May 29, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 29, 2021

The West Branch is clear in Homepool at 6 am.  If that changes or the flows change dramatically we’ll do another update.

The rain should end around 10 am this morning.  The West Branch at Hale Eddy flow has peaked and is beginning to drop.  The flows on the East Branch, Beaverkill, and Mainstem are still climbing at 6 am this morning.  Click on the gauge link below for the latest flow information.  Today will be 51 degrees with wind 10 – 15 mph from the North.  We may see another 1/4″ of rain tomorrow.  Along with the bugs listed below we are finding a few green drakes and brown drakes.  And definitely pseudos so carry your tiny  blue wing olive box.

Beth with a good fish in yesterday’s rain. Steve Shen photo

The flow at Hale Eddy peaked and is dropping

What’s Hatching:
March Brown – #10-2xl – M. vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl –  M. vicarium
Sulphur – #16 – E. dorothea
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp. just a few left
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 28, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 28, 2021

We should see 57 degrees, wind 5 -10 from the East, cloudy with rain in this afternoon.  Daytime rainfall should be around 1/4″.  We should see another 3/4″ of rain overnight.  If Wunderground has this one right it should fish.  We saw decent bugs yesterday but the wind and sun kept the fish a little spotty.  March browns, gray fox, and a few sulphurs.  Tan caddis we around in really good numbers most of the afternoon.  We have some cool, wet weather for the next few days.  Hopefully that drops some water temps and increases the flows a little.

What’s Hatching:
March Brown – #10-2xl – M. vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl –  M. vicarium
Sulphur – #16 – E. dorothea
Dark Hendrickson – #16 – E. X – spinners
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp. just a few left
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 27, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 27, 2021

The rivers came through yesterday’s storms just fine.  Most of the storms were brief with heavy rain that soaked right into the ground.  The flows bumped up a little on some sections but overall it’s pretty significant.  Conditions are pretty much where they were yesterday morning.  The rain did push some bugs.  Blue wing olives and some caddis were out during the lighter rain offering some decent dry fly shots.  Today we’re back to sunshine with some afternoon clouds.  The air temp will be much cooler peaking at 70 degrees.  Wind will be 10 – 15 from the North.

The Mainstem at Lordville and the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls both peaked over 70 degrees yesterday.  Despite the cooler air temps it’s time to give the warm river sections a break until they cool back down.

Jim with a nice fish in between the storms. Bob Lewis photo

Derrick found some fish yesterday. Samantha Dennis photo

What’s Hatching:
March Brown – #10-2xl – M. vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl –  M. vicarium
Sulphur – #16 – E. dorothea
Dark Hendrickson – #16 – E. X – very tail end of the hatch.  definitively have spinners
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Apple Caddis – #18 – Light Brachycentrus sp. just a few left
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp. just a few left
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 26, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 26, 2021

Update:  Wundergound’s forecast for today has changed every time we’ve looked.  Click on the river gauge links below for the latest information.

If you lost a rod and reel on the West Branch send us an email flyfish@thedelawareriverclub.com

Yesterday showed a bit more sun than the forecast had called for but people found fish.  Nymphing worked well early and people did find fish on dries in the evening.  Caddis, the last of the small hendricksons, march browns, gray fox, and the beginning of the sulphurs are out there.  Definitely have your blue wing olives.  No sign of green drakes yet but they will be here soon.  Most of the surface activity was in the evening.  Today is going to be warmer with the air temp jumping into the high 80’s.  We should have cloud cover and some much needed rain.  Wunderground is only showing 1/10″ total for today.  Wind will be 10 – 15 mph from the South.  We cool back down again tomorrow.

Wendy with a good fish yesterday. Samantha Dennis photo

Nicky Bulleit with a nice fish. Steve Shen photo

What’s Hatching:
March Brown – #10-2xl – M. vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl –  M. vicarium
Sulphur – #16 – E. dorothea
Dark Hendrickson – #16 – E. X – very tail end of the hatch.  definitively have spinners
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Tan Caddis – #16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.
Apple Caddis – #18 – Light Brachycentrus sp. just a few left
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp. just a few left
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 25, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 25, 2021

Yesterday was a tough one. There was quite a bit of bright sun for most of the day. People found a few fish but mostly on caddis.  The caddis are around in good numbers but there is some luck involved in being in the right place at the right time to find the sporadic rises and cover them.  Overall nymphing was the best option.  Enough march browns and gray fox have hatched that we are seeing some spinners in the air in the evening.  We haven’t seen them hit the water in good numbers yet so keep those in your boxes just in case.  Sulphurs should show soon in good numbers.

Today should be a little warmer hitting 77 degrees with wind 5-10 mph from the South.  We should have better cloud cover.  There is a good chance of 1/4″ of rain tomorrow.  That will soak right into the ground but still be good for the rivers.  Most of those storms tend to slide South of us but we’re hopeful.

What’s Hatching:
March Brown – #10-2xl – M. vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl –  M. vicarium
Dark Hendrickson – #16 – E. X
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 24, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 24, 2021

It did cool down overnight and the air temp is 49 degrees this morning.  The air temp will hit 70 degrees this afternoon with a mix of clouds and sunshine.  Wind will be 5 – 10 mph from the South.  It sounds like a pleasant day to be on the water after the heat.  There are still a lot of caddis around plus the last of the small hendricksons.  March browns and gray fox have been coming ff sporadically and we should see the sulphurs in good numbers soon.  We have a chance of rain later in the week that would be good for the Beaverkill and Willowemoc.

Pierce with a good one yesterday. Steve Shen photo

What’s Hatching:
March Brown – #10-2xl – M. vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl –  M. vicarium
Dark Hendrickson – #16 – E. X
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 23, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 23, 2021

We had just enough rain overnight to knock the dust down on  the back roads.  The rivers are pretty much where they were yesterday morning.  The cloud cover and wind felt good yesterday.  There were some fish working when the wind dropped – mostly slashing caddis where we were.  Nymphing was a good option during the wind.  Today is going to be cooler with a high of 79 degrees.  We may see a stray thunderstorm which would be great.  Wind will be 10 – 20 mph from the North.  The air temp will drop to 49 degrees tonight so pack a fleece if you stay late.

What’s Hatching:
March Brown – #10-2xl – M. vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl –  M. vicarium
Dark Hendrickson – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Dark Hendrickson – #16 – E. X
Light Hendrickson – #14 – E. Subvaria (female)
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 22, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 22, 2021

Hopefully Wunderground has the forecast nailed down and today will be the last day we see in the 80’s for a while.  We’ll hit 83 degrees with good cloud cover.  Wind will be 10 – 15 mph from the North.  It already sounds better than yesterday.  Tomorrow we should drop back into the high 70’s at least.  Hopefully the cloud cover makes the caddis more active during the day and pushes the mayfly hatches a little earlier.  Watch for spinner falls in the morning and at night.  There are still some #16 hendricksons around and the spinners are definitely around some river sections.

The last few days of bright sun and hot air temps have driven up the water temps on the lower East Branch, Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, and Upper Mainstem.  The river temps peaked above 65 degrees yesterday afternoon so please check the gauges or use a thermometer before you fish the lower river sections.  It’s disgusting that we have to temp the lower river sections in May with both Cannonsville and Pepaction over 99% capacity.

A good one in yesterday’s sunshine. Bruce Miller photo

What’s Hatching:
March Brown – #10-2xl – M. vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl –  M. vicarium
Dark Hendrickson – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Dark Hendrickson – #16 – E. X
Light Hendrickson – #12 – E. Subvaria (female)
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 21, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 21, 2021

We saw some clouds yesterday but did not get the cloud cover we were led to believe we’d see from Wunderground.  There were some fish landed during the day on caddis but the better dry fly fishing happened after the sun started to drop.  Nymphing and swinging wets were the best bets during the day.  If you do see some slashes in the fast water mid day go with caddis patterns.  Today looks similar to yesterday with the air temp hitting the upper 80’s, a few clouds, and wind 5 – 10 mph from the West.  We are seeing some hendrickson spinners on some sections so don’t leave the river too early.

What’s Hatching:
March Brown – #10-2xl – M. vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl –  M. vicarium
Dark Hendrickson – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Dark Hendrickson – #16 – E. X
Light Hendrickson – #12 – E. Subvaria (female)
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 20, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 20, 2021

The releases have been cut back from both Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs. The 5 am update at Stilesville shows the flow at 417 cfs.  Hale Eddy is 601 cfs but will probably show lower at the next update.  Today is going to be hot again with the air temp reaching 83 degrees. Luckily we should see some clouds moving in during the afternoon and there is a slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm.  We need some cloud cover.  Wind will be 5 – 10 mph from the South.  There are still a lot of caddis and some hendricksons hatching in sections.  The march brown and gray fox are slowly pushing up river too.  In the bright sun it’s fishing a lot like July so don’t get off the river too early.  Hopefully it fishes more like May now with the clouds coming in this afternoon.

Nikcy Bulleit with a good one yesterday. Steve Shen photo

Jonny King with a solid fish. Bruce Miller photo

What’s Hatching:
March Brown – #10-2xl – M. vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl –  M. vicarium
Dark Hendrickson – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Dark Hendrickson – #16 – E. X
Light Hendrickson – #12 – E. Subvaria (female)
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 19, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 19, 2021

Yesterday was bright and sunny.  Probably a bit too sunny.  A lot of the bugs and fish laid low during the day so nymphing was the best bet early.  People did find some rising fish mid afternoon but the best action was towards dark.  It felt a lot like summer fishing out there.  Today looks similar with lots of sunshine and a high of 83 degrees.  Wind will be 5 – 10 from the North.  Wunderground shows some clouds moving in tomorrow afternoon which will be a big help.  The river flow are dropping slowly and most of the rivers are at a decent level for floating and wading.

Steve Shen with a nice one on a dry yesterday. Nicky Bulleit photo

What’s Hatching:
March Brown – #10-2xl – M. vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl –  M. vicarium
Dark Hendrickson – #14 – E. subvaria (male)
Dark Hendrickson – #16 – E. X
Light Hendrickson – #12 – E. Subvaria (female)
Blue Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

May 18, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 18, 2021

The river flows are still dropping and it seems lie the reservoirs are just about done spilling.  We’re on a warming trend and today should hit 76 degrees.  We’ll see mostly sunshine with 5 – 10 mph wind from the North.  Caddis are still strong with some hendricksons in areas and march browns / gray fox in others.  It’s time to keep an eye out for sulphurs at dusk in the lower river sections.  The rest of the week looks similar to today with a bit more cloud cover.  We’re not seeing a lot of rain in the 10 day forecast.

Theo with a good 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 Wing Olives – #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Light Brachycentrus sp.
Grannom Fly – #14 – 18 – Dark Brachycentrus sp.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update: