Delaware River Report / Conditions May 17, 2016

It looks like the heavy winds are behind us for a while.  Weatherunderground is forecasting gusts to 9 mph and dropping in the evenings through the weekend.  That’s going to be a welcome change.  We have a small chance of very light rain today but the rest of the week looks clear and warm.  Yesterday was similar to Sunday with winds that made dry fly fishing difficult until the evening.  Once the wind dropped around 6 pm there were sulphurs march browns on some sections and olives in other areas.
Cannonsville Dam is still spilling but the West Branch above the reservoir is beginning to drop.  Sections are wadeable at this level plus both sections of the East Branch and the Beaverkill are in good wading shape.  Streamers and nymphing have been effective before the hatches begin.

Lunch

Steve cooking a stream side lunch. Photo by Bob Lewis

 

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 688 cfs
47°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 1,050 cfs
47°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 263 cfs 46°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 990 cfs 49°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 2,560 cfs 50°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 492 cfs N/A
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 300 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 48°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 528 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 101.2%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 99.8%
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