Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware River Fishing Report: June 3, 2026
The West Branch is cold, steady, and comfortably fishable at Hale Eddy, with a 500 cfs Cannonsville release, light wind, and an early-June mix of caddis, March Browns, Gray Fox, Cahills, Green Drakes, olives, sulphurs, and evening spinners.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Afternoon into evening, with the most useful dry-fly window as the sun drops
- Best methods
- nymphs, dry flies, wet flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is a good New York target this morning. USGS showed 581 cfs, 2.91 feet, and 43.7 F at Hale Eddy at 7:45 AM EDT, down only slightly from yesterday morning and still in a practical wading range with normal tailwater caution. Current Upper Delaware context reports a 500 cfs Cannonsville release, less wind than yesterday, and a broad early-June hatch mix. Start with nymphs, wet flies, or a larger searching dry in broken water, then watch the late afternoon and evening for steadier surface work as the sun gets lower.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good |
| Flow | 581 cfs at 7:45 AM EDT |
| Gauge Height | 2.91 feet |
| Water Temp | 43.7 F |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges; current local context describes the Delaware system as fishing well |
| Trend | Slightly falling from yesterday morning |
| Best Window | Afternoon into evening, with the most useful dry-fly window as the sun drops |
| Best Method | nymphs; dry flies; wet flies |
| Wadeability | Good overall, with normal caution around ledges, pushy seams, and boat traffic |
Weather
For Hancock, NY, the National Weather Service forecast calls for sun and a high near 80 F. Wind should be light, generally northwest to north around 0-5 mph through early afternoon. Tonight should be mostly clear with a low near 50 F. The forecast is bright and warm, so the best dry-fly odds should be in broken water, shaded lanes, or later in the day rather than in flat midday sun.
River Notes
Hale Eddy remains cold and steady. The official gauge does not report clarity, but the 500 cfs release and 581 cfs reading at Hale Eddy keep the upper West Branch in a fishable tailwater range. Do not wade straight to midriver; fish near-bank seams, riffle shelves, soft inside lanes, and tailouts first. The morning water temperature is well below trout-stress levels, but anglers moving down the Delaware system should still carry a thermometer because June sun can warm slower water away from the coldest release influence.
Hatch Activity
The river is in a mixed early-June period rather than a one-bug day. Current Delaware context supports March Browns, Gray Fox, Cahills, Green Drakes, olives, sulphurs, dark blue sedges, tan caddis, and a few small Hendrickson spinners in the coldest water. The brighter forecast favors subsurface or blind-cast work during the day, with better chances for visible feeding when the light comes off the water.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | Useful in shaded lanes, softer light, or when fish refuse larger flies |
| March Brown / Gray Fox | 10-14 | Good larger profile for riffles, bank seams, and prospecting dries |
| Sulphur | 16-18 | Carry duns, emergers, and spinners for softer afternoon and evening water |
| Cahill | 12-16 | Good light mayfly option during mixed hatch activity |
| Dark Blue Sedge / Tan Caddis | 14-18 | Fish pupa and wets before adults or spent caddis show in riffles |
| Green Drake / Coffin Fly | 8-10 | Keep ready for low light, but switch smaller if rise forms demand it |
| Small Hendrickson Spinner | 16 | Possible in the coldest water; a secondary option, not the main plan |
| Rusty / Ginger Spinner | 10-20 | Important evening pattern if light wind lets fish settle into flat lanes |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | March Brown or Gray Fox Parachute | 10-14 | Search broken water and bank seams before a specific hatch takes over |
| Dry | Sulphur Sparkle Dun or Comparadun | 16-18 | Match yellow mayflies later in the day and around softer seams |
| Dry | Elk Hair Caddis or Spent Caddis | 14-18 | Good around riffles when caddis are active or spent on the surface |
| Dry | Green Drake or Coffin Fly | 8-10 | Carry for low light without forcing it over smaller rise forms |
| Dry | Rusty or Ginger Spinner | 10-20 | Use a longer leader in calm evening lanes |
| Nymph | March Brown or Green Drake Nymph | 8-12 | Useful in riffles and pocket water before larger mayflies emerge |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Dead drift or swing through riffle tails and edge seams |
| Nymph | Sulphur or Pheasant Tail Nymph | 16-18 | Good smaller mayfly choice in softer lanes |
| Wet | Partridge and Yellow or Partridge and Orange | 12-16 | Swing when bugs are present but rises are scattered |
| Streamer | Small Olive Sculpin | 4-8 | Best early, late, or if cloud cover briefly gives fish more security |
Tactics
Fish subsurface first unless you see a consistent rise. A two-fly nymph rig, caddis pupa, or soft hackle swing through riffles and broken seams should cover the daylight hours better than waiting on flat-water fish in bright sun. If fish start showing to bigger mayflies, cover water with a March Brown, Gray Fox, or Green Drake profile before downsizing. For evening spinners, lengthen the leader, keep false casts away from the fish, and make the first drift count.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 581 cfs | 43.7 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, release, access, and method context.