May 16, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 16, 2016

While the wind was tough yesterday there were bugs and fish eating them during the lulls.  Some sections of the river had decent sulphur hatches around 6 pm and the fish were happy.  When the wind was blowing the bugs were getting blown off the water quickly and the birds benefited the most.  During the wind people who braved the weather had some success fishing streamers.  It was a tough day overall and you had to capitalize on the opportunities you were given.  We’re starting off cool this morning but the air temperatures should reach the low 60’s by mid afternoon.  We will be dealing with strong winds again mid-day but it looks like they should drop in the evening.  It sounds very similar to yesterday.

Peter with a brown over the weekend. Photo by Bob Lewis

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 15, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 15, 2016

Cannonsville is still spilling and the flow at Hale Eddy is 1,100 cfs this morning and just beginning to drop back a bit.  Sections of the West Branch are still wadeable at this level along with the Upper East Branch, Beaverkill, and sections of the Lower East Branch.  The system looks clear and fishable this morning.  The air temperatures will be cooler today approaching 50 degrees by mid-afternoon.  We will have some wind gusts to deal with- how heavy depends on which weather station you are watching.  If it gets too windy for fish to rise streamers and nymphing should be productive.  If you are fishing the West Branch nymph on the lower sections of river because we do have the algea breaking loose due to the increased flows.  There is less now than we had a couple of days ago so that is clearing up and filtering out of the system.
The hatches remain the same with March Browns, Tan Caddis, and Hendricksons still holding on in some sections.  We may have some olives hatching with the overcast skies and intermittent rain. We do have a “Freeze Watch” in effect tonight so bring some warmer gear- especially if you stay out after the sun drops behind the hills.

The flow above Cannonsville has leveled off around 650 cfs this morning

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Sulphur – #16-18 – E dorothea
Light Blue Winged Olive – #14 E. cornuta
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 14, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 14, 2016

Cannonsville Reservoir continues to spill this morning giving us a flow of 548 cfs at Stilesville.  The release is 300 cfs so the rest is coming over the top.  The West Branch above the reservoir is flowing in over 800 cfs so the spill will increase throughout the day. We were hit with some decent rains yesterday so the rivers throughout the system are in good shape and look good this morning.  Water temperatures look great and we should have a great week coming up.
Hatches remain the same with some sections seeing Hendricksons and others mainly March Browns.  Tan Caddis #16 -20 are throughout the system and we are still finding decent numbers of Apple Caddis #18 on some sections.  Gray Fox should start showing anytime and the Green Drakes cannot be too far behind.  You will find sulphurs and Cahills beginning to pop in some sections too.  Keep an eye out for alewives on the West Branch.  The upper West Branch has some slime floating down but that should flush out.
We should have mid- 60’s for air temperatures today with cloudy skies and maybe a light shower or thunderstorm.  Winds may gust to the low teens but if the bugs hatch you will find fish rising in the protected areas.

Mark with a big brown yesterday. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 13, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 13, 2016

The bright sun seemed to hold the bugs and fish back a bit yesterday but there were definitely opportunities.  We did see some caddis, march browns, and hendricksons on the water.  Some fish were eating even in the sun.  The trick was making the best of each opportunity.  Once the sun dropped the fish and the bugs were happier.
Today looks a little better from a fishing standpoint with clouds, mild air temps in the mid 60’s, and a little over 1/4″ of rain.  We could see decent olive hatches again reminiscent of last week’s.  Along with the #18 – 22 olives definitely have a few cornutas with you just in case the hatch in good numbers today.
Cannonsville is still spilling and the West Branch is both wadeable and floatable.  The surface temperature of the reservoir is warm so you will notice higher water temps right off the bat from Stilesville all the way down the Mainstem today.

Nickey Bulleit coming through again

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)

May 12, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 12, 2016

Cannonsville Reservoir is spilling just a little this morning and is at 100.2% capacity.  The West Branch remains wadeable and in good shape.  The gauge at Stilesville show a flow of 293 cfs and is slowly rising.  The release is still 224 cfs this morning.  Most fish were caught on caddis (apple #18 & tan #18), but there were still hendricksons and march browns hatching in different sections of river.  The weather looks great for hendrickson spinners but we haven’t seen huge swarms yet.  Hopefully today is the day.
Today looks like a  mirror image of yesterday with sun and low winds.  We should see some rain tomorrow- the amount forecasted totally depends on which weather channel you watch.  Most have us around 1/4″ which shouldn’t affect the system much.

Nickey Bulleit with a cool brown that recovered from a serious injury. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis – almost gone – you’ll still find a few here and there

May 11, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 11, 2016

We’re coming off another cool night with frost on the windshields this morning.  That great for the water temperatures.  We had decent clouds roll in yesterday afternoon just in time for the hatches.  The menu hasn’t changed with a healthy mix of hendricksons, blue quills, tan caddis, apple caddis, and march browns depending on what section of river you are fishing.  The wind was not a factor yesterday which was a great relief after Sunday and Monday.
Today will feel like summer out there with mid 70’s, virtually no wind, and clear skies.  The cloud cover has been nice but it does feel good to have the sunshine hit you out there.  Nymphing should be productive in the morning with the hatches coming later in the day.  Caddis should be active all day in the sunshine so keep an eye out for splashy risers.

Cannonsville is at 99.8% capacity this morning and Pepacton is at 99.9% capacity.

Nick back at it. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis – almost gone – you’ll still find a few here and there

May 10, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 10, 2016

The wind yesterday was definitely an improvement over what we faced Sunday.  We still had some gusts to deal with but there were enough breaks to get the fish eating on top and it was low enough to cast.  We saw decent numbers of Hendricksons coming off mid- afternoon.  A lot of females were on the water at times.  We thought it would be a decent caddis day since it was the first really sunny day we’ve seen in a while.  We were correct and there were fish eating apple caddis (#18) and little tan caddis (#18 – 20) in the afternoon.  March Browns are still making their way up the system and we are finding nymphs that look ready to go soon.
Today’s forecast looks great with air temps hitting the mid 60’s, partial cloud cover, and winds gusting only to 6 mph mid day then dropping.  We are coming off a cold night so it may take a while for the hatching today.  Nymphing could pay off in the morning as the clarity is good throughout the system and flows are slowly dropping back.
Cannonsville and Pepacton levels have been updated and sit at 99.5% and 99.9% capacity respectively.

Jack with a great Delaware rainbow. Photo by Kevan Smaracko

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis – almost gone – you’ll still find a few here and there

May 9, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 9, 2016

The story of yesterday was the wind.  Some of the gusts were over 20 mph making fishing extremely difficult.  There were bugs hatching and some fish rising in protected areas and in between gusts but it looked like the geese ate more of the mayflies than the trout.  Nymphing was productive but it was still better in river bends that had some protection. We’re still seeing Hendricksons, Blue Quills, Blue Winged Olives, Tan Caddis, plus the March Browns.
Comparatively today’s forecast looks much, much better.  We will still have some mid-day wind but nothing like yesterday and it looks like it will drop back in the afternoon.  We looking at cool nights and warm day time air temperatures over the next few days.  We should also see more sun than we’ve been accustomed to.  The next rain isn’t forecasted until Friday but that may change over the next couple of days.
Most of the system’s flows have dropped as the runoff subsides.  This should slowly continue over the next few days.  The reservoir levels haven’t been updated since the rain.

Les with a well fed brown over the weekend.  He’s been eating well!

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis – almost gone – you’ll still find a few here and there

May 8, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 8, 2016

We had another day of decent hatching with Hendricksons, Blue Winged Olives, and Blue Quills.   Some sections had decent March Browns mixed with tan caddis.  We have heard a few rumors of people seeing cornutas so definitely carry of few of those in your box just in case.  The hatching has been happening later in the afternoon so a lot people are having success nymphing in the morning before the dryfly action starts.
We had a brief heavy shower overnight but the creeks and rivers look fine this morning.  Today’s forecast is calling for partly sunny skies with the wind picking up mid day – gusts to 20 mph.  Once that happens find a wind sheltered spot and the fish should still rise.  Streamers and nymphs should be a good bet today too.  The wind will decrease after today and we’re looking forward to a decent weather week.
We have moved up to Table 4D under the FFMP so we now have a release of 224 cfs from Cannonsville.  Better but still not good enough given the amount of water in the system.

Tim with a wide tailed rainbow this weekend. Photo by Bruce Miller

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis – almost gone – you’ll still find a few here and there

May 7, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 7, 2016

We received some much needed rain yesterday that should keep the rivers in decent shape for a while.  It did seem to come down heavy at times but the rivers look fishable this morning and it’s good to see them filled bank to bank.  The West Branch is in good shape and is definitely wadeable above Oquaga Creek in Deposit.  Below that there are definitely wadeable spots in tailouts and wide pools.  The Beaverkill is high with over 1,000 cfs flowing at Cooks Falls.  The Mainstem looks good and is flowing at 4,220 cfs at Lordville.
The hatch activity seemed to vary by river section.  The water was on the rise yesterday and that may have played a role.  Some people reported decent olives and hendricksons while other people only found a few risers.  Streamers were productive during the day- especially before the sun popped out around 6 pm.  Today should fish better with falling water, overcast skies, and maybe a light shower or two.

Chris with a big, chunky one yesterday. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis – almost gone – you’ll still find a few here and there

May 6, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 6, 2016

Yesterday was another good day on the river.  The hatching started a little later than expected but we had the same mix of Blue Winged Olives, Hendricksons, Blue Quills, plus March Browns on some sections.  We also saw a few fish eat some tan caddis just to add to the mix.  Cripples and emerger patterns seemed to work the best again.  With so many bugs on the water the fish can afford to be choosy so they are eating the most vulnerable insects.  We’re still seeing a lot of eating in the water column due to the shear volume of bugs.  The clouds hung around most of the day and the rain held off.
The system is starting off today very similar to yesterday in both water temperatures and flows.  Winds are forecasted to be manageable ranging from 4 to 9 mph.  We are in for some showers early turning into a steady rain by mid-day. That’s great news for the reservoirs.  Hopefully the additional precipitation will help DEP make the right decision and bump us up a few tables in the FFMP.  The West Branch is your best bet for wading and gets easier as you move above each feeder stream.
If today’s rain colors the river or the flows increase to a level that makes wading questionable we will post a new report.  It could turn into a great streamer afternoon.  Right now everything is in great shape.

Dave had another good day on the Delaware. Photo by Steve Shen

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis – almost gone – you’ll still find a few here and there

May 5, 2016

Delaware River Report / Conditions May 5, 2016

The great fishing continues.  It took the olives a little longer to get going than we expected yesterday but once they came they really came in big numbers.  We’re still seeing decent numbers of Hendricksons in areas plus heavy hatches of Blue Quills.  Once the fish got going by mid-afternoon they were very happy.  The overcast skies should continue today without the rain showers so it’s shaping up to be a great day on the water.  Nymphing should be good in the morning with all of the nymphs migrating for the hatch.  The dry fly action has been starting between 1 – 2 pm and lasting into the evening.  We have seen Hendrickson spinners mixed with the hatching duns so look carefully when you see a fish rising.  Some of the spinners are flush in the film while others have the upright wings and look like duns at first glance.  The system levels and temperatures are starting off this morning as a mirror image of yesterday.
Life is tough when your biggest problem is too many mayflies on the water.

Jordan with a nice Mainstem brown. Photo by Jared Makowski

Hatching:
March Browns – #10-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema vicarium)
Hendrickson- #12 – 14 – E. subvaria
Hendrickson #16 – E. X
Blue Quill #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Light Brachycentrus sp. – #16 – 18 – Apple Caddis
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)
Quill Gordons #14 – Epeorus pluralis – almost gone – you’ll still find a few here and there