October 25, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 25, 2015

We saw decent olives on the water by mid afternoon yesterday.  There were fish rising on both the Mainstem and the West Branch for a few hours.  The rain didn’t come until after dark and has pretty much ended now.  Caddis were also out flying around with a few ending up on the water.  The wind was a bit of an issue at times but the fish ate between gusts.  We should have cloud cover for most of the morning with some sun breaking through in the afternoon.  Air temperatures should hit the mid 50’s with wind gusts staying below 10 mph.  The release from Cannonsville Reservoir has been raised slightly to 874 cfs.

Hatching:
Slate Drake #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis sp.

October 24, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 24, 2015

The West Branch release was micro adjusted down to 859 cfs this morning so there won’t be much of a noticeable change on the system from yesterday.  The forecast is calling for air temperatures in the 50’d with some rain moving in overnight.  We may end up with a little over 1/4″ of precipitation by morning but it shouldn’t begin until after dark.  We’ve been dry for a while so most of that will soak into the ground.  Small olives are still the main hatch with some caddis and just a few isonychias in the mix.

Hatching:
Slate Drake #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis sp.

October 23, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 23, 2015

Last night was the beginning of a slight cool down.  Air temperatures dropped but the water temperatures only dropped a degree or two throughout the system.  We should have sun and air temperatures reaching into the 50’s today.  Olives are still hatching in sections with just a few isonychias and some left over heptagenia spinners.  It looks like most of the forecasted rain missed us so we should stay about the same over the next few days.  The release from Cannonsville Reservoir has been raised slightly to 913 cfs this morning.

Jared found some rising fish yesterday on the Mainstem

Hatching:
Slate Drake #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis sp.

October 22, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 22, 2015

Today looks like a great fall fishing day.  The Accuweather forecast is calling for air temperatures in the mid 60’s, a few light rain showers, and winds only gusting 6 – 8 mph.  It looks like the air temeperatures will begin to drop tonight leaving us with a cooler but comfortable weekend.  We are still seeing olives hatching in certain areas around 4 pm.  The hatching may begin a little earlier today with the overcast sky and light showers.  Streamers on the West Branch and nymphing on the lower East and upper Main are still viable options before the hatching starts.  The release from Cannonsville Reservoir is 880 cfs.

Hatching:
Slate Drake #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis sp.

October 21, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 21, 2015

Another great Fall day is ahead of us with air temperatures in the mid 50’s and winds gusting only to 4 mph.  The flow at Stilesville has dropped back to 949 cfs so you still need to pick your wade spots carefully. Tiny olives should continue to hatch into November with a few isonychias and heptagenias mixed in.  Last night was definitely warmer than is has been so the system should warm up quicker today.  Look for the hatches around mid afternoon due to the bright sun.  Throw streamers on the West Branch and nymph the lower East Branch and upper Mainstem until the hatches start.

Brown close up by Bob Lewis

Hatching:
Slate Drake #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis sp.

October 20, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 20, 2015

Another cold night is behind us but we are looking at daytime temperatures hitting the mid 60’s today.  Winds are going to be light coming out of the Southwest at 6 – 8 mph.  By mid afternoon we should be fishing a very comfortable fall afternoon.  If Accuweather is correct we should hold these temperatures for a couple of days and then cool down slightly for the weekend with air temperatures in the mid 50’s.
We have some sunshine in the forecast and lately that means the olives come a little later in the day.  On days like this we’ve seen most of the dry fly activity late in the afternoon around 3 pm.  Nymphing is still a great option on the lower East Branch and Mainstem.  Streamers are your best option during the day on the West Branch but watch the slow tailouts for rising fish.

Jamie started this week out well. Photo by Bob Lewis

Hatching:
Slate Drake #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis sp.

October 19, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 19, 2015

Congratulations to our own Kevan Smaracko and Tanya Ryan for tying the knot this past Saturday!

Yesterday certainly felt like winter with cold wind and snow showers that were surprisingly heavy at times.  Luckily the warming trend is beginning today with air temperatures in the low 50’s.  Winds look manageable with gusts staying below 10 mph.  We should see air temperatures in the 60’s by the end of the week.  Pseudos will continue to be the main hatch with a few isonychias and heptagenias.  The West Branch is up slightly from yesterday so there are better wading opportunities on the lower East Branch and upper Mainstem.

Congratulations to Kevan and Tanya! Wishing them both a long, happy life together. Bob Lewis photo

Hatching:
Slate Drake #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis sp.

October 18, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 18, 2015

We’re coming off the coldest night of the Fall so far with a dusting of light snow on the ground.  Today we should see a mix of precipitation with air temperatures in the low 40’s with some wind gusts.  Luckily we will see a warming trend by mid week bringing the daytime high air temperatures back into the 60’s.  There are still some olives mixed with a few isonychias and heptagenia around but most of the action has been streamers on the West Branch and nymphs on the lower East Branch and Upper Mainstem.

Hatching:
Slate Drake #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis sp.

October 15, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 15, 2015

The release from Cannonsville Reservoir has been increased this morning to help meet downstream flow targets.  If you fish the West Branch pick your wade spots carefully or use a boat.  Streamers will be your best bet but you may find fish rising in the slow tailouts of pools in the late afternoon.  For dry flies and nymphing the lower East Branch and Mainstem will offer you a better chance of success.  Small olives mixed with a few heptagenia and isonychias.  Air temperatures should approach 60 degrees today with moderate winds.

Junction Pool in the Fall. Photo by Jared Makowski

Hatching:
Slate Drake #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis sp.

October 14, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 14, 2015

Yesterday’s rain showers caused little change to the flows in the system.  The Cannonsville release has been raised slightly and now sits at 753 cfs.  We should have cloud cover for most of the day with a very, very light rain shower in the late afternoon.  Air temperatures should reach the high 50’s with light winds and gusts staying under 9 mph.  Small olives are still the main hatch followed by a few isonychias and heptagenia.  We are seeing a few isonychia spinners in the evening so carry a few just in case.  There are a lot of caddis in the air and in the bushes.  We haven’t seen great numbers of the on the water but swinging caddis pupa could be a decent technique.

The Bob out in the rain yesterday. Photo by Jared Makowski

Hatching:
Slate Drake #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis sp.

October 13, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 13, 2015

The flows throughout the system didn’t change much overnight.  Once the sun came out in the afternoon it was feeling like t-shirt weather on the river.  Unfortunately the bright sun made the fish shy even when there were bugs on the water.  We ran into a decent but short isonychia hatch but the fish just couldn’t get happy in the sun.  Shaded areas were much better.  Nymphing and swinging wet flies during the hatch were definitely better options to catch fish.  Today looks like a better fishing day with clouds rolling in and a few showers.  Air temperatures should stay in the low 60’s with winds gusting only around 7 mph.

Patrick releasing a nice brown. Photo by Jared Makowski

Hatching:
Slate Drake #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis sp.

October 12, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 12, 2015

Despite the cold morning the sun popped out and yesterday afternoon turned into a beautiful Fall day.  The system hasn’t changed much over the last few days with the flows and water temperatures remaining fairly steady.  The small olives have come mainly in the afternoon mixed with a few heptagenia and isonychia spinners.  The hatching and topwater actions still seams very spot specific so move around if you don’t see any activity.  There are a lot of caddis in the air and on the bushes so you just have to be patient and lucky to find them on the water.  Streamers are working okay on the West Branch but the action slows down once the bright sun hits the water.  Nymphing is a better bet on the East Branch and Mainstem until you see a riser.

Hatching:
Slate Drake #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur #18 – 20 – Heptagenia hebe
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis sp.