October 3, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 3, 2020

The West Branch is still low this morning with a release from Cannonsville right around 200 cfs.  Hopefully we see some additional water released as the runoff works it’s way past the downstream flow targets.  It’s not ideal fro a number of reasons but there’s no point going off on a rant here.  At least it’s cold out.  We’re coming off a cool night so temperatures look good throughout the system.  58 degrees today with a mix of clouds and sun.  Wind will be 6 mph from the North.  Tiny olives, caddis, and isonychias are making up the bulk of the bugs we’re seeing.  Out of the three tiny olive patterns have been our best producers.

There is some color in the West Branch from the release.  The cloudiness will increase if they raise the release.  It happens every Fall when the reservoir begins to turn over.

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

Slate Drake – #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur – #18 -20 – Heptagenia hebe
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Ginger Caddis – #14 – 16 Limnephilis sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Flying Ants # 16 – 20

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

October 2, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 2, 2020

The release from Cannonsville has been dropped to under 200 cfs this morning.  The runoff is meeting the downstream flow targets for now.  This is one of those situations that the Flexible Flow Management Plan needs to be a little more flexible to protect the river.  Luckily temps shouldn’t be an issue on the upper river sections and we have some light rain falling this morning.  Once the runoff passes Montague, Nj we should see a bump in the release again.  So it will still fish.  We’ve mostly been fishing tiny olives and some caddis in the evening.

Ed with a good start to October. Bruce Miller photo

There is some color in the West Branch from the release.  The cloudiness will increase if they raise the release.  It happens every Fall when the reservoir begins to turn over.

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

Slate Drake – #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur – #18 -20 – Heptagenia hebe
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Ginger Caddis – #14 – 16 Limnephilis sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Flying Ants # 16 – 20

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

October 1, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions October 1, 2020

The downstream flow targets are being met by the runoff so the release from Cannonsville has been cut back to around 300 cfs this morning.  The Mainstem is running a little over 2,000 cfs at Lordville so it will take a couple of days for the runoff to filter through the system.  We’ll hit 65 degrees today with a mix of clouds and sunshine.  Wind will be around 7 mph.  Tonight we drop back into the 40’s with some showers overnight.  Total rainfall should be less than 1/4″.  Yesterday evening the fish did get on the tiny olives and there were a lot of caddis in the air.  The lower flow should concentrate the little bugs and make it a little easier for the fish to set up on them.

There is some color in the West Branch from the release.  The cloudiness will increase if they raise the release.  It happens every Fall when the reservoir begins to turn over.

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

Slate Drake – #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur – #18 -20 – Heptagenia hebe
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Ginger Caddis – #14 – 16 Limnephilis sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Flying Ants # 16 – 20

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

September 30, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 30, 2020

The overnight rain did hit us and the rivers are up this morning.  The West Branch at Hale Eddy is only at 530 cfs as of 6:30 this morning but it is climbing. It looks clear out front right now.  Oquaga Creek is running 530 cfs so the West will continue to climb for a bit and may get some color in the afternoon.   Like normal the Eastern drainage is up more with the Beaverkill flowing over 1,000 cfs.  There are still some showers passing through and the flows are still climbing so click on the links below fro the latest information during the day.

We had a bit of rain during the day yesterday but for the most part it was overcast without too much wind.  We did have some tiny olives in the afternoon and the caddis came out of the bushes towards dark.  Fish were eating the olives but didn’t seem to get a lot of shots at the iso spinners and caddis where we were fishing.

There is some color in the West Branch from the release.  The cloudiness will increase if they raise the release.  It happens every Fall when the reservoir begins to turn over.

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

Slate Drake – #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur – #18 -20 – Heptagenia hebe
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Ginger Caddis – #14 – 16 Limnephilis sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Flying Ants # 16 – 20

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

September 29, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 29, 2020

Nymphing seemed to be the best bet yesterday with a few olives and caddis towards dark bringing some fish up.  There were some isonychia spinners in the air but we never saw them hit the water.  Hopefully someone was lucky.  We should see a cool down this week which should help push the Fall bugs again.  Tonight will be in the low 50’s rather than the 60’s we’ve seen for a while now.  It looks like we  should be 1/4″ of rain during the afternoon today.  Win dis only 3 mph but gusting to 11.  There is more rain coming overnight.  We may see an additional 3/4 to 1″ fall.  It sounds like the heavy rain may be isolated so the best thing to do is check all of the gauges in the morning.

There is some color in the West Branch from the release.  The cloudiness will increase if they raise the release.  It happens every Fall when the reservoir begins to turn over.

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

Slate Drake – #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur – #18 -20 – Heptagenia hebe
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Ginger Caddis – #14 – 16 Limnephilis sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Flying Ants # 16 – 20

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

September 28, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 28, 2020

We woke up to some light rain this morning but not heavy enough to affect the flows.  It’s been so dry most of it will soak right into the ground.  The release from Cannonsville has been cut back again and the flow at Stilesville is 353 cfs this morning.  We’ll hit 75 degrees today with cloud cover and a brief rain shower.  Wind will be 7 – 10 mph from the South.  Caddis are still all over the bushes so hopefully they’ll come out and hit the water this afternoon. We should see olives, heptagenia, and isonychias today too.  Yesterday should have been a good day based on the flows and weather but everyone seemed to struggle.  Hopefully today will be much better.

There is some color in the West Branch from the release.  The cloudiness will increase if they raise the release.  It happens every Fall when the reservoir begins to turn over.

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

Slate Drake – #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur – #18 -20 – Heptagenia hebe
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Ginger Caddis – #14 – 16 Limnephilis sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Flying Ants # 16 – 20

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

September 27, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 27, 2020

The release from Cannonsville has been dropped back and the flow is 600 cfs at Hale Eddy.  Today we’ll hit 75 degrees with clouds early changing to some afternoon sunshine.  Wind will be 6 – 9 mph.  Yesterday the release from Cannonsville bumped around a bit and the flow hit 711 cfs at Stilesville.  That may have been a little bit to big a quick change but at least we had cloud cover for most of the day.  We had some rain that could best be described as a heavy mist.  There were some olives, heptagenia, and a few isonychias in the afternoon.  It would have been better without the quick change in flow but people still found some fish on top. We should settle into a steady flow during the week.

Dan Williamson with a good brown last night

There is some color in the West Branch from the release.  The cloudiness will increase if they raise the release.  It happens every Fall when the reservoir begins to turn over.

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

Slate Drake – #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur – #18 -20 – Heptagenia hebe
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Ginger Caddis – #14 – 16 Limnephilis sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Flying Ants # 16 – 20

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

September 26, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 26, 2020

The release from Cannonsville has been increased and flow at Stilesville is 658 cfs this morning.  If it increases more we’ll do another update.  The flow on the lower West and Upper Main will come up a bit throughout the day.  The higher release will probably increase the turbidity but that bothers fisherman more than it bothers the fish.  Today will be 70 degrees with 6 mph winds from the South.  Maybe some gusts up to 10 mph.

There is some color in the West Branch from the release.  The cloudiness will increase if they raise the release.  It happens every Fall when the reservoir begins to turn over.

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

Slate Drake – #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur – #18 -20 – Heptagenia hebe
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Ginger Caddis – #14 – 16 Limnephilis sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Flying Ants # 16 – 20

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

September 25, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 25, 2020

The release from Cannonsville has been increases a bit and the flow at Hale Eddy is 540 cfs this morning.  Everything looks good for the weekend.  Today will be 79 degrees with some sunshine.  Wind should not be a factor at 5 – 7 mph from the South.  Yesterday fished well most of the day with a mix of caddis and olives early joined by some hebes late in the afternoon.  Some people are finding fish on isonychias and still a few flying ants.

Jackie and Bruce with a WB brown yesterday

There is some color in the West Branch from the release.  The cloudiness will increase if they raise the release.  It happens every Fall when the reservoir begins to turn over.

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

Slate Drake – #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Olive Sulphur – #18 -20 – Heptagenia hebe
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Ginger Caddis – #14 – 16 Limnephilis sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Flying Ants # 16 – 20

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

September 24, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 24, 2020

The wind was tough during the day yesterday but it finally dropped back in the evening.  The general plan has been olives and heptagenias in the flat water and caddis and isonychias in the moving water.  So far that’s been working out.  Nymphing has worked well with flies that match the size of the naturals hatching.  Today looks great with 75 degrees, wind 5 – 7 mph from the West and few a clouds.   So mostly sunny but with way less wind than yesterday.

Ralph with a nice one yesterday. Rick Becker photo

We’re beginning to see a bit of cloudiness in the West Branch from the release.  The cloudiness will increase if they raise the release.  It happens every Fall when the reservoir begins to turn over.

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

Slate Drake – #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – stenocron sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 -20 – Heptagenia hebe
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Flying Ants # 16 – 20

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

September 23, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 23, 2020

It’s a bit warmer than we’ve seen for a few days at 42 degrees this morning.  We should see 72 degrees by the afternoon with a mix of clouds and sunshine.  The wind won’t be awesome at 15 mph but we had it yesterday and people caught fish.  Hopefully id calms down in the evening again for the dry fly fishing.  Tiny olives, heptagenia, and caddis patterns should definitely be handy.  Isonychias are also around so have a few of those.  When the wind is up try swinging wets trough some of the riffles.  Fall is always a good caddis time.

Steve with a good one yesterday. Bruce Miller photo

We’re beginning to see a bit of cloudiness in the West Branch from the release.  The cloudiness will increase if they raise the release.  It happens every Fall when the reservoir begins to turn over.

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

Slate Drake – #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – stenocron sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 -20 – Heptagenia hebe
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Flying Ants # 16 – 20

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

September 22, 2020

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 22, 2020

We’re coming off another cool night but will warm up to 67 degrees this afternoon.  The low tonight only drops to 47 degrees so we’re done with the frost at least for one day.  Today is going to be windy with 10 mph from the North with gusts closer to 20.  There are still enough leaves on the trees you can hide a bit.  Nymphing and swinging wets may be the best choice but if you can find flat water there should be olives and heptagenia hatching in the afternoon.  Some isonychas are around and the caddis seem to really be picking up.

Brad with a rainbow yesterday. Bruce Miller photo

We’re beginning to see a bit of cloudiness in the West Branch from the release.  The cloudiness will increase if they raise the release.  It happens every Fall when the reservoir begins to turn over.

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

Slate Drake – #12 – 14 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Cahill – #14 – stenocron sp.
Olive Sulphur – #18 -20 – Heptagenia hebe
Tiny Olive – #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.
Tan Caddis – #18 – 20 – Hydropsyche sp.
Dark Blue Wing Olives – #18 – 20 – E. deficiens, lata
Flying Ants # 16 – 20

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update: