Delaware River Report
Monday, May 17, 1999

Quick Report: March Browns, Sulphurs and a few caddis provided the top water action over the past week on the Main Stem. Water levels remained low, and water temperatures were in the high 60s by mid-afternoon. Best action in early morning or just before dark. Plenty of good fish, 17 to 20 inches.

Dear Flyfisher:

The fishing picked up this week, with good hatches of March Browns and evening falls of spinners. There were also some early hatches of sulphurs, and some lingering caddis that also contributed to the trout's fare.

We were able to float the Main Stem of the Delaware all week, although the water levels are very low compared to normal. The West Branch is too low to be floated, so it's strictly wade-fishing.

Due to the low water conditions, fishing was best in the early morning and evening. By mid-afternoon, water temperatures climbed into the high 60s and low 70s, shutting off most of the action.

But the evenings have been cool B quickly lowering the water temperature for some very good action on March Brown and sulphur spinners. By morning the water temperature is back into the 50s, which provides some good opportunities as it begins to warm and passes through the optimal feeding temperatures of 55 to 65 degrees.

I fished with Joe Papera and his son on Wednesday and we had a great outing. Joe picked up a beautiful 20-inch rainbow, and his son scored several >bows and browns in the 16, 17 and 18 inch range. It was a good day on the Delaware, and we all had a good time.

I scratched some gravel on the West Branch and think the Green Drakes will be coming off this week. There's plenty in the river, and there could be a good hatch any day. I've had several friends report that they've seen a few scattered drakes already, but that's a normal signal of a hatch that's on its way. When the real hatch comes, we'll know it.

Shad are coming up the river steadily now, although most are schools of small fish. The big ones are yet to be seen, but they should definitely be here this week. They will provide some good action during the afternoon lulls, when the trout are shutting down to wait for the evening spinner fall.

The Cannonsville and Pepacton reservoirs are reported to be at about 95 percent capacity. To get so near to capacity with very little rain, the dam operators have kept the release valves at minimum levels, and the rivers are largely dependent on the feeder streams and springs to provide a reasonable flow.

There's no word yet on an early water release and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation says that anything before the scheduled releases in June will depend on water temperature. Usually, a conservation release is ordered when the water temperature hits 75 degrees. But, we're in the midst of a serious drought, and the usual rules could go out the window. Anglers need to maintain a careful watch on the river, and join forces to call the DEC and demand releases when they are warranted.

We still have a few opening for some great fishing. So give me a call or drop me an e-mail and see if we can set anything up. We've already caught and released some trophy-sized trout that would keep you talking for a full season. And, as the saying goes, there's more where they came from.

Tight Lines
Adrian