Upper Delaware Fly Fishing Report

Guide Zach with a nice Delaware rainbow from the East Branch

River Flow Table

Beaverkill - 441 cfs.

Wilowemoc - 285cfs.

Upper East Branch -130 cfs

Lower East Branch - 832 cfs.

West Branch -341 cfs.

Main Stem -1830 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

Yesterday the bugs returned in a very good way. For most of the afternoon Hendricksons and Blue Quills emerged in solid numbers. There were a lot of anglers on the water and most everyone had good action on the surface.

This weekend anglers can expect to find unlimited wading access throughout the river system. Anglers should be able to fish both nymphs and dry flies with decent results.

There are Stoneflies, Midges, Small Caddis, Blue Quills and Quill Gordons and Hendrickson's on the water.

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. Both rivers have excellent wading access at this time. Yesterday there was increased insect activity on both rivers. Anglers should be ready to encounter most any of the early spring insects at this time.

Both nymphs and dry flies will take Trout at this time. ANglers should nymph early and start looking for risers in mid afternoon.

EAST BRANCH

The Upper East is now very low. Fooling trout right now is a challenge. At the current flows the Upper river wil live up to it's reputation as a difficult fishery.

There are the beginnings of decent Mayfly activity and sporadic rising activity. Blue quills are emerging and there are risers when insects are present. ANglers need to lengthen their leaders and wade very slowly at this time.

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

Over the last 2 days drift boat traffic has increased and it is sure to get worse over the weekend. At the current low rates the fishing in this section usually declines due to this traffic.

There are a lot of small caddisflies and stoneflies about. There are also some blue quills and Hedricksons at times. There has been sporadic rising activity.

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.

The next few weeks will bring heavy angler pressure on the West and with the low water conditions it could make for some tough to fool fish.

.

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 several boats here yesterday and the fishing was greatly improved. Insects emerged from 2:00pm until we were done. We had lots of shots at rising Trout and put a few nice ones in the net.

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. The most abundant insect yesterday wes Hendrickson Duns. We should also start to see some spinner activity in a day or two.

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.