June 7, 2013

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 7, 2013

Nice, overcast and slightly wet up here yesterday.  The majority of the rain missed us (yet again), so there was no real bump in the flow, and we are still running nice and clear. We did not see as many of the bugs in the earlier part of the day yesterday as expected, but they definitely showed later, in FORCE- our dortheas made a big appearance, and the fish were definitely up and on them. Isos were hatching, as well as olives and caddis in droves, but the little yellow snacks were what the fish were most interested in. Definitely the great kind of fishing you would expect from a day like yesterday. Today we are looking at 1/4″ of rain throughout the day, with little to no wind. Definitely could be another great one out there!

These! Photo: Jeff White

What’s Hatching:

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drakes – #8-2XL

Isonychia bicolor – Iso – Slate Drake – #12-2XL

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Hydropysche species – Tan Caddis – #16 & #18

Chimarra species – Charcoal Caddis – #16 & #18

Epeorus vitreus – PED, Pink Lady – #14

Pseudocloeon species – BWO – #22 – sporadic

Ephemerella invaria– Sulphurs – #14

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Current Flow Conditions:

June 6, 2013

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 6, 2013

Interesting day on the water Wednesday, depending on where you were wetting a line. Interesting, but productive for those with patience. The day was brighter and sunnier than predicted, so it certainly started off as a typical summertime day, with a few bugs and fish popping here and there. Fish were active on streamers during this time, despite the sunshine. As evening approached, so did the bug soup. Green Drakes, Grey Fox, Isos, caddis, and of dorthea in droves on the West Branch at dark. Most would take a coffin fly, but others were definitely choosing one bug to feed on, so you had to have it right! Today we have cloud cover and rain in the forecast, with just a little bit more of a breeze (15 MPH gusts) expected. This could make for one heck of a day out on the river, let’s see what it brings!

The cloudy rainy days can be the best! Photo: Norm Price

What’s Hatching:

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drakes – #8-2XL

Isonychia bicolor – Iso – Slate Drake – #12-2XL

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Hydropysche species – Tan Caddis – #16 & #18

Chimarra species – Charcoal Caddis – #16 & #18

Epeorus vitreus – PED, Pink Lady – #14

Pseudocloeon species – BWO – #22 – sporadic

Ephemerella invaria– Sulphurs – #14

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Current Flow Conditions:

June 5, 2013

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 5, 2013

Apologies on the late post, internet has been more than a little bit spotty today. Regardless, we are starting to love this high water, along with the cooler air temps we have been experiencing. It has brought us some decent hatching throughout the day, and some good streamer action as well! Today, we’ve got some clouds rolling in, not quite sure how many, but that should be enough to get us some mid-day dry fly actions.

<<Imagine a  nice, beautiful Brown Trout here – uploads seem to be a luxury today>>

What’s Hatching:

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drakes – #8-2XL

Isonychia bicolor – Iso – Slate Drake – #12-2XL

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Hydropysche species – Tan Caddis – #16 & #18

Chimarra species – Charcoal Caddis – #16 & #18

Epeorus vitreus – PED, Pink Lady – #14

Pseudocloeon species – BWO – #22 – sporadic

Ephemerella invaria– Sulphurs – #14

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Current Flow Conditions:

June 4, 2013

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 4, 2013

Boy do the bugs love some cloud cover! Folks out on the water yesterday were treated to some nice daytime hatching, mostly sulphurs and smaller olives, with a decent spinner fall at night, depending on where you were on the system. Coffin Flies are still around, as are the first batch of Isonychia spinners. The cool night helped us out as well, keeping the spilling water from Cannonsville from getting too hot. Today, we are expecting some relief from the heat, with temps in the mid- to high 60s. Mix in a little cloud cover, and we could have a great day out there!

The streamer bite has been on with these high waters! Photo: Steve Shen

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drakes – #8-2XL

Isonychia bicolor – Iso – Slate Drake – #12-2XL

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Hydropysche species – Tan Caddis – #16 & #18

Chimarra species – Charcoal Caddis – #16 & #18

Epeorus vitreus – PED, Pink Lady – #14

Pseudocloeon species – BWO – #22 – sporadic

Ephemerella invaria– Sulphurs – #14

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Current Flow Conditions:

June 3, 2013

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 3, 2013

Another “summery” day yesterday, with bright sun early, and patchy clouds throughout the hot, humid afternoon. The predicted 1.5″ of rain turned into about .015″ of rain, as we only had a few brief, passing showers. There was not much for hatching during the day, aside from some sporadic Iso and Sulphur action in shady areas. However there was a great Coffin Fly (Green Drake) spinner fall on the lower West Branch last night. Emphasis on “night,” as it happened about 5 ’til dark-thirty. The fish were certainly into that buffet, and several very nice fish were taken right at the buzzer. As far a as conditions go, there is still quite a bit of water spilling over the dam, which is mercifully keeping us full as our release has been cut back to 275 CFS. Yet again, Mother Nature saves our bacon. Imagine 275 and this heat we’ve been having? There are some things I just don’t want to think about. As for today, we are looking at some more cloud cover and slightly cooler temps moving into the area, which will hopefully trigger some daytime hatching and earlier spinner falls – hopefully when we can still see them!

If you are wondering why Theo May looks a bit like a drowned rat, that is because he decided whilst fighting a fish to take the creature on in his own turf. Wet wading at 3000 cfs over the side of the boat? Not recommended. Watch out for those gunwales next time Theo! Photo: Jeff White

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drakes – #8-2XL

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Hydropysche species – Tan Caddis – #16 & #18

Chimarra species – Charcoal Caddis – #16 & #18

Epeorus vitreus – PED, Pink Lady – #14

Pseudocloeon species – BWO – #22 – sporadic

Ephemerella invaria– Sulphurs – #14

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Current Flow Conditions:

June 2, 2013

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 2, 2013

UPDATE: The Release from Cannonsville Reservoir has been dropped to 275 CFS, and we are still at the lowest Table (4a). Please do not try to apply logic in this situation, it won’t work.

It was definitely a summertime day yesterday – except for the part where we have oodles of water, of course. Bright sun, hot air temps made for a slow day of dry fly fishing, but the streamer bite was incredible! That being said, as we approached evening, there were good hatches of Dorthea and Isos, as well as psuedos and Green Drakes. Even in the heavy current the fish were coming up and eating – even more so in the slower back eddies and shallower flats. The DEP is still releasing 1,000 CFS as best we can tell (they have not updated the notification), as our temps are definitely lower on the West. The “1.5 inches” of rain predicted for today has evaporated, but we are still expecting some thunderstorms to roll through in the early afternoon. The additional cloud cover is welcome, and will do nothing but help the fishing overall!

Paul and Samantha Chain show off a nice MS Brown. Photo: Jeff White

What’s Hatching:

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drakes – #8-2XL

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Hydropysche species – Tan Caddis – #16 & #18

Chimarra species – Charcoal Caddis – #16 & #18

Epeorus vitreus – PED, Pink Lady – #14

Pseudocloeon species – BWO – #22 – sporadic

Ephemerellainvaria- Sulphurs – #14

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Current Flow Conditions:

June 1, 2013

Delaware River Report / Conditions June 1, 2013

There is certainly water everywhere, and we saw something rarely seen – over 50+ miles of the river system all at the same temperature – about 59F, which is fantastic considering the blistering heat we felt yesterday. The bright sun kept the streamer bite down a bit, until it lowered into the hills. By then we did have rising fish in the slower water and back eddies, with fish taking Isonychia and (believe it or not) Pseudos – tiny blue wing olives. How they could see them, I have no idea! But, the water has cleared tremendously, and now the powers that be have decided to release 1,000 cfs out of Cannonsville. Don’t ask me why, or on what regulation, as the most water we were supposed to get was a 525 release. This will cool down the water coming over the dam, and defintely help to further clear the West Branch. All that being said, today should be a great day, if we get the cloud cover predicted – clear, high, cool water always = good bugs, and good fish!

Jim Swift getting it done in the rain the other day! Photo: Billy Rivellini

What’s Hatching:

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drakes – #8-2XL

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Hydropysche species – Tan Caddis – #16 & #18

Chimarra species – Charcoal Caddis – #16 & #18

Epeorus vitreus – PED, Pink Lady – #14

Pseudocloeon species – BWO – #22 – sporadic

Ephemerellainvaria- Sulphurs – #14

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Current Flow Conditions:

May 31, 2013

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 31, 2013

As much as we beg, plead, and pray for water, Mother Nature has certainly given it to us in spades. While both the West Branch and East are high, it seems as though they have peaked, and out front the West is already looking much cleaner than it did yesterday. The sudden influx of color (i.e. mud) was from the high flows hitting the dry banks. Now that we’ve peaked, the water is going to drop, and be continually clearing. Since we are at 3,000 cfs this morning, wading will be dangerous pretty much anywhere aside from the bank, until we drop down under 2,000 cfs or so. That being said, those with boats are in for a treat, as we already have seen alewives in Home Pool, and the streamer bite is likely to be spectacular in the short term (provided our cloud cover holds). The dries are certainly still there, and the fish will be looking up for them, but only in the slack water on the rivers’ edges, as we saw last night. This makes for some fun drifts – like the kind where your fly lands where you want, then magically goes upstream instead! Regardless, the water is a definite boon with the hot weather we are having, and will definitely extend our day-time dry fly fishing further into June. No complaints there.

MIke Chain, Sr. with a chunky MS Brown. Photo: Bruce Miller

What’s Hatching:

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drakes – #8-2XL

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Hydropysche species – Tan Caddis – #16 & #18

Chimarra species – Charcoal Caddis – #16 & #18

Epeorus vitreus – PED, Pink Lady – #14

Pseudocloeon species – BWO – #22 – sporadic

Ephemerellainvaria- Sulphurs – #14

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Current Flow Conditions:

May 30, 2013

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 30, 2013

What a difference a day can make. With the heat and humidity, the air felt just plain thick yesterday, and the patchy sun definitely kept the bugs down for a good chunk of the day. There was decent action to be found, depending on where you were fishing, but definitely slower than it has been for the previous few days. The spinners (Coffin Flies in particular) are starting to fly out over the water, but no real large falls at this point. The Dragonflies were out in force, mowing down mayflies and caddis like the little Apache attack helicopters they are – always cool to watch! Also, there is pretty big spill-off coming from both reservoirs now, coloring up the East and Main, while blowing quite a bit of the dreaded “green slime” downstream from Deposit in the West Branch. This will eventually settle out, but until then expect times where your Sulphur will turn into a BWO.

Last Minute Note: The crazy thing just brought to my attention is the fact that Walton (the inflow into Cannonsville) is at 6,100 cfs this morning, meaning the spill will continue for quite awhile.

Mike Chain, Jr. holds a THICK Main Stem Brown. Photo: Bruce Miller

What’s Hatching:

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drakes – #8-2XL

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Hydropysche species – Tan Caddis – #16 & #18

Chimarra species – Charcoal Caddis – #16 & #18

Epeorus vitreus – PED, Pink Lady – #14

Pseudocloeon species – BWO – #22 – sporadic

Ephemerellainvaria- Sulphurs – #14

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Current Flow Conditions:

May 29, 2013

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 29, 2013

Plenty of bugs out on the water yesterday at times, but the fish were not as crazy about eating them as you would expect. Maybe they were full after the last few days? Regardless, there were some nice fish taken, and some very cool hatches seen, including a full-fledged Iso hatch on the West Branch. Warmer weather and thunderstorms today could affect what has been happening, as well as the fact that both Cannonsville and Pepacton are currently spilling over warmer water. This will also likely flush some of the “green stuff” from up by Deposit on to us here downstream. With significant cloud cover however, we could also see some of our first real heavy spinner falls resultant from last week’s epic hatching.

Ken Gates shows off a fish that has definitely been eating well as of late! Photo: Bruce Miller

What’s Hatching:

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drakes – #8-2XL

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Hydropysche species – Tan Caddis – #16 & #18

Chimarra species – Charcoal Caddis – #16 & #18

Epeorus vitreus – PED, Pink Lady – #14

Pseudocloeon species – BWO – #22 – sporadic

Ephemerellainvaria- Sulphurs – #14

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Current Flow Conditions:

May 28, 2013

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 28, 2013

Well those clouds I expected yesterday certainly never appeared! The bright sun definitely hampered things more than a little bit, at least in the early going of the the day, but the bugs were still on the surface. While the sulphurs tended to be the primary insect seen, there were definitely plenty of Grey Fox and Green Drakes around to keep the day interesting. Today cooler temps are called for, along with some rain showers here and there. If that ends up producing serious clouds, they today could be another banner day, especially with the lack of wind! Spinner falls, here we come! Also FYI – Pepacton Reservoir is currently spilling, we’re waiting to see if the same is true at Cannonsville with the large influx from above near Walton. Stay tuned!

This Brown Trout bought tickets to Adam Johnson’s gun show. Photo: Steve Shen

What’s Hatching:

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drakes – #8-2XL

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Hydropysche species – Tan Caddis – #16 & #18

Chimarra species – Charcoal Caddis – #16 & #18

Epeorus vitreus – PED, Pink Lady – #14

Pseudocloeon species – BWO – #22 – sporadic

Ephemerellainvaria- Sulphurs – #14

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Current Flow Conditions:

May 27, 2013

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 27, 2012

It was definitely a different story Sunday versus Saturday, that is for sure. With the winds being much more intense, and bright sun throughout the day, the fish were not exactly motivate to feed on the surface. There was still a ton of insect activity, with plenty of sulphurs coming off –  both dorthea and invaria, as well as some Coffin Flies (Green Drake spinners) flying over the water in places. Green Drake duns were also popping here at there, along with March Browns and Grey Fox. Today, we are looking at temps in the 70s with (thankfully) less wind, and supposedly some decent cloud cover. With the sheer number of insects hatching over the last few days, this could mean some excellent spinner falls in our future!

Sam holds a fantastic East Branch Brown caught Saturday. Photo: Bob Lewis

What’s Hatching:

Ephemera guttulata – Green Drakes – #8-2XL

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Hydropysche species – Tan Caddis – #16 & #18

Chimarra species – Charcoal Caddis – #16 & #18

Epeorus vitreus – PED, Pink Lady – #14

Pseudocloeon species – BWO – #22 – sporadic

Ephemerellainvaria- Sulphurs – #14

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Current Flow Conditions: