October 28, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 28, 2019

There were a few periods of heavy rain yesterday that brought the West Branch up and added some color but it did stay fishable all day.  It was definitely a streamer day with a few odd dry fly shots at the end.  Not a lot of bugs out there but a few olives and caddis hit the water around 4 pm.  The risers were sporadic so you had to be patient and lucky.  The  wind was the real problem until it dropped by mid afternoon.  It was a tough day with a few rewards thrown in for the people who stuck it out.  You definitely had to work hard.  The runoff has settled down a bit this morning and the flow is just under 600 cfs at Hale Eddy.  Every feeder is adding water so the flow will be a bit higher as you go downstream.  It will clear up today and we’ll have sunshine and 63 degrees by the afternoon.  Wind will be 5 – 10 mph from the East.

Samantha Dennis with a good one yesterday

The border water on the West Branch and Mainstem are open to fishing year round.  The Upper West that flows only in NY is closed.  That puts it roughly around the Beaver Mountain Log Homes display on Rte 17.  The lower EB stays open until November 30th.  Check here for exact regulations:  http://www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing/delaware-county/

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

Slate Drake – #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 20 – E. lata, deficiens
Tiny Blue Winged Olives – #22 – 26- Pseudo sp.
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

October 27, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 27, 2019

The rain started last night but so far the river flows have stayed steady.  We should see around 1/2″ fall today with the rain finally quitting around 4 pm.  The wind won’t be a lot of fun at 10 – 15 mph from the South but that should also taper off in the afternoon.  The one bonus is the air temp hitting 63 degrees today.  Find a wind protected corner and it could actually fish today.  It’s going to come down to the runoff from the rain and the wind.  Nymphing, swinging wets, and streamers will likely be the best options.  Check the river gauge links below for the latest information.  If the rain does catch up to the flows and we dramatic changes we’ll do a mid day update.

Yesterday should have fished better but the sun shined through a bit more than forecasted.  There were some olives and people landed some fish in the slow sections but nymphing was definitely the better option.

The border water on the West Branch and Mainstem are open to fishing year round.  The Upper West that flows only in NY is closed.  That puts it roughly around the Beaver Mountain Log Homes display on Rte 17.  The lower EB stays open until November 30th.  Check here for exact regulations:  http://www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing/delaware-county/

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

Slate Drake – #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 20 – E. lata, deficiens
Tiny Blue Winged Olives – #22 – 26- Pseudo sp.
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

October 26, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 26, 2019

The flows throughout the system have dropped slightly but overall they’re about the same as yesterday.  We’re at great levels for wading and good levels for floating on the lower East Branch and Main Stem.  We’ll have a mix of clouds and sun with the air temp reaching 58 degrees.  Wind will not be a factor today.  Yesterday fished well with our normal fall small olives, caddis, and isonychias.  Fish were eating the small olives in the slow foam lines but you could talk them into coming up for the bigger flies. Nymphing has been productive during the day before the hatches.  Swinging flies just under the surface also brought some fish to the net.  The rain should hold off until close to midnight.  We should wake up to a steady rain in the morning lasting most of the day.

Ed with a nice WB rainbow yesterday. Ron Reedy photo

The border water on the West Branch and Mainstem are open to fishing year round.  The Upper West that flows only in NY is closed.  That puts it roughly around the Beaver Mountain Log Homes display on Rte 17.  The lower EB stays open until November 30th.  Check here for exact regulations:  http://www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing/delaware-county/

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

Slate Drake – #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 20 – E. lata, deficiens
Tiny Blue Winged Olives – #22 – 26- Pseudo sp.
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

October 25, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 25, 2019

Yesterday was tough dry fly fishing.  The wind and sunshine kept the bugs and fish sporadic.  Nymphing and swinging wets were definitely the better methods.  Swinging caddis pupas seemed to work well mid afternoon.  A few fish were landed blind casting caddis and isonychias in the riffles and foam lines but you had to wait for the wind gusts to lie down.  Today looks better with overcast sky, wind light and variable, and a chance of a shower.  the air temp should get close to 60 degrees so overall it looks like a good fishing day.

The border water on the West Branch and Mainstem are open to fishing year round.  The Upper West that flows only in NY is closed.  That puts it roughly around the Beaver Mountain Log Homes display on Rte 17.  The lower EB stays open until November 30th.  Check here for exact regulations:  http://www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing/delaware-county/

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

Slate Drake – #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 20 – E. lata, deficiens
Tiny Blue Winged Olives – #22 – 26- Pseudo sp.
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

October 24, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 24, 2019

The flows throughout the system are still dropping slowly as the runoff subsides.  Fish were landed yesterday mostly on nymphs and dries blind casted along seams.  We have a light frost on the ground this morning but will hit 65 degrees this afternoon.  The sunshine will feel good out there too.  Wind will be 10 – 15 mph from the South but should drop  back in the late afternoon.  We should see some clouds for the weekend with some possible rain on Sunday.  Have your caddis ready in case they come out of the bushes today.  Small olives and #14 isonychias should round out your selection.

The border water on the West Branch and Mainstem are open to fishing year round.  The Upper West that flows only in NY is closed.  That puts it roughly around the Beaver Mountain Log Homes display on Rte 17.  The lower EB stays open until November 30th.  Check here for exact regulations:  http://www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing/delaware-county/

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

Slate Drake – #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 20 – E. lata, deficiens
Tiny Blue Winged Olives – #22 – 26- Pseudo sp.
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

October 23, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 23, 2019

The heavy rain held off for most of yesterday.  The trick was staying out of the wind.  Some river sections had decent numbers of pseudos mixed with a couple isonychias.  The caddis seemed to stay in the bushes.  Most of the risers we found were in the slower foam lines and tailouts since the pseudos were size 24 ish.  The rain came heavier after dark and the rivers are up a bit this morning but not as much as we expected.  The clouds should give way to sunshine today.  The air temp will be close to 60 with wind 10 – 15 mph from the West.

Patrick with a nice rainbow yesterday. Bob Lewis photo

The border water on the West Branch and Mainstem are open to fishing year round.  The Upper West that flows only in NY is closed.  That puts it roughly around the Beaver Mountain Log Homes display on Rte 17.  The lower EB stays open until November 30th.  Check here for exact regulations:  http://www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing/delaware-county/

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

Slate Drake – #14 – Isonychia bicolor
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 20 – E. lata, deficiens
Tiny Blue Winged Olives – #22 – 26- Pseudo sp.
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

October 22, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 22, 2019

Yesterday was a beautiful day to be on the water.  The sunshine made it feel like it was 70 degrees in the afternoon.  Just a few olives and isonychias on the water.  Most of the caddis seemed to stay in the bushes but there are still a lot of them out there.  Today looks more like an olive day with some rain starting around 1 pm.  We should see showers most of the afternoon with the heavier rain coming after dark.  Total rainfall by tomorrow morning could be close to .75″.  The wind may get tough at times today as the front pushes in giving us 10 – 20 mph from the South.  If that happens finding a windbreak and nymphing behind an island may be a good bet.  The weather settles down tomorrow and we’ll see the sun again.

The border water on the West Branch and Mainstem are open to fishing year round.  The Upper West that flows only in NY is closed.  That puts it roughly around the Beaver Mountain Log Homes display on Rte 17.  The lower EB stays open until November 30th.  Check here for exact regulations:  http://www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing/delaware-county/

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

Olive Sulphur – Hept. hebe – #18 – 20
Slate Drake – #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 20 – E. lata, deficiens
Tiny Blue Winged Olives – #22 – 26- Pseudo sp.
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

October 21, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 21, 2019

Yesterday ended up being great olive weather.  The air temp stayed in the 50’s and we had some light rain and the little olives were out in good numbers in the afternoon.  There were some caddis and isonychias in the faster water but the happier fish were in the slow tail outs eating pseudos in the foam lines.  Streamers and nymphs also worked well yesterday.  Today we’ll have more sunshine but the air temp will hit the mid 60’s.  Wind will be from the East 5 – 10 mph.

Tom with his first fish in his new boat. Curtis Glaab photo

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

Olive Sulphur – Hept. hebe – #18 – 20
Slate Drake – #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 20 – E. lata, deficiens
Tiny Blue Winged Olives – #22 – 26- Pseudo sp.
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

October 20, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 20, 2019

It’s starting off coll this morning but it should turn into a good fishing day.  Clouds, light wind, and a few showers are in the forecast.  The air temp should be in the mid 50’s and the rain total should stay under 1/10″.  Combine that with the lower water flows and we could have a really good olive day.  The caddis are still out in good numbers.  They were hitting the water yesterday with a lot of small fish and a few good ones coming up.  Some fish were reasonably steady eaters but others you had to patient for and mark and cover. We’re still finding some isonychias and isonychia spinners in the afternoons.  Not too bad for mid October.

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

Olive Sulphur – Hept. hebe – #18 – 20
Slate Drake – #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 20 – E. lata, deficiens
Tiny Blue Winged Olives – #22 – 26- Pseudo sp.
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

October 19, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 19, 2019

The air temp is in the 30’s this morning but should climb close to 60 degrees by the afternoon.  We’ll have sunshine and light and variable wind.  The wind only hitting 2 – 5 mph is the best part.  The flows are still dropping slowly and the rivers look good.  It’s going to be a nice day on the water- especially after the cold, wet, and windy days we’ve just been through.  There’s still a lot of caddis around, some isonychias and isonychia spinners, and a good mix of olives in different sizes.  The feeders are still pushing some water but the West Branch is at a decent level for floating and wading.

The border water on the West Branch and Mainstem are open to fishing year round.  The Upper West that flows only in NY is closed.  That puts it roughly around the Beaver Mountain Log Homes display on Rte 17.  The lower EB stays open until November 30th.  Check here for exact regulations:  http://www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing/delaware-county/

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

Olive Sulphur – Hept. hebe – #18 – 20
Slate Drake – #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 20 – E. lata, deficiens
Tiny Blue Winged Olives – #22 – 26- Pseudo sp.
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

October 18, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 18, 2019

The runoff is subsiding and the rivers are dropping back to normal flows.  The West Branch is already at a wadeable level at 750 cfs at Hale Eddy.  We’ll be a bit chilly today at 44 degrees with wind from the North 10 – 20 mph.  The lower West Branch looks good this morning with just a slight tinge.  That all settles down tomorrow when we get an air temp back in the 50’s, sunshine, and wind under 5 mph.  It looks like a nice weekend for mid October.

The West Branch is in good shape this morning

The border water on the West Branch and Mainstem are open to fishing year round.  The Upper West that flows only in NY is closed.  That puts it roughly around the Beaver Mountain Log Homes display on Rte 17.  The lower EB stays open until November 30th.  Check here for exact regulations:  http://www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing/delaware-county/

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

Olive Sulphur – Hept. hebe – #18 – 20
Slate Drake – #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 20 – E. lata, deficiens
Tiny Blue Winged Olives – #22 – 26- Pseudo sp.
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

October 17, 2019

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 17, 2019

If you are not already here and committed to float today stay home and regroup for the weekend.  We’re looking at a bit more rain today but the real downer will be the 20 mph wind from the North with gusts 30 to 40 mph possible.  The weather will be nicer and flows should be settled by Saturday.

The rain finally started after lunch here yesterday.  It never seemed really heavy, just a slow steady rain all day.  All of the feeders are carrying a lot of water this morning and most of the rivers are blown out and dirty.  The West Branch generally drops and clears the quickest.  The flow at Hale Eddy peaked a little over 2,000 cfs and is already dropping so it is at a fishable level from a boat.  It is definitely off color but should clear up a little today as it drops.  We didn’t see any logs or junk floating out front this morning but be careful if you do float it. The best advice is to hold off.  The Mainstem flow will jump today as the Beaverkill and East Branch flows pass through.

Keep in mind the Upper West Branch above the border is closed.  Only border water on the West Branch is open right now.  Check the regs before you fish the system to be sure.

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

Olive Sulphur – Hept. hebe – #18 – 20
Slate Drake – #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives  – #16 – 20 – E. lata, deficiens
Tiny Blue Winged Olives – #22 – 26- Pseudo sp.
Little Tan Sedge – #16 – 18 – Glossosoma sp.

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update: