Author: Jeff White

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 15, 2020

If you’re in the area today stop by for the Get Trashed in the Catskills River Cleanup.  We’ll have groups throughout the system between 10 and and 4 pm today.  Pick up some garbage and stop by!

GetTrashed_2021

Today will be in the low 80’s with a mix of clouds and sunshine.  Wind 5 – 10 mph from the South.  Perfect for picking up trash.  If you’re fishing concentrate close to the dams in the coldest water.

The lower Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem temperatures are all peaking over 70 degrees.  Give those rivers a break until they cool down. 

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 532 cfs
47°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 770 cfs
54°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 344 cfs 61°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 893 cfs 66°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,810 cfs 68°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 316 cfs 66°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 450 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 62°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 303 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 77.7%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 86.6%

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 14, 2020

Yesterday worked out to be a good day on the water.  People did well on nymphs and streamers and there was some action on dry flies.  Today looks similar to yesterday- just a couple of degrees warmer hitting 84.  We’ll have partly cloudy skies and wind 5 – 10 mph from the North.  The river flows are still slowly dropping and the West Branch at Hale Eddy is around 850 cfs.  The West has cleared up nicely and looks good this morning.  Still no rain in the forecast but we shoudl cool down over the weekend.

Mike with a good one yesterday.  Bruce Miller photo

Mike with a good one yesterday. Bruce Miller photo

The lower Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem temperatures are all peaking over 70 degrees.  Give those rivers a break until they cool down. 

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 497 cfs
47°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 872 cfs
55°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 399 cfs 61°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,070 cfs 66°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 2,130 cfs 68°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 372 cfs 66°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 450 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 62°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 381 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 77.7%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 86.6%

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 13, 2020

The river flows are down significantly since yesterday but there is still some runoff working it’s way through the system.  Luckily there’s no real rain in the forecast until Sunday.  We’ll hit the mid 80’s today with cloud cover in the morning giving way to a mix of clouds and sun in the afternoon.  Wind will be light and variable.  There is still some color in the lower West Branch but it is clear enough to fish.  It’s not clear but there is enough visibility to make it work.  Streamers may be a good bet early.  It is clear enough for fish to rise if there is a hatch.  Nymphing has also been a good option on the lower West this week.  We have some cooler nights coming up over the weekend which should help the water temperatures.

 

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 497 cfs
48°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 1,210 cfs
54°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 498 cfs 62°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,360 cfs 68°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 2,960 cfs 70°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 493 cfs 68°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 450 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 63°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 522 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 77.4%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 86.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 12, 2020

We had another freak rainstorm last night.  The West Branch is high and very off color below Oquaga Creek and is not wadeable this morning.  The flow at Hale Eddy is over 4,000 cfs.  Above Oquaga to the dam should be fine flowing at 515 cfs.  The release is 460 cfs so there is some runoff coming in from Cold Spring Creek in Stilesville.  The West Branch flow has peaked and should drop quickly throughout the day.

We shouldn’t see any additional rain today.  We’ll hit 85 degrees with sun and clouds.  The wind will be 5 – 10 mph from the North.  Wunderground shows us cooling off over the weekend with no more rain until Sunday.

Above Oquaga stick with small sulphurs and olives.  Maybe a few flying ants will show in the afternoon.  Below Oquaga it looks like floating throwing streamers is the only option until the flows drop back.  That will be better if it clears up a bit by the afternoon.

 

Dan landed this one yesterday afternoon.  Bruce Miller photo

Dan landed this one yesterday afternoon. Bruce Miller photo

 

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 515 cfs
48°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 4,150 cfs
54°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,370 cfs 62°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,860 cfs 68°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 3,630 cfs 70°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 846 cfs 68°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 450 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 63°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,090 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 76.9%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 86.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 11, 2020

Yesterday was a warm one but a few clouds rolled in during the later afternoon.  Most of the storms went just South of us but we had a light rain for a few minutes.  Today looks like it will be exactly like yesterday right down to the 20% chance of an afternoon thunderstorm.  Maybe a little more wind at 10  mph from the South.  Nymphing produced some fish and there are still sulphurs and olives during the day in the cold water closest to the dams.  We are seeing more caddis which is always a welcome sight.  There are still tricos in the morning. That can be a finicky hatch so if you see bugs and no fish move to a different spot.  Wunderground shows the heat breaking over the weekend.

The lower Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem temperatures are all peaking over 70 degrees.  Give those rivers a break until they cool down. 

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 470 cfs
48°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 604 cfs
54°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 281 cfs 62°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 930 cfs 68°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,650 cfs 70°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 400 cfs 68°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 450 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 63°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 300 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 77.1%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 86.8%

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 10, 2020

We’re in for a couple of days of heat before it breaks again so your best bet for daytime hatching will still be close to the dams in the coldest water.  Nymphing has worked well in the lower river sections.  The runoff has cleared a bit of the algae up near deposit so nymphing has been a little easier up there.  Oquaga Creek was still putting some color in the river yesterday but just enough to stain the water and not affect the fishing.  Small olives, sulphurs, and caddis were seen on the river yesterday.  A few isonychias and golden drakes were in the air too.  87 degrees today with sunshine and a few clouds.  We do have a 20%  chance of some storms but they’ll probably slide South of us.  Wind will be 5 – 10 mph from the West

Donnie with an early one yesterday. Bruce Miller photo

Donnie with an early one yesterday. Bruce Miller photo

The lower Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem temperatures are all peaking over 70 degrees.  Give those rivers a break until they cool down. 

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 470 cfs
48°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 656 cfs
53°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 321 cfs 61°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,110 cfs 66°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 1,940 cfs 69°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 468 cfs 65°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 450 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 62°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 385 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 75.6%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 86.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 9, 2020

The flow at Hale Eddy is down to 790 cfs and the river looks good this morning.  Oquaga Creek was still putting color in the river yesterday afternoon but it was fishable.  There were a lot of people throwing streamers but people did find some fish rising in the afternoon.  Today will be warmer at 85 degrees.  We’ll see a few clouds roll through with wind 5 – 7 mph from the South.  If the weather report is correct we should see cloud cover most of the week with some showers here and there.  Caddis are showing back up and we’re still seeing sulphurs and olives.  Mid day on the lower West will still fish best with nymphs and wets but carry your dry flies just in case.

 

Tim found some fish yesterday.  Bruce Miller photo

Tim found some fish yesterday. Bruce Miller photo

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 470 cfs
47°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 790 cfs
55°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 383 cfs 61°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,380 cfs 66°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 2,440 cfs 67°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 610 cfs 64°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 450 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 62°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 569 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 75.6%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 86.7%

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 8, 2020

There were no freak rain storms this morning.  Luckily the storms missed us yesterday afternoon too.  If you’re fishing above Oquaga Creek everything looks normal and the West Branch is flowing at 497 cfs and is clear.  Once you get below Oquaga the feeder streams are adding some color to the river but it is fishable.  The flow is still dropping at Hale Eddy and will clear a bit as the runoff subsides.  It’s not the prettiest the West Branch has ever looked but it is clear enough to fish.  It looks like great conditions for streamers and it is clear enough for fish to rise if there are bugs on the water.  We’ll hit 81 degrees today with a 40% chance of a couple morning thunderstorms.  Hopefully they slide South of us like normal.  The afternoon will be a mix of clouds and sun.  We shouldn’t have any wind to deal with today.

The flow is much better than yesterday and still dropping

The flow is much better than yesterday and still dropping

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 497 cfs
47°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 1,170 cfs
56°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 484 cfs 61°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,840 cfs 64°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 3,770 cfs 65°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 889 cfs 64°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 450 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 62°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 1,010 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 75.6%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 86.7%

 

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 7, 2020

8:45 AM Update  We had more rain than was forecasted.  Hale Eddy is at 4000 cfs right now.   Oquaga Creek is going to add some color to the river

Hale_8-7-2020

 

We had some rain overnight and a little still falling at 6:30 this morning.  Nothing heavy but the flow at Hale Eddy is climbing.  It looks like they did a quick pulse release from Cannonsville overnight so that is where the water is coming from.  The flow at Stilesville is already dropping back so we should see the flow at Hale peak and begin to drop soon.  To day looks like a pretty great day to be on the river.  75 degrees, wind 5 – 10 mph from the South, and .14″ of rain with clouds.  There is a chance of some thunderstorms this afternoon but they say that everyday.  Bring a raincoat just in case.

If the rain changes the flows dramatically we’ll do a mid day update but right now that is not in the forecast.

And a week from tomorrow:

River Clean Up Saturday August 15th.  Open to all and it's going to be awesome

River Clean Up Saturday August 15th. Open to all and it’s going to be awesome

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 541 cfs
49°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 737 cfs
52°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 340 cfs 61°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 1,470 cfs 66°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 2,280 cfs 67°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 696 cfs 65°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 450 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 62°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 575 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 74.8%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 86.4%

 

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 6, 2020

The flows throughout the system have dropped dramatically as the runoff from the rain subsides.  The lower West Branch out front looks fine this morning and is running clear.  We’re coming off a cool night and should only see the temp rise to high 70’s today.  We’ll see a mix of clouds with less than 1/10″ of rain overnight.  The change in the weather is going to be great for the rivers.  Definitely have your olive box ready along with your small sulphurs.  Hopefully the cooler weather and cloud cover pushes the isonychia hatch earlier in the day.  We have been seeing more caddis over the last week too.

 

The flow at Hale Eddy looks just about normal this morning

The flow at Hale Eddy looks just about normal this morning

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 497 cfs
47°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 592 cfs
52°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 458 cfs 60°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 2,230 cfs 60°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 3,620 cfs 66°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 1,190 cfs 63°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 450 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 61°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 500 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 73.8%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 84.8%

 

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 5, 2020

We had the rain yesterday but luckily not all of the wind that was in the forecast.  The river flows are up but are already dropping back this morning.  The Hale Eddy flow is already under 900 cfs this morning and is dropping quickly.  The rivers will clear as they drop too.  The lower West is off color from the feeder streams but should look better by the afternoon.  There is enough visibility to streamer fish this morning and if there are enough bugs the fish will rise.  It may not fully clear until tomorrow but overall it came through just fine.  Stilesville is steady at 470 cfs so the river should look good above Oquaga Creek.  The Eastern drainage is a bit bigger so it will take longer for the runoff to filter through.  We’ll see 78 degrees today with a mix of clouds and sun.  Wind will be 5 – 10 mph from the West.  This will help dry things out a bit.  There is no additional rain in our forecast until Friday.

 

The flow at Stilesville looks fine this morning

The flow at Stilesville looks fine this morning

 

The flow at Hale Eddy is dropping fast this morning

The flow at Hale Eddy is dropping fast this morning

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 470 cfs
47°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 886 cfs
56°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 1,090 cfs 62°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 7,170 cfs 64°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 14,800 cfs 64°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 3,450 cfs 64°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 450 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 62°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 2,320 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 73.8%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 84.8%

 

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 4, 2020

At 6 am we are just seeing a small bump in flows from the rain.  We should see rain all day with the heaviest amount falling in the afternoon.  We could see between 2″ and 3″ of rainfall.  We are in a flash flood watch – most likely for the small feeder streams.  Wind will be 10 – 20 mph switching from the South to the North.   The air temp will  only hit 70 degrees today as the storm passes through.  If we see significant changes in flows we’ll do an update this afternoon but keep an eye on the latest flows by clicking the gauge links below.  If you head out today be careful.

 

Dan went for smallies yesterday.  Chris Calabrese photo

Dan went for smallies yesterday. Chris Calabrese photo

The lower Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem temperatures are all peaking over 70 degrees.  Give those rivers a break until they cool down. 

Hatching:
Click on the fly to see the patterns in our online store

Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #18 – 20 – E. dorothea
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophillia sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Light Blue Wing Olive – 16 -20 – E. attenuata, cornutella

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

West Branch at Stilesville, NY 470 cfs
48°
West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY 503 cfs
50°
East Branch at Harvard, NY 165 cfs 63°
East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY 264 cfs 72°
Mainstem at Lordville, NY 862 cfs 71°
Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY 110 cfs 71°
Cannonsville Reservoir Release 450 cfs
West Branch at 191 Bridge N/A 60°
West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) 48 cfs
Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity 74.3%
Pepacton Reservoir Capacity 85%

 

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