Delaware River Report / Conditions May 17, 2012

Well that wasn’t what we were expecting. Typically, after a big surge in the flow, the fish and bugs go crazy the following day, and we just can’t wait to put the boats in the water, as we know it’s going to be good, whether you’re throwing streamers or dries. Not so much yesterday. The sun was bright throughout most of the day, hampering both insect and icthyological activity (yeah, that’s my SAT word for the day). That being said as the day went on those who had patience found good fish and them caught on dries, typically near the banks or in the slower moving pools. The evening did turn on for some decent spinner falls as well. The streamer fishing was a bit unpredictable, and turned on and off throughout the day.

Also – we’ve now got a 401 CFS release coming out from Cannonsville – we’ve magically gone from the bottom table in the FFMP, 4a (drought prediction) to the top table 4f/g (tons of water coming into the reservoir). This will cool off the river a bit, and definitely help with these sunny days we have coming, but it also shows how we need a better plan, at least insofar as the prediction factor of available water in concerned. This bump will positively affect the increasing clarity, and also slow our dropping flow. Bright sun is again predicted today, but with lower temps and humidity – we may have another ‘summer’ type of day, where the bugs pop during periods of clouds, and in the evening.

Alan Rupp in the bright sun. Oh yeah, there's a fish there. Photo by: Sam Dennis

Hatches:

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Stenonema fuscum – Grey Fox – #12-2xl

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Ephemerella cornuta – Light BWO – #14 (sporadic)

Baetis species – #18 & #20