May 29, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 29, 2012

Anybody have some aloe for me? Holy Moses was it a scorcher out there yesterday. Blazing sun with no wind, and temps near 90 made it feel more like a sauna than a river. The worst part was the Upper Main hitting close to 72 degrees at Lordville in the afternoon. Although there was sporadic hatching throughout the day, the fish kept their heads low until the evening, which saw a pretty decent bump in activity and spinner fall. Yesterday morning also fished well out in Home Pool, with some left over spinners from the night before hitting the water, and a brief spurt of caddis activity as well. Today is looking to be a tad bit cooler, but very similar in conditions, so bring your sunscreen, and plan on fishing the West Branch!

My "nephew" Charlie Dean cooling out on the lower Main Stem. Photo by: Bart Larmouth

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 28, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 28, 2012

Happy Memorial Day! If you haven’t already, please take a moment to reflect on and thank all of those who have served and are currently serving our country, allowing us to be able to enjoy our freedom.

Apologies on the tardiness this morning, have some guides heading out super early to beat the heat. As for the fishing yesterday, well let’s just say this holiday weekend never looked more like the “official” start of summer. Bright sun and hot temperatures quickly warmed the waters of the lower Main into the 70s, which quashed basically any (read: responsible) trout fishing. Catching a trout in those water temps can stress them to the point of exhaustion and death, so it’s too be avoided. Although there were bugs, few fish were seen, as they were likely opting to stay low and stay cool. The Upper Main stayed fairly cool, but only decided to fish well right at dark, when there were good hatches of dortheas, smaller BWOs (Ephemerella deficiens, specifically), and random stenos (light cahills) of various sizes and species. There was also a good flush of rusty spinners in several different sizes as well. Today we’re hoping for more cloud cover (in the forecast), but it does appear that it will be much warmer, approaching 90 in some areas, with passing thunderstorms. Very little breeze means that it will be sweltering by the end of the day today. The West and Upper Main should fish during the day if these clouds do materialize, and we should see a pretty productive, “typical” summer evening as well!

Young Lee and his fishing partner with a chunky brown. Photo by: Steve Shen

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 27, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 27, 2012

Man, can these fish be B*TCHY!  System-wide there were bugs and fish at various points throughout the day, with a good flush of bugs once the sun started to drop. The problem was you would see a fish rise three or four times, and just stop for no discernible reason. I personally saw fish mowing down dortheas, then stop like a shift-ending whistle (think The Flintstones) sent them scurrying home even with good numbers of bugs still floating downstream. The other favorite fish behavior of the Delaware Fishermen(and women!) reared its ugly head as well – multiple fish in a smaller pool / area all eating different insects. As a shop manager, I love this, as people burn through tippet like crazy trying to figure out what the next guy in line is eating (and thereby need to purchase more!), but as a fisherman, it drives me insane as much as the next guy. Today looks to be a bit warmer, with mild winds, and the possible occasional thunderstorm rolling through the area. The bugs should continue to hatch en masse, and hopefully the fish will be a bit more cooperative. It is also going to be pandemonium out there with recreational boaters / canoeists / kayakers – try to be understanding and patient with everyone!

NOTE – I’ve added a link on the right to the Main Line Fly Tyers from Philadelphia – they are great supporters of the River, the DRC, and a great bunch of folks to meet if you have the chance! Click Away!

I gave Pete Nalen the short-shrift yesterday by just showing his fish - so here he is with a nice late-night rainbow! Photo by: Steve Shen

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 26, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 26, 2012

Yesterday was a little bit more of what we expected. Now if the stinkin’ forecast could be a little more accurate……. Heavy clouds hung around the river pretty much until mid to late afternoon yesterday (when they were “predicted” to remain all day), which yielded some decent hatching in the warm humid air.  Again we had a bit of bug soup out there on the water, with just about every bug I have listed below showing up at one point or another. When the sun came out in the afternoon it got HOT – at least the tempearture. The fishing slowed down until right before dark, when a mixed-bag of spinners decided to fall on the West Branch. With a warm day yesterday and another on par for today, I would expect that we start seeing the ‘real’ Green Drake hatch begin to make its way up river. Other hatches to be aware of this weekend: Fiberglass boatis (Drift Boat Hatch), Canoeist aluminiumius (The drunken Canoe hatch), Pontoonius multius (Mini float boats en masse), and everyone’s favorite – Female en Bikinius. No common name needed.

Pete Nalen holds a nice Main Stem Brown from earlier this week. Cool photo by: Steve Shen

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 25, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 25, 2012

Well that was a big bunch of bulls*it. I was able to get out and fish the lower east for a bit yesterday, but Mother Nature decided that a normal, calm, bug-filled evening wasn’t in her plan for the day. We had bugs, but every time the fish would get started, the wind would pick up and put them back down again. Move spots, fish start rising, same thing, rinse and repeat until dark. Right at dark, the fish started rising as normal, with a good hatch of dortheas coming off BUT of course they decided to get snotty and not take ANYTHING we had (kitchen sink included) until 5 minutes past dark thirty when some iso spinners hit the water. Unfortunately, the Force was not with me as it usually is that late, and picking up rises and getting the hookset right was not happening. As infuriating as that was, it’s the reason we all keep coming back to this river system like moths to a flame. Otherwise, there was decent activity throughout the day on the Main and West – but the fish were definitely super-selective, making it a bit of a toughie out there for all. Today looks to be a mirror of yesterday weather-wise, with possibly a bit more rain in the forecast. Let’s hope for a decent amount to keep the dam spilling and the water cool!

Deb Nelson last week with one of her FIRST fish on the fly!! (please note, Bruce Miller was awake for the taking of this photograph) Photo by: Fred Nelson

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 24, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 24, 2012

I thought summer unofficially started on Memorial Day? We’ve still got a few days left until then, but it already feels like “official” summer has started. The predicted cloud cover yesterday vaporized by lunchtime, creating some tough conditions out there, at least as far we fishermen were concerned. Those looking to get a tan were in GREAT shape. That being said, the occasional cloud or piece of shade did yield hatching bugs (still a bug soup of everything below) and rising fish, with some pretty decent catches being made both during the day and at the magic hour in the evening. Today we are looking at more “clouds and sun” according to the all-powerful weathermen, with a passing thunderstorm or two. It will be warm, in the mid-70s, but so long as the sun is broken up (so they say) the water temps should stay pretty decent, and hopefully we’ll have a bit more activity than yesterday.

Tony Mortimer with a CHUNKY Main Stem Brown. Photo by: Bruce Miller

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

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 23, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 23, 2012

The could cover lasted until the late afternoon/evening yesterday, which lent itself to some fairly good hatching across the board. The river did not heat up too much despite the warmer ambient air temps, as the clouds kept the dreaded sun at bay. Action wasn’t exactly fast and furious, but happened nonetheless, depending on which section of the river you happened to be fishing. Call it micro-pressure changes or Mother Nature having a sense of humor, but the fish activity varied pool to pool on the river as they continually lit up and shut down. Evening brought out some good hatches, as well as sporadic spinner falls. Today we have clouds and thunderstorms in the forecast. So glad that graphite doesn’t conduct electricity……..(that’s sarcasm people, it’s a REAL good conductor – keep those rods down when you hear thunder.)

Tom Gourlay with a very nice (extended!) Brown. Photo by: Bruce Miller

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

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 22, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 22, 2012

The rain did us some good yesterday, cooling the river back down, and yielding some decent mid-day hatching. It appears that the East Branch basin got the majority of the rain, as it has come up a bit over night. The west branch is starting to drop as the spillage over the top of the dam is quickly fading. Rain in the forecast today could change that, depending on where it decides to land. The good news is more overcast skies and damp conditions, which should give us another good day of dry fly fishing while also keeping the water temps down across the board.

Steve Shevlin with a beautiful bow from last week. Photo by: Bruce Miller

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

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 21, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 21, 2012

Yep, it seems that summer has reared its ugly head (at least as far as yesterday was concerned). Bright sun, lots of heat, and slow going throughout the day, followed by a flurry of activity at night. We had the same bug soup late, but a breeze came up around 6:00 PM which added a little bit of challenge to the late rush. Today however, we’ve woken up to cloudy skies and cooler temps, with drizzly rain predicted throughout the day. This will not just make for a great dry fly day (fingers crossed, I’m hoping to get out!), but also will aid in cooling the rivers down a bit. The lower east got up near 65 yesterday, as did the Main. The lack of sun and cool rainfall will hopefully do the trick!

Kurt Vasquez from Pittsburgh with a chunky Main Stem Rainbow. Photo by: Kevan Smaracko.

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

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 20, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 20, 2012

Hope everyone wore sunscreen yesterday, ’cause it was a bright one. Unfortunately, the scorching sun didn’t make for the best day on the river yesterday as the bugs and fish decided to lay low as well, instead of getting a tan themselves. Certain sections of the river lit up at night with bugs and fish, but not in the system-wide explosion that we saw the night before. Water temps are also starting a bit higher today, as a result of the bright sun and warm overnight so all those fishing in the early AM may seem some decent activity. That being said, we’re expecting the warmest day yet this month, with temps reaching near 83 degrees, and blazing sunshine again. Here’s hoping that the fish are ready this evening after taking a night off.

Also, as much as it pains me to say, Cannonsville Reservoir is now spilling a modest 180 CFS over the top. This should not adversely affect the fishing too much, so long as the water coming over remains fairly cool. The reason that it pains me as I made a bet with friend of the shop (and lower river guide) Tony Ritter a half dozen of my favorite pattern that the reservoir would NOT spill until Monday. Guess I better get that vise out!

Yep. They're HEEEEEEERE. Green Drakes have been hatching system-wide. This is just the lead troupe, we expect them to start in earnest within the next few days, and peak likely by next weekend. Photo by: Bob Lewis

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

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 19, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 19, 2012

Morning all – sorry for the delay, bike ride this morning took a bit longer than anticipated. As for the fishing,  yesterday was definitely interesting. Depending on where you fished, there were tons of bugs, but the fish were loathe to rise in the bright direct sunlight. In the evening there were tons of targets, the only issue being it was bug soup out there on the water. We had everything from Isos to sulphurs to March Browns, with no rhyme or reason as to river section they were active on. The East and upper Main saw a big hatch of HUGE (think #8) Isos, along with March Browns, Grey Fox, and dortheas at the end. The West had all of the above, but the fish did seem to key in on March Browns as well. We are looking at a sunny, summerish day today, with highs near 80. The flows are still keeping the river cool, so I would expect a similar day to yesterday, with the action picking up once the sun starts dropping down.

Jim Rogers with a nice night-time Brown. Photo by: Mike Rogers

Uh-oh Mike, your son Jim's brown looked much bigger! Photo by: Jim Rogers

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

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 18, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 18, 2012

Wow. That went strangely as expected yesterday. Maybe I’m getting the hand of this thing. Eh. Maybe not. Anyway, yesterday did work out to be very ‘summer-esq’ in nature, with the bugs holding off until later in the day. The cooler temps meant that it started earlier than the night before – right around 4:30 – 5:00, depending on which stretch of river you were on. When they did hatch, it quickly became bug soup out on the water. March Browns, Grey Foxes, Cornutas, Sulphurs, tan caddis – it all depended on which section of river you happened to be working when they did show up, as it was almost pool-to-pool as to what  was popping. For today we’re looking at  pretty similar conditions once this early morning fog blows off as we are expecting bright sun and temps in the low 70s. The East / Main are still quite high, and likely need another day before they drop to a more fishable level, making the West Branch the place to be.

From a few days ago, Capt. Pete Farrell with chunky West Branch Brown. Photo by: Bruce Miller

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Ephemerella cornuta – Light BWO – #14 (sporadic)

Baetis species – #18 & #20