Author: Jeff White

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 2, 2021

It looks like both Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs are spilling.  Both gauges show the respective spillovers have peaked and both rivers are beginning to drop a bit.  It will be a slow drop even if we don’t get additional rain. The feeder creeks are pushing a fair amount of water.   The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are at great wade levels.  Today looks like a good day to be on the water with the air temp close to 70, wind 10 – 15 mph from the West, and some cloud cover.  The wind is normal for this Spring and we have a 40% chance of some rain.  The projected rainfall is less than 1/10″ so it shouldn’t have any effect on the rivers.  Everything should fish better than yesterday

Mike with a solid fish yesterday.  Steve Shen photo

Mike with a solid fish yesterday. Steve Shen photo

What’s Hatching:
March Brown – #10-2xl – M. vicarium
Dark Hendrickson – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 – E. Subvaria (female)
Blue Quill – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black / Brown Stone – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx fasciiata, Brachytera sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,750 cfs
43°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,540 cfs
45°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 946 cfs 45°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,550 cfs 48°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 4,660 cfs 47°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 477 cfs 47°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 600 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 44°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,530 cfs
48°
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 100.6%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 98.6%

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 1, 2021

The one bonus from  yesterday is now 20 mph winds feel like nothing.  It was a tough day but people landed fish. Plus it’s nice to know the worst weather day of the season is now behind us.  Most fish came to the net on streamers but a few people found the oddball fish eating on top.  The river flows are beginning to drop except for the West Branch.  It looks like the release has been increased to mitigate the spill.  The Beaverkill is at a good wading level at 572 cfs this morning.  The air temp will climb back up close to 60 degrees today and it looks pleasant for the rest of the week.  The wind will be 10 – 20 mph from the North but they should drop later in the day.

 

George and Steve Shen with a nice one yesterday

George and Steve Shen with a nice one yesterday

What’s Hatching:
March Brown – #10-2xl – M. vicarium
Dark Hendrickson – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 – E. Subvaria (female)
Blue Quill – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black / Brown Stone – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx fasciiata, Brachytera sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 1,430 cfs
43°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,500 cfs
45°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 617 cfs 44°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,430 cfs 46°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 5.210 cfs 54°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 572 cfs 45°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 1,500 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 44°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,880 cfs
46°
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 98.9%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 98.6%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 30, 2021

The rivers are up and off color this morning.  The flow at Hale Eddy has peaked around 2,700 cfs and is already falling.   Oquaga Creek peaked around 750 cfs and is falling too.  The West Branch should clear a bit later in the day as the feeder stream flows drop.  This may be more of a streamer day.

Yesterday’s rain was a steady all day affair with a couple very brief periods of heavy downfall.  So overall the rivers stayed in decent shape and people fished.  Fish were landed on dries, nymphs, and streamers so it was an interesting day.  Much better than the forecast led everyone to believe.  The rain looks done but the wind will be back today.  We should see wind 20 – 30 mph from the North.  Gusts may be higher.  Let’s hope this front pushes through quickly.  There are some leaves on the trees so hopefully there are some places to hide.  There is a good chance the reservoirs will spill so keep an eye on the gauges for the latest information.

 

Nathan with a solid brown.  Samantha Dennis photo

Nathan with a solid brown. Samantha Dennis photo

Mike with a good one yesterday.  Steve Shen photo

Mike with a good one yesterday. Steve Shen photo

Patrick finding them in the rain.  Bob Lewis photo

Patrick finding them in the rain. Bob Lewis photo

What’s Hatching:
March Brown – #10-2xl – M. vicarium
Dark Hendrickson – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 – E. Subvaria (female)
Blue Quill – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black / Brown Stone – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx fasciiata, Brachytera sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 357 cfs
43°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 2,240 cfs
51°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 791 cfs 50°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,820 cfs 53°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 5.210 cfs 54°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 297 cfs 55°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 350 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 51°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 2,190 cfs
53°
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 98.9%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 98.6%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 29, 2021

Yesterday started off well with good cloud cover and a little wind.  The wind picked up in the afternoon but was still manageable.  A little rain came in the late evening but not enough to dirty the water.  It was a good mix of hendericksons, blue quills, and both Brachycentrus caddis.  There were a few Chimarra caddis around too.  Most fish we found would eat a hendrickson.  In the low water their more picky about presentation than pattern right now.
Wunderground is calling for 100% chance of rain today.  It just started coming down.  We should see around 3/4″ throughout the day.  A lot of that will soak into the ground – especially since our leaves are just beginning to pop.  We may see additional rain overnight.  If there is any drastic change to the river flows we’ll do a mid day update.

Tony with a good fish yesterday.  Steve Shen photo

Tony with a good fish yesterday. Steve Shen photo

What’s Hatching:
Dark Hendrickson – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 – E. Subvaria (female)
Blue Quill – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black / Brown Stone – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx fasciiata, Brachytera sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 330 cfs
43°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 435 cfs
48°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 173 cfs 55°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 489 cfs 55°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,280 cfs 57°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 297 cfs 55°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 350 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 52°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 406 cfs
55°
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 98.9%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 98.6%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 28, 2021

Yesterday was as beautiful as advertised.  The wind stayed own, it was 70 degrees, and the fish were eating.  It was a good mix of everything on the hatch list.  If you’re getting rejections watch the rise forms closely.  We saw fish eating blue quills, hendricksons, and caddis all in the same run thoughout the day.  Today looks like a better fishing day.  We should have good cloud cover, wind 5 – 10 mph from the South, and some scattered storms.  Today’s rainfall should total less than 1/4″ that will soak right in to the ground.  The air temp will be close to 80 degrees.

 

Bobby with a good one yesterday.  Steve Shen photo

Bobby with a good one yesterday. Steve Shen photo

Georgia with her first dry fly fish!  Andrew Zmijewski photo

Georgia with her first dry fly fish! Andrew Zmijewski photo

What’s Hatching:
Dark Hendrickson – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 – E. Subvaria (female)
Blue Quill – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black / Brown Stone – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx fasciiata, Brachytera sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 330 cfs
41°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 430 cfs
46°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 173 cfs 50°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 506 cfs 52°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,300 cfs 54°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 300 cfs 50°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 350 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 50°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 321 cfs
52°
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 98.8%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 98.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 27, 2021

The warm up begins today with the air temp predicted to be 70 degrees.   Clouds will give way to sun and the wind will be 5  -10 mph from the south.  Sounds like a really nice day to be on the water.  We’re still seeing a good mix of bugs with hendricksons, blue quills, olives, grannoms, and apple caddis all out there now.  If the fish seem too picky over your fly take a close look at what they are really eating.  Yesterday was windy but there were some fish rising in the afternoon.  Nymphing has been good before and after the hatching.  The next two days of warm weather makes it feel like spinner time.  Let’s hope they have the wind forecast correct.

 

What’s Hatching:
Dark Hendrickson – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 – E. Subvaria (female)
Blue Quill – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Early Black / Brown Stone – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx fasciiata, Brachytera sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 330 cfs
41°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 435 cfs
43°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 182 cfs 46°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 541 cfs 47°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,360 cfs 48°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 316 cfs 45°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 350 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 45°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 339 cfs
46°
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 98.9%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 98.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 26, 2021

There was a little more wind yesterday than Wunderground led us to believe.  It was still less wind than we’ve seen lately.  There were more caddis around yesterday and it sounds like they were the answer to at least a few of the tougher rising fish.  We still have blue quills, olives, and hendricksons out there so it seems like a big mess of bugs at times.  Keep an eye on the rise forms  and be flexible in your pattern choices. When all else fails throw the rusty spinner.  We’re going to be a little cooler today with the air temp reaching the low 50’s.  Wind will be 10 – 20 from the North so normal for this Spring.  We warm up to the high 60’s tomorrow.

 

Pat Giordano with a nice one yesterday

Pat Giordano with a nice one yesterday

What’s Hatching:
Dark Hendrickson – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 – E. Subvaria (female)
Blue Quill – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Early Black / Brown Stone – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx fasciiata, Brachytera sp.
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 330 cfs
41°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 456 cfs
4°3
East Branch at Harvard, NY 194 cfs 45°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 603 cfs 46°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,440 cfs 48°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 350 cfs 46°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 350 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 43°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 381 cfs
50°
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 98.9%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 98.8%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 25, 2021

We have some light rain falling this morning.  Wunderground is calling for less than 1/10″ so the rivers will come through just fine.  We will have decent cloud cover and the air temp will hit 60 degrees.  The wind will be up again between 10 – 20 mph from the North.  Some people found fish eating in the heavy wind Friday so today should be no different.  Look for edges or other places that have a bit of a barrier.  If the bugs are there the fish will eat.  Nymphing will be your best bet early.  It looks like we’re finally hitting a stretch of warm weather.  Apple caddis are now showing in good numbers on some river sections so definitely add those to your box.

 

Brandon releasing a solid fish

Brandon releasing a solid fish

Peter with a brown in the net

Peter with a brown in the net

What’s Hatching:
Dark Hendrickson – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 – E. Subvaria (female)
Blue Quill – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Early Black / Brown Stone – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx fasciiata, Brachytera sp.
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 330 cfs
40°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 467 cfs
45°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 203 cfs 48°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 629 cfs 50°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,490 cfs 51°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 359 cfs 49°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 350 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 48°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 397 cfs
50°
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 98.9%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 98.8%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 24, 2021

Today looks like a great day to be on the water.  We should hit 63 degrees with sunshine and a few clouds.  Wind will be 5 – 7 mph from the West. 5 mph is nothing after the last few days!  We should see good hatches of hendricksons, blue wing olives, and blue quills mixed with the caddis.  The hatches were decent yesterday and some people found fish rising despite the wind so it’s definitely going.  The ten day forecast still looks great with warm temps and a mix of clouds and sunshine.

 

What’s Hatching:
Dark Hendrickson – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 – E. Subvaria (female)
Blue Quill – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Early Black / Brown Stone – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx fasciiata, Brachytera sp.
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 330 cfs
40°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 478 cfs
43°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 213 cfs 44°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 685 cfs 45°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,570 cfs 46°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 387 cfs 44°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 350 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 44°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 449 cfs
45°
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 98.9%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 98.8%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 23, 2021

The air temp should be close to 60 degrees this afternoon.  We’re starting off around 30 but once the sun pops out things should warm up quickly.  The wind will be up a bit between 10 and 15 mph fro the North.  It will be a welcome change after the last two days.  Yesterday there were some blue quills and hendricksons for a short while but the wind made it really tough.   The the snow, sleet, and hail did not help either.  Some fish were landed on nymphs in the afternoon.  The 10 day forecast looks great with some really warm days coming next week. This week should fish really well.

What’s Hatching:
Dark Hendrickson – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 – E. Subvaria (female)
Blue Quill – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Early Black / Brown Stone – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx fasciiata, Brachytera sp.
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 330 cfs
39°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 505 cfs
40°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 232 cfs 40°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 751 cfs 40°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,680 cfs 41°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 420 cfs 40°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 350 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 40°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 499 cfs
40°
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 98.9%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 98.8%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 22, 2021

The wind, rain, and snow made for challenging conditions yesterday.  There were some fish landed on nymphs but it wasn’t easy.  Today looks a little better with the air temp reaching the low 40’s.  Rising temps are better than falling temps at least.  We may see a little more snow this morning but mostly in the higher elevations.  The wind will still be up.  Looking ahead things turn back to normal tomorrow with the air temp reaching close to 60 degrees.  The ten day outlook shows warm temps, some sun and rain, and no more snow.

 

What’s Hatching:
Dark Hendrickson – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 – E. Subvaria (female)
Blue Quill – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Early Black / Brown Stone – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx fasciiata, Brachytera sp.
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 325 cfs
39°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 534 cfs
40°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 249 cfs 40°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 823 cfs 42°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,810 cfs 43°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 455 cfs 40°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 350 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 39°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 524 cfs
41°
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 98.8%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 98.9%

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 21, 2021

The wind was not kind for dry fly fishing but yesterday worked out fine for nymphing.  There were a few flushes of hendricksons and blue quills that happened in some calm periods so there were some dry fly shots. There are a lot of active nymphs in the rivers right now so that’s always a great way to start and a good back up plan.  Use nymphs similar in size to the naturals hatching.  It’s going to be cooler today with a little rain in the morning.  We may see some snow showers in the afternoon.  Wind will start from the South and turn from the North 15 – 20 mph as the front pushes in.  Streamers and nymphs will be the best bets today.  The air temp climbs back up Friday and looks great through the weekend.

 

What’s Hatching:
Dark Hendrickson – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 – E. Subvaria (female)
Blue Quill – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Early Black / Brown Stone – #14 – 16 – Taeniopteryx fasciiata, Brachytera sp.
Tiny Black Stonefly – #18 – Capniidae sp.
Little Black Caddis – #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 325 cfs
40°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 511 cfs
44°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 256 cfs 47°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 848 cfs 48°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,820 cfs 48°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 473 cfs 47°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 350 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 46°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 495 cfs
48°
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 98.8%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 98.9%
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