Dichotomy

Debby is coming, or perhaps she isn’t. Weather forecasters are falling all over themselves to predict the path of the unpredictable. On it’s face, this storm looks to be a reservoir filler, but then again some of those weather maps show the bulk of Debby’s rainfall to the west of Binghamton, while others foretell a curving path toward the coast. I would like to see some water entering the reservoirs, perhaps forcing NYC to make up their minds regarding their twice postponed Delaware Aqueduct project.

This marks the third season that Catskill anglers have had this hovering over our heads, adding more uncertainty than even Mother Nature delivers when it comes to our precious trout rivers and fishable flows. Low flow has predominated since early May and the fishing has been difficult under the extended heat the Catskills have experienced. Should the reservoirs refill, and the city decide to proceed with the project, reservoir releases should improve along with fishing during the second half of summer.

Currently, Cannonsville retains 64.9 percent of it’s capacity, well below NYC’s stated 70 percent threshold required for the October first shutdown of the aqueduct. Percentage of capacity for Pepacton, Neversink, and Rondout are 81.0, 74.8 and 92.9 respectively. There has been no official statement published since 2023. Flows from Pepacton and Neversink remain low, and both of these tailwaters would benefit from a significant increase. Rondout is the catch basin, feeding water from the other, larger reservoirs directly into the Delaware Aqueduct. Recent rains have fallen below the reservoirs’ drainage areas, temporarily raising the tailwaters with warmer runoff, and failing to improve the fishing.

What will Debby bring? We may only wait and see. At least this week’s rain and cooler temperatures have spawned enough runoff to wash the heat from the rocky bed of the Beaver Kill. No, that doesn’t mean that historic river is fishable, but the runoff is cooler for the moment, giving the surviving trout a little break from hunkering in hidden spring seeps. Sadly, I actually saw one poor fool fishing there last Saturday morning on my way to Summerfest. The river conditions? One hundred ninety-nine cfs and 72 degrees, on it’s way to 76 by mid-afternoon.

I am still waiting to try some brook trout streams with the beautiful little bamboo rod my friend Tom Smithwick gifted me. I would love to see a nice flow in the high country!