April 11, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 11, 2014

Yesterday was the nicest day we’ve seen since September.  We had some wind in the afternoon but the sky was blue and the sun was shining bright.  The warm weather brought the stoneflies out in force.  The fish still are keyed on them completely but that should change as the water temps come up and the bugs keep hatching.  If you looked hard enough yesterday you could find a fish eating off the top here and there but nothing to get crazy about.  The streamer action was okay and should improve over the weekend.  The river temps are starting a little higher this morning which should be good for the fishing.  Cannonsville is now at 97.9% capacity and the release continues at 1499 cfs.

Matching the hatch

Hatching:

Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniadae sp.

Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 Taeniopteryx sp.

April 10, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 10, 2014

The wind blew yesterday.   On a good note the fish seemed a little more active chasing streamers than they have been.  The afternoon water temps are still peaking a little higher everyday so it’s only going to get better.  We had a little frost this morning but Accuweather is calling for a high of 66 degrees.  Even if we discount that number a little since they are not always quite “accurate” we’re in for a warm Spring day!  Streamers should be a great bet this afternoon.  Keep an eye out for stoneflies- looks like a great day!

Cannonsville:  97.8% with a 1499 cfs release

West Branch streamer run – by Jordan Davenport

Hatching:

Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniadae sp.

Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 Taeniopteryx sp.

April 9, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 9, 2014

Yesterday was a classic spring mix of periods of sun, then wind, then rain, then back to sun.  The weather really improves Thursday and lasts through the weekend with air temps in the 60s every day.  Cannonsville is at 97.8% capacity and they are releasing 1499 cfs (FFMP table 4G for those of you that follow the plan).  I’d rather see spill right now and a flush of alewife protein for the trout!  Nymphing is a tougher with the higher flows so I’d start with streamers fished slow and keep an eye out in the tailouts and edges for fish eating stoneflies.  We’re keeping an eye out for the early olives and blue quills.  The water temps need to come up just a few more degrees.

Everyone is looking for fish

Hatching:

Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniadae sp.

Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 Taeniopteryx sp.

April 8, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 8, 2014

Great news- Cannonsville is 97.4 % full!  Another interesting number according to the phone message – The release from Cannonsville is now 1,499 cfs. I’m really glad they’re conserving that 1 cfs.

According to the weatherman we are on a warming trend.  The daytime temps look comfortable and the night time temps are climbing over the next few days.  This should help the water temps climb closer to the magic number of 50 degrees bringing some insect activity.  Add in a little light rain and the conditions are definitely improving!  As the water warms the fish will be more likely to come to the surface to eat the early brown and black stoneflies.  Keep an eye on the slower pools and edges for splashy rises and cover them quick.  Streamers and nymphs should be more productive as the water warms up too.

Brown Head

Hatching:

Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniadae sp.

Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 Taeniopteryx sp.

April 7, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 7, 2014

Yesterday was the nicest day we’ve seen since early October!  The water temps climbed to the mid 40s on most of the system bringing  us closer to decent hatching.  The weatherman is calling for low 50s today with some rain starting in the afternoon lasting through the night.  They are calling for some wind today but they are never correct anyway.  Water temps are low again this morning so streamers and nymphing will be your best option.  Hopefully by mid afternoon the temps will increase enough to get the fish looking up for stoneflies.  If the warming trend continues we should see Blue Quills before too long.

Hatching:

Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniadae sp.

Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 Taeniopteryx sp.

April 6, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 6, 2014

Most of the rain seemed to miss us over the last few days but the temps stayed cool and the rivers stayed full.  Last night was cold but we are definitely on a warming trend.  Today should be in the high 50s and the sun is already shining.  The best activity is going to be mid to late afternoon when the water is at it’s warmest.  Most of the system is starting out in the hi 30s so it will tale a while today.  Strip smaller streamers slowly through the long pools and nymph using smaller patterns.  You may find a fish or two on stoneflies depending on the water temps.  If you do see a rise cover it quickly – they don’t seem to stay up for long this time of year.

It’ll be a long time before we see big stoneflies but I like the picture

Hatching:

Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniadae sp.

Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 Taeniopteryx sp.

April 5, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 5, 2014

We wanted a cool wet April and that is what we had yesterday- bone chilling and damp.  Today should be 45 degrees, partly sunny with brief showers.  The last of the runoff and rain is keeping the rivers filled and the Cannonsville level is still slowly rising.  Those are tow encouraging signs for this season.  The water temps are still low for any meaningful dryfly activity so you best opportunities will come from fishing smaller streamers slowly and nymphing above some of the feeder creeks.  The sun is popping out this morning and it looks like a nice early Spring day overall.

 restocking hendrickson comparaduns – photo by Jordan Davenport

Hatching:

Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniadae sp.

Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 Taeniopteryx sp.

April 4, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 4, 2014

After a very cold dry March we have been hoping for a cool wet April with enough rain to fill the reservoirs and keep the water temps cool- it looks like we are getting our wish so far.  Accuweather is calling for an inch of rain over the next couple of days.  Air temperatures continue to be pleasant for early April and water temps on the West Branch seem to be on a warming trend every morning bringing closer to the hatching.  Streamers fish slow are still your best bet along with nymphing the upper WB above most of the feeder streams.

Rainbow head from last October

Hatching:

Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniadae sp.

Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 Taeniopteryx sp.

April 3, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 3, 2014

We missed yesterday’s post- there’s nothing more fun than starting off a new season with computer issues beyond our control!

Overall the fishing is still slow.  While the air temperatures have improved significantly over the last week, the water temps are still a little low to get the fish moving.  That should improve over the next few days as our warming trend continues and the runoff continue to subside.  Right now the river West Branch still has that greenish tint I would describe as “glacial”.  There have been a lot of stoneflies in the afternoons but the fish aren’t really on them yet.  Most of our success has come on smaller streamers fished slowly.

 Yesterday on the river- photo by Jordan Davenport

Hatching:

Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniadae sp.

Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 Taeniopteryx sp.

April 1, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 1, 2014

Well that was a long winter.

Lots of rain and ice this past week but it looks like we are finally on a warming trend.  The rivers are dropping and beginning to clear.  Streamers have been working okay on warm afternoons with most success coming on small flies fished slowly.  Stoneflies have been out off and on for the last month but no real dryfly activity yet.  As the river levels continue to drop nymphing small flies during the warmest part of the day will be your best bet.  Stay tuned- it’s only going to get better from here forward.

Hatching:

Tiny Black Stoneflies #18 – Capniadae sp.

Early Black and Brown Stoneflies #14 – 16 Taeniopteryx sp.

Dave Price starting the year off right!

March 21, 2014

Not Quite Spring Yet

But we’re standing in the snow watching patiently.  Stay tuned, Winter will end.