Author: Jeff White
Delaware River Report / Conditions July 22, 2016
Somehow our chance of precipitation yesterday went from 65% to 50% to 0%. So we received zero rain and flows remain very similar to yesterday morning. There are rumors of some kind of thermal release in the works but when it will come and how much water will be released is unknown. We’re not sure why there is a push for a thermal release now since we seem to habe been in this weather pattern for a while. There are a couple of warmer nights in the forecast so that may be the factor. Last night was a warm one staying in the 60’s so we have a good amount of fog on the river this morning. The sun is already shining so that should burn off early. We are seeing decent sulphur hatches in Deposit now with fish eating them despite the sun. They are picky so use cripple or low profile patterns and watch your drift.
Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 502 cfs |
45° |
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 556 cfs |
49° |
East Branch at Harvard, NY | 156 cfs | 63° |
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 292 cfs | 71° |
Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 924 cfs | 71° |
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 144 cfs | N/A |
Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 500 cfs | |
West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 58° |
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 64 cfs | |
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 80.9% | |
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 88.2% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions July 22, 2016
We dealt with the sun yesterday but the sulphurs came and people were able to find happy fish on the upper West Branch. Today looks a little different with the potential for decent thunderstorms. This is going to be tough to predict since the forecast seems to change every half hour. It looks like we have a 50 – 60% chance of somewhere between 1/4″ and 1/2″ in of rain over the course of the day. Winds will pick up to over 10 mph during the passing storms but that’s a small price to pay to get the cloud cover. We may see some rain early but the better chance comes later in the afternoon. Hopefully the rain brings stronger hatches of olives along with the sulphurs and isonychias. There isn’t a lot of fog on the lower West Branch this morning so the air temps should warm up quicker. This may bring the trio spinners down earlier than we’ve seen lately.
Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 502 cfs |
45° |
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 556 cfs |
49° |
East Branch at Harvard, NY | 159 cfs | 60° |
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 305 cfs | 69° |
Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 964 cfs | 68° |
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 144 cfs | N/A |
Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 500 cfs | |
West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 58° |
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 69 cfs | |
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 81.6% | |
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 88.3% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions July 21, 2016
The forecast today is calling for clear skies with slightly lower air temperatures peaking in the mid 80’s. Wind gusts will pick up slightly in the afternoon and peak just under 10 mph – definitely still fishable. Luckily a lot of the extreme heat called for in earlier forecast was wrong and we are even looking at some light rain tomorrow with totals a little over 1/4″ We are still seeing decent number of sulphurs and olives hatching mid-afternoon on the upper West Branch. There are a few isonychias around. We have seen more over the last week so hopefully that trend continues.
Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 502 cfs |
45° |
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 561 cfs |
48° |
East Branch at Harvard, NY | 165 cfs | 58° |
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 330 cfs | 65° |
Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,000 cfs | 67° |
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 157 cfs | N/A |
Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 500 cfs | |
West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 57° |
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 78 cfs | |
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 82.4% | |
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 88.3% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions July 20, 2016
Today looks like a mirror image of yesterday. The East drainage has dropped slightly from the runoff but the West Branch flows and temps are right on yesterday morning’s numbers. Today is going to be clear with air temperatures in the low 80’s. Winds should stay below 7 mph. We are now in full summer swing with mid- afternoon consistent sulphur hatches in Deposit mixed with some small olives and an occasional isonychia. The lower West Branch is fishing well with nymphs in the morning before the fog burns off. Things slow down a bit when the bright sun hits the water but you can still find fish eating in the heavy currents. Once the fog burns off it’s worth heading to a long slow pool and wait for the trico spinner falls. The air temperature is cool this morning which may push the spinners back to late morning.
Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 510 cfs |
45° |
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 566 cfs |
47° |
East Branch at Harvard, NY | 173 cfs | 58° |
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 375 cfs | 65° |
Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,090 cfs | 66° |
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 182 cfs | N/A |
Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 500 cfs | |
West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 55° |
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 93 cfs | |
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 83.1% | |
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 88.4% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions July 19, 2016
We’ve had some storms hit here and there since yesterday evening but the West Branch is in great shape this morning. We are clear and flow at Hale Eddy has barely bumped. The East side and the West Branch above Cannonsville are up a bit from the rain but everything looks clear. The water temperatures are in great shape on the upper East Branch and the entire West Branch but the lower East and Mainstem are already too warm to fish for trout. Smallmouth fishing should be coming into it’s own down there. The sulphurs are hatching on the upper West Branch by early afternoon through early evening. We’ve been doing well with #18 -20 sulphur cripples and #22 – 26 olives. Nymphing has been good in the morning s or on overcast days when the sun isn’t beating down on the water.
Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 510 cfs |
45° |
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 566 cfs |
48° |
East Branch at Harvard, NY | 209 cfs | 58° |
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 421 cfs | 67° |
Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,130 cfs | 67° |
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 230 cfs | N/A |
Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 500 cfs | |
West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 55° |
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 171 cfs | |
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 83.4% | |
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 88.5% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions July 18, 2016
The release out of the Cannonsville Reservoir remains at 500 cfs, keeping the whole West Branch in good shape for waders and boaters. The Lower East and Main Stem are starting out at 70 degrees, so look elsewhere for trout fishing. Nymphing has been productive in the riffles in the morning and afternoons before the hatches start up. Try blind casting Cahill, Caddis and Isonychia patterns in the moving water to work up some fish as well. Weather Underground is calling for thunderstorms this afternoon that could bring us 0.33″ of rain as well as SW winds ranging from 10-15 mph. For dry fly hatches, the upper river has been the most productive, from Stilesville down to Hale Eddy. Check your flies often as there has been an increase in the green slime in the system.
Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 510 cfs |
45° |
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 566 cfs |
49° |
East Branch at Harvard, NY | 176 cfs | 60° |
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 496 cfs | 79° |
Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,280 cfs | 69° |
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 260 cfs | N/A |
Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 500 cfs | |
West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 58° |
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 75 cfs | |
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 84.4% | |
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 89.4% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions July 17, 2016
Yesterday evening we were hit with a brief storm plus a few showers overnight. The West Branch flow hasn’t really changed and there is only a minor change on the East side with the Beaverkill now flowing at 248 cfs. The water clarity is fine and the rivers have some fog that will burn off mid-morning. The fog and clouds should help the morning fishing with nymphing picking up and the possibility of tricos or left over spinners. The sun will poke through eventually and then it will be time to head up river towards the dams for the mid-afternoon sulphur hatches.
Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 510 cfs |
45° |
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 570 cfs |
49° |
East Branch at Harvard, NY | 197 cfs | 61° |
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 511 cfs | 70° |
Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,190 cfs | 70° |
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 248 cfs | N/A |
Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 500 cfs | |
West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 58° |
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 82 cfs | |
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 84.4% | |
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 89.4% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions July 16, 2016
Yesterday was a hot one but luckily we are coming into a cool down period with air temperatures only reaching 85 degree today. We should have some cloud cover move in which will make the fish feel a little more comfortable eating off the surface when the sulphur hatch comes. Winds will be light staying under 10 mph. Nymphing the lower West Branch has been best before the sun hits the water but if the clouds stick around today the fish should keep eating. The sulphur hatches (#18 – 20) continue on the upper river above Hale Eddy offering some mid-afternoon dry fly action. While we have been finding fish eating in the sunshine look for steadier fish in the shaded areas. Blind casting isonychias and cahills has been working in some riffles but should be better today with the cloud cover. There may be some small olives mixed in with the sulphurs so if you get rejections check the water carefully for a “masking hatch”
Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 502 cfs |
45° |
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 570 cfs |
49° |
East Branch at Harvard, NY | 159 cfs | 62° |
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 426 cfs | 70° |
Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,170 cfs | 70° |
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 219 cfs | N/A |
Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 500 cfs | |
West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 59° |
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 91 cfs | |
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 84.4% | |
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 89.4% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions July 15, 2016
Yesterday’s weather brought us rain in the afternoon as well as fog on the river. Sulphurs and Isonychias have been the main hatches, with a mix of Olives and Cahills thrown in. Today’s forecast calls for sun and wind, with gusts up stream up to 24 mph. The Mainstem and East Branch are starting out at 70, so focus on the West Branch and Upper East Branch for trout today. Nymphing should be productive in the morning and afternoon before the hatches start up. Look for risers in the shade and wind protected areas on the river.
Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 510 cfs |
45° |
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 575 cfs |
49° |
East Branch at Harvard, NY | 170 cfs | 61° |
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 531 cfs | 70° |
Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,150 cfs | 70° |
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 322 cfs | N/A |
Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 500 cfs | |
West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 58° |
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 99 cfs | |
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 84.7% | |
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 89.7% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions July 14, 2016
We did get hit with some afternoon storms yesterday. The were brief and did not affect the river flows too much besides adding some fog. We have a better percentage chance of storms today but so far the forecast is only predicting 1/4″. The best dry fly fishing on the West Branch seems to be from the dam down to Hale Eddy. We are mostly fishing sulphurs in #18 – 20 with the occassional isonychia and cahill. The lower West Branch is in decent shape for nymphing and we are finding a few fish willing to eat isonychias blind casted in the riffles. The upper East Branch should fish the same as the upper West Branch right now.
Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 502 cfs |
45° |
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 575 cfs |
51° |
East Branch at Harvard, NY | 165 cfs | 62° |
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 375 cfs | 70° |
Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,120 cfs | 70° |
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 178 cfs | N/A |
Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 500 cfs | |
West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 61° |
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 85 cfs | |
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 84.9% | |
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 90% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions July 13, 2016
Yesterday was a mix with clouds in the morning leading into sunshine in the afternoon. Today looks a little different with sun this morning giving way to clouds and maybe a light storm in the afternoon. The West Branch remains in great shape with the steady release and cool temperatures reaching all the way to Junction Pool. The East side is still slowly dropping with temperatures on the lower East Branch and Upper Mainstem still to hot for trout. We are settling into the normal summer routine of fishing the sulphur hatches in Deposit in the afternoons and then moving down river to the lower West for the evening hatches. Light afternoon rain may change that but we’ll see if Accuweather is actually accurate. Nymphing is still better on the lower West due to the algae up top.
Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 510 cfs |
45° |
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 575 cfs |
48° |
East Branch at Harvard, NY | 170 cfs | 59° |
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 417 cfs | 68° |
Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,220 cfs | 68° |
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 191 cfs | N/A |
Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 500 cfs | |
West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 57° |
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 98 cfs | |
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 85.2% | |
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 90.4% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions July 12, 2016
The rivers have dropped back after the rain and things are pretty much back to the “normal” for this summer. The clarity is good on the the system and temperatures on the upper East Branch and the entire West Branch remain in great shape. Sulphurs, isonychias, olives, and some cahills should cover most of your fishing. Smaller sulphurs seem to be working better now with a lot of fish eating the #20’s. Nymphing has been productive before the hatches start. Today is going to be warm with air temperatures approaching the high 80’s. Tomorrow begins another round of “potential” rain but we’ll see if any of it actually hits us. The forecasted amounts won’t change th erivers much so it should just improve the olive fishing if we get rain and clouds.
Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 510 cfs |
45° |
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 580 cfs |
49° |
East Branch at Harvard, NY | 182 cfs | 59° |
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 521 cfs | 65° |
Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,430 cfs | 66° |
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 248 cfs | N/A |
Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 500 cfs | |
West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 57° |
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 117 cfs | |
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 85.8% | |
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 90.1% |