Fly Fishing Report for the Upper Delaware and Catskill Rivers

Weekend Outlook

Mike Gartland with a Big Chrome Bow from under Kellams Bridge.

It looks like we are going to have another unseasonably warm weekend. The forecast is guessing for bright sunshine and air temps back in the low 70's. This is a beautiful forecast to be outside in the mountains. Visiting anglers will find little change in our river conditions. The West Branch and Main Stem have the water due to the heavy release out of Cannonsville Reservoir. This release is to satisy the Montague target down in NJ. The release is sure to remain high and fluctuate until some substantial rainfall occurs.

All of our other rivers are in low water conditions offering anglers unlimited wading opportunity. All of our river have good fishing. The dry fly action is spotty. The nymph action is very good. There is a decent streamer bite in the turbid release on the west branch. The streamer action is best early and late in the day.

Anglers planning to fish should remember that the East Branch above the Shinhopple Bridge is now closed for the season. The West Branch portion that is completely in NY state is also closed now. The remainder of our waters, which is the majority of river miles, remain open.

Our guests have been running the numbers up on the nymphs most every day. The really big bows are eating heavily now in preparation for winter. Our guests have been taking some real slammers.

Here is a 20.5" bow that took a #18 nymph in 12" of water.

There is dry fly activity to be had if you search it our and remain patient. Olives are the main insect along with midges. This is the staple item in the Trouts diet from now until the rivers freeze over.

Small vulnerable patterns like our CDC knock down duns and Cripples are working well. I also like tiny Catskill Style Dry Flies for this insect. Small spinners are also big now as isolated spinner flights can occur at any time. Spinners are always a good choice in the Delaware. Our Hackle Spinners are the best choice for mid day sippers.

Anglers should take note that the Autumn is a very different time of the year to target out local Trout. The big move has already occurred and right now the Trout only occupy a small percentage of the water. Search the slow pools and the riffles and runs that have small uniformly shaped smooth bottom cobble. If you can feel the cobble shifting under foot when you walk you are in the right stuff. The fish move to these areas every fall to feed heavily before winter. The reasons are simple. This cobble type produces the insects and the slow water is where large trout can feed on tiny insects efficiently.

This is the type of bottom you need to be fishing over during the late Autumn. The smaller and looser the cobble the better the nymph habitat

WIth the current warm weather Baxter House guides expect to offer float trips in the Delaware System for at least another month. Give us a call today to plan another trip before the snow flies. 607-290-4022

We are also booking Salmon, Steelhead and Trophy Brown Trout on the Lake Ontarion tributaries with guide Zach and Matt.

Ken is currently taking bookings for flats and back country fishing on FLorida's West Coast. Snook, Redfish and Sea Trout!