Delaware River Report

Monday, May 10, 1999

Quick Report: Scattered reports of Green Drakes on the West Branch. A few March Browns on the Main Stem. Water conditions remain low, despite good weekend rain. Water temperature ranges from mid 50s to mid 60s. Water slightly discolored. Fishing was tough last week, but improved by the weekend and should pick up over next two days.

 Dear Flyfisher:

We hit the usual lull between the April hatches of Quills, BWOs, Hendricksons and caddis and the May emergence of March Browns, Grey Fox and Green Drakes. With only a few flies on the river, fishing was tough last week, although things began to pick up over the weekend on the heels of a Saturday rainstorm.

The next two days should be clear, and I expect things to continue to improve before we begin seeing consistent hatches of Stenonema vicarium (March Brown), Stenonema fuscum (Grey Fox) and Ephemerella guttulatta (Green Drake), and maybe some early Ephemerella dorothea (Sulphurs).

Remember, because of the mild winter and low spring water levels, most of the Delaware hatches have been advanced by a couple of weeks. Hendricksons were on the river before April 15, and it was all but over by May 1. In a typical year, we don’t begin to see Hendricksons until the end of April, or even early May.

Caddis supplied some of our top-water action throughout last week, and Rusty Spinners were successful as we approached evening. We did take some very good browns and rainbows just before dark. But, as I said, fishing was tough.

The water level remained very low throughout the week. The West Branch was flowing at about 150 cfs, far too low for drift boats, but good for wading and streamside fishing. While the water was also low on the Main Stem of the Delaware, there was enough for driftboats, and there were a good number of waders on the river, too.

I spotted a few March Browns on the Main Stem, but nothing close to a hatch significant enough to put trout on the feed. Some friends reported seeing the odd Green Drake on the West Branch, but nothing close to what would be considered a significant hatch. Over on the East Branch there were some good early mayfly hatches, but that river was also reported to be caught up in the early season lull.

Shad are now moving up the river. I’ve seen several schools on the Main Stem, and some have probably already moved into the East and West Branches. We’ll be certain to take some this week, which always adds to an outing. Hooking up with one of these saltwater streakers is a real thrill for the uninitiated. It’s hard to believe a fish can take you into your backing so quick.

This week the fishing forecast looks good, and with some of the big flies on their way, the next couple of weeks could be spectacular. I still have a few dates open for the Delaware, so give me a call and we’ll get together. Tight lines.

– Adrian