July 25, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 25, 2018

We had a few more rain showers yesterday afternoon but luckily most of them were brief.  The West Branch stayed fishable for most of the day.  In the afternoon we had one storm that finally muddied up the river.  It was enough rain that there was even color in Stilesville by early evening.

This morning is a whole different story.  We had some more rain overnight and the river is up, moving, and off color this morning.  More rain coming. We have a little over 1/4″ of rain in the forecast this morning and 1/2″ in the forecast overnight.  If you are already in the area your best and only bets would be to check Stilesville and Downsville above the feeder creeks.  Fishing below those spots is not an option today.  Once the rain stops the West Branch should recover quickly.  If you were planning on driving up here today to fish do not. Wait until the rivers drop after the rain ends.

If you are fishing for trout do not fish the Mainstem, lower East Branch, or the lower Beaverkill.  Check the water temperatures in other areas before you fish.  The West Branch and upper East Branch are your best bets for cold water and fish.

Hatching:
Sulphur – #16 -20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
PED / Pink Lady – #14 – Eperorus vitreus
Isonychia – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Blue Winged Olives – #16 – 20 – E. attenuata
Dark Blue Winged Olives – #18 – 22 – E. lata
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #20 – 26 – Psuedo sp.
Tricos – #22 – 24 – Tricorythodes
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophila sp.
Dark Blue Sedge #14- Psilotreta sp.
Spotted Sedge #16 – Hydropsyche sp.
Tan Caddis #14 – 16 – Hydropsyche sp.

There is construction on Winterdale Road. A short stretch is closed near the Methodist Camp between us and Hancock. We have detours listed on our website here:  https://thedelawareriverclub.com/welcome-to-the-drc/getting-here/

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 24, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 24, 2018

We were hit with a few storms yesterday afternoon and again overnight.  Both the East Branch and West Branch up near the dams seem to have come through the weather just fine.  The East Branch at Downsville is a flat 123 cfs while the river at Harvard is only 232 cfs.  The West Branch at Stilesville  is a level 344 cfs.  The flow at Hale Eddy  is 601 cfs.  Right now there is still enough clarity for fish to rise out front but the river is off color down here.  There is enough visibility for fish to rise if the bugs hatch.  If that changes during the day we will do another update.  If you are looking for clear water your best bet is above Oquaga Creek on the upper West Branch.   The lower West Branch looks great for streamer fishing this morning.  We have some light rain falling now with the possibility of more rain throughout the day.  Keep an eye on the river gauges for the latest updates.

If you are fishing for trout do not fish the Mainstem, lower East Branch, or the lower Beaverkill.  Check the water temperatures in other areas before you fish.  The West Branch and upper East Branch are your best bets for cold water and fish.

Max with a great brown yesterday. Photo by Jared Makowski

Hatching:
Sulphur – #16 -20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
PED / Pink Lady – #14 – Eperorus vitreus
Isonychia – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Blue Winged Olives – #16 – 20 – E. attenuata
Dark Blue Winged Olives – #18 – 22 – E. lata
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #20 – 26 – Psuedo sp.
Tricos – #22 – 24 – Tricorythodes
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophila sp.
Dark Blue Sedge #14- Psilotreta sp.
Spotted Sedge #16 – Hydropsyche sp.
Tan Caddis #14 – 16 – Hydropsyche sp.

There is construction on Winterdale Road. A short stretch is closed near the Methodist Camp between us and Hancock. We have detours listed on our website here:  https://thedelawareriverclub.com/welcome-to-the-drc/getting-here/

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 23, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 23, 2018

We had some showers off and on overnight.  The river flows are up a bit but are already falling back this morning.  The West Branch is in good shape this morning with a flow of 566 at Hale Eddy.  Most of the runoff is below Oquaga Creek.  The flow at Stilesville is still in the low 300 cfs range.  The lower West Branch is fishable this morning.  There is some color in the water down in Hancock but not enough to turn the fish off.  The West Branch above Oquaga Creek is fine.  We do have more showers in the forecast today.  A lot of those storms usually miss us so we’ll have to wait and see how much precip. we get at the end of the day.  Olives, sulphurs, cahills, and isonychias should cover you.  Have a few caddis in your box just in case.  Streamers could be a good bet starting off.

If you are fishing for trout do not fish the Mainstem, lower East Branch, or the lower Beaverkill.  Check the water temperatures in other areas before you fish.  The West Branch and upper East Branch are your best bets for cold water and fish.

Hale Eddy was up but already dropped back below 600 cfs

Hatching:
Sulphur – #16 -20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
PED / Pink Lady – #14 – Eperorus vitreus
Isonychia – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Blue Winged Olives – #16 – 20 – E. attenuata
Dark Blue Winged Olives – #18 – 22 – E. lata
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #20 – 26 – Psuedo sp.
Tricos – #22 – 24 – Tricorythodes
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophila sp.
Dark Blue Sedge #14- Psilotreta sp.
Spotted Sedge #16 – Hydropsyche sp.
Tan Caddis #14 – 16 – Hydropsyche sp.

There is construction on Winterdale Road. A short stretch is closed near the Methodist Camp between us and Hancock. We have detours listed on our website here:  https://thedelawareriverclub.com/welcome-to-the-drc/getting-here/

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 22, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 22, 2018

The forecasted rain mostly missed us. There is a slight bump in the flows but not enough to affect the fishing. The front moving through gave us cooler temperatures, clouds and high wind gusts most of the day and today is starting off with the same, plus some drizzle. We should see the clouds and lower temperatures stick around through the day but the rain will taper off into the afternoon. Yesterday there was a mix of sulphurs, olives, Isos and cahills on the water. Find a spot out of the wind and give the bugs time to get going.

If you are fishing for trout do not fish the Mainstem, lower East Branch, or the lower Beaverkill.  Check the water temperatures in other areas before you fish.  The West Branch and upper East Branch are your best bets for cold water and fish.

Hatching:
Sulphur – #16 -20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
PED / Pink Lady – #14 – Eperorus vitreus
Isonychia – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Blue Winged Olives – #16 – 20 – E. attenuata
Dark Blue Winged Olives – #18 – 22 – E. lata
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #20 – 26 – Psuedo sp.
Tricos – #22 – 24 – Tricorythodes
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophila sp.
Dark Blue Sedge #14- Psilotreta sp.
Spotted Sedge #16 – Hydropsyche sp.
Tan Caddis #14 – 16 – Hydropsyche sp.

There is construction on Winterdale Road. A short stretch is closed near the Methodist Camp between us and Hancock. We have detours listed on our website here:  https://thedelawareriverclub.com/welcome-to-the-drc/getting-here/

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 21, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 21, 2018

The mid day sulphurs in Deposit are still coming off offering some daytime fishing in the sun.  The isonychia hatch seems to be picking up and there are still enough cahills around to make it interesting.  We’re starting off with a mix of sun and clouds this morning but should lose the sun in the early afternoon.  It should turn into good cloud cover for the rest of the day.  Wunderground has some rain starting around 9 pm with around 1/2″ falling overnight.  Most of that should soak into the ground.  If the forecast is correct we should see rain for the next 4 or 5 days straight with cooler air temps.  Hopefully it gives the freestone and lower rivers a break.

If you are fishing for trout do not fish the Mainstem, lower East Branch, or the lower Beaverkill.  Check the water temperatures in other areas before you fish.  The West Branch and upper East Branch are your best bets for cold water and fish.

Hatching:
Sulphur – #16 -20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
PED / Pink Lady – #14 – Eperorus vitreus
Isonychia – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Blue Winged Olives – #16 – 20 – E. attenuata
Dark Blue Winged Olives – #18 – 22 – E. lata
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #20 – 26 – Psuedo sp.
Tricos – #22 – 24 – Tricorythodes
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophila sp.
Dark Blue Sedge #14- Psilotreta sp.
Spotted Sedge #16 – Hydropsyche sp.
Tan Caddis #14 – 16 – Hydropsyche sp.

There is construction on Winterdale Road. A short stretch is closed near the Methodist Camp between us and Hancock. We have detours listed on our website here:  https://thedelawareriverclub.com/welcome-to-the-drc/getting-here/

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 20, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 20, 2018

The afternoon sulphurs close to the dams are your best bet for daytime dry fly activity.  The lower West Branch has had a mix of sulphurs and cahills in the evening offering some shots at fish.  Some of the riffles on the lower West had a fair number of isonychias hatching.  Shaded banks definitely make the fish feel more comfortable.  We’ve seen some olives and a few tricos in the mornings.  The fog has been sticking around later with the cooler air temperatures keeping the morning activity going a little longer.  The flow has settled down so a lot of the algae has filtered out allowing for better nymphing.  Today will be another sunny day but we have pleasant air temps.  The clouds should move in tomorrow and we have some rain in the forecast early next week.

If you are fishing for trout do not fish the Mainstem, lower East Branch, or the lower Beaverkill.  Check the water temperatures in other areas before you fish.  The West Branch and upper East Branch are your best bets for cold water and fish.

Iso hatch in the sunshine yesterday

Hatching:
Sulphur – #16 -20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
PED / Pink Lady – #14 – Eperorus vitreus
Isonychia – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Blue Winged Olives – #16 – 20 – E. attenuata
Dark Blue Winged Olives – #18 – 22 – E. lata
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #20 – 26 – Psuedo sp.
Tricos – #22 – 24 – Tricorythodes
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophila sp.
Dark Blue Sedge #14- Psilotreta sp.
Spotted Sedge #16 – Hydropsyche sp.
Tan Caddis #14 – 16 – Hydropsyche sp.

There is construction on Winterdale Road. A short stretch is closed near the Methodist Camp between us and Hancock. We have detours listed on our website here:  https://thedelawareriverclub.com/welcome-to-the-drc/getting-here/

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 19, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 19, 2018

We’re still in a cool spell with the air temp starting off in the low 50’s today.  We should peak in the high 70’s this afternoon with mostly sunshine.  Wind will be non existent around 2 mph.  Morning and evenings have been decent on the mid to lower West Branch with olives and sulphurs.  Nymphing has been decent during the day.  The upper West Branch has the normal summer mid day sulphur hatches mixed with cahills and a few isonychias.  The fish are a little spooky in the low, clear water so be patient and approach them slowly.  Shaded banks are usually more productive but you will find fish rising in the sunshine.  If they are eating the emergers underneath try a small dropper off a dry.  The weekend now looks dry with some rain coming Monday.

Hatching:
Sulphur – #16 -20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
PED / Pink Lady – #14 – Eperorus vitreus
Isonychia – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Blue Winged Olives – #16 – 20 – E. attenuata
Dark Blue Winged Olives – #18 – 22 – E. lata
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #20 – 26 – Psuedo sp.
Tricos – #22 – 24 – Tricorythodes
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophila sp.
Dark Blue Sedge #14- Psilotreta sp.
Spotted Sedge #16 – Hydropsyche sp.
Tan Caddis #14 – 16 – Hydropsyche sp.

There is construction on Winterdale Road. A short stretch is closed near the Methodist Camp between us and Hancock. We have detours listed on our website here:  https://thedelawareriverclub.com/welcome-to-the-drc/getting-here/

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 18, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 18, 2018

Most of the storms in the forecast missed us completely.  We did get some rain but the rivers below the dams came through clear and fine with hardly a bump in flow.  The West Branch above Cannonsville Reservoir increased the most which is great for the system.  The release from Cannonsville has been cut back to 360 cfs.  That’s great for wading and should let the algae filter out of the system.  Sulphurs, cahills, and olives made up most of the hatching yesterday.  Today will be another cool day but with more sunshine.  It looks like more rain in the weekend forecast but that will change as we get closer.

Filling Cannonsville Reservoir

If you are fishing for trout do not fish the Mainstem, lower East Branch, or the lower Beaverkill.  Check the water temperatures in other areas before you fish.  The West Branch and upper East Branch are your best bets for cold water and fish.

Hatching:
Sulphur – #16 -20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
PED / Pink Lady – #14 – Eperorus vitreus
Isonychia – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Blue Winged Olives – #16 – 20 – E. attenuata
Dark Blue Winged Olives – #18 – 22 – E. lata
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #20 – 26 – Psuedo sp.
Tricos – #22 – 24 – Tricorythodes
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophila sp.
Dark Blue Sedge #14- Psilotreta sp.
Spotted Sedge #16 – Hydropsyche sp.
Tan Caddis #14 – 16 – Hydropsyche sp.

There is construction on Winterdale Road. A short stretch is closed near the Methodist Camp between us and Hancock. We have detours listed on our website here:  https://thedelawareriverclub.com/welcome-to-the-drc/getting-here/

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 17, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 17, 2018

Yesterday was another bright sunny day.  Decent fog in the morning but once that burned off it definitely felt like July.  The higher release kept the West Branch in great shape  all the way down through Hancock.  There was quite a bit of loose algae in the water making nymph and streamer fishing difficult but that should have filtered out now with the lower release this morning.  There were a few clouds around in the afternoon but they were moving through quickly as the front pushed through.  There were a few caddis and olives on the water but the main hatch was sulphurs.  Today looks much cooler with an air temp reaching 73 degrees.  The rain forecast has been decreased to 1/2″ over the course of the day.  Most of the rain will fall over 6 hours beginning at 11 am.

A wide bodied rainbow from last night

If you are fishing for trout do not fish the Mainstem, lower East Branch, or the lower Beaverkill.  Check the water temperatures in other areas before you fish.  The West Branch and upper East Branch are your best bets for cold water and fish.

Hatching:
Sulphur – #16 -20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
PED / Pink Lady – #14 – Eperorus vitreus
Isonychia – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Blue Winged Olives – #16 – 20 – E. attenuata
Dark Blue Winged Olives – #18 – 22 – E. lata
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #20 – 26 – Psuedo sp.
Tricos – #22 – 24 – Tricorythodes
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophila sp.
Dark Blue Sedge #14- Psilotreta sp.
Spotted Sedge #16 – Hydropsyche sp.
Tan Caddis #14 – 16 – Hydropsyche sp.

There is construction on Winterdale Road. A short stretch is closed near the Methodist Camp between us and Hancock. We have detours listed on our website here:  https://thedelawareriverclub.com/welcome-to-the-drc/getting-here/

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 16, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 16, 2018

The release from Cannonsville was increased to a little over 600 cfs yesterday afternoon. The West Branch is still at a good wading and floating level with 659 cfs flowing at Hale Eddy this morning.  The forecasted rain missed us completely yesterday so the runoff from the weekend still has the other rivers in the system dropping.  Sulphurs, cahills, olives, and caddis are still our mainstay hatches and flies.  There are some Tricos around in the mornings but we haven’t seen a decent spinner fall yet.  Today should be sunny and warm with the possibility of showers over night.

Mark Li with a good one from the weekend

The closer you fish to Cannonsville Dam the more likely you are to see some remnant hatches like pink lady, varia, and some cornutas.  While it may be a long shot have a few in your box in case you get lucky.

While the overnight cold temperatures have helped drop most of the water temps in the system we are still dealing with low flows and warm water on some of the river sections.  If you are fishing for trout do not fish the Mainstem, lower East Branch, or the lower Beaverkill.  Check the water temperatures in other areas before you fish.  The West Branch and upper East Branch are your best bets for cold water and fish.

Hatching:
Sulphur – #16 -20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
PED / Pink Lady – #14 – Eperorus vitreus
Isonychia – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Blue Winged Olives – #16 – 20 – E. attenuata
Dark Blue Winged Olives – #18 – 22 – E. lata
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #20 – 26 – Psuedo sp.
Tricos – #22 – 24 – Tricorythodes
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophila sp.
Dark Blue Sedge #14- Psilotreta sp.
Spotted Sedge #16 – Hydropsyche sp.
Tan Caddis #14 – 16 – Hydropsyche sp.

There is construction on Winterdale Road. A short stretch is closed near the Methodist Camp between us and Hancock. We have detours listed on our website here:  https://thedelawareriverclub.com/welcome-to-the-drc/getting-here/

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 15, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 15, 2018

The thunderstorms and light rain that were supposed to hit us around 2 pm yesterday were pushed off until later in the evening.  We did get some rain after 7 pm and continuing on and off overnight.  Most of the rivers are showing a slight bump in flow but are already dropping back down.  We have a possibility of a few more scattered storms this afternoon but the forecasted amount of rain is less than 1/4″.  We do have fog  and cloud cover this morning.  Sulphurs, cahills, and caddis are the flies of choice right now.  It’s good weather for mid day dry fly activity.

The closer you fish to Cannonsville Dam the more likely you are to see some remnant hatches like pink lady, varia, and some cornutas.  While it may be a long shot have a few in your box in case you get lucky.

While the overnight cold temperatures have helped drop most of the water temps in the system we are still dealing with low flows and warm water on some of the river sections.  If you are fishing for trout do not fish the Mainstem, lower East Branch, or the lower Beaverkill.  Check the water temperatures in other areas before you fish.  The West Branch and upper East Branch are your best bets for cold water and fish.

Hatching:
Sulphur – #16 -20 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
PED / Pink Lady – #14 – Eperorus vitreus
Isonychia – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Light Blue Winged Olives – #16 – 20 – E. attenuata
Dark Blue Winged Olives – #18 – 22 – E. lata
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #20 – 26 – Psuedo sp.
Tricos – #22 – 24 – Tricorythodes
Green Caddis – #16 – Ryacophila sp.
Dark Blue Sedge #14- Psilotreta sp.
Spotted Sedge #16 – Hydropsyche sp.
Tan Caddis #14 – 16 – Hydropsyche sp.

There is construction on Winterdale Road. A short stretch is closed near the Methodist Camp between us and Hancock. We have detours listed on our website here:  https://thedelawareriverclub.com/welcome-to-the-drc/getting-here/

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update:

July 14, 2018

Delaware River Report / Conditions July 14, 2018

The sun stuck around most of the day.  We had a few clouds in the afternoon but they didn’t stick around.  The mid day sulphurs were hatching on the upper West Branch but most of the fish spotted were sporadic risers in the low clear water.  Shaded banks and cuts produced better than the big pools.  Nymphing was working well throughout the West Branch.  Small mayfly imitations seem to be picking up the most fish.  Adjust your weight frequently based on the water depth.  We are finding some fish surprisingly shallow even in the sun.
Today looks like a totally different ballgame with clouds and light rain in the forecast.  Wunderground is showing less than 1/4″ of rain falling today with a little more than 1/4″ falling overnight.  Most of that will soak right into the ground.  The best potential for rain begins around 2 pm today.  Hopefully the change in weather pushes the olives and makes the fish feel a little more comfortable rising.

While the overnight cold temperatures have helped drop most of the water temps in the system we are still dealing with low flows and bright sun.  If you are fishing for trout do not fish the Mainstem, lower East Branch, or the lower Beaverkill.  Check the water temperatures in other areas before you fish.  The West Branch and upper East Branch are your best bets for cold water and fish.

Hatching:
Sulphur – #16 -18 – E. dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
PED / Pink Lady – #14 – Eperorus vitreus
Isonychia – #12-2xl – 12 – Isonychia bicolor
Blue Wing Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans
Tiny Blue Wing Olives #20 – 26 – Psuedo sp.
Dark Blue Sedge #14- Psilotreta sp.
Spotted Sedge #16 – Hydropsyche sp.

There is construction on Winterdale Road. A short stretch is closed near the Methodist Camp between us and Hancock. We have detours listed on our website here:  https://thedelawareriverclub.com/welcome-to-the-drc/getting-here/

Click on the gauge below for the most recent update: