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Delaware River Fishing Report
In the Catskills, fishing continues to be good, although the blizzards of hatches that dominated the spring season have slowed down considerably. For the three Delaware River branches (the East Branch, West Branch and Main Stem) with the onset of summer-like conditions, key hatches are Isos (#10-#14), Sulphurs (#14-#16), Caddis (tan and olive) (#14-#18), Olives (#14-#18), Cahills (#14-#16), and a few straggling March Browns and Green Drakes (#10-#12). Look for good spinner falls of Coffin Flies (Green Drakes) in the late afternoons and evenings. Sal Renzuella of Riverkeeper Guide Service netroutbum@gmail.com took this lovely Main Stem beast this past week.
Water levels have lowered in all three Delaware branches as well as the Beaverkill and Willowemoc. Keep your eye on water temperatures, especially on the lower Delaware East Branch and the lower Main Stem - on warmer days water temperatures have hit 70 on both of those sections. The Main Stem is down to 1170cfs which makes it perfect for wading - anglers can get into some prime spots at this flow! The West Branch remains cooler, especially the upper West Branch in the Stilesville area). For nymphs, try Pheasant Tails (#14-#18), Sulphur-type nymphs (#14-#16), Hare's Ear (#10-#14), Cadis Pupa (#16-#18), and smaller nymphs such as Zebras, Frenchies and Copper Johns (#16-#22). Also, look for medium to fast water to swing a small wet fly or soft hackle. Effective wet fly patterns can be as traditional as a Dark Cahill, Leadwing Coachman, Hare's Ear or any soft hackle in a combination of appropriate colors. Len Handler took this neat 'Bow in the Main Stem swinging a #12 Dark Cahill wet this past week:
