Posted on July 31 2025
I've been fascinated watching the gentleman who is in charge of the releases designed to keep the water temp at Lordville under 75 degrees hit the nail on the head two days in a row. The factors that go into the calculations are endless, (EB temperature and water volume, predicted air temperature, hours of sunlight, percentage of cloud cover as well as WB temperature and water volume to name a few). This year he has added a new wrinkle by lowering the WB flow for a few hours before the surge which presumably creates a "credit" to be used when determining the amount of the thermal bank that is being used. If anyone knows his name and email address please let me know, would like to tell him what a great job he is doing.
Lets not kid ourselves, today was hotter than a whore's dream. Finished what yard work I had decided to do by 10:00 and was still soaking wet and no it didn't rain. I did the "SZ" yesterday and had no intentions of returning today. When looking at the weeks weather forecast I had decided that today would be just an evening affair. With water temps in the freestones in the mid 80's, the BR needing help to stay below 75, and Harvard, (whose president allegedly went to "Little St James Island"), near 70, I decided to follow the surge and fish the WB where the effects of the surge were most likely to have bugs hatching and fish up feeding.
The fishing - Was surprisingly good. The cold water didn't really get the bugs going, but it sure seemed to get the fish eager for something to eat. A well cast fly directed at a rise got, at the very least a look, and in most cases a take. Actually hooked more fish than the previous night, but also lost more. A late evening 16 inch rainbow made it a "winning" night and gives me two days to try to turn the tables on the trout and win a week.
If you plan on fishing tomorrow, bring your raincoat and olives.
Having a background in infrastructure and SCADA Systems, I would bet a host of real time data is fed into a fancy software algorithm and used to meet those daily release calculations..of course human interaction is always on standby just in case of emergency..:-)
To all the upper West Branch veterans, do Tricos play any role in dry fly fishing in the upper west. I have never fished tricos around Deposit. Thanks.
Dennis / What a fantastic evening. Congratulations. Ed
I tried a spot on the lower west last night and had a pretty good night for me. I landed 4 fish the smallest 13 in. At dark I hooked a 19 rainbow on a sulfur!!! What a way to end the day. I had numerous refusals. I fished from 6 till dark. Sure was a great evening experience
Oh my A119!!
What would Mrs Haskins think!
Keep making us smile.
Angler119’- Glad to hear you had a good night. Thanks for education on the surges and for adding a new phrase to my descriptions of the weather.”hotter than a whores dream” will be added to “hotter than a witches t— – -“. Always looking to expand my meteorological knowledge. Take care and stay dry. Predicting 2-4. “ of rain and flash flooding here in NJ. Ed