July 11, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 11, 2020

It’s been a long time since we had a good soaking rain.  While there were a couple of brief periods of heavy rainfall yesterday for the most part it was just a steady rain with a few breaks. The light rain helped the fishing yesterday with a mix of olives and sulphurs.   The West Branch looks fine out front this morning.  No real color to the water and a 687 cfs flow at Hale Eddy.  The release hotline has the release from Cannonsville at 699 cfs.  We’re not sure why they would release more today than on a 90 degree bright sun day like we had a few days ago.  The ground absorbed most of the rain. The rivers on the Eastern side of the drainage are still rising a bit but we’re leaving them and the Mainstem alone until the water temps improve anyway.  Today will be 82 degrees with good cloud cover.  We may see some scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon but a lot of those seem to miss us.  If we do get hit it should only be .36″ of rain.  Wind will be 10 – 15 mph from the South.

The West Branch came through the storms just fine

Hatching:
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Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #16 – 18 – 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:

July 10, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 10, 2020

They pulsed a release from Cannonsville overnight but the flow is already dropping again.  We’re not sure why they even dropped the flow yesterday with the bright sun and heat that was in the forecast.  We didn’t need a staff of hydrologists and bureaucrats looking at million dollar modeling programs to tell us the temp at Lordville was going to exceed 75 degrees yesterday.  We knew that was going to happen by looking at our $250 Dell laptop.

Today is going to be cooler with the air temp reaching 80 degrees.  Wind will be 5 – 10 mph from the South.  We may see some storms roll in during the afternoon but they are always scattered and unpredictable.  Click on the graphs below for the latest flows.  If we do get hit the streamer fishing has real potential.  Otherwise the best bet for dry fly action during the day is still going to be close to the dams in the coldest water.  Sulphurs and small olives will cover most of what you’ll see up there.  There are a few tricos around but they have been spotty.  If you don’t see them move.  That hatch should get stronger over the next week.   Lower on the West has been nymphing and wet flies during the day.

The lower Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem temperatures are all starting off at 70 degrees today.   Give those rivers a break until they cool down.  Even the Upper East Branch at Harvard peaked over 70 degrees yesterday so fish that one close to the dam for cold water.

Hatching:
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Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #16 – 18 – 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:

July 9, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 9, 2020

There were quite a few isolated storms yesterday and we finally saw some rain on the lower West Branch.  There was a small bump in flows but most of the rain soaked into the ground and the river flows are starting out roughly the same as yesterday.  Some sections saw some color in the river but it cleared quickly.  The release from Cannonsville has been cut back.  The release hotline says 699 cfs but the flow at Stilesville is 540 cfs so it is lower than the recording says.  Today is going to be a hot one hitting 90 degrees.  There is a 10% chance of storms but we’ll mostly see sunshine.  Wind will be 5 – 10 mph from the South.  We should cool down and see some more rain showers over the weekend.  Sulphurs and olives are still hatching with some isonychias and cahills mixed in.

Tim with a brown yesterday afternoon. Chris Calabrese photo

Hatching:
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Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #16 – 18 – 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:

July 8, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 8, 2020

It was a warm night so there is some fog on the river this morning.  Today we have an 80% chance of some thunderstorms.  We’ll see since most of them have track South of us lately.  If we do get hit the total precip should be less than 1/4″ which will soak right into the ground.  Wind will be 5 – 10 mph from the South.  The cloud cover is a nice bonus for the day though.  Olives and sulphurs should cover most of what you’ll see out there.  Isonychias and cahills are also good choices for the riffles.  Nymphing and swinging wets on the lower West will be good bets early.  The sulphurs are hatching in Deposit in the afternoon.  Keep your flies small and low floating.

The lower Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem temperatures are all starting off at 70 degrees today.   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 – #16 – 18 – 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:

July 7, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 7, 2020

The clouds finally moved in yesterday afternoon after a very clear day.  Today looks better with cloud cover already and a slight chance of some thunderstorms this afternoon.  We’ll take the cloud cover.  The high will be cooler at 84 degrees with wind 5 – 10 mph from the South.  The bugs are the same with small olives and sulphurs making up most of the food on top.  There are some isonychias and cahills out there too.  Nymphing or swinging wets is your best bet early.  There are afternoon hatches on the upper rivers close to the dams.  Think small bugs to start.

The lower Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem temperatures are all starting off at 70 degrees or hotter today.   Give those rivers a break until they cool down.

First Delaware trout!  Bruce Miller photo

Chris found a good rainbow a dark

Hatching:
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Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #16 – 18 – 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:

July 6, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 6, 2020

The lower Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem temperatures are all starting off at  70 degrees today.   Give those rivers a break until they cool down.

It’s going to be warm again but we should have some cloud cover and possible thunderstorms today.  The amount of rainfall should be less than 1/10″ and the wind will be light.  We may have some wind gusts to deal with if the storms hit us but that should be brief as they push through fast.  The release from Cannonsville was increased to 740 cfs yesterday but has been dropped to 625 ish (we guess).  The recording says 699 cfs but the flow at Stilesville as 637 this morning.  Daytime dry fly action is still best closest to the dam but we should see olives and sulphurs on the lower West in the evening.  Hopefully the colder water from the release and good cloud cover pushes those bugs earlier in the day.

Hatching:
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Slate Drake – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – Epeorus vitreus, stenocron sp., invaria
Sulphur – #16 – 18 – 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:

July 5, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 5, 2020

The release from Cannonsville was increased to just under 700 cfs yesterday and is probably being dropped back to 625 today.  We’re in for a hot one with the air temp hitting the high 80’s with a mix of sun and clouds.  There is only a 10% chance of any precipitation.  Wind will be 5 – 10 mph from the North.  The best chance of dry fly action during the day is still in the coldest water closest to the dams.  Last night there were some small olives and sulphurs coming off on the lower West after the sun dropped. It’s going to be a warm week but we do have a better chance of rain Tuesday and Wednesday.

The lower Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem temperatures are all starting off at  70 degrees today.   Give those rivers a break until they cool down.

We got a little extra cold water last night

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 – #16 – 18 – 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:

July 4, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 4, 2020

A little rain must have hit the Beaverkill and caused a very minor bump in flow but otherwise most of the weather missed us again.  The release from Cannonsville is steady around 625 cfs.  Today’s weather looks a lot like yesterday’s with the air temp hitting the high 80’s, a mix of sun and clouds, and a slight possibility of an afternoon storm.  Wind will be 45 – 10 mph from the North.  The best daytime dry fly action will be closest to the dams in the coldest water.  People are finding some rising fish fish lower down in the mornings and evenings.

The lower Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem temperatures are all starting off at  70 degrees today.   Give those rivers a break until they cool down.

A Jack Gartside tied patriotic FishHead

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 – #16 – 18 – 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
Dark Blue Sedge–  #16 – Psilotetra sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 3, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 3, 2020

The released another brief pulse from Cannonsville overnight.  The flow at Hale Eddy is 822 cfs this morning but should drop during the day.  The recording says the release from Cannonsville is 699 cfs until further notice.  The flow at Stilesville is 629 cfs so we’ll have to watch the graph to see where we end up.  They are doing these pulses to prevent the water temp at Lordville from exceeding 75 degrees and “protect” the Mainstem.  The temperature target of 75 degrees used to be farther downstream in Hankins, NY.

On a brighter note we should have decent cloud cover today with the chance of some showers or afternoon storms.  Total rainfall will be negligible at less than 1/10″.  Wind will be 5 – 10 mph from the North.  We may see some larger gusts if the storms push through but it’s much easier to hide from with the trees leaved out.  As long as the release stays in the 400 to 500 cfs range the best daytime dry fly activity will be in the coldest river sections closest to the dams.  The lower West Branch will fish best for dries in the morning and again in the evening as the sun drops behind the hills.  Nymphing, swinging wets, and blind casting isonychias or cahills are all good bets when there is no surface activity.

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

Steve Bechard from Rise Fishing Company found some willing rainbows yesterday

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 – #16 – 18 – 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
Dark Blue Sedge–  #16 – Psilotetra sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 2, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 2, 2020

There was a pulse of cold water released from Cannonsville overnight.  The flow at Stilesville reached 690 cfs but is already dropping back this morning.  The release this morning is back down to 460 cfs.  This was likely done to keep the water temperature at Lordville from exceeding 75 degrees today.  These pulses are basically following the letter of the release plan but not necessarily the spirit of the release plan.

We had clouds and thunder yesterday but the rain fell around us and never hit us here on the lower West Branch.  Today will be warmer at 87 degrees with a mix of clouds and sunshine.  Wind will be 10 – 15 mph from the North.  We may see an afternoon thunderstorm but the predicted precip. is zero.  The best bet for dry fly fishing during the day is still the coldest water.  Evenings are fishing on the lower West.  Nymphing and wets have been good bets during the day before the hatches start.

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

Cold water pulses like this satisfy the FFMP guidelines but don’t necessarily enhance the fishery

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 – #16 – 18 – 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
Dark Blue Sedge–  #16 – Psilotetra sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 1, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 1, 2020

We did have some rain yesterday and a storm in the evening but most of the precip soaked into the ground and the bump in flows was negligible.  We have an 80% chance of rain today but the amount of rainfall should only be around 1/10th of an inch.  We should have good cloud cover with wind 5 – 10 mph from the North.  On paper it looks like a good olive day.  The daytime fishing has still been best in the coldest water.  Sulphurs and olives have been coming off in the afternoons.  Outside of that on the lower sections the normal summer nymphing and swinging wet flies should work until the hatches start in the evening.

The rain caused a minor bump in flows.

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 – #16 – 18 – 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
Dark Blue Sedge–  #16 – Psilotetra sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

June 30, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 30, 2020

Today looks like one of the better days to be on the water.  We woke up to light rain and good cloud cover.  The light rain should end this morning and we may see some thunderstorms this afternoon.  Total rainfall should be less than 1/4″.  This is so much better than the sunshine we’ve be dealing with most of June.  Hopefully the olives hatch early today.  Daytime dry fly action has been best in the coldest water.  Sulphurs, tiny olives, and a lot of light blue winged olives have been around lately.  Isonychias and light cahills are accounting for some fish in the evening.

The lower Beaverkill, lower East Branch, and Mainstem temperatures all peaked over 70 degrees yesterday.   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 – #16 – 18 – 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
Dark Blue Sedge–  #16 – Psilotetra sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update: