Author: Jeff White
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 8, 2017
When we walked outside this morning rain was actually falling. It’s been a while. We actually have quite a bit of rain in the forecast over the next few days. The powers that be feel the runoff will be enough to meet the flow target in Montague so the release from Cannonsville has been decreased to 309 cfs. Hopefully the forecast is correct since a lot of the initial rain will soak into the ground. So things look good this morning. Dropping water, overcast sky, intermittent light rain, and decent water temps sound real good. We’re still seeing decent olives and caddis with a few isonychias and hebes on the water. It feels like a fishing day. Go fishing
Danny’s first Delaware trout. Photo by Samantha Dennis
Hatching:
Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 534 cfs |
56° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 785 cfs |
56° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 80 cfs | 57° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 203 cfs |
63° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,360 cfs |
58° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 77 cfs | 63° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 309 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 54° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 52 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 59.5% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 78.8% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 7, 2017
There were enough small olives and caddis on the water to get some fish looking up in the evening. The steadiest fish were on the slower edges and tailouts. If you found a fish eating they didn’t seem picky on pattern, just presentation. The Main has had more isonychias and hebes so if you’re looking for bigger bugs start there and watch the shaded sides of the river. The East is low but that makes it nice to blind cast isonychias and cahills in the riffles and seams. The flows remain pretty much the same as yesterday so parts of the West Branch are wadeable but it’s definitely easier on the Mainstem and East Branch. Throwing streamers on the West has been okay- much better before the sun hits the water so earlier is definitely better. Our rain has been pushed off until tomorrow so we’ll be dealing with mostly sun this afternoon.
Hatching:
Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,030 cfs |
54° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,130 cfs |
54° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 84 cfs | 56° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 203 cfs |
61° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,360 cfs |
58° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 77 cfs | 61° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 1,122 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 54° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 52 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 59.5% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 78.8% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 6, 2017
We had clouds for most of the morning but by mid-afternoon they gave way to a blue sky. Nymphing seemed to be the most productive method with some risers showing in the late afternoon. It really helped to concentrate on shaded areas and dropoffs. Think small on the nymphs to match the olives that are hatching. And we’ll say this all Fall- swing caddis pupa and wet flies to match the caddis emerging and diving to lay eggs. We’re see a lot of diving egg layers this time of year. It looks like the rain pushed off until Sunday and Monday but we should still have cloud cover today and tomorrow. Winds should be light today.
Hatching:
Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,030 cfs |
54° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,140 cfs |
54° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 84 cfs | 56° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 206 cfs |
60° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,340 cfs |
58° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 77 cfs | 60° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 1,122 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 54° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 54 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 60.5% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 79.1% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 5, 2017
Today looks better already with clouds already in the sky. The chance of rain has been reduced to 10% with no accumulation but even a few clouds will beat the bright sun we’ve had lately. We’re seeing little olives during the day so hopefully the clouds make the fish feel comfortable enough to rise earlier. There are some hebes and isonychias out there but tons of caddis on the Mainstem. We haven’t seen a lot of caddis eaten off the surface so they are probably eating them as they emerge or when they dive to lay eggs. The weather looks good for the the next week. Hopefully the forecast doesn’t change and we see more clouds with rain.
Ted Smith with a nice rainbow this week. Photo by Les Hughes
Hatching:
Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,030 cfs |
54° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,130 cfs |
54° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 86 cfs | 57° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 206 cfs |
60° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,390 cfs |
59° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 79 cfs | 59° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 1,108 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 54° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 54 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 61.5% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 79.3% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 4, 2017
The release from Cannonsville was dropped slightly to 1,139 cfs – just a small adjustment so you’ll notice no real change this morning. It looks like they will not be releasing from Lake Wallenpaupack at least through Saturday night. Any rain we receive over the next few days will soak right into the ground. It looks like we should keep the higher release to meet the Montague flow target. We’re going to have another warm day with sunshine today. Look for the banks that get shade early if you’re looking for rising fish. The little olives are around in good numbers even sometimes mid-day in the sun. The cahill / stenos, isonychias, and caddis have been more active towards evening. There have been a lot of caddis out there both hatching and diving to lay eggs. A good caddis pupa should work well in the riffles.
Hatching:
Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,070 cfs |
54° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,200 cfs |
52° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 84 cfs | 53° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 208 cfs |
55° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,540 cfs |
56° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 80 cfs | 55° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 1,139 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 52° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 54 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 62.6% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 79.7% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 3, 2017
Today looks like it will be a carbon copy of yesterday. Starting off cool with decent fog giving way to sunshine and warm temperatures. Kind of a pleasant Fall day ahead of us. There are a few people out throwing streamers early trying to beat the sun. You will find some willing fish once the fog burns off but it it has been better in low light conditions. We have decent water temperatures throughout the system so if you want to nymph lower water with more seams and structure the Mainstem and lower East are solid options now. The West is still running high but there are spots good for wading depending on your comfort level. Olives are still our mainstay with some cahill / stenos, hebes, and isonychias. Dry dropper combos can be deadly in some of the riffles. We should have more clouds moving through tomorrow setting us up for a good weather weekend with light rain and overcast skies.
Hatching:
Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,200 cfs |
52° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,330 cfs |
52° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 84 cfs | 51° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 213 cfs |
55° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,550 cfs |
54° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 82 cfs | 54° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 1,303 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 51° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 51 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 63.7% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 80% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 2, 2017
The weather is warming up a bit again despite the frost warnings this morning. We should have another day of 70 degrees with sunshine making for a pleasant Fall afternoon. The bright sun has made the fish a little hesitant to rise so nymphing was probably a better option yesterday. Once the sun drops we are seeing decent numbers of olives mixed with our normal array of players. We are still doing better on smaller nymphs since most of the food is small right now. Caddis pupa and wets mimicking the hatching and egg laying caddis out there should be productive. The West Branch still has some color in it but streamers have been more productive in low light conditions.
Dave with a nice WB brown yesterday. Photo by Bruce Miller
Hatching:
Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,200 cfs |
52° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,330 cfs |
51° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 85 cfs | 50° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 224 cfs |
55° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,550 cfs |
54° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 84 cfs | 54° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 1,207 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 51° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 59 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 66.8% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 80.9% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions October 1, 2017
Everyone seemed to find fish eating on top yesterday. Interestingly it seemed everyone threw different flies to catch fish. The olives were the main players of course. There were a lot of tiny olives in the #22 -26 range. Some people saw bigger olives mixed in with fish eating #16 – 18 olives. A few people found fish eating cahills on sections of the West Branch. Then towards dark some people were throwing Isonychia patterns. The Fall caddis are doing there thing. While you do see some get eaten off the top a lot of times a wet fly or pupa covering the emergence and egg laying stages will work better. Don’t put any of your boxes away yet. The cool weather and overcast sky certainly helped the fishing. It felt raw out there for a while but it seemed worth it. Besides the better dry fly fishing streamers were still producing some nice fish on the West Branch. We should feel a little warmer today with air temperatures in the mid 60’s and some more sun. Winds should be light and variable so overall we’re looking at a nice Fall day.
Tom and Jess on the West Branch. Photo by Bruce Miller
Hatching:
Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,180 cfs |
52° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,320 cfs |
51° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 110 cfs | 49° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 249 cfs |
53° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,490 cfs |
52° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 87 cfs | 54° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 1,207 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 51° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 60 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 66.8% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 80.9% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions September 30, 2017
We had a little rain overnight but the river flows have not budged. Everything is starting off about the same as yesterday. There is a chance of additional rain during the day today but the amount forecasted is negligible and will soak right into the ground. We should have some decent cloud cover for most of the day. It definitely feels like a fall blue winged olive day. If the winds pick up look for fish in protected edges of the larger pools. Aside from the decent streamer fishing there have been fish eating dries on the West Branch- especially in the evening. Streamers are still bringing some nice fish to the net and a lot of the browns are stating to darken up. Mix it up and be patient. A lot of nice fish have been landed since the hot weather ended and things have cooled down.
Geoff with a good fish yesterday. Photo by Bruce Miller
Hatching:
Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,110 cfs |
52° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,230 cfs |
51° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 112 cfs | 52° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 252 cfs |
58° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,490 cfs |
55° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 87 cfs | 58° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 1,207 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 52° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 63 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 66.8% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 80.9% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions September 29, 2017
The wind was heavy yesterday. We had clouds in and out for most of the day but the wind was constant. Despite that the river fished well with streamers and nymphs. The clouds and cooler air temperatures seemed to push the fish a bit and they were more aggressive than they were on Wednesday. The wind should be way, way lower today. We had a cold night that has really helped the water temperatures on the Mainstem, Lower East Branch, and Lower Beaverkill. They had quite a drop in temp and look pretty good this morning. The cooling trend will continue through the weekend. It finally feels like Fall again. We should have some clouds today so carry your dry fly boxes. There is a 20% chance of some light precip but we’ll likely see some sun this afternoon.
Ed working in the wind
Ron with another yesterday
Hatching:
Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,110 cfs |
51° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,230 cfs |
52° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 110 cfs | 51° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 252 cfs |
59° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,380 cfs |
56° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 89 cfs | 58° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 1,207 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 50° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 62 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 67.7% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 81.2% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions September 28, 2017
The heat has finally broken and we are at 56 degrees this morning. I actually feels like Fall. Air temperatures should peak in the low 60’s today and actually drop into the high 40’s overnight. We should have some cloud cover this morning giving way to sun this afternoon. The release from Cannonsville is 1,075 cfs this morning. There is still color on the West Branch making it look good for streamer fishing. Bring a dry fly rod too just in case you find fish in the slower pools. The high flows on the West and low flows on the East make the Mainstem a decent level for wading. The Main is also your best option for nymphing and dry fly fishing. We are still seeing tiny olives, a few cahill / stenos, a few isonychias, and heptagenias. There may still be a few white flies around in the evening depending on the section you are fishing. The cold water from the West is keeping the Mainstem in check but the water temps on the lower East Branch and lower Beaverkill are climbing too high for trout fishing. Hopefully that will change over the next few days with the cooler air temperatures.
Ron with a chunky West Branch fish yesterday
Hatching:
Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,110 cfs |
51° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,110 cfs |
52° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 110 cfs | 58° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 261 cfs |
66° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,520 cfs |
61° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 93 cfs | 66° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 1,207 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 53° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 65 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 68.6% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 81.5% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions September 27, 2017
The release from Cannonsville has been increased slightly and now sits at 1,027 cfs. The cold water release is keeping the Mainstem temperatures in great shape despite the sun and heat. There is some color on the West Branch still and it looks good for streamer fishing. Wading is definitely better on the Mainstem although there are a few wadeable spots on the West. Small nymphs and wet flies worked the best in yesterday’s bright sun. Luckily today is the last day of the heat wave. We should be back to more normal weather tomorrow with air temps in the 60’s. We even have a chance of some light rain on Friday. The cooler air temps, clouds, and light precip should help the dry fly fishing over the weekend. The lower East Branch and lower Beaverkill have both been too hot to fish. Hopefully a few days of cool weather and clouds will cool those rivers off.
Hatching:
Slate Drake #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Summer Sulphurs, Stenocron spp.
Little BWO – #22 – 26- Pseudocloeon sp.
Blue Wing Olives – #18 – Baetis sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophilia sp.
Tan Caddis #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche spp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,110 cfs |
51° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,230 cfs |
52° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 112 cfs | 59° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 267 cfs |
67° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,330 cfs |
62° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 98 cfs | 67° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 1,207 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 53° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 75 cfs |
|
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 69.4% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 81.8% |
