Stream Conditions

Pictures from Fly Fest '08 are hung up in store.  Stop by and see what went on.  The 1st and 2nd pictures on left were taken on our 10th Anniversary.  Wayne Elliot, formerly with the DEC, Bob Rumpf and Ed Van Put together in the 1st picture, some customers with Ed in the 2nd picture, and a number of customers selecting flies in the fourth.  A really good time was had by all who attended.  The picture of our rod winner, Byron Nekerson, receiving his Sage ZXL from Dennis is now posted.  It is the third picture down from the top.  New Fourth picture was taken by our very own Tony-a Sulpher took fish on the West Branch on Wednesday, August 13th. Eighth picture down is of Walt's customers, Steve, taken on Wednesday May 14th, 2008 while on a guided trip with Walt. Nice fish!

We want to thank all our customers for their support over the last ten years and their continued support of the shop.  We continue to grow and expand as a result of it.  You will note this year another new map and other changes that hopefully make the site even more informative and helpful.

 

STREAM CONDITIONS-Fishing update-daily through the end of trout season

****Wednesday, August 27th, 2008.  It is now 5:00 a.m. with partly cloudy skies and 48 chilly degrees.  With the cooler weather for the last few days, especially the cool nights, water temps have cooled down on the freestone streams. All Catskill rivers are now clear and fishable with decent water temps.  August fishing continues to hold up well for August with early morning and evening the prime time for hatches. 

The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are fishable today although they are both quite low but have decent water temps. There are small Olives and some Tricos in the early a.m.  Midges are also important.  Remember that the "Horton" section of the Beaverkill is closed to fishing during July and August as a thermal refuge.  The West Branch remains somewhat high with some wading possible and the flow is dropping again this morning.   It is still floatable.  Hatches have been fairly consistent with Sulphers, Olives, Spinners.  Tricos are about in the morning.   Generally, fishing has held up well for August.  Yesterday, Tuesday, we spoke with Jim Daly, NYSDEC Cold Water Specialist re: releases.  The increased releases over the last week or so were done so to meet the Montigue Formula and were called for by the Rivermaster.  Over the next few days the releases will be decreased until they become much more normal for this time of year.  The release rate was 851 cfs effective 7 a.m. yesterday morning (Tuesday), which was reduced to 786 cfs effective this morning (Wednesday) at midnight.  With the increased flows, the "slop" or "crud" situation was substantially reduced.  Remember that the release rate can change and fluctuate at any time.   It is scheduled to be regularly 260 cfs through August 31st except it sometimes increases on Friday through Saturday.   The East Branch is currently in great summer shape.  Tricos and small Olives are about in the morning with some small Olives and Sulphers about towards dark. This can be a challenging river and long, fine leaders are a must, especially in low water.  The Neversink is in decent shape with fishable water temps down to at least Bridgeville. There are small Olives, midges and spinners close to dark.  There are also some small Olives in the a.m.   Terrestrials are always a good way to go during non-hatch situations. The Main Stem has cooled once again as the result of the increased flow on the West Branch due to higher than normal reservoir releases from Cannonsville.  Fishing has improved and there are some Isonychias and Olives about in the late afternoon.   The Esopus is fishable and wadeable.  Nymphs and attractor dry flies are always a good choice on this river.  There are some Caddis and Isonychias close to dark.  If you are a pocket water flyfisher, this is a great river to fish.  Remember that fishing below the Five Arch Bridge requires a DEP permit.

At this time of year hatches intensity can vary.  Hatches can be mixed with a small amount of various bugs.

August fishing can be tough except for the Sulpher hatches on the West Branch.  Hatches tend to be sparse and confined to low light situations.  This is an excellent month for the "land bugs".  There are not only beetles and ants about but grasshoppers and crickets as well.

 For those coming to Catskills in the fall, mid September to early November would be the prime time.  By mid September, all rivers have cooled down and with that we should see Olives, Caddis and Isonychias.  The peak of fall foliage is about the second weekend in October and this usually starts the fall Olive hatch.  This usually goes through November with best hatches on cloudy days.  Fall can be a good time to fish as the crowds are gone and fishing improves.

 TODAY'S WEATHER-   Today will be partly cloudy and 75.  Tonight partly cloudy and 46.  Tomorrow, Thursday, a mix of sun and clouds with a high of only 69.

The gage height is currently 1.24 feet and was 1.30 feet yesterday at noon in Cooks Falls. The flow on the Beaverkill was 130 cfs at noon yesterday while the average for that date was 110 cfs.  We were at above average flows for this date.  Yesterday the Beaverkill reached 69.8 degrees.

Extended Weather- Friday a mix with a shower or t-storm and a high of only 72. Saturday partly cloudy with shower or a t-storm possible and a high of 77.  Sunday nice with lots of sun and 78.  FOR YOUR INFORMATION - According to NYSDEC,  the agreement reached among all involved parties (including conservation organizations) regarding releases from both the Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs is that for the month of May, daily release will be 215 cfs.  Beginning June 1st and for the months of July and August as well, the daily release rate will be 260 cfs.  In Sept, the rate of release will decrease.  This flex flow management program began Oct 1st, 2007 and will continue for the next three years.  However, the exception will be that to meet Montague standards,  higher releases will occur at any time to meet the Montague formula.    RESERVOIR INFORMATION- Cannonsville 79.0%, Pepacton 88.4%, Neversink 78.3%- Ashokan 77.7%, Schoharie 79.2%, Croton 92.1%, Roundout 94.5% Combined storage was 84.6% as of August 22nd, 2008.  Normal level for this date is 83.9 We are +.07% above normal reservoir capacity.

Doing some fall work on the lawn-peat moss, new chips, etc ...  Looking at the trees you can now start to see the beginning of fall.  Of course, the cool nights are now a telltale sign of the cooler weather to come. By 8 p.m. it's really getting chilly. Just purchased some mums for outside-a sure sign that fall is here.  Libby is chomping at the bit to start hunting again.  She's already getting long walks into the woods.  Of course, she is busy pointing chipmunks now.   Waiting to do some blacktop repair-need dry surfaces and weather.  Stacked some more wood-not much more to go.  Libby will start coming to the store when we are both in, Dennis can work with her during the day.

****If on any given day there is no report published, it means that our server was down early in the morning when we do our report. We attempt to publish every morning between 5 and 6 a.m. and continue to do so daily through October. It could also mean our computer is giving us problems.

We are now open daily from 9:00 a.m. till about 5 p.m.

It's the 2008 season and below you will find our sixteenth fly of the season.  A different fly will run for each week from now through October.   If there's a fly you would like to see let us know or better yet, send us a sample with a materials list and we will post it and give you credit.

Not often associated with Catskill fishing, these often work very well here.  This particular pattern is the best one I have used.  I believe it's the rubber legs.

• Hook-dry 2Xlong, #12 and #14

*Thread-6/0 yellow

*Body- 2mm yellow foam

*Hackle-Brown

*Wing-turkey

*Head-Clipped Deer Hair

*Legs-yellow round rubber

 

At the Shop

The Sage Z-Axis rod is proving to be a real pleaser for those who love to cast.  COME check out THE NEW ZXL-all 4 piece rods.Come in and try them!  Check out the new Simms waders as well as all the other new gear for this year.

All species specific flies are tied in the shop. This assures accurate color and silhouette.

The new SAGE Z-Axis rod combines near weightlessness with a groundbreaking level of performance. With Generation 5 (G5) Technology, going ultra-light no longer leaves you at the mercy of wind or unexpectedly big fish. The SAGE Z-Axis is an amazingly light fly rod, while increasing strength, smoothness and sensitivity to “line feel.” We love it.
Drop by the shop and give it a try.  It has turned out to be a very popular rod with fishermen.  Get ready for the brand new ZXL-which is slower than the Z-Axis.   It is a medium fast action rod which casts beautifully and comes in a rich mahogany color.  The new technology is amazing.