May 5, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 5, 2012

It was tough going out there yesterday. We had another strange occurrence: as the west branch dropped, the clarity worsened throughout the day. While we weren’t 100% chocolate milk, I’d say we got pretty close. There were very few bugs in the blazing sun, and as such few fish up to eat them until later on in the evening, when some good rising fish were found on both the West and the Main. This morning, the West has dropped to about 800 cfs, and has PERFECT clarity. There are calls for a mix of sun and clouds today, so as long as there is some shade during the afternoon, we have the possibility of seeing a good number of bugs and fish – definitely looks promising!

Not my best work, but that is a size #14 Hendrickson male dun on the front door of the shop. STILL hanging around! Photo by: Bart Larmouth

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #16

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl (sporadic, just getting started)

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #18 & #20

May 4, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 4, 2012

It is official – I officially have lost any and all confidence with weather men/services. Predicted weather yesterday consisted of cloud cover and spotty showers all day. That’s what we had, along with TONS of bugs and fish early in the day. Around 2PM, the sun came out. Accuweather, weather.com, they all said, at that second, we were getting rain. Nope. Bright sun, high temps, and sunburn central. The bugs pretty much stopped until the shade crept in, and they started back up sporadically. The evening got very interesting, with some amazing thunderstorms rolling through the area throughout the night. The rain has brought the West Branch up signficiantly (as you can see from the graph below), but fortunately we are not TOO off-colored in the river, and it is likely to drop sharply throughout the day. We are expecting warm temps today, which if the cloud cover holds (as they predict, I again doubt), will see the bugs start earlier in the day, and continue throughout. Passing thunderstorms may affect the hatching as well. Regardless, we are set up for a GREAT weekend with terrific water levels!

Larry Clark with a PORKY Main Stem Brown. Shaky Cell-Phone Photo by: Bart Larmouth

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #16

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl (sporadic, just getting started)

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #18 & #20

May 3, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 3, 2012

What a difference a day will make, and I will completely fall on my sword here – my prediction for the day proved to be as wrong as most of our weather forecasters up here. We had very little activity throughout the day, as the cold influx of water from Cannonsville, combined with the overcast skies to keep the water temps hovering around 50F. This stalled the hatching until the late afternoon, where there was a brief flurry of activity when the water hit its peak temp for the day. The fish were there and eager to eat, there just wasn’t a ton on the menu to be had. Today we will have a dramatically warmer day, with highs in the 70s, and cloud cover to boot. This should bring those temps back up where we want them to be for the bugs, and hopefully spur some more activity in general. We did have a pretty good thunderstorm overnight, which dropped some good amounts of rain upstream, bringing the West Branch up near 500 this morning, but with no discoloration thus far. More water is ALWAYS a good thing!

Bruce Miller holding a very strange looking trout caught by the gentleman to his right, Harry Rupp. Photo by: Alan Rupp

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #16

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl (sporadic, just getting started)

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #18 & #20

May 2, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 2, 2012

A day without a stiff wind? I didn’t think it was possible! Sure enough, the wind laid down for nearly the entirety of the day yesterday, and the bugs and fish responded accordingly. With the warmer morning water temperatures, the activity started earlier than in previous days – about 1:00 to 1:30. I would expect the same kind of start to today, which we are expecting to be warmer, and hopefully with some more precipitation. The rain yesterday gave the West Branch a little “bump” – really just enough to keep us from dropping down any further. And adding to the surprise today – MORE WATER! We now have a release of 150 CFS, due to where we fall under the current FFMP. Every little bit helps!

Steve Lynch with a LONG East Branch brown. Photo by: Bob Lewis

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #16

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl (sporadic, just getting started)

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #18 & #20

May 1, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 1, 2012

Happy May Day! As expected, the wind was significantly less powerful yesterday, but still created a bit of problems for those lucky enough to be out on the river. We also had one of our ‘freak’ occurrences that periodically hit the river: tons of fish rising, but almost nothing on the surface of the water. One would assume spinners, but few and far between. Once again, the ‘silver bullet’ was a #16 Hendrickson Compara-egmerger. Some fish were taken on tan and apple green caddis on the Main Stem, but that activity seemed to drop off early. “Sulphurs” were reported on the Main (really a small #16 steno) as well, but the fish have not keyed in on them yet, similar to the situation with the March Browns. Today we are expecting clouds and occasional rain showers, which should change the whole dynamic of the fishing (likely for the better!). Let’s hope we get more than the .5″ predicted, as the rivers are dropping fast, and we have no additional water releases in sight until June.

A nice, healthy, post-spawn West Branch Rainbow. Photo Courtesy of Bruce Miller

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #16

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl (sporadic, just getting started)

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #18 & #20

April 30, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 30, 2012

Our friend Donnie who currently lives in Dubai came up to fish yesterday, and felt like he was back home. That would be due to the crazy swirling winds and dust flying everywhere. The meteorologists outright blew it yesterday (not that it is an uncommon occurrence) and our “up to 24MPH” gusts were more in the 45MPH range. It made for one tough day for anyone out in a boat. Anchoring was a nightmare, and let’s not talk about trying to properly present a dry fly in such conditions. That being said, there were bugs throughout the day starting around 2PM, and the fish were up and on them whenever the wind laid down for a brief period. Home Pool fished exceptionally well, with virtually all of the fish taking Hendricksons. This was the same on the Main – as soon as we think they’re done, they come right back at it again! Today is “supposed” to be a much calmer day, but we will see how accurate they are.

Angus Smith with an East Branch Brown. Photo by: Wiley Paul

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18 (Some spinners left on the WB)

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #18 & #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20

April 29, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions – April 29, 2012

We had a bit of a change out there yesterday – bright sun, sporadic winds, and warmer temps led to some very exciting dry fly fishing, especially along the West Branch. There were pockets of active fish on the Main as well, and all were munching on the same thing – HENDRICKSONS! We thought they had passed on the Main, but we were obviously mistaken. They are down to the smaller Ephemerella “x” sizes (#16), and the dark comparamerger was certainly the ticket for those fishing out front. We’re looking at a similar day today with slightly warmer temps, and unfortunately some likely heavier winds as well. I would anticipate the hatch starting a bit earlier today than yesterday (say 2 instead of 3), and being the strongest when the wind lays down.

Fred Nelson holding a SLOB of a Rainbow in this self - portrait.

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18 (Some spinners left on the WB)

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #18 & #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20

April 28, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 28, 2012

BRRRRRRRR! Not a big fan of the weather yesterday, and neither were the poor souls who were out on the river. The windchill made it feel like it was in the teens, but we managed to stay above 40 for most of the day. Brutal conditions did not lead a good day, but some folks managed to have luck nymphing (shudder), and there was a brief flush of bugs in the late evening as soon as the wind died down. Today the wind is supposed to lay off, and we are looking at highs in the low 50s, which could set everything in motion for a great afternoon / evening hatch. Let’s see what happens! Also, this is the “One Bug” weekend, so if you are heading up, be aware there will be tons of boats out on the water.

Also, I’m sure many of you noticed yesterday, the Stilesville gauge went down to near 20 CFS yesterday. The DEP actually shut down the dam for several hours yesterday to make some repairs to the “release way.” We’re now back at the pathetic 85 CFS release. It’s better than 0 I guess.

An awesome fish on a tough day! Look at the size of that tail! Photo by: Bruce Miller

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18 (Some spinners left on the WB)

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #18 & #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20

April 27, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 27, 2012

White fly hatch this morning. By “fly” I mean snow. We’ve had some pretty serious flurries this morning, coupled with some hellacious winds. We’re looking at winds throughout the day, with the sun peeking through this afternoon. We’ll see what it brings!

Yesterday was a bit tough, with fewer bugs than we have seen over the last few days. We’re going to blame the slightly cooler temperatures. A few nice fish were caught however, so it was definitely worth while to head out there!

Yours truly with a nice East Branch Brown. Netted and Photo taken by my guide that day, Tony May.

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #18 & #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20

April 26, 2012

Delaware River Report / Condtions April 26, 2012

Many apologies on the tardiness of this post – we’ve had a BUSY morning here at the club, getting folks out on the river!

Yesterday was a great day, with significant hatching starting from about 1PM and running until 6PM or so, conisisting of Hendricksons, small Baetis, and Apple Green Caddis. The West Branch was the predominant Hot Spot, but the East and Main also fished pretty darn well. Warmer temps and lighter winds today bode well for some continued action, although the West Branch is dropping significantly. Let’s pray for even more rain in the near future!

Norm Price with a great WB Brown, netted by his lovely wife Pam! Photo also by: Pam Cavanagh

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #18 & #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20

April 25, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 25, 2012

It felt like Yellowstone here at the DRC yesterday – we went from rain, to sleet, to snow, to rain to sleet to bright sun, to huge squalls and wind to dead calm. Fun all around! The crazy part was that the river fished like the Firehole as well. We had big hatches of Hendricksons and Baetis in between the squalls and blasts of precipiation, and the fish were eager to please. With the water even more clear today, and overcast conditions predicted, this could turn out to be a fantastic day as well!

Wiley caught this lunker on a Hendrickson emerger yesterday in a break from the wind. Don't worry, we're making him get back to work today!Photo by: Bruce Miller

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #18 & #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20

April 24, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 24, 2012

As predicted, the river dropped quick, and cleared dramatically! We have stabilized, and will slowly lose CFS over the next week or so, especially if the weather remains overcast with small amounts of precipitation. Fishing was rough yesterday, however. We had a few people brave the conditions and head out – just as the river became even more off-color and the weather cooler. Wiley was the only real winner, as you’ll see below. Today the temps are going to remain sub-50, with a bit of wind, but we have a good chance of seeing some BWOs throughout the day.

Wiley Paul with a Fabulous Brown. Photo by: Kevan Smaracko

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #18 & #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20