Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware River Fishing Report: May 25, 2026
West Branch Delaware River is good today with 695 cfs at Hale Eddy, a falling flow trend, and a cool 46 F reading for morning trout fishing.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Morning and evening, with midday dependent on clouds and wind
- Best methods
- nymphs, dry flies
Quick Summary
West Branch Delaware River is a good option today. USGS showed 695 cfs at 8:00 AM and 3.13 feet, with the flow trend falling and water temperature 46 F. The best plan is morning and evening, with midday dependent on clouds and wind; start with nymphs; dry flies and adjust for light, wind, and clarity at the access.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good |
| Flow | 695 cfs at 8:00 AM |
| Gauge Height | 3.13 feet |
| Water Temp | 46 F |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling |
| Best Window | Morning and evening, with midday dependent on clouds and wind |
| Best Method | nymphs; dry flies |
| Wadeability | Good |
Weather
For Hancock, NY, the National Weather Service forecast says: Memorial Day: Rain showers likely before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. West wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Active NWS alerts for the point check: No active NWS alerts for the checked point.
River Notes
Use the Hale Eddy gauge as the baseline, then confirm clarity and bank safety when you arrive. A falling hydrograph means fish may shift through the day; if the river bumps up, favor inside bends, softer banks, and defined seams instead of committing to heavy mid-channel water. Official gauge data does not report clarity, so treat clarity as Not reported until it is checked on site.
Hatch Activity
Current hatch guidance is based on late-May regional timing, current official gauge/weather checks, and public local report pages reviewed separately for context.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caddis | 14-18 | Late-May caddis remain important on soft edges and riffles |
| Sulphur | 14-16 | Watch afternoon into evening if light and wind cooperate |
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-20 | Best under clouds or damp weather |
| March Brown / Gray Fox | 10-12 | Carry larger mayflies for broken water |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Elk Hair Caddis | 14-18 | Cover riffle edges when caddis are moving |
| Dry | Sulphur Comparadun | 14-16 | Use during evening mayfly activity |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail | 14-18 | Reliable mayfly nymph before surface activity |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Dead drift or swing before risers show |
| Streamer | Olive Sculpin | 4-8 | Useful in low light or stained banks |
Tactics
Start subsurface in the most defined walking-speed lanes and change depth before changing flies. If fish begin rising, simplify to one accurate dry or a dry with a small emerger and lengthen the leader. For unknown wading, keep crossings conservative and check the gauge again before stepping into pushy water.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 695 cfs | 46 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.