June 10, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 10, 2012

It appears that summer crept its way in this weekend. Bright sun and warm temps didn’t fully shut the action down, but it certainly slowed it when it showed up late this afternoon. Beforehand, scattered showers and clouds kept our water temps low, and allowed a good hatch of coenutellas (BWOs) to make an appearance. The evening came as expected(I would be worried if it didn’t) and the typical late flush of sulphurs et al made their appearance. Today a little bit more of the same, with some passing thunder storms cruising the area just to add some flavor to the day. Let’s hope it brings additional cloud cover with it!

Bruce Miller with an uncharacteristic smile on his face whilst holding a nice Brown! Photo by: Bob Lewis

Hatches:

Epeorus Vitreus(Female) – PED- #14

Epeorus Vitreus(Male)- Lt. Cahill- #14

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Ephemerella cornuta – Light BWO – #14 (sporadic)

Ephemerella Deficiens–  Dark. BWO -#12-20

Ephemerella Attenuata- Light BWO- #16-20

Ephemerella Pseudollocon– Tiny BWO- #22-26

Hydropsyche- Tan Caddis- #18

Ryacophilia- Olive Caddis- #16

Baetis species – #18 & #20

June 9, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 9, 2012

Man, could I get used to these steady flows! Take a look at that graph down there – the West Branch has been hovering right around 600 cfs for almost 5 days! I think that might be some kind of record as far as consistent flows are concerned. It’s been a real boon for both the fish and the bugs, as the former doesn’t have to move around a ton to find new lies with shifting levels, and the latter have the constant temperatures they prefer. The good news is that we are looking at flows like this for the foreseeable future, and as such fishing this summer could be spectacular! Nothing overly new to report from last night, still seeing excellent numbers of cornutas early and sulphurs late. The sun did heat up the East and Main slightly, but not enough to truly adversely affect the fishing. The slight amount of rain helped with the temperature aspect as well. Same thing today – bright sun and clouds with a  T-storm lingering around just for fun!

Dick Stabile (with son lurking behind) holds a colorful Main Stem Brown. Photo by: Bruce Miller

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Ephemerella cornuta – Light BWO – #14 (sporadic)

Baetis species – #18 & #20

June 8, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 8, 2012

These bugs sure are cooperating up here as of late! Early on, in between the splashes of sunlight, we had great hatches of cornutas (BWO) early on, with sulphurs following up and going late into the evening, even with the dropping temperatures. The Main turned on a bit later in the day, but definitely fished as well. Reports from the East Branch are pretty similar to the main, with a few more Isos thrown in for good measure! We’re warming up yet again today, with temps getting near 80, but mercifully, we do have some cloud cover predicted, as well as a passing thunderstorm or two. So long as it doesn’t get TOO bright out there, mid-day fishing should be as pleasant as it’s been. The prediction for the weekend has changed to cooler temps, which is also a blessing!

Norm Price is a proud "Pop-Pop" holding his grandson Brendan Cavanagh's Brown. Photo by: Pam Cavanagh

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Ephemerella cornuta – Light BWO – #14 (sporadic)

Baetis species – #18 & #20

June 7, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 7, 2012

Apologies on the late post -had a bit of a Photoshop apocalypse this morning.

As for last night, the action all depended on which section of the river you happened to be standing / floating in. The system as a whole fished very well throughout the majority of the afternoon, with Stenos rolling through the riffles and flats as if they were on a mission. Towards evening there was a definite shift, as the West Branch slowed down gradually, while the Main fished all the way until dark with a definite smattering of bug soup on the water – Stenos, deficiens, and nice big isos towards the end. Today looks to be warmer, with some passing thunderstorms in the area, which with the heavy cloud cover, should make for another great day of mid-day fishing.

Long-time client (and friend) Jim McNicol with a great West Branch Rainbow. Photo by: Jeff White

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Ephemerella cornuta – Light BWO – #14 (sporadic)

Baetis species – #18 & #20

June 6, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 6, 2012

You’ve gotta love carbon copy days! ….at least when the first is a good one! Bugs throughout the day on the West and Main (no reports from the East but I bet it was similar), with the West fishing farther into the evening than it has in the last few nights. More bug soup, with olives and plenty of different sulphurs / stenos to keep those on the water guessing. Today we are expecting some slightly warmer weather, with maybe a passing thunderstorm or two that will spice it all up a tad. Cloud cover looks good, so more hatching during the day for those heading out!

Intern Aaron Darr is starting to get his act together. Photo by: Bruce Miller

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Ephemerella cornuta – Light BWO – #14 (sporadic)

Baetis species – #18 & #20

June 5, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 5, 2012

I know when my guides come in after work and ‘double check’ to see if they are off the next day, it must have been good out there! Judging from the pictures, I obviously know my guides. Bug soup again, with a focus on the Cornutas early, with dortheas and other myriad stenos following thereafter. The West Branch did slow down at night again, once the water temperatures dropped, but the Main fished well into dark. The flow out of Cannonsville was also reduced to 500 CFS, our ‘normal’ flow for June with high reservoir levels. this 100 CFS drop (obviously) did not adversely affect the fishing, and today’s weather looks fairly similar to yesterday. Let’s hope the action is the same as well!

Dave Snyder with just one of his slobs from yesterday. Photo by: Wiley Paul

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Ephemerella cornuta – Light BWO – #14 (sporadic)

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drake – #8-2xl

Baetis species – #18 & #20

June 4, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 4, 2012

Holy Bugs! Yesterday saw some of the best hatching (specifically of Cornutas) that we have seen in literally YEARS. As the BWOs tapered off mid-afternoon, the Stenos took over. Cahills and sulphurs in every size imaginable, with the individual fish keying in on their own personal favorite (gotta love Delaware fish). Clouds and rain throughout the day kept them coming up, but the fish concentrated on the sub-surface activity for the majority of the day, but still a good number of fish were taken when they decided to pop their noses up. The evening saw great action on the Main Stem, but the West Branch shut down early (8:00 – 8:15pm) due to the water temperatures dropping off around that time of day. As for today, we are expecting MUCH cooler temps (high of 60), and rain showers throughout the day. Shoudl be another good Cornuta day, and the afternoon should reward those who don’t mind getting a little bit wet!

Wiley strikes again! Photo by: Bruce Miller

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Ephemerella cornuta – Light BWO – #14 (sporadic)

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drake – #8-2xl

Baetis species – #18 & #20

June 3, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 3, 2012

That was a pretty banner day yesterday, depending on where you started. The West Branch had some of the best hatches of Cornutas (BWO) and Dortheas (sulphurs) that we have seen in years, and although it waned during the middle of the day, the evening brought out a host of spinners of all different shapes, sizes, and colors. It was a pretty damn good one, overall. Today, we’re starting out with cloud cover and cool temps, which should give way to some sun and a shower or two later in the day, which could help it be a carbon-copy of yesterday – here’s hoping!

New Intern Aaron Darr with his FIRST Delaware trout (first one LANDED, anyway!). Photo by: Jim Swift

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Ephemerella cornuta – Light BWO – #14 (sporadic)

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drake – #8-2xl

Baetis species – #18 & #20

June 2, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 2, 2012

More water! Huzzah! Since we  have now entered June, the release from Cannonsville has bumped up to 600 CFS. Combined with the cool, overcast weather and spitting rain yesterday, the water temps have cooled dramatically, giving us ‘back’ the East Branch and the Main Stem. Yesterday fished fairly well during the day, but we pretty much lost the evening due to high winds pushing the spinners to the trees, and your fly any direction but the one you wanted it to go. It is looking much calmer today, with overcast skies for  much of the morning and into the early afternoon, with the sun starting to peek through around 2PM or so. The wind is also supposed to be significantly calmer today, so we should see our normal evening flurry occur.

Tony Mentesana with a great WB Brown. Photo by Kevan Smaracko

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Ephemerella cornuta – Light BWO – #14 (sporadic)

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drake – #8-2xl

Baetis species – #18 & #20

June 1, 2012

Delaware River Report / Coniditions June 1, 2012

Well, that was pretty much what we expected yesterday. Not much happening during the day, and a good flush at dark. Rain in the  forecast today, but as per usual I will believe it when I see it! Let’s hope it brings some cloud cover and great day time hatching with it!

Dave Lisnock with a great Brown! Photo by: Kevan Smaracko

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Ephemerella cornuta – Light BWO – #14 (sporadic)

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drake – #8-2xl

Baetis species – #18 & #20

May 31, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 31, 2012

Sorry for the delay, early morning shuttles!

Not too bad out there yesterday. Although sunny and hot at times, the clouds came in and out, giving time for good hatches of dortheas, cornutas, and isos, depending on where you were fishing. A mid-day storm shut everything down for a little bit, but broke the heat, and cooled everything down substantially. This created that low-level fog that all those who fish the Delaware are familiar with. This time, the sulphurs continued to hatch, and the fish were up and feeding until just into dark, when everything went quiet. Many of our guides found good pods of rising fish, and were happily ‘stuck’ for good portions of the day, as the fish were more than a bit persnickety (G-rated term in place of the more common one everyone else used). Today, we have cooler temps and more clouds in the forecast, so a repeat of last evening should play out, hopefully extended to the daytime hours as well. * UPDATE* – Forecast now calling for mostly sunny. I hate these guys……

Every now and then the boss needs to prove he does get out, and can still show the interns how it's done. Photo by: Aaron Darr

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Ephemerella cornuta – Light BWO – #14 (sporadic)

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drake – #8-2xl

Baetis species – #18 & #20

May 30, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 30, 2012

And now for something completely different….. (kudos to those who got that reference)…… Cool! Overcast! The sun nowhere (so far) to be seen! Our big heat wave broke yesterday with a band of pretty hellacious thunderstorms rolling through in the late afternoon.While there was plenty of flash and bang, we didn’t get overwhelmed with water on the West Branch. The Willow and the Beaverkill took the brunt of the rain, as well as the Poconos to our south. As such, the Beaverkill and Lower East are off color today, and muddying up the upper Main as well to some degree. With the water already peaked, I expect this to clear quite quickly throughout the day. Yesterday evening saw a good number of bugs hatching, culminating with a (literal) blanket hatch of Dortheas after dark. Wiley said the only thing he’s ever seen close to it was the famed ‘white fly’ hatch on the Susquehanna, for those who are familiar. While this was a very cool thing to behold, it unfortunately doesn’t make for a very fish-able hatch – especially when you can’t see! Today we’ve got more cloud cover in store, so I would think we’d be seeing a bit more day time hatching activity, as well as the water temperatures remaining fairly steady. No big changes to report on the bug front, except that we are not seeing too many of the Green Drakes, which makes us believe they may have hatched out at night on us. It remains to be seen!

Nate Eckhaus showing how it's done in the dark. Photo by: Dave Lisnock

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Ephemerella cornuta – Light BWO – #14 (sporadic)

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drake – #8-2xl

Baetis species – #18 & #20