Fly Fishing Report for the Upper Delaware and Catskill Rivers

GOOD HATCHES!

Over the last few days the hatches have picked up a bit. The big change I have been noticing is with the Isonychia and Cahills. These bigger insects have been emerging in growing numbers each day. Yesterday there was a really heavy hatch of both insects and they were on the water for a good amount of time.

The action with these specific insects is best on the free stone rivers. We have seen the best activity on the Beaverkill and Main Stem. This action has been best from late afternoon until dark.

There is also a good mix of smaller insects on the water most days. Sulfurs and Olives are still the main staple for the trout. Both are emerging well and are on every river. This action can happen from afternoon till dark. The Upper West and Upper East are currently getting the 2:00pm hatch of sulfurs. It is pretty reliable now and the fish are feeding well. With the lower water flows the Trout are very hard during this afternoon activity. Now is the time for long leaders, precise casts and flawless line feeding. Our best luck at matching this hatch usually comes with CDC knock down duns and Hackle Wing imitations. At times I find it best to ignore the sulfurs and fish a #20 BWO or # 20 Spinner. There is also a decent shot at success fishing #18 and 20 pheasant tail nymphs just below the surface. This is best accomplished as a dropper or by rigging like a dry fly and placing a Palsa Stick on float about 10" in front of the nymph. These nymph rigs should be fished in the same fashion as a dry fly. (totally drag free)

Yesterday I also saw the first signs of Tricos and Caenis. There were quite a few trico spinners around the grass on the Upper Main Stem and there were lots of the tiny Caenis spinners on the water. There were no fish eating them and it will normally take some time before the fish get acclimated to these tiny bugs.

The rivers are all in pretty good shape for the last week in June. The recent cooler weather has just about everywhere in good temperature range for trout. The extreme lower sections of the Main Stem, Beaverkill and East Branch may have temperature issues late day but this depends on the sun and it has varied from day to day. At this time you should be aware of temp. before fishing these areas.

Just about everywhere upstream is good. We have rain in today's forecast which should improve fishing conditions heading into the July 4th. Holiday.

Right now we are still busy and our guides are out every day. We have been mixing it up between walking and floating and many days combining the two. My choice for wading right now during the non hatch remains the Beaverkill and Willowemoc. These rivers are in great shape and the trout are active in every section of fast water.

This week we also put our first few bass trips of the season out on the water. We have had guests from Long Eddy down to Narrowsburg this week. The action is getting good but it is not exceptional yet. That will come when the water warms a few more degrees. On these floats our guests had lots of variety. IN addition to the Smallmouth we have been taking some Shad, Walleye, Perch, Panfish and more...

WE have some flexibility with our guide schedule as we head into July. IN most instances we can get you out with a few days notice. Give us a call today if you want to get in on the action.

Our current trips include the following options at this time-

Full and Half day Trout

Full and Half Day Bass ( great for kids!)

Evening Hatch float for trout.

Late Night Mouse and Streamer trips.

Early Morning floats for Trout.

Give us a call today to plan your next trip 607-290-4022