We have been VERY busy this year. The scares in the economy has not stopped Hackett Fly Fishing and our guides. We are extremely busy and wish we had more guides! So far the streamer fishing has been pretty steady with some big fish coming to net. We thank all of our customers and happy for their success. The coming week is going to get warm up here and provide us with more dry fly action. Let’s get it!
This winter has been a roller coaster for weather. We had some snowfall earlier in the winter but each storm passing was faded away by a warm spell or rain. Up until last week we haven’t had any snowpack here in the Catskill Mountains. As we all know a good snowpack can contribute to a year full of water in our trout streams.
Last week we got hit by 2 substantial east coast snow storms. The local Catskill Mountain ski resorts have all dubbed it the Miracle of March. As much for them as it is for us fisherman we should be just as happy. Up at Plattekill Mountain for the past week skiing has led to 18″ inches last week and potentially 20″-30″ today into tomorrow. This will not only bring our snow total to our yearly average but it will provide great spring snow pack.
The West Branch starts in Stamford NY while the East Branch begins in Grand Gorge-Roxbury. Each valley and connecting valleys are currently under 10″-12″ inches in the valley and over 30″ in the high peaks.
The reservoirs have also filled out nicely after a drought 2022 year. Expect there to be a reservoir or two that spill this year possibly providing an ale wife April. See below for your rivers current source level.
I predict that we will have a great spring with both rivers being floatable through May. We hope to have a gradual melt with no big long stretches of warm weather. Big rains can also hurt us as well. If you have a camp along the river make sure your insurance bill is paid. Although it’s lining up to be a drift boaters dream that also brings the possibility of big spring floods.
We have a few prime days left on the books. Feel free to shoot me a text anytime regarding conditions or questions about the system. 8452248650
Have a safe snowy week -Matt
This past week six of us skipped town for two days of fishing the White River in Arkansas. With cabin fever setting in we booked this trip to get outside and see some country and possible stick a giant brown. Although we missed our opportunities at some of the legends of the white we had a great time together. We got two decent browns and stuck some bows and cut throat trout on bobbers. Throwing the big sinking lines can strain on you. The whole time we were there we all secretly were wishing we were in the Catskills! A little over a month now until Hendricksons!!!
As of right now the Upper Delaware Rivers with the Beaverkill and Willowemoc are all low. The flow charts show every river below average. The reservoir system is about 5% lower than the yearly average on this date. The total reservoir system for NYC drinking water is 84% full. That’s shy of the 89% average historically speaking.
The Upper Delaware rivers will get about an inch of rain this week which should pump a lot of the rivers bank full. The precipitation will also help fill up the reservoirs some. We need a good big snow before the spring comes. The snow pack is anywhere from 0” to 10” depending where you might be in the hills. Some higher altitude north facing mountains have the volume of the snow pack.
Be careful this weekend if you are headed to the river. There will be big ice chunks floating down the river during this thaw. The more downstream you get in rivers the higher possibility you will see ice.
To see up to date flow charts click here.
