After another week/weekend with more heavy rains, area rivers and streams have been replenished to above the average flow for early to mid-August. And despite some warm and humid days, water temperatures have thankfully stayed in the 60s on the Willowemoc, from a low of 60 degrees to a high of 69. Stream flows on Sunday afternoon registered 202 cubic feet per second, higher than the median average flow of 33 based on 40 years of record-keeping. The Beaverkill fared similarly as well - ranging mostly in the 60s, from a low of 62 degrees and just touching 70 degrees twice late last week. River levels registered 1020 cubic feet per second as compared to the median average flow of 130 cfs over 113 years of record-keeping.
However, fly activity has been limited, and streams still look scoured, almost “milky” in appearance, and fishing has been challenging, especially with changes in the streambottoms and access due to the flooding on July 29. Hatches have been disrupted, but for this early-to-mid period of August usually include Isonychia mayflies, that tend to hatch later in the afternoon, (which some imitate with Dun Variants in sizes #14 and even #12), various Caddis flies and possibly still some Light Cahills and Cream Variants in sizes #14 - #16, along with tiny Blue Winged Olives in sizes #18 - #22s. In addition, especially after high water and the floods which we’ve encountered, many like to use Terrestrial flies - such as ants, beetles and “hoppers” (grasshoppers and crickets) and others that imitate insects and inchworms that have been washed into the stream.
Anglers reporting success lately have been trying their luck over on the Tailwaters of the West and East Branches of the Delaware, as well as the Neversink. West Branch anglers are finding some fish in the afternoons, using lighter-colored mayflies, while the East Branch and Neversink are fishing better in the evenings up until dark.
For those who enjoy morning fishing, August is also traditionally the time to watch for Trichos to hatch. These are the tiny flies that appear on our rivers and streams early in the mornings. Short for the Latin name Tricorythodes, these miniscule mayflies, in sizes #20-24, can hatch for several weeks. They are a pale gray to olive color with light gray wings, and provide a good consistent food supply. Tricho hatches are generally prolific and as a result, trout are less cautious as they feed. And often, after feeding on the surface for these morning hatches, the trout will continue doing so for the rest of the day.
These tiny flies will require you to fish them on a very fine tippet – size 6X or 7x, in order to float the small fly properly without drag, which takes some skill. Make your presentation the best it can be with as little disturbance to the water as possible, and always strive to make your first cast the best.
Be sure to keep some tiny flies – Trichos and midges in size #20 and smaller - in your fly box from now on. The secret of success when fishing any of the midge-type flies is putting the fly directly in front of the rise – not inches away – as the trout, when feeding on these tiny flies, will not move very far out of position to take a fly. Try your luck with fishing tiny flies – you may find that it will make you a better fly-fisher.