Delaware River Report / Conditions July 20, 2012

Rain! Blessed Rain! Finally we have some legitimate precipitation, instead of just watching it pass all around us. As you can see from the graph at the bottom, we’re seeing a slight bump in flow on the West Branch, but with the super dry ground, much of the rain is getting soaked into the soil like the sponge it is. That being said, we’re not expecting any major color change in the water, or any type of big jump in flows. Let’s just hope the clouds dump a ton of water in the Reservoir! With this system moving in last night, there was phenomenal hatching out on teh river, and the fish took advantage. Sulphurs, smaller Olives, Potomanthus, and everyone’s favorite Isos were out in force! It remains to be seen what today will bring, as they are calling for drizzly cooler conditions all day – which should mean great fishing all day, the entire length of the West Branch!

See that big yellow blob? That just soaked us for about 5 hours straight! Courtesy of Accuweather.

Hatches:

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

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

Potomanthus distinctus – Golden Drake – #12-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #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