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.

April 13, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 13, 2016

It’s a little cool this morning but the sun is shining and the forecast has us hitting a little over 50 degrees today.  The rivers have dropped back slightly overnight as the runoff subsides.  The release from Cannonsville Reservoir is 400 cfs and the reservoir levels are still climbing.  The forecast remains the same through the weekend with sun and warm temperatures approaching the 70’s by Sunday.  Add in the Hendricksons, Blue Quills, and Blue Winged Olives that are hatching and this looks like a great time to be on the water.  This is going to be a good weekend!

Kevan Smaracko found this brown eating Hendricksons this week

Hatching:
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
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 12, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 12, 2016

We had a little more rain last night that should continue through part of the day today.  Air temperatures are a little cool but we should peak close to 50 today.  Each day is forecasted to be a little warmer which is great news for the weekend.  Due to the recent rains the release from Cannonsville has been increased to 402 cfs under FFMP chart 4A.  Looking at the plan is seems we moved into Storage zone L1B.  Cannonsville storage is now 97.6% with the inflow at Walton coming in at 1,470 cfs this morning.
Yesterday was a nice overcast fishing day.  We saw fewer Hendricksons than the day before but the olives made up for it.  Fish were eating on top once the olives got going mid-afternoon.  Some river sections are fishing better than others right now so move around if you don’t see anything for a while.  Nymphing before the hatches start has also been productive.  Today may turn out to be the same with the light rain and cloud cover.

Jared had a good afternoon yesterday

Hatching:
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
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 11, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 11, 2016

There were olives and Hendricksons on some river sections yesterday.  A little rain is falling now but the skies should clear today.  It is definitely warmer this morning and the rivers have come up a couple of degrees.  The West Branch has dropped to a decent level with 556 cfs at Hale Eddy.  The East Branch side is pushing more water with a flow of 1,470 cfs at Fishs Eddy.
The fishing should only improve from now as the air temperatures increase over the next few days.  The forecast is calling for 60 degrees over the weekend.  We should see more rain overnight which is perfect for keeping the rivers filled.

Jared with a Hendrickson caught fish yesterday. Photo by Dan Treadwell

Hatching:
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
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 10, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 10, 2016

According to the forecast last night should be the last really cold one we see for a while.  We are on a warming trend that should really feel like Spring now.  The water temperatures are low this morning but should come up nicely over the next few days as the water flows drop and the air temperatures rise.  That should bring an increase in the surface activity and put us back where were before the cold snap.  Olives, Stoneflies, Quill Gordons, and a few Blue Quills will start to hatch again.  You may find a few Hendrickson in the warmer sections over the next few days too.
Air temperatures are forecasted to be in the 60’s by next weekend.  Hopefully we get just enough rain to keep the flows up in the system.  the West Branch above Walton is still flowing into Cannonsville way over a 1,000 cfs.  The next reservoir level update should be good news.

We’re still finding some early stoneflies so definitely carry the patterns on the river

Hatching:
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
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 9, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 9, 2016

The river flows are dropping back but still remain high this morning.  Stilesville is the best spot for wading based on the USGS graphs.  The forecasted snow missed us last night but we still may see a couple of snow showers today.  The overnight air temperatures were cold and the rivers all dropped back a couple of degrees.  Nymphing and streamers will be the most productive methods today but you may find a rising fish or two in the slow pools by late afternoon.  The reservoirs have come up a little in storage and should continue to fill.  Walton is still coming in at over 2000 cfs this morning.  We are looking at one more cold night and then we begin a warming trend tomorrow.  It will finally feel like Spring again by mid-week.

Bob Lewis sent us some artsy river photos from the fall. This one he titled “Church”

Hatching:
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
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 8, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 8, 2016

Mother Nature provided what the Decree Parties won’t – water.  We had decent rains yesterday morning and again overnight.  The Cannonsville release is still 110 cfs so the river should be clear and wadeable in Stilesville.  You have to stay above the feeders this morning for the low clear water.  The feeders are pushing a lot of water into the system plus some color.  Once below Stilesville it looks great for streamer fishing.  Be careful wading.  The West Branch should drop and clear first.  There is a lot of water coming down the East Branch side and the Mainstem is running slightly over 8,000 cfs at Lordville.
The best news is Walton flowing into Cannonsville at 3,400 cfs this morning.  The other Reservoir feeder with a gauge is Trout Creek.  It’s a small stream but peaked at 500 cfs and now flowing into Cannonsville at 228 cfs.  It will take a couple of days for the Reservoir levels to rise.  Hopefully this will be enough water that we move up a few charts on the FFMP and see better releases.
We do have another cold snap coming this weekend but today should be nice.

Fill that Reservoir!

Hatching:
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
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 7, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 7, 2016

The freezing temperatures broke last night and it’s actually comfortable outside this morning.  We should hit 50 degrees today with a possibility of 1/2″ of rain.  This will be great for the reservoirs and the system as a whole.  We will have to deal with some wind once the weather pushes in so your best bet for dryfly action will be in protected areas.  The rivers did warm up a bit last night but it will take a while to peak today- especially with the overcast skies.  Nymphing may be a better option.  If the rain begins to cloud the river we may get some decent streamer action.

The nymphs will get more active as the water warms up

Hatching:
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
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 6, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 6, 2016

The sun is out this morning and air temperatures should hit the mid 40’s for the next couple of days.  It will feel like Summer after the last few nights in the teens.  We are still cold this morning so nymphing and slow swinging streamers will be the most productive methods until the water temps come up in the afternoon.  We may see a very small bump in flows as the rest of the snow melts today.  We did have some sun poking through the clouds yesterday that melted quite a bit of it already.  The system is still running low so it won’t take much to warm it back up.  A few hours of sun hitting the exposed rocks will bring the water temps back up.  Nights will be cool for the while still but we shouldn’t dip back into the teens.  Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ears, and Copper Johns are all working well for nymphing.

It won’t be long before we see these wings back on the surface

Hatching:
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
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 5, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 5, 2016

Last night was a cold, cold one.  Most of the system is starting off with water temperatures in the 30’s this morning.  It looks like our air temperatures will stay below freezing today and even drop back into the teens tonight.  We do have some sun right now which feels good. We start a warming trend tomorrow and should see overcast skies with air temperatures in the 40’s.  Thursday should hit 50 with some light rain.  The only benefit of the low water is that it will warm up quicker.
If you do fish today it looks like a nymphing game.  You may pick up some fish slow swinging streamers in the larger pools.  Either way dress warm and be prepared to clean the ice out of your guides.

We should see the hatches start again this week as the weather warms up

Hatching:
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
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 4, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 4, 2016

We have a few fresh inches of snow on the ground and it’s still coming down lightly this morning.  The plows are out cleaning up the roads already but it’s messy.  There is no wind this morning so it feels warmer than it has over the past few days.  Accuweather is calling for the snowfall to continue until early afternoon. We should have a high air temperature approaching 40 today.  The air temperature begins to fall late afternoon and we will hit a low in the teens overnight.  If you can’t wait for the warm up beginning Wednesday it looks like another good day to nymph.  The wind gusts should stay around 6 – 7 mph which will feel like nothing after the last 5 days.
A few people braved the wind yesterday and were nymphing protected areas.  Most of the big pools had white caps which dashed any hopes of decent dryfly fishing.  There may be some bugs on the water late this afternoon so bring the dry fly box just in case.  The snow, runoff, and dropping afternoon air temps will cause the water temps to drop – especially at the current low levels.  If you decide to fish drive carefully and fish slow and methodically.

The Mainstem this morning. We should begin to warm up Wednesday

Hatching:
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
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 3, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 3, 2016

We found fish rising yesterday despite the wind and the brief period of sleet.  During breaks in the wind the sun would pop out and we were seeing a mix of stoneflies, Quill Gordons, Blue Winged Olives, with a  few Blue Quills mixed in for good measure.  Nymphing was also productive in the riffles.

We woke up to a little snow on the ground this morning.  It looks like 1/4″ fell overnight and we’re still seeing some lightly fall this morning.  We did not receive the 1 -5″ predicted.  Wind gusts will hit 26 mph today with a high air temperature of 32 degrees.  The water temperatures dropped overnight and may keep falling this morning.  If you are going to fish today it definitely looks like a nymphing day.  Dress really warm and bring a thermos of coffee at the least.  It’s cold out there this morning!  It looks like we are in for a few days of extreme cold with the temperatures beginning to improve on Wednesday.

The recordings lists the release from Cannonsville at 48 cfs.  This appears to be incorrect since the flow at Stilesville has been steady around 110 cfs.  We are still under the ridiculous Chart 4A under the FFMP.

Peter with a nice brown yesterday. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
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.