Is it May? It definitely felt more like late March yesterday (and still does in a way). That being said, despite the cold air temps, stiff wind and occasional rain, it was bug soup out on the Main Stem, and the fish were definitely eager to eat. With March Browns, Grey Fox, Sulphurs of every variety, and last but not least – GREEN DRAKES hatching, it was a virtual smorgasbord for the fish willing to come to the surface. While we did get some rain, the level in the West only rose slightly, and we are still low and clear. The Main and East still have some color in them, but are not blown out. The frigid overnight temps (dipped into the 30s) have dramatically lowered our water temps, so it is likely we won’t see a ton of action until mid-afternoon when they increase. Some rain is predicted, and the wind will be the real story today, with big gusts predicted throughout the morning and afternoon. Let’s hope it will be like yesterday, and the fish / bugs just won’t care!
Piers MacDonald holds a nice Main Stem Brown while daughter Paige looks on approvingly! Photo: Bob Lewis
What’s Hatching:
Ephemera guttulata – Green Drakes – #8-2XL
Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl
Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl
Hydropysche species – Tan Caddis – #16 & #18
Chimarra species – Charcoal Caddis – #16 & #18
Epeorus vitreus – PED, Pink Lady – #14 – Getting Started
Baetis species – BWO – #16 & #18 – Very sporadic
Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14 (waning – Upper West Only)
Current Flow Conditions:
| FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM: | |
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 227 cfs @ 42º |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 396 cfs @ 49º |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 326 cfs @ 51º |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 1,660 cfs @ 50º |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 2,560 cfs @ 52º |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 1,100 cfs @ N/A |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Level & Release | 97.2% – 225 CFS release |
