Delaware River Report: May 1, 2024

Some of yesterday’s thunderstorms missed us on the lower West and some hit us. Overall we got lucky and the river flows only bumped slightly. The West Branch at Hale Eddy is 1,090 cfs and dropping back to normal. The flows are still climbing a bit on the lower East Branch / Mainstem / Beaverkill but they should level out this morning. It’s still a mashup of Spring bugs but the concentration of each will change depending on where you are fishing. Blue wing Olives #18, Hendricksons #12 – 14, March Browns #10-2xl, Gray Fox #12-2xl, Blue Quill #18, tan caddis #18, and apple caddis #16-18. Nymphing or swinging wets will be your best bet early. The hatch timing should be normal happening by mid afternoon. The hatches should lst longer into the evening with today’s forecast. There have been some afternoon spinner falls mixed with duns so if you can’t figure a fish out take a close look for spinners in the film.

Today will be 73 degrees with a mix of clouds and sun. Wind will be 5 – 10 mph from the North.

Our friend Diane is raising money for one of our favorite events Paint the Delaware Pink — which we host here at the DRC each September. Please consider donating and supporting an amazing program that uses fly fishing as a recovery tool for breast cancer.

What’s Hatching:
Dark Blue Wing Olive – #16 – 18 – Baetis spp.
Quill Gordon – #14 – Epeorus pluralis
Blue Quill – #16 – 18 – Paraleptophlebia adoptiva
Dark Hendrickson – #14 – Ephemerella subvaria (male)
Light Hendrickson – #12 – 14 – Ephemerella subvaria (female)
March Brown – #10-2xl – Macaffertium vicarium
Gray Fox – #12-2xl – Maccaffertium vicarium (formerly Stenonema fuscum)
Apple Caddis – #16 – 18 – Brachycentrus sp.
Tan Caddis -#16 – 18 – Hydropsyche sp.

View the current local weather conditions.