April 13, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 13, 2018

According to the hotline the release from Cannonsville Reservoir is 1,499 cfs.  It is currently spilling 23 cfs.  The rain has bumped the flow in the Beaverkill which has bumped the flow in the lower East Branch.  The East Branch above the Beaverkill remains low.  It’s already warm out this morning.  We will be in the mid to high 60’s for the next two days so it will feel like Summer out there.  Streamers are still the most reliable method but there has been an increase of stonefly activity plus a few mayflies spotted.  We’re looking forward to some decent fishing over the next few days.

Have a stonefly rigged this weekend

Hatching:

Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

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April 12, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 12, 2018

The release from Cannonsville Reservoir is still 1,499 cfs.  The spill has dropped to 76 cfs as the reservoir level has dropped.  On the other side of the system the level of Pepacton Reservoir has slowly been creeping up and sits at 98.9%.  The air temp should hit the mid 50’s with a light rain.  Total rainfall should be under 1/4″ so it’s shaping up to be a nice day.  Wunderground is still calling for unseasonably warm temps Friday and Saturday so the weekend looks good.  We should see some more rain push in Sunday through Monday.  The stoneflies were a little more active yesterday afternoon once the air warmed up.  Your best shot at fishing those on top are long, slow pools or back eddys.    Streamers are still your best bet right on the West Branch right now.  the EB and Beaverkill are still dropping offering a good mix of nymph and streamer fishing.

East Branch at Harvard

Hatching:

Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

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April 11, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 11, 2018

The flows are dropping throughout the system as the runoff subsides.  The release from Cannonsville is still 1,499 cfs but the spill has dropped to 248 cfs this morning.  There’s not a lot of rain in the forecast through the weekend so the rivers should be in good shape.  We’ll see around 1/4″ fall tomorrow and maybe the same amount on Sunday.  The air temperature will be in the low 40’s today but will climb until we peak close to 70 on Saturday.  It’s really shaping up to be a beautiful weekend on the water after a really long winter.  The lower water will help the sun warm it and hopefully push a few olives along with the stoneflies.  Nymphing should be better now with more structure visible.  Streamer fishing has been the go to method to find the fish.  We’ve had fish on just about all the colors so play around and switch it up until you start getting eats.

Carry a few alewife patterns during the spill

Hatching:

Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

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April 10, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 10, 2018

Yesterday afternoon was beautiful in the sun but we woke up to a light dusting of snow on the ground.  The  warming trend is definitely here and the snow is melting.     We should hit 40 degrees this afternoon.  If Wonderground is correct we may see 70 degrees over the weekend.  The warmer air and yesterday’s sun helped this morning’s water temps giving most of the system a 3 degree boost over yesterday morning’s temps.  The fishing should improve over the next few days as the temps increase even more.  The release from Cannonsville Reservoir is 1,499 cfs with a spill of 497 cfs.  Most of the flows are dropping back and there is more wadeable water available.  The nymphing should get better in the lower water.  The slower currents are better for the fish eating stoneflies so keep and eye out for surface takes.

Chris Calabrese with a nice one from the weekend. Photo by Jared makowski

Hatching:

Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

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April 9, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 9, 2018

Yesterday started off as cold but warmed up when the sun was out.  We had a few intermittent snow showers but no appreciable accumulation.  We’re really looking forward to the warming air temperatures in the forecast this week.  We should hit 41 today which will feel like Spring.  If we really see 50 and 60 degree air temps by the weekend it will feel like summer!  We may see a few snow showers today and tomorrow but it shouldn’t last long once we warm up.  Streamers are still your best bet bet.  The color seems to change every day so switch it up and see what the fish want to eat.  The warmer air temperatures should help the water temps.  A little sunshine hitting the water would go a long way too.  Once the water temps come up a few days we should start to see some olives on the water and more stoneflies.  The release from Cannonsville is 1,499 cfs and there is 696 cfs spilling.

Jared with a nice fish yesterday. Photo by Chris Calabrese

Hatching:

Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

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April 8, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 8, 2018

The sun is out but today is going to stay cooler with air temps staying in the 30’s.  The warmer weather starts tomorrow and looks like it’s sticking around.  Cannonsville Reservoir is spilling 910 cfs and the release is 1,499 cfs.  The Upper East Branch and Beaverkill flows have both drooped back and will offer some wade opportunities.  Keep in mind the water is cold so dress appropriately.  The stonefly activity should increase as we warm up this week.  Put some olives in your box just in case.  They can’t be too far off.  you may find some alewives in the Cannonsville spill.  Their numbers should increase as the reservoir surface temperature increases.  There is still some snow pack left to melt in the higher elevations.

The Upper East is in good shape and dropping slowly this morning

Hatching:

Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

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April 7, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 7, 2018

We had a couple of inches of snow fall yesterday morning.  The afternoon turned out warmer and switched to some rain.  There is just a dusting left in the yard this morning.  Cannonsville is spilling 925 cfs with a release of 1,499 cfs.   We’re in for a couple of cooler days staying in the 30’s before we warm up a bit.  Nymphing the soft edges may turn up some fish but there is a lot of water flowing down the river.  Throwing streamers and covering water looking for the aggressive fish may be the better option.  Plus moving a lot will help keep you warmer.

Wunderground shows an improvement in the weather beginning Monday and lasting through the week.  If the pattern holds we should see air temperatures in the 50’s on Friday and Saturday.

Can’t wait for the warmer weather beginning Monday!

Hatching:

Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

April 6, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 6, 2018

It’s cold this morning.  The cold nights and cold runoff have kept the water temperatures down.  Cannonsville Reservoir is spilling 766 cfs this morning.  The release is 1,499 cfs.  The Upper EAst Branch is 536 cfs and may offer some wade opportunities.  The Beaverkill flow is dropping this morning too.  We are going to get 1 – 3 of a rain / snow mix today.  The flows may rise depending on how much of the precip falls frozen vs rain.  Check the graphs before you come up.  Streamers.

Our weather should improve next week with warm days and cool nights.  It’ll feel like a normal Spring again.

Hatching:

Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

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April 5, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 5, 2018

Cannonsville Reservoir is spilling a little this morning.  The release is 1,499 cfs.  The flow below the dam is still increasing this morning.  The air temp will stay a bit lower today but it looks like that will improve next week.  The East Branch flow at Harvard bumped up a bit from runoff but is dropping back now at 576 cfs and falling.  There will be water that is decent for wading from there up to Downsville.  Stick with streamers on the West Branch and change them up until the fish tell you what they want.  Most of the action will be in the warmest part of the afternoon when the water temps are at their highest point of the day.

The East Branch at Harvard is dropping slowly this morning

Hatching:

Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

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April 4, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 4, 2018

Yesterday’s rain and runoff have the rivers running higher this morning.  The release from Cannonsville has also been increased to 1,499 cfs.  Cannonsville Reservoir is close to spilling at 99.7% capacity.  We had clouds, rain, and cooler air temperatures yesterday so the water temps never really climbed.  Today looks windy but definitely warmer with some light rain.  The weather should turn more favorable after the weekend.  The higher water flows leaves streamers as the best option.  You may be able to nymph up fish in soft edges but covering water makes the most sense.  Winds will make it tough in the afternoon but hopefully Wunderground is not correct.

Getting the small flies ready

Hatching:

Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

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April 3, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 3, 2018

The runoff has really bumped the reservoir levels over the last week.  Cannonsville is 98.5% capacity and Pepacton is now 94.7% capacity.  We still have a bit of snow on the ground especially on the north facing slopes.  There is a bit more rain and snow coming this week too but you can feel Spring coming.  Yesterday’s snow melted quickly and it turned into a beautiful sunny afternoon. The release from Cannonsville has been increased overnight leaving Hale Eddy flowing at 1,290 cfs.  There are some stoneflies out and the first few olives can’t be too far behind.  If you want to take a chance on seeing a rising fish concentrate on the big slow pools or eddys.   In the short term streamers and nymphs are still your best bet.  Cover a lot water and find the aggressive fish.

Working streamers in tight side channels photo by Kristin White

Hatching:

Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

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April 2, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 2, 2018

Snow is falling this morning.  The sun should come out this afternoon and all of this will melt quickly.  Wunderground is forecasting 1 – 3″ today.  A little extra cold runoff will be good for the system.  Most of the water in the system is runoff so the rivers are dropping slowly.  The release from Cannonsville is 374 cfs.  NYS water is now open making wading much easier if you stay above most of the feeder creeks. Water temps are similar throughout the system starting off in the high 30’s to low 40’s.   Nymphs and streamers are definitely the way to go.  Keep changing it up until you find the fish.

Samantha with a brown from the weekend

Hatching:

Early Black Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx sp.

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