Delaware River Report / Conditions July 16, 2016

Yesterday was a hot one but luckily we are coming into a cool down period with air temperatures only reaching 85 degree today.  We should have some cloud cover move in which will make the fish feel a little more comfortable eating off the surface when the sulphur hatch comes.  Winds will be light staying under 10 mph.  Nymphing the lower West Branch has been best before the sun hits the water but if the clouds stick around today the fish should keep eating.  The sulphur hatches (#18 – 20) continue on the upper river above Hale Eddy offering some mid-afternoon dry fly action.  While we have been finding fish eating in the sunshine look for steadier fish in the shaded areas.  Blind casting isonychias and cahills has been working in some riffles but should be better today with the cloud cover.  There may be some small olives mixed in with the sulphurs so if you get rejections check the water carefully for a “masking hatch”

Bob preparing Maggie for her introduction to the Delaware

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Tiny Blue Winged Olive – #22 – 26 – Psuedocloeon spp.
Blue Winged Olive – #18 – 20 – E. lata
Light Blue Winged Olive – #16 – 20 E. attenuatta
Tan Caddis – #16 – 20 – Hydropsyche spp.
Dark Brachycentrus sp. – #14 – 18 – Dark Grannom
Little Black Caddis #18 – 20 – Chimarra sp.
Blue Winged Olives #16 – 18 – Baetis vagans (updated name: Baetis tricaudatus)