Recent rains and a bit of a break in the heat have given our rivers and streams a respite from the heat wave last month, although water levels are still below the average flow. 

Anglers should be carrying a water thermometer with them and checking water temperatures before starting out to fish, and remember that during these summer months, the coolest time of day to fish is in the early morning. 

Fishing when water temperatures are in the 60s is ideal; but trout fishers should not be fishing when water temps are much higher than 70 degrees. Once the rivers or streams reach these temperatures the trout become stressed from the heat - and trout that are already weakened by heat stress are at risk of dying, no matter how carefully they are handled.

The lower Beaverkill at Horton, from 1.6 miles downstream of the Iron Bridge on upstream to 1 mile upstream of the Iron Bridge, is now closed to fishing from July 1 through August 31. Angling is prohibited during this period to protect thermally stressed trout.

Many trout fishers are taking a break from fishing their favorite local streams and rivers as a result; however, even though our free-flowing rivers and streams become too warm to fish in the heat of summer, there is still good trout fishing to be found in the Tailwater fisheries of the East Branch Delaware, the West Branch Delaware, as well as the lower Neversink and Esopus, below the reservoirs. 

Summertime trout anglers head to these tailwater fisheries and look forward to taking advantage of the cold-water releases from the bottoms of the Pepacton, Cannonsville, Neversink and Schoharie reservoirs.

Thanks to the diligent efforts and hard work of conservationists and trout fishers such as Phil Chase and Ed Van Put back in the early 1970s, the city of New York and the Department of Environmental Conservation came to an agreement to institute cold-water releases from the Catskill Reservoirs into the lower rivers in order to preserve and protect the trout residing there. 

Cold water releases from our Catskill reservoirs are carefully monitored by the Delaware River Master, who was first appointed by the Supreme Court in 1954, for the purpose of checking and correlating stream flow measurements and records and compiling data on water needs, among other duties. 

These bottom releases are successful in lowering water temperatures and raising the level of the rivers below, providing a healthy environment for trout.

The cold water that is released from the bottoms of the reservoirs is estimated to be only about 41 degrees Fahrenheit when it enters the rivers below, named “tailwaters.” They provide excellent fishing and are a refreshingly cool alternative on a hot day. 

We have fished the East and West Branches of the Delaware tailwaters on many a hot summer day when air temperatures were in the 80s, and found water temperatures in the river to be between 45-55 degrees, cold enough to even produce a layer of fog at times, and even feeling a bit chilly after a few hours fishing!

Anglers today have an advantage of being able to check water temperatures online, thanks to the US Geological Survey websites. Many of our local fly shops and tackle stores also carry this information on their websites, which enables trout fishers to better plan when and where to fish.

To reach information on the Beaverkill, go to https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=01420500&legacy=1. 

For the East Branch Delaware, visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=01421000&legacy=1.

And for the West Branch Delaware, https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=01426500&legacy=1.

Fishing friend and fly-tyer Ed Walsh reports that the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild had an active day on June 26 as members visited both the French Woods Sports and Arts Center and Big Valley Lodge to assist Friends of the Upper Delaware River and NYS Trout Unlimited teach fly tying to summer campers.

Tom Mason, John Apgar, Mark Sturtevant and Ed Walsh were at the Big Valley Lodge, Susquehanna, PA, assisting Jesse Vadala, NYS TU Eastern Engagement Coordinator, in providing instructions on tying Catskill Style Flies.

It was a beautiful day at the Lodge with 15 campers willing to listen and learn techniques. All were engaged and some of their finished products were much more than expected from first time tyers. Jim Conrey and Greg Quaglio were at the French Woods Sports and Arts Center, Hancock, NY, providing tying instructions. 

This event is part of the Friends of the Upper Delaware River “Kids Camp” program that introduces young men and women, ages 12 / 17, to all aspects of fly fishing.

There were 14 people in attendance at French Woods. Both programs not only teach fly tying but casting, aquatic insect identification, how to read water and so much more about the wonderful world of fly fishing. Both groups are to be commended for the work they do introducing young men and women to outdoor activities.

The Catskill Fly Tyers Guild is committed to programs like these and is always available to help welcome the next generation of fly tyers and fishermen.