Mid-July, the “dog days” of summer. Thanks to frequent rain showers, some area streams are at or just below the average flow. The Beaverkill at Cooks Falls was flowing at 175 cubic feet per second midday on Sunday, which is just above the Median average flow of 160 based on 112 years of record-keeping. The Willowemoc was flowing at 34.5 cfs, which is below the 40-year average flow of 43 cfs on this date. Water temperatures have been warm once the sun hits the water - after a brief respite last Monday through Wednesday of water temperatures in the 60s, the Willowemoc had reached the mid-70s this week; and Beaverkill also reached the mid- to upper- 70s afterwards. And anglers are reminded that the Beaverkill at Horton is closed to all angling during the months of July and August to provide a thermal refuge for the trout.
Hatches have been Blue-Winged Olives in tiny sizes #18 - #22, smaller Sulphurs, especially in size #18, Light Cahills and some Isonychias. Over on the West Branch, in addition to Sulphurs, Cahills and Isonychies, some Yellow/Golden Drakes (potomanthus) in sizes #10 and #12 were seen.
With temperatures predicted in the 90s this week, those who wish to fish for trout will need to check out the Tailwater fisheries - the Rondout, Neversink, East and West Branches of the Delaware River all provide good trout fishing thanks to the cooler water found below the NYC reservoirs, from which coldwater bottom releases provide a respite for the trout and fun fishing in the heat of summer. Tailwater anglers would do well to carry along the lighter-colored Sulphurs and Light Cahills as well as some tan Caddis and Isonychias.