Deposit, NY Fishing Report & Live Conditions

Deposit, NY fishing report

The West Branch below the Cannonsville Reservoir is a tailwater fishery, and that cold, consistent discharge is what makes it exceptional. Wild brown trout are the backbone of the fishery, with solid populations of wild rainbow trout rounding things out. Spring brings aggressive feeding as water warms from the low 40s into the mid-50s, and hatches like Hendricksons draw fish to the surface. Summer fishing can be outstanding because the cold tailwater keeps temperatures trout-friendly even when surrounding streams suffer. Fall triggers pre-spawn browns to move and feed heavily, making it one of the more exciting times to be on the water.

Focus on seams where fast water meets slower pools, and the deeper runs directly below riffles where browns and rainbows stack to intercept drifting food. Dry-dropper rigs work well during active hatch windows, and when fish are down, dead-drifting nymphs like pheasant tails or hare's ears under an indicator produces consistently. Watch your thermometer — once surface temps climb above 68 to 70 degrees, fish stress quickly and holding fish move toward cold-water refuges near tributary mouths. Flow levels from the reservoir release influence everything; slightly elevated flows push fish to softer edges, while lower stable flows concentrate them in predictable slots.