August 4, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 4, 2012

90 degrees and what feels like 100% humidity. That was at 6PM when we closed the shop last night, and it did not cool down until well after dark had fallen. As such, bug activity was at a standstill until well after the moon had come out, and the fish did not feel much like rising after baking in the sun all day long. Today is predicted to be a xeroxed copy of Friday, down to the prediction of storms that will likely not materialize. Let’s hope for more cloud cover to keep us cool and fishing. Also, if you are driving in on 17 West (i.e. from Downstate / NYC), take the SECOND Hancock exit (#87) – there is a motorcycle rally going on this weekend, and “downtown” Hancock will be quite crowded.

Chris Zando shows off a 19″ rainbow (he’s got big mitts) caught up near Deposit recently. Likely nymphing as he is a heathen. Photo courtesy of the angler.

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16 (sporadic), #18 & #20

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Potomanthus distinctus – Golden Drake – #12-2xl (sporadic)

Ephemerella pseudocloeon– Tiny BWO- #22-26

Epeorus vitreus – Pale Evening Dun – (Female) -#14 (sporadic)

Epeorus vitreus – Light Cahill – (Male)- #14 (sporadic)

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14 (waning)

Ephemerella deficiens– Dark. BWO -#12-20 (when cloudy)

Ephemerella attenuata– Light BWO- #16-20 (when cloudy)

Hydropsyche- Tan Caddis- #18

Ryacophilia- Olive Caddis- #16

Baetis species – #18 & #20 (when cloudy)

August 3, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 3, 2012

It was a cooker here yesterday – you can definitely tell just by the how high the water temps peaked in the late afternoon – Lordville was near 76!! Hancock was over 70 as well, but we take that number with a grain of salt as the gauge is directly below Sands Creek, which comes in fairly warm. As for the fishing it was a mediocre evening, with a short burst of activity right at dark. Today looks to be even a bit warmer, but we already have some cloud cover, and there are storms predicted throughout the day, which should keep the sun at bay for now! Also, be warned that they are ‘working’ on Winterdale Road (our road) today – so it might be rougher than usual. If that is even possible.

Bruce Kutz holds one of his Grandson’s FIRST fish caught on the fly! A nice Chain Pickerel! Photo by: Bob Lewis

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16 (sporadic), #18 & #20

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Potomanthus distinctus – Golden Drake – #12-2xl (sporadic)

Ephemerella pseudocloeon– Tiny BWO- #22-26

Epeorus vitreus – Pale Evening Dun – (Female) -#14 (sporadic)

Epeorus vitreus – Light Cahill – (Male)- #14 (sporadic)

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14 (waning)

Ephemerella deficiens– Dark. BWO -#12-20 (when cloudy)

Ephemerella attenuata– Light BWO- #16-20 (when cloudy)

Hydropsyche- Tan Caddis- #18

Ryacophilia- Olive Caddis- #16

Baetis species – #18 & #20 (when cloudy)

August 2, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 2, 2012

Oh what a day for 7x tippet. The name of the game is trico in these late summer months, which can be difficult but the consistency is good. Between 7 and 10 in the morning the fishing is just on with clouds of little bugs hanging out over the water and I really do mean clouds. The rest of the day however, can be a little more… difficult. We’re still seeing that sulphur hatch in Deposit around midday but the low release has made the hatch less prolific than before. For those of you who don’t mind a little darkness, the evening hatch in Deposit has move to around 8 P.M. The next couple days are going to be sunny and hot, so let’s hope that doesn’t hurt the fishing too much.
 

A bow that almost has that steelhead look to it! Photo: Jeff White

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16 (sporadic), #18 & #20

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Potomanthus distinctus – Golden Drake – #12-2xl (sporadic)

Ephemerella pseudocloeon– Tiny BWO- #22-26

Epeorus vitreus – Pale Evening Dun – (Female) -#14 (sporadic)

Epeorus vitreus – Light Cahill – (Male)- #14 (sporadic)

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14 (waning)

Ephemerella deficiens– Dark. BWO -#12-20 (when cloudy)

Ephemerella attenuata– Light BWO- #16-20 (when cloudy)

Tricorythodes Species – Tricos- #22-26

Hydropsyche- Tan Caddis- #18

Ryacophilia- Olive Caddis- #16

Baetis species – #18 & #20 (when cloudy)

August 1, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions August 1, 2012

Cloud cover! Well, for at least a good chunk of the day, yielding some good hatches up and down the river, with a good number of olives popping out and taking advantage of the shade. As the day progressed, we had sunshine pop out, which was not the best for mid-afternoon hatching. However, the clouds returned in the evening, and brought some great fishing to those who ventured out, pretty much river wide. Today is a bit more of the same, with scattered thunderstorms predicted, which hopefully will bring our flows up at least enough to run a boat down the West Branch!

John O’Neal with a BEAUTIFUL bow caught well into dark. Photo by: Bruce Miller

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16 (sporadic), #18 & #20

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Potomanthus distinctus – Golden Drake – #12-2xl (sporadic)

Ephemerella pseudocloeon– Tiny BWO- #22-26

Epeorus vitreus – Pale Evening Dun – (Female) -#14 (sporadic)

Epeorus vitreus – Light Cahill – (Male)- #14 (sporadic)

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14 (waning)

Ephemerella deficiens– Dark. BWO -#12-20 (when cloudy)

Ephemerella attenuata– Light BWO- #16-20 (when cloudy)

Hydropsyche- Tan Caddis- #18

Ryacophilia- Olive Caddis- #16

Baetis species – #18 & #20 (when cloudy)

July 31, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 31, 2012

Holy……. it’s almost August? How did that happen? Did someone Rip van Winkle me? Anyway, it was slow for most of the day yesterday, with some decent evening activity up river from Ball’s Eddy. This morning, although I did not see any tricos, I did see plenty of rises in Home Pool. Enough that I thought about opening a little ‘late’ today! The cool air overnight is likely what triggered this, as it cooled the water down substantially. We got close to 68 in the afternoon out front (water temp), which has definitely stifled both bug and fish acivity. Looking for a slightly cooler day, with clouds and t-storms around, so we could have a decent day river-wide. Keep your fingers crossed!

Reposting this from yesterday – Photoshop was acting up as far as sizing was concerned, and this is WAY too pretty a fish for everyone to miss in a full-size picture.

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16 (sporadic), #18 & #20

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Potomanthus distinctus – Golden Drake – #12-2xl (sporadic)

Ephemerella pseudocloeon– Tiny BWO- #22-26

Epeorus vitreus – Pale Evening Dun – (Female) -#14 (sporadic)

Epeorus vitreus – Light Cahill – (Male)- #14 (sporadic)

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14 (waning)

Ephemerella deficiens– Dark. BWO -#12-20 (when cloudy)

Ephemerella attenuata– Light BWO- #16-20 (when cloudy)

Hydropsyche- Tan Caddis- #18

Ryacophilia- Olive Caddis- #16

Baetis species – #18 & #20 (when cloudy)

July 30, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 30, 2012

It can be very strange how the rain can affect this river! Here on the West Branch, we’re still stuck on 325 cfs coming out of Cannonsville, even after a few good thunderstorms over the weekend and last week. This has proven to be somewhat worrisome since we’re starting to see the actual riverbed in some places. Let’s hope this little experiment soon. However, the Main Stem is a different story. Callicoon has hit about 3,000 cfs. which is might be the highest we’ve seen all summer. Maybe now we can start doing something else besides swimming down there! The forecast is looking for more rain and storms all week, but that won’t mean much if they don’t bump up the flows. I have a good feeling though that all of this will change soon.

Don’t think you’ll ever find a better fighter or a prettier fish than a Delaware Rainbow.

Epeorus vitreus – Pale Evening Dun – (Female) -#14

Epeorus vitreus – Light Cahill – (Male)- #14

Potomanthus distinctus – Golden Drake – #12-2xl

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14 (waning)

Ephemerella deficiens- Dark. BWO -#12-20

Ephemerella attenuata- Light BWO- #16-20

Ephemerella pseudocloeon- Tiny BWO- #22-26

Hydropsyche- Tan Caddis- #18

Ryacophilia- Olive Caddis- #16

Baetis species – #18 & #20

Baetis species – #18 & #20

July 29, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 29, 2012

We had a bit of of a surprise last night in the form of some serious rain. The only downer for us was the fact that the East / Beaverkill system got the majority of the rain fall, as is evident from the graphs (click the links below if you’d like to see), and this will certainly bring up the Main Stem even further, as well as heat up the main for the next few days, as we are still only getting a 320 cfs release. Basically, kiss anything below Shehawken goodbye for a few days. Prior to the rain, we did see some good evening fishing upstream with our usual suspects showing up – Isos, smaller sulphurs as well as a handful of decent sized olives coming out as well. Today we’ve got everything expected on the weather front, so be ready for anything out there!

Hoping for a spinner fall of these! Isonychia bicolor male spinner. Photo by: Jeff White

Epeorus vitreus – Pale Evening Dun – (Female) -#14

Epeorus vitreus – Light Cahill – (Male)- #14

Potomanthus distinctus – Golden Drake – #12-2xl

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14 (waning)

Ephemerella deficiens–  Dark. BWO -#12-20

Ephemerella attenuata- Light BWO- #16-20

Ephemerella pseudocloeon– Tiny BWO- #22-26

Hydropsyche- Tan Caddis- #18

Ryacophilia- Olive Caddis- #16

Baetis species – #18 & #20

July 28, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 28, 2012

Talk about an odd-ball day yesterday. The storms never materialized as predicted, and unfortunately, the bugs really didn’t either, even up high. We saw very little activity in Home Pool all day and as the temps got up in the high 60s by evening, I really wasn’t all that surprised. The surprise came from Deposit, where even the sulphurs appeared to take the night off. As for today, I definitely expect a good chunk of people out on the water, but unless there are some really irresponsible guides / people with boats out there, the low flows will mean a wade-only scenario. Upstream is still the best bet as the lower river will warm up pretty well if the clouds burn off and the sun comes out. Otherwise, if these overcast skies persist, we might be looking pretty good river-wide!

“You might need a new pair of wading boots when……” I must admit, my inner shop manager just cackles maniacally when I see a customer come in with a pair of old boys like this! Photo by: Bart Larmouth

Epeorus vitreus – Pale Evening Dun – (Female) -#14

Epeorus vitreus – Light Cahill – (Male)- #14

Potomanthus distinctus – Golden Drake – #12-2xl

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Ephemerella deficiens–  Dark. BWO -#12-20

Ephemerella attenuata- Light BWO- #16-20

Ephemerella pseudocloeon– Tiny BWO- #22-26

Hydropsyche- Tan Caddis- #18

Ryacophilia- Olive Caddis- #16

Baetis species – #18 & #20

July 27, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 27, 2012

Well that was interesting. I haven’t been in the “likely path” of a Tornado since Texas. Fortunately we came through relatively unscathed, but unfortunately, so did the river. A small bump in flows is all that we got out of the bluster and booming. The Beaverkill and East Branch have some more water this morning, which will (unfortunately) help NYC meet the Montague minimum flow, so they will not need to release from Cannonsville this weekend to compensate, so we’re likely stuck with 320 CFS for the forseeable future. As for the fishing, everyone pretty much vacated the water when the storms rolled through, so no real firm reports on what was hatching out there. Today, we’re starting off nice and overcast, with some predicted t-storms lurking about. As always, pressure changes could be good, or they could be bad for the hatching (look at me, I sound like a weatherman with a prediction like that!), but regardless the clouds are a welcome change!

Ok, I can see this one, but none of my guides could. Let’s see how everyone’s eyes are – there is a dragonfly going from the center of the photo to the upper left corner, and its nymphal shuck is in the center/right. It was newly hatched, and had crawled onto the grass to finish. I promise this isn’t one of those 3D dot pictures they used to sell at the mall! Photo by: Bart Larmouth

Epeorus vitreus – Pale Evening Dun – (Female) -#14

Epeorus vitreus – Light Cahill – (Male)- #14

Potomanthus distinctus – Golden Drake – #12-2xl

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Ephemerella deficiens–  Dark. BWO -#12-20

Ephemerella attenuata- Light BWO- #16-20

Ephemerella pseudocloeon– Tiny BWO- #22-26

Hydropsyche- Tan Caddis- #18

Ryacophilia- Olive Caddis- #16

Baetis species – #18 & #20

July 26, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 26, 2012

Man, tough going out there yesterday, even up in Deposit. I guess the fish / bugs decided they didn’t want a sun tan. The air temps remained bearable throughout the day, but our tricos never fell, and as mentioned the sulphurs decided to lay low as well. When evening rolled along, there were good pockets of activity up and down the West Branch, but no real consistent fishing river-wide. TODAY, we’ve got thunderstorms in the forecast, and we’re looking at a drop in release down to 320 CFS – bad news for those of us planning on floating tonight, that’s for sure! The likely reason (as if reason and logic were things used to determine our flows) is the forecasted thunderstorms /precipitation today. We could see upwards of an inch of rain today, but as always I am skeptical, as we should be getting very wet right now according to forecasts, and I see the sun peeking through. I guess it’s one of those ‘wait five minutes and the weather will change’ kinda days!

Hoping for more of these today! Emphemerella dorthea female dun (Sulphur). Photo by Jeff White

Epeorus vitreus – Pale Evening Dun – (Female) -#14

Epeorus vitreus – Light Cahill – (Male)- #14

Potomanthus distinctus – Golden Drake – #12-2xl

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Ephemerella deficiens–  Dark. BWO -#12-20

Ephemerella attenuata- Light BWO- #16-20

Ephemerella pseudocloeon– Tiny BWO- #22-26

Hydropsyche- Tan Caddis- #18

Ryacophilia- Olive Caddis- #16

Baetis species – #18 & #20

July 25, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 25, 2012

Apologies for the late post – I had some photography to take care of this morning, so I could bring you THIS:

This was just a FRACTION of the Tricos in the air. Apologies for the lens flare, tough shot to get this morning. Although JJ Abrams would love it. Photo by: Bart Larmouth

That’s the view out front this morning – clouds and clouds of tricos, all up and down the lower West Branch. While they are still up in the air, and haven’t fallen yet, I’m sure they are going to in the near future, which may necessitate a “Back in a Few” sign on the shop door! Yesterday was pretty rough out there, not a whole lot of activity, and as the evening came in, so did the wind. In force. It killed any chance of a spinner fall, but more importantly disturbed the water enough to make it hard for the fish to see anything on the surface. The forecast for today has changed (go figure), and now we’re looking at clear skies and temps in the low 80s, instead of the cloud cover promised yesterday. It also looks like the dropped the flow from Cannonsville down to the 350 range around midnight, then brought it right back up to 420 or so. My guess is someone fell asleep on the controls in the middle of the night. Not sure what affect it will have on the fishing today, but likely not a ton.

Epeorus vitreus – Pale Evening Dun – (Female) -#14

Epeorus vitreus – Light Cahill – (Male)- #14

Potomanthus distinctus – Golden Drake – #12-2xl

Isonychia bicolor – Isos – #12-2XL and BIGGER!

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Ephemerella deficiens–  Dark. BWO -#12-20

Ephemerella attenuata- Light BWO- #16-20

Ephemerella pseudocloeon– Tiny BWO- #22-26

Hydropsyche- Tan Caddis- #18

Ryacophilia- Olive Caddis- #16

Baetis species – #18 & #20