April 25, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 25, 2016

The wind was rough again yesterday.  It looks like we’re in for a change finally and we’ll break out of this bright sun and wind pattern we’ve been living with for a while.  It seemed like things took a while to get going yesterday but by late afternoon we were seeing a healthy mix of Blue Winged Olives. Caddis, Hendricksons, and Blue Quills.  The menu depends on where you are on the system but overall there was quite a bit of trout food flying around by the evening.  Wind should be 4 – 6 mph today- hopefully Accuweather has that correct!  We may see a thunderstorm or two so definitely bring the rain gear.  The ground will soak up quite a bit of the initialo precipitation but hopefully we get enough over the next few days to keep the rivers up through the weekend.

Charlie with a nice evening brown yesterday. Photo by Kevan Smaracko

Hatching:
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria – Definitely Spinners – duns are waning on some sections
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus) –
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis – almost gone – you’ll still find a few here and there
Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniidae sp. – Waning
Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taenopteryx & Strophopteryx spp. – Waning

April 24, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 24, 2016

The wind was a huge factor yesterday.  The breaks seemed few and far between.  There were bugs and rising fish if you hit the timing right though.  Blue Quills, Caddis, and Hendricksons were on the menu.  Nymphing was effective if you couldn’t find a wind break but the search for risers paid off if you were patient.  Today’s forecast is calling for cooler air temperatures with sunshine.  The cold night has caused the water temperatures to drop so it will take a little longer to warm up today.  Winds should be 4 – 8 mph from the North.  The froecast is calling for some rain by mid-week.  Hopefully Accuweather has it down correctly.

As you can tell by the picture below I am not skilled in the use of Photoshop.

Peter stuck it out and landed this one in the afternoon. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria – Definitely Spinners – duns are waning on some sections
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus) –
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis – almost gone – you’ll still find a few here and there
Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniidae sp. – Waning
Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taenopteryx & Strophopteryx spp. – Waning

April 23, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 23, 2016

Despite the rumors there are still Hendricksons hatching on the System.  They are done on the lower sections of the river but if you’re willing to hunt around you will find them.  Definitely carry Hendrickson Spinners.  Our doors and windows are covered with them this morning.  Caddis have provided some nice daytime activity and again in the evening.  We have good cloud cover this morning but it looks like most of the rain is going south of us.  Winds should be 9 to 14 mph so look for a sheltered area on the river.  Hopefully that drops towards evening.

Mike Chain Sr found one yesterday. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taenopteryx & Strophopteryx spp.

April 22, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 22, 2016

It was nice to wake up to the sound of rain this morning.  It was brief storm so most of the precipitation should have been absorbed by the ground.  We should see a little more today with a thunderstorm around mid-day. Chances are it will be isolated so some areas may see it and others may not.  Air temperatures will be in the low 70’s.  It looks like the best fishing weather day we’ve seen in quite a while.  If we’re really lucky the storms hit hard above the reservoirs.
The fishing was good yesterday with a healthy mix of Hendricksons, Blue Quills, and Caddis.  The hatches are coming off in the late afternoon and we have seen good numbers of Hendrickson spinners.  Some of the fish have been terribly picky even at dark but that’s what makes it fun.  In some place the caddis are so thick you need to clean your windshield after you drive by.  Nymphing before the hatches has been productive.  Use nymphs that match the size of the naturals.

Mike Chain Jr with a great rainbow. Photo by Bruce Miller

Mike Chain Sr with a nice brown. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taenopteryx & Strophopteryx spp.

April 21, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 21, 2016

Yesterday was a bright sunny one with some light winds. There were a few wind gusts that made you turn around but they were so infrequent they didn’t bother the fishing at all.  The Hendricksons and Apple Caddis are still working their way up the system and we had pretty decent hatching yesterday.  The fish were happy and ended up rising despite the bright sun.  We are still seeing Blue Quills mixed in plus Hendrickson spinners in the evening.  All in all yesterday was one of the best fishing days of the year so far.
Today’s weather should be a carbon copy of yesterday.  The rivers dropped slightly overnight but the amount was negligible.  Winds should be 6 gusting to 10 mph.

Nick is holding down the blog for us this week! Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taenopteryx & Strophopteryx spp.

April 20, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 20, 2016

The wind was tough yesterday but there were enough breaks to get the fish eating on top.  We’re seeing a lot of caddis in the air and enough on the water to get the fish interested.  Hendricksons are still around offering some emerger fishing.  The spinners should begin to fall once we get a few days of warm air temps and light winds.  Some people did well nymphing through the wind while other just waited for the gusts to stop.  Having a few clouds pass over was a great change.  We get the full sun back today with a forecast of air temperatures hitting the mid 60’s and winds of 1 – mph.  The menu hasn’t changed so carry most of your Spring patterns out there.

Nick is having a great week. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taenopteryx & Strophopteryx spp.

April 19, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 19, 2016

Yesterday was interesting / strange.  Lots of caddis on the water and in the air, good blue quills, late hendricksons, and spooky fish.  We heard some reliable reports of a decent hendrickson spinner fall but not a lot of fish eating them at dark.  It sounds like that was very location specific since a few miles away I had spinners but definitely not large numbers.  The clear water, bright sunshine, and pressure (moon phase, barometric pressure, wind gusts, insert your favorite Delaware excuse here) seems to have some of the fish acting a bit spooky .  We saw a lot of fish eat a couple of times never to return and other fish were friendly.  It’s time for a real stealthy approach and accurate casting.  We have some wind and cloud cover this morning which is actually a welcome change from the summer like conditions of the last few days.  The clouds may make the fish feel safer and more willing to feed steadily one the bugs come.  The wind should be 4 mph with gusts to 15 mph.  Let’s hope there is actually a break in between gusts.
Cannonsville Reservoir level has dropped slightly due to diversions to NYC and the 400 cfs release.  Pepacton has come up a little.

Nick with a great fish yesterday. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taenopteryx & Strophopteryx spp.

April 18, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 18, 2016

If anyone found a rods and reels left at the Long Eddy Boat Ramp this week please send us an email at flyfish@thedelawareriverclub.com

Don’t leave any of your Spring fly boxes behind.  We are seeing a lot of different bugs on the water and some of the fish are beginning to get selective.  Hendricksons, Blue Quills, Blue Winged Olives, Little Black Caddis, Apple Caddis, Dark Grannoms, Quill Gordons,and even Early Black and Brown Stoneflies are on the menu.  We even seen on tan caddis out there already.  We’re in for another warm day with bright sunshine today- maybe a shower overnight but the air temperature shouldn’t drop too far.  Accuweather is calling for low winds today.  Nymphing before the hatches has been productive and don’t hesitate to swing wets in the riffles to imitate all of the Apple Caddis coming up through the water column.  The system is in great shape for wading and floating.

Samantha with a chunky brown on the Mainstem

Hatching:
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taenopteryx & Strophopteryx spp.

April 17, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 17, 2016

If anyone found a rods and reels left at the Long Eddy Boat Ramp this week please send us an email at flyfish@thedelawareriverclub.com

The Hendricksons are still coming on strong in the late afternoon with a mix of Blue Quills.  We did see a couple of Quill Gordons yesterday too.  Stoneflies and caddis are definitely bringing fish to the surface before and after the mayfly hatches.  There are reports of Apple Caddis from some sections of the river.  The nights are staying warmer and the days almost feel like summer so the hatching should increase and begin earlier in the day as the water temps peak earlier.  Nymphing and swinging caddis pupa before the hatches has been productive.  Accuweather is forecasting a sunny day with air temperatures around 72 and winds from 2 – 6 mph.  Sounds like it’s going to be a great day to be out there.

Dave with a nice fish yesterday. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taenopteryx & Strophopteryx spp.

April 16, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 16, 2016

Yesterday was another day of strong hendricksons and blue quills followed by a decent caddis hatch in the evening.  The sun made some of the fish a little shy but there were enough rising to keep everyone busy out there.  Nymphing before the hatch was productive and there were even a few scattered fish eating caddis on the surface mid morning.  The hendrickson hatch is still progressing up the system and getting stronger each day.  They have been hatching in heavy numbers for a while now and we are getting warmer weather each day.  It’s time to stay out there a little later and look for spinner falls.  Cannonsville Reservoir capacity is 99% with the West Branch in Walton flowing  in at 855 cfs.

Bob Lewis with a nice fish yesterday. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taenopteryx & Strophopteryx spp.

April 15, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 15, 2016

Every day we are seeing more Hendricksons on the water. The hatch is moving up the system quickly and it won’t be long before we see them system wide.  We are also seeing good numbers of caddis, olives, and blue quills throughout the day.  The fish are happy and rising.  We had a few wind gusts yesterday overall it was pleasant out there and the bugs and fish didn’t mind.  Today looks great with air temps forecasted in the 60’s and light winds.  The rivers are still dropping from the rain last week and are hitting great levels for wading and floating.

Tony loving the weather and the Hendricksons

Theo with a nice brown from yesterday

Hatching:
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taenopteryx & Strophopteryx spp.

April 14, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 14, 2016

The Hendricksons are still moving up the system and the rivers are fishing great.  We’re still seeing stoneflies, Blue Winged Olives, Quill Gordons, Blue Quills, and the chimarra caddis are showing up.  There is a lot of food out there in the mid-afternoon.  The hatches should begin earlier in the day and last longer as we hit warmer temperatures through the weekend.  The West Branch above Cannonsville is still flowing around 1,00o this morning.  Both Cannonsville and Pepacton levels have increased over the last few days.  The river flows are dropping back as the runoff subsides.  Everything is in great shape with plenty of wading and floating opportunities.

Mike with a brown yesterday. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniidae sp.
Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 – Taenopteryx & Strophopteryx spp.