Delaware River Report / Conditions September 8, 2016

The release from Cannonsville has been dropped slightly to 1,009 cfs this morning.  Just a minor adjustment to meet the downstream flow target.  The forecast looks good today with clouds and winds under 10 mph.  Unfortunately we shouldn’t see any precipitation but the clouds will be a welcome relief from the sun.  It will be warm today with air temperatures in the mid – 80’s but the cold water release will keep the West Branch and Upper Mainstem in decent shape.  Flying ants were the pattern of choice yesterday followed by cahills and small olives.  We are seeing white flies in decent numbers on the upper Main but most of the spinners have been dropping very late.

You do not need a 16 – 20 foot leader with multiple feet of tippet to catch fish on the West Branch in the Summer.  What you need is a really great presentation.  Stop by the DRC this Saturday morning between 9 and 12 for a free Summer Clinic.  We’ll cover casting techniques, leaders, flies, and hatches.  Frank Audino will be giving fly tying demonstrations so bring your vise if you want to pick up some techniques.  Send us an email at flyfish@thedelawareriverclub.com and let us know if you are coming.

Hatching:
Slate Drake – 12-2xl- Isonychia bicolor
Sulphur – #16-20 – E dorothea
Light Cahill – #14 – 16 – S. ithaca & canadense
Golden Drake – #12-2xl – Potomanthus
Trico – 22 – 26 – Tricorythodes sp.
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)