Delaware River
June 19, 2000

• River Level: Thunderstorms and day-long rains continue to keep water levels high on all three of the rivers that make up the Delaware fishery. The Main Stem is flowing at 4,860 cfs, while the West Branch is at 1,860 and the East Branch is at 1,160. Water levels make streamside wading difficult, at best, and unsafe, at worst. Water temperatures on all three rivers are in the strike zone, ranging between the high 50s and low 60s. Drift boats continue to be the order of the day for the flyfisher.
  
  
• Hatches: Hatches are sporadic and mixed: Sulphers, Cahills, BWOs and Isonychias are the ticket for the top-water purist, while streamers and beadhead nymphs are productive throughout the day. Early morning and late evening will find trout on the rise.
  
  
• Fly Patterns: Match the hatches as they occur. Sulphers range from sizes 14 to 18, Cahills in 12 and 14, Isos in 12, and BWOS in 16 and 18. Spinners rule the evening hatch; sulphers and rusty. Wooly buggers and zonkers in black and white patterns, and large beadhead pheasant tails and princes.
  
  
• 14-Day Forecast: Weather is clear and fair this afternoon, following heavy cloud cover this morning. The forecast through Friday calls for continuing fair weather, with a chance of scattered thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday. We should be seeing large hatches of sulphers on the Upper West Branch any time now, especially since the spillover from the Cannonsville Dam is being supplemented by a small release (about 185 cfs) of cooling waters from the valve. T
  
  
• Other Information:
  
  Dear Flyfisher:
  
  We've had fair fishing over the past several days, although mayfly activity has fallen off sharply following the emergence of the green and brown drakes. There are scattered small hatches throughout the day, but they are rarely enough to bring on steady risers until the evening spinner falls.
  
  While we haven't seen any of the banner days we had in May and early June, we have continued to catch and release some big bows in the 18 to 20 inch class, and some heavy browns, including one six-pounder.
  
  I've been fishing the West Branch and the Main Stem, below the Buckingham access. Occasionally, I've had the lower reaches of the Main Stem to myself, while most of the guides have stayed on the West Branch or upriver. While not as spectacular as the great western rivers, the lower Main Stem flows through the tranquil, hard-wood forests of the Catskills, with scenes that can bring alive the poet within us.
  
  I've been using Isonychias most of the day, although a hatch of sulphers or BWOs will change things fast. We've been finding trout in the riffles during the day, while the pools are the place to be in the evening. During the hour before darkness, big trout begin sipping spinners and the action can be great.
  
  We're still awaiting the big sulpher hatches on the Upper West Branch. Last year, they started hatching in mid-May and went on through August. The fishing was great, and we expect a repeat this year.
  
  One of the most exciting hatches of the year is still a few weeks off. That's the tricos, which usually start in early to mid-July and can continue through October. These tiny black-and-white flies bring up some big fish, and catching them can challenge the expert. We often are casting 15-foot leaders with 7x tippet. Presentation has to be perfect and the float must be drag-free. To be able to bring to net a big brown or rainbow on tricos puts the angler in a special league, usually reserved for experts.
  
  I still have a few days left in June and July, and would love to introduce you to the Delaware. It's a river than can prepare you for any river in the country, and can give you a challenge that is unequaled anywhere. To score a few fish will provide a life memory.
  
  If you're planning a visit to the Catskills, give me a call or drop me an e-mail and we'll see if we can hook up. I'm a full-service guide and can make arrangements for all your needs -- including a challenging fishing experience that's hard to beat.
  
  -- Capt. Adrian LaSorte