Upper Delaware Fly Fishing Report
Over the last 24 hours we had some rain storms move through the Upper Delaware region. The rain provided a small dose of help to a river system that has been being starved for water by the DRBC and the City of New York.
The photo below is an example of the low water conditions
Yesterday's rainfall provided the most help to the Beaverkill and WIllowemoc as has been the trend this season.Almost all of the rainfall has been deflected to the east by the mountains and only these rives catch the edge of the precipitation. . Both rivers have tripled in flow and have decent water temperatures this morning. There is turbidity in both rivers and it extends all the way through the Main Delaware. The turbidity should settle out in a day or so. There should be a decent streamer bite in the turbid waters .
The Tailwaters got a small boost of water from the rainfall but still remain low and are still in great need of some substantial reservoir releases.
Over the last week our guests are still taking some excellent Trout. Our guides are working hard to make sure that our guests are targeting the correct sections of river to put the odds in their favor. Below is a nice Trout from this weekend.
My top choice at this time still remains the Beaverkill. This river got some more rain and it simply has the bugs at this time. There are multiple species on the water daily and finding rising Trout is not a problem. Anglers should however be aware that on bright days there is little action in the middle of the day. Early and late is when the trout are surface feeding. Most of the other rivers are a bit fickle at this time and the only reliable action has been right at dark. The Main Stem is my top choice for floating. This river has just enough water for seasoned roweres to navigate. A good portion of the Main Stem is near or at temperatures sensitive ranges. Anglers should avoid catch and release fishing at 70 degrees.
Below is an interesting solution to slowing the growth of Japanese Knotwood along the river. I watched a small herd of cows almost completely devour this patch of knotweed in about 20 minutes.
River Flow Table
Beaverkill - 929 cfs.
Wilowemoc - 799 cfs.
Upper East Branch -270 cfs
Lower East Branch -1360 cfs.
West Branch - 412 cfs.
Main Stem -1900 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
Currently there are Cornuta Olives Green Drakes, Brown Drakes, Isonychia, March Browns, Sulfurs, Stoneflies, Caddisflies and more emerging from all Upper Delaware Rivers. There is good spinner activity most nights. Anglers should now target the areas around the faster riffles and pocket water. Most of the insects that are emerging now are fast water dwellers and all of the late day spinner activity will happen in these same areas.
Today's Upper Delaware Fly Selection
Cornuta Olives, Green Drake Cripples, Baxter House Coffin Fly, Kens Coffin fly, Hackle Wing March Brown Spinner, Hackle WIng Rusty Spinners, March Browns, Sulfurs, Blue Quill CDC Duns, Elk Over CDC Caddis, X Caddis, Peacock Klinkhammers
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.
We are now taking reservations for Guided Smallmout Bass and Evening Hatch Trout trips for the months of July and August. Give the fly shop a call today for details! 607-290-4022
