Delaware River Fly Fishing Report - October 18, 2026

Fly Fishing Report

DELAWARE RIVER

Report
OCT 18 — 25, 2026
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Flow
1900CFS
DELAWARE RIVER AT CALLICOON NY
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Water Temp
52°F
Updated 2026-10-18
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Weather
26–66°F
Patchy Freezing Fog
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Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
Flow is running at 1,900 cfs at Callicoon — notably higher than the low 300s reported earlier this week — with water temps at a crisp 52°F, putting trout in an active feeding mood. Expect good clarity given the stable, cold overnight temps and calm northwest winds.
Hatch Chart
Insect Size Activity Prime Time
Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) 20-22 Heavy 11 AM - 3 PM
Midge 20-24 Moderate 9 AM - 12 PM
Caddis 18-20 Light 2 PM - 5 PM
Sculpin / Baitfish (streamer target) 4-6 Moderate 7 AM - 10 AM
Stonefly (October Brown) 12-14 Light 12 PM - 3 PM
Best Time Window
  • 7 AM - 10 AM: Early streamer window before the sun hits the water; target deep eddies and rocky structure with sculpin patterns while air temps are still cold.
  • 11 AM - 3 PM: Prime BWO hatch window as temperatures climb toward 60°F; switch to small dries and emergers in the flat tailouts and pool edges.
  • 3 PM - 5 PM: Late-day nymphing and caddis activity in the riffles; fish the inside seams hard before light fades and temperatures drop sharply toward freezing.
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith flow at 1,900 cfs — significantly up from the low 300s earlier this week — trout have shifted off the main current and are stacked in the inside seams, eddy lines, and slower water behind mid-river boulders. Focus your nymphing presentations tight to these current breaks at 1.5 to 2 times the water depth, and slow your indicator down to match the speed of the slower lane, not the main flow. When the BWO hatch fires between 11 AM and 3 PM, watch the flat tailouts and glassy pool edges first — that's where fish will rise most confidently in the cold, sunny conditions. If you're throwing streamers, work the deep bucket water on the downstream side of large boulders with a tight-line swing and let the fly hang at the end — fall-conditioned browns will often take it on the pause.
Main Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
American Shad
Report generated October 18, 2026 — Next update: October 25, 2026