Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware River Fishing Report: May 28, 2026
The West Branch is in good shape at Hale Eddy with cold tailwater water, manageable flow, and caddis, March Brown, sulphur, and spinner opportunities around the weather windows.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late morning through evening, with the best dry-fly window when clouds or lower light soften the glare
- Best methods
- dry flies, nymphs, wet flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is a good option today. USGS showed 601 cfs, 2.95 feet, and 46.0 F at Hale Eddy at 7:45 AM EDT, down from the last published report and still safely cold for trout. Local Delaware reports checked this morning point to caddis as the most dependable daytime food, with March Browns, Gray Fox, sulphurs, Cahills, and some Green Drakes in the mix. Expect a northwest breeze and a chance of afternoon showers, so carry dries but be ready to fish nymphs or wets until fish show consistently.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good |
| Flow | 601 cfs at 7:45 AM EDT |
| Gauge Height | 2.95 feet |
| Water Temp | 46.0 F |
| Clarity | Good in current local reports; verify at your access |
| Trend | Falling from the last published report |
| Best Window | Late morning through evening, with the best dry-fly window when clouds or lower light soften the glare |
| Best Method | dry flies; nymphs; wet flies |
| Wadeability | Good, with normal caution around deeper mid-channel slots |
Weather
For Hancock, NY, the National Weather Service forecast calls for a high near 68 F, mostly sunny conditions early, and a chance of showers from midday into the afternoon. Northwest wind is forecast around 3 to 10 mph, with gusts possible near 20 mph. There were no active NWS alerts for the checked point at report time.
River Notes
Hale Eddy is at a comfortable late-May level for both wading and floating, and the morning tailwater temperature gives trout plenty of room before any afternoon warming. The 450 cfs Cannonsville release reported locally supports the colder upper river, while the official Hale Eddy gauge is the value to use for planning access. Fish the riffles, ledge transitions, and bank seams first. If wind makes casting bigger dries difficult, keep a nymph or soft hackle moving through the same lanes instead of waiting on perfect rises.
Hatch Activity
Current local Delaware and Catskill reports support a broad late-May menu. Caddis are still the most consistent day-to-day bug, while March Browns, Gray Fox, Cahills, sulphurs, and evening spinners give anglers a reason to stay flexible. Green Drakes are around in some numbers, but they are still a bonus hatch rather than the only plan.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tan Caddis | 16-18 | Most dependable daytime activity; fish adults, pupa, and soft hackles through riffles |
| Dark Blue Sedge | 14 | Worth watching near evening on riffles and softer edges |
| March Brown / Gray Fox | 10-14 | Use larger mayflies for prospecting broken water and bank seams |
| Sulphur | 16-18 | Best later in the day, especially under cloud cover or lower light |
| Cahill | 12-14 | Carry light mayflies for mixed evening surface activity |
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | Better if clouds or showers settle over the river |
| Green Drake | 8-10 | Present in some numbers; carry a few but do not build the whole plan around them |
| Rusty Spinner | 10-18 | Important in calm evening slicks after daytime mayfly activity |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Elk Hair Caddis | 16-18 | Search riffles and soft edges when caddis are moving |
| Dry | March Brown / Gray Fox Parachute | 10-14 | Good visible dry when blind casting larger mayflies |
| Dry | Sulphur Comparadun | 16-18 | Use during afternoon or evening sulphur activity |
| Dry | Rusty Spinner | 10-18 | Keep ready for calmer evening spinner falls |
| Dry | Green Drake Comparadun | 8-10 | Backup pattern if larger drakes draw fish up |
| Nymph | March Brown Nymph | 10-12 | Fish before larger mayflies show on top |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Dead drift or swing ahead of adult caddis activity |
| Wet | Partridge and Orange | 12-16 | Useful bridge pattern when bugs are active but rises are sparse |
| Streamer | Olive Sculpin | 4-8 | Best in low light or when wind limits dry-fly accuracy |
Tactics
Start with caddis pupa, larger mayfly nymphs, or wets in riffle seams and ledge transitions. When fish begin rising, match the rise form first: caddis and emergers in broken water, larger March Brown or Gray Fox dries along edges, and spinners in slicker evening water. The water is cold this morning, but carry a thermometer if you move away from the tailwater influence late in the day. Wind may be the main practical constraint, so use shorter casts and position carefully before changing flies repeatedly.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 601 cfs | 46.0 F | USGS 01426500 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS station 01426500 and the National Weather Service forecast and alerts 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.