Delaware River Report / Conditions October 16, 2014

We finally got the rain we have been wishing for this fall.  We’ve had steady showers leading into downpours since yesterday afternoon giving some much needed water to the Beaverkill and East Branch.  While a lot of the early rain soaked into the ground we now have some pretty decent runoff coming down the river.  The release from Cannonsville has been cut and Stilesville is flowing at 725 cfs this morning and dropping.  The flow at hale Eddy is 2,770 cfs and dropping quickly.  We should clear nicely with the lower release once the rain stops and the flow drops back another 1000 cfs- possibly by this afternoon.  Once the runoff subsides we should have less reservoir sediment in the West Branch allowing much of it to filter out by the time it reaches the lower river sections.  This could be great news for people wanting to fish the West Branch over the next week.  The lower East Branch definitely has color to it and usually takes an extra day or so to clear.  Keep an eye on the graphs – once hale hits a little under 100 cfs we should be in great shape.  This morning the river looks prime for a streamer run.  The West Branch under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 59 degrees.

artist Flick Ford getting some casts in before the rain hit this week

Hatching:

Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Slate Drakes #14 -Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.