Upper Delaware Fly Fishing Report

Thursday

River Flow Table

Beaverkill - 519 cfs.

Wilowemoc - 375cfs.

Upper East Branch -140 cfs

Lower East Branch - 948 cfs.

West Branch -377 cfs.

Main Stem -2230 cfs.

Our fly shop is now open daily. We are fully stocked with the essentials and the best local fly patterns in the area. If you are planning to fish and want to get the scoop on what's happening on all area rivers, stop in. Our guides will be in and around the shop from 8:30 am until they leave for their trips. You can pick their brains on the latest hatches, techniques and locations. Our staff will be available to you on a daily basis from now through the end of June

Over the last 2 days the fishing has really picked up. Lots of insects and steady rising Trout are finally a reality. Yesterday the sunshine had water temperatures on the rise and the trout were much more active. Yesterday the water temperature reached 55 degrees and the trout that we encountered were crazy once on the line.

Yesterday the nymph action was steady and we had lots of Rainbows willing to take our subsurface offerings.

Below is Andy Gennaro out for another float with a nice Bow. Andy hooked over a dozen trout yesterday and landed 8 nice Delaware Rainbows

Below is Mike Gartland who fished with guide Zach yesterday. Mike's first trips of 15 was also full of action and he brought some nice Bows to net.

All Upper Delaware Rivers are now in excellent condition. All rivers are crystal clear and wadable just about everywhere. Some rivers are actually on the low side and some rainfall would be welcome.

Yesterday was a anotherdecent BUG day. The rivers continue to pump out more bugs each day and in some areas the Blue Quills and Quill Gordons are emerging in solid numbers. There were even a few hendrickson's popping on the Main Stem and East Branch late this week.

There are Stoneflies, Midges, Small Caddis, Blue Quills and Quill Gordons and Hendrickson's on the water. All of these insects are emerging in higher numbers each day. At this time several sections of river are pumping out enough bugs to draw steady attention.

Today's Upper Delaware Fly Selection

Blue Quill CDC Duns, Quill Gordon Cripples, Hendrickson Knock Down Duns, Hendrickson Cripples, Red Quill Cripples, Elk Over CDC Caddis, X Caddis, Peacock Klinkhammers, Apple Caddis

BH Copper Johns, BH Pheasant Tails, Ice Caddis, KT Pupas, BH Stoneflies, Flash Back Pheasant Tails, Cased Caddis

Small Zonkers, BH Wooly Buggers , Sculpins, Bottom Wigglers, Muddlers, Small Atriculated Flies

Streamers of 3" or less will be most effective at this time.

BEAVERKILL AND WILLOWEMOC

Both the Beaverkill and Willow are fishing decent under normal spring conditions. Both are cold and crystal clear. The Willow has more fishable water at this time. Both have had their first stocking of Trout from the state and most anglers are doing very well on Nymphs and Streamers.

In a few days both should be low enough for some sustained surface feeding to be possible. Currently there are sporadic risers here and there. If you are specifically looking for surface activity the best places will be the areas of slower water that historically hold lots of fish. A good starting point and a good reference is to check Hazel Bridge and Cairns Pool. If there is rising activity there then most similar pools should offer you action.

EAST BRANCH

Yesterday there was excellent insect activity on the East. The actual fishing was hampered by strong winds but the action here has shifted gears in a positive way. We did not get to do any regular dry fly fishing until late in the day but when the wind died it was decent.

The Upper East is currently the most wader friendly stretch of water at this time. There are the beginnings of decent Mayfly activity and sporadic rising activity. This section of river is now fishing well during the afternoon hours At the current flow the Upper East is very difficult. We have been having a lot of difficulty approaching the trout on the glass like pools.

The Lower East is now fishing well. The nymph action is good and there is decent dry fly activity when the wind is down.

We had 2 boats out yesterday and both had good steady action with nymph rigs. Our guests had some really nice fish come to net yesterday. In the afternoon hours we have had no trouble finding steady rising Trout.

Most of our recent fish have come on our Caddis Pupa patterns and Blue Quill patterns..

WEST BRANCH

The West is now fishing well when the wind is down. Yesterday the West had improved insect activity and the trout are feeding.

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There has been some steady rising to Blue Qills.

The West has some sporadic activity with Caddis, Blue Quills and Quill Gordons. There are risers at times and anglers looking for top water action should seek out the slower protected sections of river.

This river is also getting tough due to lower water flows. Anglers may need to use longer leaders to fool these wary trout.

MAIN STEM

The Main Stem is now at a good flow. The waters are clear and cold. We had one boat on the Main yesterday and they did decent. A couple of Trout on nymphs and mostly a struggle to cast dry flies. The rest of this week should be better if the winds stay calm.

I Saw some heavy insect activity in recent days especially late. (after 5:00 pm)

There were many different insects in the air and on the water. There are lots of Stonefilies about. There are also Caddisflies, Blue Quills, Quill Gordons, Hendricksons and Midges. Rising Trout are still very sporadic but there are sections of slower water that have had steady risers.

The Main has decent nymphing if you are able to get your flies into the slow seams and pockets.

This river is also on the verge of getting good fast.

Now is the time to give us a call if you want to get out with our guides in the month of May. If you would like to get out give us a call in the fly shop. 607-290-4022.