We’re starting off 2019 with a warm weekend, some light rain, and an open Winterdale Road. Feels like a really good start. The release from Cannonsville is just under 200 cfs. The West Branch is in great shape for wading but there is still enough water this morning to float the lower sections. The NYS water is not open yet so stick to the border water this weekend. The low water, sun, and warm air temps have really helped the water temps over the last few days. The West Branch at Hale Eddy is peaking in the mid 40’s and starting off at 43 degrees this morning. We’ll see some rain over the next two days but it should only be around 1/4″ each day. Stoneflies and olives have been on the water on warm afternoons so there is a shot at some dry fly fishing. There may be a some little black caddis out there too. Nymphing has definitely been the effective method followed by streamers. Smaller nymphs that match the naturals have worked the best for us. #14 stonefly nymphs and #16 – 18 pheasant tails. The ground is saturated and there are still patches of snow so the river flows will probably bump slightly in the afternoons from the runoff and light rain.
Patrick McPartland found some willing fish the last week of March
Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store
Tiny Stonefly– #18- Capniidae spp.
Early Brown and Black Stoneflies – #14 -16 – Taeniopteryx spp.
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (light hatching)
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 201 cfs | 39° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 547 cfs | 43° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 256 cfs | 41° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 1,210 cfs | 42° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 2,190 cfs | 43° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 648 cfs | 40° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 200 cfs | |
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 42° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 1,110 cfs | |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 96.4% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 95.1% |
