Delaware River Report / Conditions May 6, 2016

Yesterday was another good day on the river.  The hatching started a little later than expected but we had the same mix of Blue Winged Olives, Hendricksons, Blue Quills, plus March Browns on some sections.  We also saw a few fish eat some tan caddis just to add to the mix.  Cripples and emerger patterns seemed to work the best again.  With so many bugs on the water the fish can afford to be choosy so they are eating the most vulnerable insects.  We’re still seeing a lot of eating in the water column due to the shear volume of bugs.  The clouds hung around most of the day and the rain held off.
The system is starting off today very similar to yesterday in both water temperatures and flows.  Winds are forecasted to be manageable ranging from 4 to 9 mph.  We are in for some showers early turning into a steady rain by mid-day. That’s great news for the reservoirs.  Hopefully the additional precipitation will help DEP make the right decision and bump us up a few tables in the FFMP.  The West Branch is your best bet for wading and gets easier as you move above each feeder stream.
If today’s rain colors the river or the flows increase to a level that makes wading questionable we will post a new report.  It could turn into a great streamer afternoon.  Right now everything is in great shape.

Dave had another good day on the Delaware.  Photo by Steve Shen

Dave had another good day on the Delaware. Photo by Steve Shen

 

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
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)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis – almost gone – you’ll still find a few here and there

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 137 cfs
43°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 520 cfs
48°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 256 cfs 48°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,230 cfs 49°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 2,600 cfs 50°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 710 cfs N/A
Cannonsville Reservoir Release  150 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge  N/A 49°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 495 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 97.3%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 99.4%

 

 

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