July 20, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 20, 2015

The afternoon thunderstorms we have been getting have added just a little bit more water to the current flows so expect the rivers to drop slightly throughout the day.  The bugs have been coming later on bright, sunny days but there have been some fish feeding sporadically in the shaded areas on left over mayflies and caddis.  Water temperatures are in great shape for mid July despite the sun and heat over the last few days.  Callicoon peaked at 66 degrees yesterday but is starting off higher this morning.  The upper Mainstem should be fine with the Cannonsville release cooling it down.  We did find fish eating golden drakes yesterday so definitely carry a few- plus the spinners for dark.  Sulphurs, isonychias, and cahills are making up most of the rest of the menu.

Geoff with a nice brown from the weekend. Photo by Jared Makowski

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 19, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 19, 2015

Last evening we had some brief thunderstorms that added a little water to the system and plenty of fog.  The water temperatures throughout look great this morning and most of the rivers besides the West Branch remain wadeable.  Floating is the best bet on the West Branch and opens up a lot of opportunities with the cold water down the Mainstem.  Upper river sections are still fishing well with sulphurs while the lower river sections are seeing more cahills and isonychias.
Accuweather is calling for today to be a warmer version of yesterday.  Some clouds in the morning giving way to sun, with some afternoon / early evening thunderstorms.  Winds should be 5 mph with gusts to 8 mph.  Light but hopefully still enough of a breeze to blow some of the fog off the rivers.

Pretty little rainbow in the rain

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 18, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 18, 2015

The 1,500 cfs release from Cannonsville combined with the cool nights and cloud cover have kept the water temperatures in great shape for most of the Mainstem. The cold water has really kicked up the afternoon hatches with sections fishing well much earlier in the day than normal in July.  The summer sulphur hatch has been decent on the upper river sections while isonychias, cahills, and olives have been the ticket on the lower sections.  We are also still seeing decent numbers of golden drakes hatching in sections with fish eating them.
Today looks like a decent fishing day with Accuweather calling for air temps around 80, light wind, and a mix of clouds and sun.  We may get a light, stray shower or two.  Due to the cold water release we are seeing fog on the river, especially when it rains.  A slight breeze will move it along and bring back normal visibility.

Geoff with a nice rainbow last night. Photo by Jared Makowski

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 17, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 17, 2015

It looks like we will have a 1500 cfs release out of Cannonsville Reservoir for the foreseeable future.   NYC DEP is attempting to  lower the reservoir level to perform some repairs on a bore hole from a test drill site on the downstream side of the dam.  Releases from the other dams should remain consistent with the current FFMP chart 4G.
So right now we have a lot of cold water which is great for the Upper Mainstem.  We are coming off a cool night so water temperatures look great throughout the system.  The East Branch system is wadeable.  People have been wading the Upper Mainstem too so that is definitely a possibility in sections.  We should have sunshine for most of the day with a few clouds coming in towards evening.  Accuweather is calling for a small amount of rain overnight.  Isonychias, sulphurs, olives, and golden drakes are still on the menu.

Taylor with a decent fish this week. Photo by Jared Makowski

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 16, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 16, 2015

NYS DEP has increased the release from Cannonsville to 1500 cfs.  The increased release was explained in a press release in part:

“The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today increased drinking water diversions and downstream releases from Cannonsville Reservoir to facilitate necessary repairs in response to an ongoing turbid discharge from a rock embankment below Cannonsville Dam. DEP, its regulators, and consulting experts do not believe the turbid flow represents any imminent threat to the safety of the dam. While repairs are made, DEP believes it is prudent to draw down the reservoir through increased releases out of an abundance of caution; reducing storage does not pose a risk to the city’s water supply. The turbid flow below the dam was discovered when workers were drilling borings in preparation for design and construction of the future hydroelectric facility to be built there. During the drilling, workers noticed a flow of turbid water coming from a rock embankment near the release chamber. They immediately contacted DEP engineers and ceased all work. A preliminary investigation indicated that the drilling released ground water under natural pressure several dozen feet below surface level, causing an upward flow of water and sediment that is reaching the West Branch Delaware River.”

It sounds like there is no immediate need for concern.  There is a public meeting this morning to discuss the issue.  We’ll post any official updates we receive.

Fishing started off slow yesterday but picked up nicely as the day went on.  By late afternoon we had a mix of a few sulphurs, a few cahills, decent isonychias, and a lot of olives.  The overcast sky and increased flows had the fish feeling comfortable.  Most of our fish ate isonychias and cahills despite the large number of olives on the water.  Today looks sunny with warmer air temps approaching 80 degrees.  The bugs may hatch a little later in the day under these conditions.  Winds shouldn’t be an issue today with gusts only pushing 5 mph.

The Lordville Gauge appears to be down this morning.

Michael with a nice brown during a brief sunny period yesterday

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 15, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 15, 2015

The release from Cannonsville Reservoir has been raised to 1,499 cfs this morning.  The flow in Stilesville should level out soon but Hale Eddy will continue to rise this morning.  We did have some rain overnight so the feeders are also adding a little more water.  The flow on the Beaverkill has come up this morning so the lower East Branch should rise a little later in the day.  Right now everything is clear.  There are a few creeks coming in with some color but so far everything looks fishable.  Click on the links to the gauges below for the most up to date flow information throughout the day.
Accuweather is calling for much cooler air temps today with the highs reaching the mid 70s.  We should have decent cloud cover plus a few light showers moving through mid day.  Sulphurs, olives, isonychias, and golden drakes are still making up most of the menu.

Michael with a double last night. Photo by Jim Swift

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 14, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 14, 2015

This morning we woke up to cloud covered skies with some rain in the forecast.  This should be a decent fishing day with the predicted rain spread out over the day.  We should see decent hatches of olives and isonychias, with good sulphurs in sections.  The rivers are in great shape for wading and floating.  The Mainstem at Lordville peaked just under 66 degrees yesterday and is starting off at 63 degrees this morning.  Not too shabby for July.  Temps should hold even better if we get the predicted rain over the next few days.  Definitely carry some golden drakes on the West Branch and upper Mainstem.  The fish have been eating them when they are on the water this season.

Steve with a nice one yesterday. Photo by Jared Makowski

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 13, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 13, 2015

The flows and water temperatures look good throughout the system this morning.  The forecast is calling for sun, a few clouds, and some very small brief showers during the afternoon.  Hopefully the clouds stick around a little longer and we get some daytime hatches.  Accuweather is calling for similar weather for the rest of the week except we should see a few more clouds and a little more precipitation.  It looks like we are heading into a decent fishing week.
We have seen fish rising to the usual suspects of isonychias, sulphurs, and olives – plus a few golden drakes are being eaten for good measure.  Nymphs and streamers have been producing fish in between hatches.  The levels are great for wading and floating.

Corbett with a nice weekend fish at the end of the day. Photo by Jared Makowski

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 12, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 12, 2015

Yesterday was a typical summer day with afternoon sulphurs in Deposit and Iso’s through the evening.  The lower West was decent in the evening with a fair amount of vitreus.  The Main Stem fished early on but the temps were too warm in the evening to produce many rising fish.
The water is still dropping and more of the river is becoming accessible to those on foot.  The sun will shine bright today, so look for fish in the shade and riffles.

Eric Athey with a great WB rainbow.

Eric’s son Tom, left, with his first Delaware rainbow.

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 11, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 11, 2015

The reservoirs have stopped spilling and the release has been stepped down to 700 cfs. This should make the West Branch good for both floating and wading today. Overall, the Upper Delaware is in good shape with clear water. The sun will be out today, look for trout rising in the shade.

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 10, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 10, 2015

Yesterday the  West Branch provided us with decent afternoon suphur hatches to land  a few decent fish.  A few fish were also taken on streamers, but not as many were eager to chase now that the water is dropping.  More of the river is becoming more wade accessible for release from Cannonsville has been cut back to 1,000 cfs.  The rain from last night has brought Walton, the Cannonsville inflow, up to 800 cfs and it still continues to rise.
The sun is supposed to shine today and the wind will speak subtly with gusts up to 15mph from the NW.  Despite the sun, one should expect to see Sulphurs, Isonychia’s, Golden Drakes, and small Olives. Patience is the key as the hatches might not be strong early in the day.  Stay vigilant and look for big heads on the banks and in eddies.

A nice fish from yesterday afternoon. Photo by Jared Makowski

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update

July 9, 2015

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 9, 2015

It looks like Cannonsville Reservoir has stopped spilling.  The river flows are dropping back this morning as the feeder creeks drop. The flows at Stilesville and Hale Eddy are similar so there isn’t much runoff left.   At these levels there are places to wade on just about every river plus floating is still an option.  Keep an eye on the graphs during the day by clicking the links below.  The release may be ramped down over the course of a few days.
The weather looks good today with light winds and a 60% chance of thunderstorms.  We’ll have to see how much rain we get over the next few days.  It won’t take much above the reservoirs to have us spilling again.
Olives, isonychias, sulphurs, and golden drakes.  We have found quite a few fish rising on the sunny days in sections.  If you see a fish rise once be patient and give it some time to come back, especially if you see the little olives on the water.

Peter should make the blog since his brother did- July 4th family trip

Hatching:
Slate Drake #12-2xl  – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur #18-20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahills #14 – various steno species (invaria, etc)
Golden Drake #12-2xl – Potomanthus distinctus
PED / Pink Lady #14 – E. vitreus
Large Blue Winged Olive #14 – D. cornuta
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22-26 – Pseudo sp. (now classified as Acentrella sp.)
Charcoal Caddis #14 -16 – dark Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis #16-18 – Hydrosyche sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Dark Chimarra sp.

Flows and Temps as of 8:00 AM:
Click on the gauge below to view the latest update