Author: Jeff White
Delaware River Report / Conditions September 28, 2014
Yesterday was a warm one out there. The bright sun made fishing tough during the day. Most success came nymphing and swinging wet flies through deeper runs and faster riffles. There were fish rising during the day but it was all about timing and a little luck. The hatching picked up in the afternoon with the normal olives plus some caddis. There are still some Isonychias around the the olives are definitely the key mayfly right now. Today looks like a repeat of yesterday with both similar flows/releases and the sun. The wind should be less of an issue today if Accuweather is correct. The West Branch under the 191 Bridge is 54 degrees this morning.
Theo with a nice brown in the sunshine. Photo by Bruce Miller
Molly taking a nice afternoon boat ride down the Main. Photo by Bob Lewis
Hatching:
Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe
Summer Stenos #12-16 various species
Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.
Slate Drakes #12 – 14 -Isonychia bicolor
Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.
| FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM: | |
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,180 cfs @ 51º |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,180 cfs @ 52º |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 99 cfs @ 57º |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 169 cfs @ 61º |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,430 cfs @ 58º |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 54 cfs @ N/A |
Delaware River Report / Conditions September 27, 2014
Since the rain missed us this week they are continuing to use the release from Cannonsville to meet flow targets down stream. The West Branch release is 1088 cfs until further notice. Ideally we’d like to see the release split between Cannonsville and Pepacton but that doesn’t seem to be in the cards. The Beaverkill and East Branch are both extremely low while the West Branch is a bit high- leaving the Mainstem in decent shape. Cannonsville Reservoir is at 63.5% capacity and Pepacton Reservoir is at 76% capacity. We had decent olive hatches last night with a few Isonychias and Cahills thrown in for geed measure. The fish were on top in the afternoon until the sun dropped and the temperature dropped. Most of the risers on the West Branch are being found in eddies and the slow tailouts of pools due to the flows. The West Branch under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 54 degrees this morning.
The rainbow head. Photo by Bob Lewis
Jeff with an interesting catch on the West Branch- photo by Bob Lewis
Hatching:
Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe
Summer Stenos #12-16 various species
Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.
Slate Drakes #12 – 14 -Isonychia bicolor
Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.
| FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM: | |
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,130 cfs @ 51º |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,050 cfs @ 52º |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 99 cfs @ 55º |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 171 cfs @ 59º |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,190 cfs @ 57º |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 54 cfs @ N/A |
Delaware River Report / Conditions September 26, 2014
This morning is cloudy, but we are supposed to have bright sun and a high of 74 this afternoon. With the water levels dropping, the river should warm up a little quicker and the hatches should begin by early to mid afternoon. We will continue to see #14 Isos, #18-24 dark olives/pseudocloeon, and #14-16 stenos. The release from Cannonsville is 840 cfs, so the West Branch is becoming more wadable and will have slower pools for the fish to rise in. We should begin to see better hatches on the West now that the water will stay warmer.
Another rainbow to the net!
Hatching:
Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe
Summer Stenos #12-16 various species
Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.
Slate Drakes #12 – 14 -Isonychia bicolor
Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.
| FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM: | |
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 885 cfs @ 51º |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 860 cfs @ 51º |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 99 cfs @ 51º |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 184 cfs @ 57º |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,090 cfs @ 55º |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 56 cfs @ N/A |
Delaware River Report / Conditions September 24, 2014
The weather is turning a little warmer today with air temps predicted to be in the low 70’s. We have some rain coming in overnight through tomorrow. The amount predicted is negligible but the cloud cover will be great for the olives and Isonychias. Along with those two standbys look for a few Cahills and some dark caddis in #16-18. There are also a lot of October Caddis around at night so if you see a big splashy rise that could be the answer. Streamers are still working on the West Branch early before the fog burns off and nymphing is paying off through the day. Overall the rivers are fishing very well for mid September.
Jim with a streamer fish. Some of the leaves are turning already!
Hatching:
Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe
Summer Stenos #12-16 various species
Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.
Slate Drakes #12 – 14 -Isonychia bicolor
Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.
| FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM: | |
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,160 cfs @ 51º |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,170 cfs @ 51º |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 101 cfs @ 53º |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 186 cfs @ 57º |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,460 cfs @ 55º |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 62 cfs @ N/A |
Delaware River Report / Conditions September 23, 2014
Last night was definitely the coldest yet this season with temperatures dropping into the high 30’s. We should hit close to 70 today with the warming trend coming but it definitely feels like Fall in the Catskills. The hatching remains the same with lots of olives mixes with a few Isonychias and Cahills. There have been some charcoal caddis #16 -18 on the water too. The sun is already hitting the water this morning so nymphing is the best option until the bugs begin to pop off mid afternoon. The colder nights have been cutting the hatches off earlier around 6 PM and the spinners have been falling mixed with the duns mid afternoon rather than at dark. The West Branch under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 50 degrees this morning.
Photo by Jim Swift
Hatching:
Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe
Summer Stenos #12-16 various species
Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.
Slate Drakes #12 – 14 -Isonychia bicolor
Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.
| FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM: | |
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,180 cfs @ 50º |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,180 cfs @ 51º |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 101 cfs @ 52º |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 191 cfs @ 56º |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,520 cfs @ 52º |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 63 cfs @ N/A |
Delaware River Report / Conditions September 21, 2014
Yesterday the clouds hung around longer than expected. Although the wind gusts were an issue at time the olives, Isonychias, and Cahills came and the fish responded. Primetime now appears to be 2:20 – 6 pm for dry fly activity but that may start earlier today with the predicted warmer air temperatures and light scattered storms moving through the area. Nymphing and streamers are still producing well when the sun is not hitting the water directly. The bite drops off on bright days once the morning fog burns off. The release from Cannonsville Reservoir is 1297 cfs until further notice. The West Branch under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 52 degrees this morning.
Hojin with his first Delaware Rainbow. Photo by Bruce Miller
Hatching:
Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe
Summer Stenos #12-16 various species
Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.
Slate Drakes #12 – 14 -Isonychia bicolor
Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.
| FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM: | |
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,220 cfs @ 50º |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,230 cfs @ 51º |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 103 cfs @ 53º |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 198 cfs @ 58º |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,670 cfs @ 55º |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 65 cfs @ N/A |
Delaware River Report / Conditions September 20, 2014
The release from Cannonsville Reservoir has been increased to 1297 cfs this morning until further notice. There is a little color in the river but it is definitely clear enough to fish. The Mainste is in great shape while the East Branch and Beaverkill could use some water. Streamers should work well this morning until the sun burns the fog away. Look for olives mixed with a few Cahills and Isonychias in the afternoon. The weather looks decent today although we may have a bit of wind as a front moves in this afternoon. Tomorrow looks great with cloud cover and some possible showers.
Dan holding a nice one on the Main. Photo by Art Bartholomew
Jim holding a dryfly brown
Hatching:
Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe
Summer Stenos #12-16 various species
Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.
Slate Drakes #12 – 14 -Isonychia bicolor
Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.
| FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM: | |
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,330 cfs @ 50º |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,350 cfs @ 50º |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 103 cfs @ 54º |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 198 cfs @ 58º |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,670 cfs @ 56º |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 65 cfs @ N/A |
Delaware River Report / Conditions September 19, 2014
The mayflies started mid afternoon yesterday on some sections of the river with a mix of olives, Cahills, and just a few Isonychias. The olives ranged in size from #16 – 26 but luckily the fish were interested in the larger sizes. The weather held nicely for most of the day but fishing definitely dropped off towards dark when the air temperature dropped. Today looks pleasant and cool with this being the last chilly day before another warm front moves in on Saturday. The release from Cannonsville is 866 cfs until further notice. The West Branch water temperature under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 51 degrees this morning.
Bill with a nice brown on the Main. Photo by Jim Swift
Hatching:
Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe
Summer Stenos #12-16 various species
Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.
Slate Drakes #12 – 14 -Isonychia bicolor
Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.
| FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM: | |
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 910 cfs @ 49º |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 918 cfs @ 50º |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 120 cfs @ 52º |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 203 cfs @ 56º |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,190 cfs @ 55º |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 68 cfs @ N/A |
Delaware River Report / Conditions September 18, 2014
They have been dropping the release from Cannonsville reservoir overnight. The recording states we will eventually end up with a release of 820 cfs until further notice. We had decent hatches of olives in the evening mixed with a few Cahills and Isonychias. During they day nymphing was the best option once the sun hit the water and burned off the fog. We are coming off a cool night so temperatures look good. The East Branch and Beaverkill could definitely use some water. The West Branch temperature under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 50 degrees this morning and topped out around 56 degrees yesterday afternoon.
Nice fish from the weekend
Hatching:
Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe
Summer Stenos #12-16 various species
Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.
Slate Drakes #12 – 14 -Isonychia bicolor
Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.
| FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM: | |
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,000 cfs @ 49º |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,080 cfs @ 50º |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 120 cfs @ 52º |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 213 cfs @ 56º |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,580 cfs @ 54º |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 70 cfs @ N/A |
Delaware River Report / Conditions September 17, 2014
Yesterday was a decent olive day with clouds and a little of the rain hanging around longer than Accuweather predicted. We also had the Cahill type mayflies and a few Isonychias mixed in. Streamers are producing well early before the fog burns off and the sun hits the water. Nymphing mid- day has brought some fish to the net before the afternoon hatches. We’ve had success matching the naturals coming off with #14 – 20 Copper Johns and Pheasant Tails. It is cool this morning with air temps predicted to be in the mid 60s today. The West Branch under the 191 Bridge is 50 degrees this morning.
Another in the net
Hatching:
Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe
Summer Stenos #12-16 various species
Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.
Slate Drakes #12 – 14 -Isonychia bicolor
Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.
| FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM: | |
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,220 cfs @ 48º |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,230 cfs @ 49º |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 127 cfs @ 51º |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 224 cfs @ 56º |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,640 cfs @ 54º |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 74 cfs @ N/A |
Delaware River Report / Conditions September 16, 2014
The olives are still going in the evenings with some Isonychias and Cahills. The hatching should be decent today if the light rain and clouds stick around through the afternoon. So far the precipitation has been light and hasn’t changed the rivers too much. Shame since the Beaverkill and East Branch could use some additional water for the Fall. The clarity is decent on the lower West Branch and definitely fishable. We should clear up a bit during the day and have a nice afternoon in the mid 60’s. The current release from Cannonsville is 1,177 cfs until further notice. The West Branch under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 51 degrees this morning. It’s beginning to feel like Fall with cool nights and mild days.
Ted with a great Mainstem brown trout
Hatching:
Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe
Summer Stenos #12-16 various species
Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.
Slate Drakes #12 – 14 -Isonychia bicolor
Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.
| FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM: | |
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,220 cfs @ 49º |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,260 cfs @ 49º |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 159 cfs @ 52º |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 264 cfs @ 58º |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,610 cfs @ 55º |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 77 cfs @ N/A |
Delaware River Report / Conditions September 15, 2014
Yesterday was cool with more sun but the olives still hatched in the afternoon bringing fish to the surface. There were some dark caddis, Isonychias and Cahill type mayflies on the water but the fish seemed keyed on the olives. The shaded sections of the river fished well early plus a few fish were still chasing streamers in the higher flows on the West Branch. Accuweather is calling for cooler air temps and sun today so it should fish the same as yesterday. Tomorrow looks great with some rain moving in overnight. The West Branch temperature under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 49 degrees this morning.
Joel with a healthy brown with a belly. Photo by Bruce Miller
Hatching:
Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe
Summer Stenos #12-16 various species
Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.
Slate Drakes #12 – Isonychia bicolor
Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.
| FLOWS AS OF 8:00 AM: | |
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,190 cfs @ 48º |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 1,210 cfs @ 49º |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 159 cfs @ 51º |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 273 cfs @ 56º |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,600 cfs @ 55º |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 86 cfs @ N/A |