May 5, 2021

UPDATE Delaware River Report / Conditions May 5, 2021

There has been more rain this morning and the rivers are rising.  The rivers are coloring up.  Wading is not recommended today.  Hopefully the rain stops soon and the rivers recover quickly.  Click on the links below for the most up to date information.

We lost a good friend this week.  The Upper Delaware won’t be the same without Mark Li’s passion and the coolest boat on the river.

Nicky Bulleit got back in action 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:

May 4, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 4, 2021

The river flows bumped up slightly from yesterday’s rain and another shower overnight.  According to Wunderground we may see a little more rain today but most of it should hold off until after dark. So we should have good cloud cover with 5 – 10 mph wind from the South.   Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs are both spilling.  The East and West Branches are in fine shape for floating but the best wade opportunities are on the Beaverkill and Willowemoc.  There are a lot of different bugs on the water so watch the fish carefully to figure out what they are doing.  If you see bugs and no fish don’t be afraid to move.  Some spots fish better than others in high water.

Pete with a good one 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:

May 3, 2021

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 3, 2021

The rivers are starting off a few degrees warmer than yesterday.  The flows haven’t dropped much since both Cannonsville and Pepacton are both spilling.  We should see some rain throughout the day with a around 1/10″ falling.  Cloud cover and 5 – 10 mph wind from the South.  Yesterday’s wind was tougher than Wunderground led us to believe but people found fish.  The best wade opportunities are on the Beaverkill and Willowemoc.  We’re still seeing hendricksons, some march browns are showing up, and there are caddis everywhere.  The caddis aren’t always on the water and the rising fish aren’t steady on them but watch carefully and don’t be afraid to move around if you don’t see anything happening.  Nymphing has been the best bet from the morning to mid afternoon.

Anna with a good one yesterday. Dan Treadwell photo

Larry found some nice fish yesterday. Bruce Miller 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:

May 2, 2021

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

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:

May 1, 2021

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

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:

April 30, 2021

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

Mike with a good one yesterday. Steve Shen 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:

April 29, 2021

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

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:

April 28, 2021

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

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:

April 27, 2021

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:

April 26, 2021

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

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:

April 25, 2021

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

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:

April 24, 2021

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: