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Fishing Reports
Delaware River
March 15, 2000
- River Level: The West Branch of the Delaware River is flowing
at 2,580 cfs and dropping steadily. Water temperature is 39.5. The
reservoir at Cannonsville is at capacity, and was spilling over
earlier in the week. The Main Stem flow is at 7,310 cfs.
- Hatches: Some little brown stoneflies have been reported, but
there is no significant hatch activity yet. Blue-winged olives are
usually the first mayflies to appear, typically in the first or second
week of April. The Hendrickson hatch occurs anywhere from mid to late
April and early May.
- Fly Patterns: Streamers and bead heads would be the order of
the day for now. Black wooly buggers would be a good bet for the early
season, while waiting for the mayfly hatches to begin in earnest.
- 14-Day Forecast: It's pretty much up to the weather, from
this point on. The winter ice moved out nicely, and there was no
anchor ice to mess up the stream beds. The season opens on April 1
throughout the Delaware fishery, although all New York-Pennsylvania
border waters are open to no-kill fishing year round. The rivers are
not wadable yet, and -- with any rain at all -- will probably remain
that way for a while.
Dear Flyfisher:
The West Branch and Main Stem of the Delaware appear to be in great shape,
with the Catskill reservoirs at or near capacity. That means ample water
throughout the season, barring a major drought.
In reviewing the archives, we had a mild winter last year, and the hatches
began early, with olives (boeta vagans) appearing in early April, and
major Hendrickson hatches on the Main Stem by the middle of the month. The
first major hatch of Hendricksons on the West Branch came on April 20,
when the river was virtually blanketed with flies. Fishing was spectacular
throughout the last half of April and early May on both the Main Stem and
the West Branch, and continued to be good throughout the season. For many
anglers, '99 will be remembered as one of the best we ever had.
My ususal routine is to fish for steelhead on the Salmon River through
early April and then move to the Delaware and its wild rainbows and browns
around April 15. If the weather heats up fast, I may advance the schedule
a bit. But, at this point and given current river conditions, mid-April
appears to be about right for things to heat up.
For those of you who haven't fished the Delaware and its two branches, you
should know these are big rivers -- not unlike of the Western rivers. The
West Branch has been rated among the top ten trout streams in the nation,
and the best in the East.
The insect life is prolific, and all the major Eastern mayflies are on the
menu: Hendricksons, Olives, March Browns, Green Drakes, Isonychia, Cahills,
and sulphurs that just won't quit.
The trico fishing in July, August and September is always challenging,
even for the experts. To be successful can require pinpoint casting, great
presentation, absolutely drag free drifts, long leaders, super-fine
tippets, 22-28 flies and a great nervous system.
As tailwaters, the water supply is usually good throughout the year, and
the water stays cool all season long on the West Branch and through the
first 10 to 15 miles of the Main Stem. For detailed information on the
rivers, and the equipment we use, you might want to visit my website and
learn about this great fishery.
If you're planning a trip to the East Coast this year, make sure you
include the Delaware on your itinerary.
-- Capt. Adrian LaSorte, NYS Licensed Guide
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