September 6, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 6, 2014

They’ve dropped the release from Cannonsville to 401 cfs until further notice.  The low release combined with the hot sunny days has driven some of the water temperatures up significantly.  The ones to watch today are Fish’s Eddy starting off ant 67 degrees and Lordville starting off at 68 degrees this morning.  The West Branch and Upper East Branch are your best bet for fishing temperatures today.  The West Branch under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 61 degrees this morning and peaked at 66 degrees yesterday afternoon.  Accuweather is calling for cooler temps today in the high 70s with some scattered thunderstorms throughout the day.  The rainfall is supposed to be a little over a 1/2 inch but most of that will soak into the ground.  If the forecast is correct I would expect decent hatches of mostly olives #18 -26, summer stenos, and maybe a few Isonychias.  The bright sun and Yo Yo releases have not been great for the hatches.  Hopefully this change in weather kicks off some decent fishing for the weekend.

Stenos have been decent searching patterns this Summer

Hatching:

Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Slate Drakes #12 – Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

September 5, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 5, 2014

The Cannonsville release is 438 cfs “until further notice”.  They had dropped it to 401 cfs yesterday afternoon so there is no way to tell when they will Yo Yo the release again.  On the positive side the entire system is wadeable and most sections are floatable.  We are facing a hot day so a little extra water in the river to keep the exposed rocks from heating up would be nice.  Fish with your thermometer on the Mainstem.  Looking at the temperature graphs I would advise against going to the lower East Branch and the Mainstem below Buckingham.  The Upper East Branch and West Branch should be fine.  The West Branch is starting off at 60 degrees under the 191 Bridge in Hancock.  Accuweather is calling fro rain over the weekend.  Most of it will soak into the ground but it will be a welcome relief for the system.  Small olives, Summer Stenos, and Isonychias should cover your needs out there.

Reflections

Hatching:

Olive/Sulphurs #18 -20 H. hebe

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Slate Drakes #12 – Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

September 4, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 4, 2014

Well this morning they decided to drop the release on the West Branch. The current release from Cannonsville is 494 cfs “until further notice.”  Last night fished well with a mix of olives, summer stenos, and a few Isonychias.  We actually had a nice olive spinner fall at dark that kept the fish going a little longer than normal.  The day was tough with the bright sun and hot temperatures so nymphing was definitely your best bet for fish.  The Yo Yo releases are getting old.  Cannonsville is currently at 78.9%.  The total NYC Water Supply is 85.8% and the normal capacity for September 3rd is 76.7%.  The temperature under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 56 degrees this morning.

Chip and Lang casting on the West Branch. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:

Sulphurs #16 -20 E. dorothea

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Slate Drakes #12 – Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

September 3, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 3, 2014

Despite the constant alterations made to the Cannsonsville release, the river still fished!  Sulphurs and olives were found early to mid afternoon in Deposit.  On the lower river, the action didn’t happen until around 6pm with a few olives of various sizes.  Since the fish have been sporadic the past few days, one good tactic is to move slowly up and down a pool until you find a group of fish.  Stay on them! While they may only rise once every couple minutes, a well placed fly immediately after they feed will be sure to fool them.

We received some heavy rain late yesterday evening but it wasn’t enough to change the river.  Today is supposed to be partly sunny and less humid.  The lack of humidity should keep the fog off the river.  The current flow from the Cannonsville dam is  600 cfs, let’s hope it doesn’t change too much today.

Although it’s quite uncommon, these little guys find their way into the river from time to time!

They still are making constant changes to the release.

Hatching:

Sulphurs #16 -20 E. dorothea

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Slate Drakes #12 – Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

September 2, 2014

Update…Delaware River Report / Conditions September 2, 2014

As of 2:57 the Cannonsville Release phone line lists the release as 576 cfs until further notice.  The graph at Stilesville tells a different story-

mid day Yo Yo

September 2, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 2, 2014

So NY didn’t forget how to “Yo Yo” the release on the West Branch after all!  The Cannonsville release this morning is 576 cfs until further notice.  Looking at the graph it seems that between midnight on Sunday and this morning they’ve managed to release as little as 450 cfs, as much as 600 cfs, and have now settled in just below that.  If the release stays the same over the next few days the fish and insects should settle in and we’ll be back to our normal hatches of small olives, summer stenos, and a few Isonychias.  Nymphing continues to be productive- especially in the morning before the sun burns the fog off of the water.

Up and Down

Hatching:

Sulphurs #16 -20 E. dorothea

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Slate Drakes #12 – Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

September 1, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions September 1, 2014

So far most of the predicted rain has missed us.  They have dropped the release from Cannonsville to 600 cfs so we have settled in right around the level we’ve had most of the Summer.  On the graph it looks like they dropped us a little too much and then caught their mistake and raised the release.  Dry fly fishing was tough yesterday.  Early in the day the water was still rising, then it started falling towards evening.  The combination of light rain and humidity also blanketed most of the West Branch in dense fog or most of the day.  Nymphing turned out to be the best option. Pheasant tails and Copper Johns in #14 – 20 brought some nice fish to the net during the day.  There was lots of green algae floating on the upper West Branch so fishing nymphs and streamers is more productive on the lower river and Upper Mainstem.  The small olives are definitely the strongest hatch right now so keep and eye on the slower sections of pools and eddies for rising fish.  We should see a warmer day today with a few scattered storms that look light and brief on Accuweather.  The West Branch under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 53 degrees this morning.

Light wind will make the fog roll in and out on humid days

Hatching:

Sulphurs #16 -20 E. dorothea

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Slate Drakes #12 – Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

August 31, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 31, 2014

It’s hard to believe it’s the last day of August and the West Branch under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is starting off at 54 degrees this morning.  The weather this summer has been incredible for the fishery.  The release from Cannonsville is 823 cfs this morning and looks level on the graph.  I would expect NY to drop the release sometime late tonight or tomorrow if there are plans to run water out of Lake Wallenpaupack on Tuesday.  Fishing was tough yesterday with fewer olives than normal.  Hopefully that was a result of the rising water and stalling water temperatures caused by the increased release.  Accuweather is calling for clouds, early evening rain, and low winds.  On paper today looks like a great day to be on the water.

Fighting a Delaware River Rainbow

Hatching:

Sulphurs #16 -20 E. dorothea

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Light Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. cornutella, etc

Slate Drakes #12 – Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

Golden Drakes – #12-2xl – Potomanthus sp.

August 30, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 30, 2014

The release from Cannonsville Reservoir was increased to 724 cfs as of 7 am this morning.  According to the recording this release will  last until further notice.  This release looks like it’s being used to cover the flow target at Montague NJ so keep an eye on the Stilesville gauge for changes.  If we get enough rain or if they are going to begin releasing from Lake Wallenpaupack on Tuesday they may drop our release over the weekend.  The flow at Hale Eddy will continue to climb this morning and level out just under 800 cfs.  Wading is still possible at this level- just choose your spots carefully.  last nights fishing was decent with lots of olives and fish were on them.  The wind stayed down all day which was a nice change from Thursday.

Small dark olives have been hatching in decent numbers

Hatching:

Sulphurs #16 -20 E. dorothea

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Light Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. cornutella, etc

Slate Drakes #12 – Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

Golden Drakes – #12-2xl – Potomanthus sp.

August 29, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 29, 2014

The high wind made dry fly fishing extremely tough yesterday.  Accuweather had called for winds between 10 and 20 mph and they actually go that one correct.  During the day most of the bugs were blown off the the water and nymphing was definitely the best option.  Things did calm down right before dark and more Psuedos hatched offering some dry fly fishing in the slower sections of the pools.  Today they are calling for winds between 3 and 4 mph hour- lets hope they are correct two days in a row.  We should be cool today with air temps in the mid 70s and some sun with a few clouds.  Make sue you have your sulphurs, summer stenos, and lots of pseudos.  Isonychias are still working well in some riffles.  The cool night last night helped the East Branch at Fishs Eddy and the Mainstem at Lordville- both are starting off in the low 60s this morning.   The West Branch under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 54 degrees.

Iso shuck

Hatching:

Sulphurs #16 -20 E. dorothea

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Light Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. cornutella, etc

Slate Drakes #12 – Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

Golden Drakes – #12-2xl – Potomanthus sp.

August 28, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 28, 2014

Yesterday’s humidity made it feel a lot hotter than it actually was and made the cool air coming off the river feel great.  There were some trico spinners around mid afternoon but not enough to get the fish really interested.  The cool nights are still putting a damper on that hatch with the spinners coming much later in the day than expected.  We had the usual small olives, summer stenos, and sulphurs towards dark but the fog made finding the risers tough.  The cloud cover stuck around most of the day threatening rain but we never got hit with any precipitation.  Watch the water temperatures if you wander away from the West Branch or the Upper East Branch.  The East Branch at Fish’s Eddy peaked over 70 degrees, and the Mainstem at Lordville peaked around 69 degrees.  The West Branch under the 191 Bridge in Hancock is 54 degrees this morning and peaked around 59 degrees yesterday afternoon so we are in fantastic shape for the end of August.

Lots of small and medium fish are being seen- great for the future. Photo by Bob Lewis

Hatching:

Sulphurs #16 -20 E. dorothea

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Light Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. cornutella, etc

Slate Drakes #12 – Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

Golden Drakes – #12-2xl – Potomanthus sp.

August 27, 2014

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 27, 2014

Yesterday was definitely hotter than we’ve become accustomed to lately.  The bright sun kept the fish down during the heat of the day making nymphing the best technique.  As the sun dropped we saw our usual hatches of pseudos, sulphurs, and summer stenos.  There are a few Isonychias around so definitely carry a few to blind cast in the riffles.  Today looks like another hot day in the 80s with some sun giving way to showers in the afternoon.  Days with high humidity, heat, and light rain can be fantastic flying ant days so be prepared.  Sometimes they are hard to see on the water so take a close look at the surface film if you see fish rising but don’t see any insects.  The lower East Branch and Mainstem at Lordville are starting off with warmer water temperatures this morning so if you are planning to fish those sections check it with a thermometer first.  The West Branch is in great shape for the end of August with a water temperature of 56 degrees under the 191 Bridge in Hancock.

Hopefully we see some of these today

Hatching:

Sulphurs #16 -20 E. dorothea

Summer Stenos #12-16 various species

Tan Caddis #16 – 18- Hydrosyche sp.

Tiny Blue Wing Olives #22 – 26 – Pseudocloeon sp.

Dark Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. deficiens, lata, etc.

Light Blue Winged Olive #16 -20 – E. cornutella, etc

Slate Drakes #12 – Isonychia bicolor

Charcoal Caddis #16-18 – Dk Brachycentrus sp.

Golden Drakes – #12-2xl – Potomanthus sp.