Delaware River Report / Conditions May 1, 2012

Happy May Day! As expected, the wind was significantly less powerful yesterday, but still created a bit of problems for those lucky enough to be out on the river. We also had one of our ‘freak’ occurrences that periodically hit the river: tons of fish rising, but almost nothing on the surface of the water. One would assume spinners, but few and far between. Once again, the ‘silver bullet’ was a #16 Hendrickson Compara-egmerger. Some fish were taken on tan and apple green caddis on the Main Stem, but that activity seemed to drop off early. “Sulphurs” were reported on the Main (really a small #16 steno) as well, but the fish have not keyed in on them yet, similar to the situation with the March Browns. Today we are expecting clouds and occasional rain showers, which should change the whole dynamic of the fishing (likely for the better!). Let’s hope we get more than the .5″ predicted, as the rivers are dropping fast, and we have no additional water releases in sight until June.

A nice, healthy, post-spawn West Branch Rainbow. Photo Courtesy of Bruce Miller

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #16

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl (sporadic, just getting started)

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

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #18 & #20