Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware River Fishing Report: May 20, 2026
West Branch Delaware River is good today with 787 cfs at the primary gauge and morning, then watch storms and showers as the best window.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Morning, then watch storms and showers
- Best methods
- nymphs, dry flies, streamers
Quick Summary
West Branch Delaware River is in a useful fishing window today. USGS showed 787 cfs and 3.3 feet at 7:45 AM, with the flow trend falling. Water temperature was 47 F. Start with nymphs, then adjust to dry flies or streamers if fish show you a better lane or feeding level. Leave the water if thunder develops; open riffles and drift boats are poor places to wait out lightning.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good |
| Flow | 787 cfs at 7:45 AM |
| Gauge Height | 3.3 feet |
| Water Temp | 47 F |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling |
| Best Window | Morning, then watch storms and showers |
| Best Method | nymphs; dry flies; streamers |
| Wadeability | Good |
Weather
For Hancock, NY, the National Weather Service forecast says: Today: A chance of rain showers between 10am and 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 5pm. Partly sunny. High near 79, with temperatures falling to around 71 in the afternoon. Northwest wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. No active NWS alerts were returned for the point check. Plan around wind, changing light, and any showers or storms rather than assuming a full-day dry fly window.
River Notes
The best starting point is water that matches the current gauge: inside seams, protected banks, riffle drop-offs, and slower buckets rather than the heaviest current. A falling trend is worth watching through the day; if the hydrograph turns sharply upward, clarity and wade safety can change before hatch timing does. Clarity was not available from an official gauge during this check, so treat it as Not reported and verify it at the access before committing to a long float or wade plan.
Hatch Activity
Current hatch guidance is based on seasonal May patterns for this river system, current public report context where available, and today’s official gauge/weather check.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur | 14-16 | Watch softer tailwater seams late in the day |
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Best with cloud cover or damp weather |
| Caddis | 14-18 | Carry pupa, emergers, and spent adults |
| March Brown | 10-12 | Sporadic but worth carrying |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Sulphur Comparadun | 14-16 | Use over steady risers |
| Dry | BWO Sparkle Dun | 18-22 | Match small olives in softer seams |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail | 14-18 | Mayfly nymph before hatches |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Swing or dead drift before activity |
| Streamer | Olive Sculpin | 4-8 | Use on banks if water has color or light is low |
Tactics
Start with nymphs in defined lanes and adjust weight, depth, or leader length before changing flies. If fish begin rising, simplify to a single dry or dry with an emerger/dropper and lengthen the leader. In bright or windy periods, return to subsurface presentations along protected banks and broken water. Re-check the gauge before wading new crossings, especially if the trend changes from stable or falling to rising.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 787 cfs | 47 F | USGS 01426500 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS station 01426500 and the National Weather Service forecast for the Hancock, NY area. This report is an original Custom FlyBox summary based on current official gauge and weather data, with local public conditions reports reviewed separately for hatch, access, and method context.