The bug bomb is about to explode.

We are on the cusp of the "Big Bug" finale for 2021.  Within the next 15 days everything will hatch.  The dragon flies (which feast on the may flies) will lead the parade.  The grass along the banks on the BR and EB is knee high which is about the time for the golden stones to exit the river, climb up the grass and emerge.  The spring sulfurs have almost surely started their march up the river system from Callicoon (I haven't fished below Lordville since the last high water to confirm it).  The green drakes, brown drakes and isos will all hatch within the next  two weeks.

The current conditions are both good and bad.  The entire rivers system is low and wadeable.  Drift boaters, however, are currently restricted by the low water levels. The UEB is not floatable at current levels and the EB riffs make floating there a real challenge. With the recent heat wave (temps 20 degrees above normal) water temps in the freestones (BK, BE and BR) have risen into the high 60's, (Callicoon was actually over 70 the last three days).  The combination of unseasonably high water temps and bright sun has stifled day time bug hatches there. Until the rivers freshen and cool off, hatches will be concentrated into the last hour of daylight.

NYC has cut back the releases on both the WB and UEB in an effort to insure full reservoirs on June 1st. The reduced flows concentrate the fish, fishermen and drift boats. This makes the fish far less comfortable than they were just a week ago in higher water. They have been feeding less in the bright sun and are much harder to fool.  Because of the cold water releases the bug hatches have continued during daytime hours on the WB.  Hendricksons are over but the caddis continue to hatch in good numbers.  The big bugs are not lovers of the cold water in the upper reaches of both branches.  If you want to experience the "big bugs" look first to the freestones then the WB below Monument and the UEB below Shinhopple (think Long Flat). 

Rain, along with any increases in the releases (or reservoir spills for that matter) can change things but the bugs aren't going to wait. Conditions are challenging and fishing in crowded areas will make catching fish more difficult.  That said, daytime is still best spent above Hale Eddy on the WB.  From seven 'til dark find a quiet pool on the freestones away from the crowd, sit on the bank and wait.  You just might be in for something special. Just be sure to check for ticks before going to bed. 

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