Author: Jeff White
Delaware River Report / Conditions May 7, 2021
Most people reported good hatches yesterday. There are definitely good numbers of caddis. Some river sections are seeing hendricksons and blue quills while others have moved past those to march browns. The Beaverkill flow at Cooks Falls has dropped to around 1,000 cfs offering some wade opportunities. Wunderground is showing some rain spread out over the next few days so check the gauges for the latest flows. There is no wadeable water on the West Branch, East Branch and Mainstem. We should see a light rain shower this afternoon with 5 – 10 mph wind from the South.
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.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 2,460 cfs |
49° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 3,320 cfs |
46° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 2,230 cfs | 43° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 3,510 cfs | 47° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 8,000 cfs | 48° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 1,040 cfs | 48° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 600 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 45° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 1,430 cfs |
50° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 102.3% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 100.8% |
Delaware River Report / Conditions May 6, 2021
The river flows are up after the additional rain yesterday morning. The East Branch, West Branch , and Mainstem have zero wade opportunities today. We are floating without any issues and even landed fish yesterday afternoon. The Beaverkill flow at Cooks Falls has already dropped back to 1,520 cfs this morning so wade opportunities will open up over there first. If we trust Wunderground we should have no rain today and may even see the sun in the afternoon.
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.
Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 2,590 cfs |
47° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 3,710 cfs |
46° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 2,270 cfs | 46° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 4,350 cfs | 49° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 9,350 cfs | 49° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 1,520 cfs | 51° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 600 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 48° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 1,930 cfs |
51° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 102.3% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 100.5% |
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.
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 2,250 cfs |
48° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 3,150 cfs |
49° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 1,590 cfs | 49° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 2,390 cfs | 52° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 5,710 cfs | 53° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 1,390 cfs | 53° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 600 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 50° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 1,450 cfs |
55° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 102.3% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 100.5% |
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.
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,810 cfs |
49° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 2,430 cfs |
48° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 1,210 cfs | 46° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 1,750 cfs | 49° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 4,640 cfs | 50° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 581 cfs | 51° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 600 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 48° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 1,460 cfs |
52° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 102.3% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 100.5% |
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.
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,770 cfs |
47° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 2,380 cfs |
47° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 978 cfs | 46° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 1,520 cfs | 50° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 4,490 cfs | 51° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 437 cfs | 52° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 600 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 47° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 1,590 cfs |
51° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 100.6% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 98.6% |
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
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,750 cfs |
43° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 2,540 cfs |
45° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 946 cfs | 45° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 1,550 cfs | 48° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 4,660 cfs | 47° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 477 cfs | 47° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 600 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 44° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 1,530 cfs |
48° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 100.6% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 98.6% |
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.
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 1,430 cfs |
43° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 2,500 cfs |
45° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 617 cfs | 44° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 1,430 cfs | 46° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 5.210 cfs | 54° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 572 cfs | 45° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 1,500 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 44° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 1,880 cfs |
46° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 98.9% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 98.6% |
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.
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 357 cfs |
43° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 2,240 cfs |
51° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 791 cfs | 50° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 1,820 cfs | 53° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 5.210 cfs | 54° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 297 cfs | 55° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 350 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 51° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 2,190 cfs |
53° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 98.9% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 98.6% |
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.
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 330 cfs |
43° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 435 cfs |
48° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 173 cfs | 55° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 489 cfs | 55° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,280 cfs | 57° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 297 cfs | 55° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 350 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 52° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 406 cfs |
55° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 98.9% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 98.6% |
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.
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 330 cfs |
41° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 430 cfs |
46° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 173 cfs | 50° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 506 cfs | 52° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,300 cfs | 54° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 300 cfs | 50° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 350 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 50° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 321 cfs |
52° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 98.8% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 98.7% |
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 330 cfs |
41° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 435 cfs |
43° |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 182 cfs | 46° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 541 cfs | 47° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,360 cfs | 48° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 316 cfs | 45° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 350 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 45° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 339 cfs |
46° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 98.9% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 98.7% |
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.
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:
| West Branch at Stilesville, NY | 330 cfs |
41° |
| West Branch at Hale Eddy, NY | 456 cfs |
4°3 |
| East Branch at Harvard, NY | 194 cfs | 45° |
| East Branch at Fish’s Eddy, NY | 603 cfs | 46° |
| Mainstem at Lordville, NY | 1,440 cfs | 48° |
| Beaverkill at Cooks Falls, NY | 350 cfs | 46° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Release | 350 cfs |
|
| West Branch at 191 Bridge | N/A | 43° |
| West Branch at Walton (Cannonsville inflow) | 381 cfs |
50° |
| Cannonsville Reservoir Capacity | 98.9% | |
| Pepacton Reservoir Capacity | 98.8% |
















