April 21, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 21, 2012

Howdy folks – sorry for the late post, this is the first time I have had 30 seconds to sit down and write this. No complaints, we need to make hay while the sun shines around here, and a busy shop is a happy shop!

The release was dropped slightly today, which is far more preferable than an immediate shut-down back to 131 CFS. We anticipate going back down bit by bit over the weekend. This gradual drop shouldn’t adversely affect the fishing, and the cooler temps / rain can only be helpful factors as well. Yesterday was a bit tougher on the dry fly end, with the bright sun keeping the fish hunkered down a bit, but the heathens nymphing (yeah, I’m looking at you Steve & Kevan!) managed to have one the best, most consistent days of the year.

A beautiful West Branch Brown! Photo by: Steve Shen

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20

April 20, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 20, 2012

Sorry for the delay in posting today – crazy morning here at the DRC!

Well, you can thank the Supreme Court – we’ve got some more water coming down from Cannonsville. Montague has dropped below the required flow rate, and NYC needs to compensate by releasing from Cannonsville, so we’re seeing a bump up to about 350 CFS for the day. This means wading is still possible pretty much system wide, and the fish will get a bit of temperature relief from the bright sun we are expecting today. Don’t expect it to last – once the power generation at Rio Reservoir kicks back in, we’ll likely lose the release. Good reports from last night, with some real big fish caught towards the evening. Risers throughout the day, sporadically in places, still mowing down hendricksons and the occasional caddis.

Kevin Delaney with a FAAAAAAAAT Main Stem Brown caught last week. Is that a Brown or a Largemouth? Photo courtesy of the angler.

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20

April 19, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 19, 2012

Well, all the rain that we had predicted for this weekend has now evaporated, so to speak. Let’s hope it decides to make a return, and in short order, judging by how much water the city is taking out of Cannonsville!

The fishing started off fairly slow yesterday, likely due to the cooler temperatures and windy conditions. Towards evening, the whole thing exploded with rising fish. Spinners of several shapes and varieties were out, as well as some hatching Baetis (BWOs) and Hendricksons as well. Bright sun today early will likley slow the action down until the afternoon – (begin shameless self promotion)a great time to visit your local fly shop and restock!

Also, a blog first today – I have an unwritten rule to not put the same person’s photo in twice. Well, last night Norm Price came up to me and said, “Hey! I’ve got your picture for the blog tomorrow!” I told him of my policy, and he said, “Tell me that after you see this……” Ok Norm. You win. Great fish!

Norm Price with a FANTASTIC West Branch Rainbow. Photo by: Pam Cavanagh

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20

April 18, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 18, 2012

Thanks NYC DEP. Thanks a ton. The reservoir has dropped below 90% for the first time this year, bringing us down a notch in the FFMP tables, which also means we now only have a 141 cfs release. Although I am not a conspiracy theorist, part of me can’t help but think that NYC has been intentionally drawing down the reservoir, gaming the system as we move towards months where they would be legally required to release good amounts of water (i.e. prepping for an artificial drought if need be). Especially seeing as how there was more water coming into the reservoir (300+ cfs at Walton for weeks) than coming out (170 cfs at Stilesville), yet it was dropping 1/10 of a percent of capacity per day. That’s ALOT of water, and certainly not coming down river as we need it to.

Aside from that sobering news, the fishing was decent here yesterday, albiet a bit slower than the previous. We did see spinner falls on the West Branch towards the evening as the wind died down. Cooler air temps today with greater cloud cover should help us even further today, hopefully extending the spinner fall to more than an hour or so. On a sillier note…….

So if you stand in the river long enough, the fish will jump...... (Photo by: Pam Cavanagh)

.....right into your hands! Norm Price with a GREAT 19" Brown. Photo by: Pam Cavanagh

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20

April 17, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 17, 2012

Ok. I give up. The towel is officially thrown in. Whatever I thought I knew about trout is obviously rubbish. Bright sun. Hot weather. Normally I would say take a nap. I would be totally wrong. We had fish rising in Home Pool All. Day. Long. Sigh. The Main Stem was tougher, as there was a strong upstream wind, but as it settled in the evening, and the spinners came down. Today is scheduled to be cooler, so I only anticipate better fishing, judging by the INSANE number of spinners on the door last night and this morning. We’ll see what goes down!

Steve Shen with a nice Main Stem Brown from the last windy day (no need for a hat yesterday!). Photo by: Bob Lewis

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20

April 16, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 16, 2012

Perfect dry fly weather yesterday! Overcast, cool, with a high humidity and a few passing showers. Bugs and fish were pretty cooperative throughout the system, the only exception being the relatively short spinner fall in the evening – instead of lasting well into dark, it cut off around 6:30 or so. Today is the day we have dreaded all season, however. Projected highs in the mid 80s, with bright sun, preceded by a warm night that didn’t drop below 55. The rivers are going to cook, no way to sugar coat it. We are hoping for clouds and thunderstorms in the late afternoon to keep them from going up TOO high into the 60s. I expect that there will be a rush of bugs and feeding this morning in anticipation of whats to come, but the bright sun and heat will likely shut both bugs and fish down until the evening, and maybe beyond. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!

A nice Main Stem Brown caught by Steve Shen on his day off. Photo by: Bob Lewis

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20

April 15, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 15, 2012

Another banner day out on the West yesterday. Bugs and fish throughout the day, all the way until dark. There was a small spinner fall in the evening, but some late afternoon breezes knocked many of them back into the trees, so we’re STILL waiting on the bug orgy that is bound to come. The winds should lay down today, as we are expecting a bunch of cloud cover and passing showers, with temps near 70. While that may not be good for water temps, it will certainly be good for the spinners.

Also yesterday, we had a great family affair happen down in Home Pool – you’re gonna love it! Here’s a few pictures

This is Kennedy Fisher - her first time in waders, throwing a dry on the West Branch. Photo by: Mike Mancke

And this is Kennedy with her first trout ever on the fly!!! Photo by Proud Papa: Kevin Fisher

The fly fishing family - Dad (Kevin) on the left, Kennedy, and Colt Fisher. Photo by: Mike Mancke

The aftermath of her first LONG day out on the water. I know PLENTY of you older guys who consider this the perfect day - catch a nice trout, take a nap. Photo by: Jeff White

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18

Light Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20

April 14, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 14, 2012

What a day yesterday! Friday the 13th turned out to be great for just about everyone fortunate to get out on the water. Pat and Jack Reagan, long time guests / clients had, “the best day they’ve ever had” – THAT is saying something with how many days, weeks, and months they’ve logged on this river over the years. Hendrickson emergers were the name of the game on the West Branch, with Paralep spinners coating everything towards evening. Some fell, but the winds did keep them back. Any day now, there should be an epic fall. Wiley and Bob went down river (to Long Eddy), and had a tremendous day as well, where the fish had turned on to the Apple Green Caddis, and they had a Hendrickson Spinner fall towards the evening. With warmer temperatures forecasted, we can expect to see the bugs coming early, and staying late. Should be a killer weekend!

Pat Reagan with a FAT Brown. Photo by: Jack Reagan, who cut Pat's head off to get even with him for all the terrible photos he(Pat) takes.

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18

Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20

April 13, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions FRIDAY April 13th, 2012

Happy Friday the 13th everyone! Here’s to a lucky day – usually works out that way for me, which hopefully means another night like I had last evening. Jumped down to home pool and stuck a good number of fish, all on a #14 Dark Hendrickson Comparadun – and it STILL floats. We’ll call it “quality control fly testing.” The fish were active throughout the afternoon, and into the evening. The West saw a few more active fish than the Main, which had a waning Hendrickson hatch amongst all the caddis that were coming off. Warmer weather is predicted for this weekend and into Monday, so we’ll see what effect it has on the fish and bugs. Today, with the sun coming out early, I expect the river to turn on early, and fish well into the sunset.

Bruce Miller with a nice, fat West Branch Brown caught yesterday - and holy *&%$ - he's actually SMILING! Photo by: Wiley Paul

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18

Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20

April 12, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 12, 2012

Holy *&%@! A day with moderate wind! Ok, so the sleet / rain / snow / hail made it interesting, but the fish were up and at it all day long, on the East, West, and Main. Hendricksons were teh order of the day, and folks did real well. For many, it was the first time that they saw larger fish up and taking dries. Today is slotted to be clearer, with a possibility of rain later in the afternoon. Winds will be up again, but not as ferocious as they have been. Here’s hoping for a spinner fall once I close the office!

Hendrickson Male, chilling out at the DRC. Photo by: Jeff White

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18

Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20

April 11, 2012

Delaware River Report / Conditions April 11, 2012

It seems spinners are starting to finally fall! The winds decided to (slightly) calm down yesterday morning and evening, and the fish responded. During the day, we saw the same activity that we have been having for the last….well, I forgot it’s been so long. Fish rising between the gusts, and plenty of bugs coming off. The apple caddis are making their way upstream, so we expect to see the fish on the upper main keying in on them in short order.

Those are spent apple green caddis from down by Callicoon. Just a few. Photo by: Jeff White

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18

Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20

April 10, 2012

Delaware River Report / Condtions April 10, 2012

Ever see Groundhog Day? It somewhat feels like that around here as of late. Same weather, every day, without fail. Today we are scheduled to see a little precipiation, which is never a bad thing – we’ll see what affects it has on the hatches and the fish. Yesterday saw our same pattern of bright sun and high winds, but the fish seemed to be getting used to it, and folks on the West Branch and Main Stem did very well for themselves, despite the trying conditions. Fish were finally on the Apple Green caddis towards dark last night, once the mayfly hatching had ceased.

Ok, apologies in advance, but it’s time for a bit of commentary. If any of you readers are centerpinning enthusiasts, I understand there is a time and a place for it, but the Delaware is not it. We had 3 ‘pinners going down the West Branch yesterday, tying up every pool they came to for hours at a time. I will not pass judgement on Centerpinning as a whole, but etiquette / common sense tells me that three people should not monopolize an entire section of river. We had a father and his two sons trying to learn to fly fish in Home Pool, while bobbers are floating by them from guys 100+ yds upstream. Needless to say, we did not care for this. Enough of that, I will now step off my soap box.

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #12 & #14

Paraleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) – #16 & #18

Brachycentrus Caddis – Apple Green – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #20

Chimmarra (little black) Caddis – #18 & #20