small olives are the most common hatches right now.  If you venture onto the upper Mainstem definitely have a few white flies in your box just in case.

Jack Regan found one on top yesterday. Photo by Samantha Dennis. Pat Regan caught nothing because he didn’t go fishing.

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Golden Drake – #12-2xl – Potomanthus
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

September 4, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 4, 2016

Today is looking like it will end up a mirror image of yesterday.  Partly cloudy and a little cooler.  The flows are still around 800 cfs on the West Branch.  Some sections are good for wading and the entire river is good for floating.  The Mainstem water temperatures stayed in decent shape down to Lordville.  The hatching still seems off but there were a few fish landed.  You definitely have to make the most of the opportunities you get.  Most of the fish landed on dry flies yesterday came on small olives or light cahills.

Art found a riser yesterday. Photo by Bob Lewis

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Golden Drake – #12-2xl – Potomanthus
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

September 3, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 3, 2016

The release from Cannonsville is steady around 800 cfs.  The abrupt rise in flow and drop in temperature made fishing tough yesterday.  There were a few bugs on the water but the fish were hesitant to rise.  Either the increased water volume had the fish looking for a new home or the drop in water temperature shut them down.  Hopefully everything has settled down to the new flow and temperature and we’ll see some more activity today.  Olives and cahills have been the mainstay over the last couple of days with a few sulphurs and isonychias mixed in.  We are seeing tricos in the air but you’ll have to find a long flat pool to find fish at this flow.  Definitely carry your flying ants.  If you venture on to the first few miles of the upper main carry some white flies with you.

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Golden Drake – #12-2xl – Potomanthus
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

September 2, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 2, 2016

After having a steady release of 500 cfs for most of the Summer a lot of us were wondering when something crazy would happen.  The release was cut to 400 cfs yesterday due to a change in the FFMP charts.  This morning the release from Cannonsville was increased to 795 cfs. This is likely due to the downstream flow targets.  Our best guess is that they are not going to run water out of Lake Wallenpaupack this weekend and the recent rains missed us dropping the flow in Montague, NJ.  At some point we will likely be cut back to 400 cfs when they start to release downriver again.  Hopefully they will step it down gradually when the time comes rather than drop us 50% in one shot.  Dropping the release 24 hours before they increase the release seems a bit crazy but I’m sure they will say they had to run the releases that way due to the FFMP.  If that’s the case then the Flexible Flow Management Plan isn’t all that damn flexible.

Nymphing will be tough today since the increased release probably knocked a bunch of the slime loose.  Streamers may productive but check your fly often.  The hatches should still come off on the upper West Branch. The water temperature change will be less dramatic closer to the dam.  The lower West could go either way today. If the water temps drop quickly it may shut the bugs down initially but then we may see increased daytime hatching as the cooler temps level out. Tomorrow everything should settle in and offer decent fishing provided the higher release continues.

steady, down, and up

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Golden Drake – #12-2xl – Potomanthus
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

September 1, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 1, 2016

Update:  The current release from Cannonsville is 400 cfs under the FFMP Table 4F

September 1st and we still have a release of 500 cfs from Cannonsville.  We have a cloudy sky and cooler air temperatures.  There is a slight chance of showers this morning but nothing major in the forecast.  Winds will pick up mid day to around 10 mph but will drop back down as the evening approaches.  We had decent olive hatches on the West Branch last night mixed with a few sulphurs and cahills.  The fish were rising but very picky on size and pattern.   Definitely carry some low profile olives in #20 -24.  Flying ants are still a good bet when the fish reject your imitation.

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Golden Drake – #12-2xl – Potomanthus
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)