June 24, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 24, 2016

The release from Cannonsville Reservoir is 560 cfs this morning.  We are still under Table 4G of the FFMP so the extra water is likely being released to meet downstream flow targets.  Hatching was decent yesterday with sulphurs coming off in decent numbers on some sections of river.  The cloud cover made the fish comfortable and we had decent surface activity.
We are still getting some cool nights with air temperatures in the 50’s with daytime temps in the 80’s.  We have sunshine for the next couple of days.  Winds look low through the weekend with the highest gusts only reaching 8 mph on Sunday afternoon.  Nymphing has been productive in the mornings before the hatches start.  Shaded areas have been fishing well as have isonychias blind casted in the riffles.  The increased release may add more algae to the water at first but a lot of that should filter down in the next 24 hours.

The increased release is likely for downstream flow targets

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

June 23, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 23, 2016

Yesterday we had another afternoon of sun and wind.  Nymphing was productive in the morning and luckily by late afternoon the wind died back to a reasonable level.  There were sporadic hatches of sulphurs, olives, and a few isonychias.  There were fish eating during the day but mostly in shaded areas and edges.  Once the sun dropped the fish were happier and the dry fly fishing improved.  The hatching seems to vary from pool to pool right now so if you’re not seeing decent sulphurs by mid-evening move around and check out different areas.  Mid day has been tough with the bright sun so there is no need to rush
Today’s forecast is calling for more cloud cover although it looks like most of the rain is going south of us.  It seems all of the rain goes south of us.

Don’t leave the river too early. Photo by Mike Brewer

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

June 22, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 22, 2016

We ended up with a few more clouds than expected yesterday.  We had flushes of sulphurs in the afternoon and some fish were eating on top.  Shaded areas definitely fished better early.  In the evening it seemed to depend on where you were fishing.  Some people saw another flush of sulphurs mixed with isonychias while other pools seemed quiet.  There are fish eating so if you don’t see any action move around and look for fish in other areas.  We are mainly fishing sulphurs #16-18, cahills #14, and isonychias #12-2xl.
Today is going to be much cooler with air temperatures only reaching the high 70’s.  The lower East Branch and Mainstem are still too hot to fish so stick to the West Branch and the upper East Branch.

Temps on the West Branch remain great despite the heat

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

June 21, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 21, 2016

We received a little rain over night but most of it soaked into the ground barely causing a bump in the flows.  Any precipitation is a help.  Today should be cooler with air temperatures in the low 80’s.  The low tonight will be in the 50’s which should help the rivers keep cooler.  We saw decent sulphurs and cahills hatching sporadically throughout the day.  There were fish feeding on top but you definitely had to hunt for the active ones.  The dryfly fishing improved after the sun dropped behind the hills through dark.  We did see some isonychias hatching but a small sulphur cripple seemed to be the answer.

Ethan with a nice fish from Sunday. Photo by Kevan Smaracko

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

June 20, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 20, 2016

Yesterday was another bright, sunny, hot day.  We did have a few more clouds than expected  which was a nice change.  Nymphing was productive early and then we had the same hatching we’ve been seeing over the last few days. Sulphurs, olives, isonychias, cahills, and a few caddis mixed in.  Some people are finding fish  rising mid- day while others aren’t seeing much until the sun drops behind the hills.  The daytime activity seems to vary from pool to pool so either be patient or move around a it until you find working fish.  Nymphing on the upper West Branch has been tough due to the algae but that is filtered out well enough on the lower sections.

While the forecast is calling for cooler air temperatures today that still means 90 degrees.  We have some clouds this morning and it looks like we may have a shot at a thunderstorm or two.  Let’s hope that forecast is correct.  Bring a raincoat today just in case.  The lower East Branch and Mainstem are both still too hot to fish.  We either need a major break in the weather or larger releases to change that.

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Pink Lady – #14 – Epeorus vitreus
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

June 19, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 19, 2016

Nymphing was definitely the best option yesterday in the sun but there was some surface activity in the mid-afternoon.  There were small flushes of sulphurs and olives that brough some fish to the surface.  The caddis seemed to appear later in the evening as the sun dropped behind hills and the air temperature dropped a bit.  There were fish caught but you had to make the most out of each opportunity.
Fish the West Branch and the upper East Branch.  The Mainstem and lower East Branch both peaked over 70 degrees yesterday and both are starting off high again this morning. It looks like another day of sun and high air temperatures.

Thorn with a nice fish in the sun yesterday. Photo by Theo May

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Pink Lady – #14 – Epeorus vitreus
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

June 18, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 18, 2016

Another day of sunshine and warm weather. There were fish rising sporadically despite the sun offering some people dry fly fishing during the day.  Things picked up once the sun dropped behind the hills.  Sulphurs, cahills, caddis, plus a few isonychias were around.  Nymphing worked well during the day with people finding good success in the riffles.  Today looks like a mirror image of yesterday but a little warmer.  Patience should pay off today.
We are only fishing the West Branch and upper East Branch at this time.  The Mainstem and lower East Branch are too warm.

Ron with a nice fish this week. Photo by Samantha Dennis

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Pink Lady – #14 – Epeorus vitreus
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

June 17, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 17, 2016

The clouds passed through early yesterday and left us with an afternoon of sunshine.  There were sporadic fish eating caddis and few sulphurs were around but the hatching and rising really picked up in the early evening.  Sulphurs and cahills were on the menu with the fish acting happy and eating off the surface.  There have been a few olives in the evening but most of the fish we’re finding are keyed in on sulphur cripples.  Keep and eye out for spinner falls in the evening and in the mornings.  We’ve seen quite a few olive spinners over the rivers before the sun hits the water.
We are entering a warming trend over the next few days with air temperatures reaching the high 80’s. The lower East Branch temps peaked over 70 degrees yesterday and the Mainstem at Lordville peaked around 69 degrees so both of those rivers are too hot to fish.  With the additional heat coming definitely check the water temperatures before fishing.

Water temperatures at Hale Eddy are in great shape

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Pink Lady – #14 – Epeorus vitreus
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

June 16, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 16, 2016

The stretch of sunny weather has broken and we woke up to cloud cover and light intermittent showers this morning.  This is starting off as the best looking fishing day we’ve seen in a while. Air temperatures will be a little cooler with highs in the 60′ with a wind of 5 mph.  We should see decent hatches of olives along with sulphurs, cahills, and caddis.  The West Branch is at decent levels for floating and wading right now.  Temperatures look great on the West with 49 degrees at Hale Eddy.
Watch the temperatures on the Mainstem and the lower East Branch.  The Mainstem at Lordville peaked at 68 degrees yesterday and the East Branch at Fishs Eddy peaked over 70 degrees yesterday.  The weather should help those rivers today but they are also starting off warmer this morning than yesterday. Double check them with your thermometer.

Walter with a nice brown the other day. Photo by Bob Lewis

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Pink Lady – #14 – Epeorus vitreus
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

June 15, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 15, 2016

The sunshine during the day yesterday made the fish a little shy but we did see sproadic mid-day hatching of sulphurs and cahills mixed with some caddis.  There were some fish eating them but the surface activity was much better in shaded areas.  Things picked up when the sun dropped behind the hills and the fish felt more comfortable rising.  Nymphing was productive during the day with fish eating in the riffles.
Today looks like a mirror image of yesterday with warm air temperatures and sunshine.  Winds will be negligible at 4 mph.  We have a slight chance of very light showers over the next few days but the cloud cover will certainly help the fishing.  Temperatures remain decent throughout the system but most rivers are starting off a few degrees warmer this morning.  Fishs Eddy peaked at 66 degrees yesterday, Lordville peaked at 64 degrees yesterday and Callicoon peaked at 68 degrees.  All will likely peak higher today so if you are fishing the lower sections of the East Branch or Mainstem use your thermometer.

Larry holding a nice brown from yesterday. Photo by Michael Brewer

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Pink Lady – #14 – Epeorus vitreus
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

June 14, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 14, 2016

It looks like the heavy winds are finally behind us and we are settling into early summer weather.  Today’s forecast is calling for 75 degrees and wind under 10 mph.  It sounds like a great day to be on the water.  Look for caddis mixed with dead spinners in the morning followed by an afternoon to evening sulphur / cahill hatch.  The sun may push the hatches back until it drops behind the hills so don’t leave the river too early.  The winds drop to almost nothing in the evening so it could be a good spinner night too.  Before the hatches begin both nymphing and blind casting isonychia patterns in the riffles have been working well.  Use smaller nymphs to imitate the sulphurs.  We have a chance of some light rain later in the week which could make for a great weekend.

Tanya with a great Delaware rainbow yesterday. Photo by Kevan Smaracko

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Green Drakes – 8-2xl – 10-2xl – E. Guttalata
Brown Drakes – 10-2xl- E. simulans
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Gray Fox #12-2xl- Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema fuscum)
Pink Lady – #14 – Epeorus vitreus
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

June 13, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 13, 2016

The forecast had the wind nailed yesterday.  Gusts were definitely in the 20’s making dry fly fishing tough.  Nymphing was an option and some fish were caught.    The skies looked threatening at times but most of the rain missed us.  We had a few drops here and there but not enough to move the river flows up.  Today looks like a mirror image of yesterday with slightly less wind.  Nymphing will be your best option again but if we get some wind breaks watch for fish eating caddis in the riffles – especially once the sun pops out.  On a good note most of the heavy wind should happen during the day and looks like it may drop as evening approaches.  That should be the best bet for day fly activity if the sulphurs hatch as the sun drops behind the hills.
The winds drop tomorrow and the rest of the week looks great with warmer air temperatures.

Ray with a nice fish from the weekend. Photo by Samantha Dennis

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Green Drakes – 8-2xl – 10-2xl – E. Guttalata
Brown Drakes – 10-2xl- E. simulans
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Gray Fox #12-2xl- Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema fuscum)
Pink Lady – #14 – Epeorus vitreus
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)