West Branch Delaware River Fishing Report: June 11, 2026

Quick Summary

The West Branch at Hale Eddy is still the strongest New York trout option in this report set. USGS showed 557 cfs, 2.86 feet, and 46.4 F at about 7:45 AM EDT, essentially unchanged from the 8 AM pass and cold enough for a full trout plan on the upper tailwater. Current local Delaware-system context now supports a good West Branch day, with the river in shape for both wading and floating, sulphurs in the afternoon and evening, spinner activity toward dark, and nymphing or a dry-dropper carrying the slower periods. The safety issues are heat and storms, plus warm water away from cold release influence; stay on the West Branch, carry a thermometer if you move downstream, and leave open water when thunderstorms build.

Conditions Snapshot

Field	Value
Status	Good
Flow	557 cfs at about 7:45 AM EDT
Gauge Height	2.86 feet
Water Temp	46.4 F
Clarity	Not reported by official gauges; current local context points to a fishable, predictable West Branch setup
Trend	Stable from yesterday morning
Best Window	Early through evening on the cold tailwater; leave before thunderstorms
Best Method	nymphs and dry-dropper before bugs; dry flies for sulphurs, caddis, and spinners when fish rise; streamers only during low light or rain before storms
Wadeability	Good at Hale Eddy from a flow standpoint, with normal caution around ledges, deeper seams, and boat traffic

Weather

For Hancock, NY, the National Weather Service forecast calls for a hot day with a high near 92 F, heat index values as high as 97 F, partly sunny skies, light west wind, and showers and thunderstorms likely late in the afternoon. Tonight carries additional shower and thunderstorm chances early, then areas of fog and a low around 66 F. Friday is also forecast to be hot, with showers and thunderstorms likely again. The practical plan is to fish the cold tailwater window, watch the sky, and be off exposed water before lightning or hard runoff reaches your section.

River Notes

At 557 cfs, Hale Eddy remains in a comfortable wading range while still carrying enough cold release influence to keep the trout plan viable. Current local flow context is consistent with the USGS reading, with the West Branch reported around 500 cfs at Stilesville and about 560 cfs at Hale Eddy. That does not make the whole Delaware system equally safe on a 90-degree day: the Main Stem and lower East Branch are warm enough to be poor trout choices, so the coldest West Branch water should be the first look. Before surface feeding develops, cover riffles, inside seams, shaded banks, and softer edges with nymphs, caddis pupa, soft hackles, or a dry-dropper. If rain darkens the light without lightning, a small streamer can be useful along banks and deeper seams.

Hatch Activity

The current Delaware mix remains an early-June mayfly and caddis box, with sulphurs carrying the main afternoon and evening opportunity on the West Branch. Current local context also points to spinner falls toward dark, possible morning feeding on leftover spinners or spent caddis, and productive nymph or dry-dropper fishing before the hatch. March Browns, Gray Fox, Isonychia, olives, Cahills, and occasional larger bugs are still worth having, but let the section you are fishing confirm timing and size.

Hatch	Size	Notes
Sulphur	14-18	Main West Branch mayfly; carry emergers, duns, and spinners for afternoon into evening
March Brown / Gray Fox	10-14	Useful in broken water, bank seams, and larger rise forms
Isonychia	10-12	Nymphs and wets are good search patterns in faster seams before surface activity steadies
Blue Winged Olive	18-22	More relevant in clouds, rain-cooled light, shade, or over smaller sipping fish
Light Cahill	14-16	Carry for pale duns and spinners mixed with sulphurs later in the day
Tan / Charcoal Caddis	14-18	Fish pupa, soft hackles, spent caddis, and adults around riffles and evening feeding
Green Drake / Coffin Fly	8-10	Carry only as a backup for confirmed larger bugs or spinner falls on the section you are fishing

Recommended Flies

Category	Fly	Size	Notes
Dry	Sulphur Sparkle Dun or Spinner	14-18	Primary dry once lighter mayflies bring fish up
Dry	Rusty Spinner	10-20	Cover morning leftovers and evening spinner falls after you confirm size
Dry	March Brown or Gray Fox Comparadun	10-14	Good searching dry in riffles and edge seams
Dry	BWO Comparadun	18-22	Use for small rises during cloudy or rainy periods
Dry	Elk Hair Caddis or Spent Caddis	14-18	Useful around riffles and when fish are taking caddis or spent adults
Nymph	Isonychia Nymph	10-12	Work faster seams and let the fly swing near the end of the drift
Nymph	Caddis Pupa	14-18	Dead drift or swing through riffle tails and soft edges
Nymph	Pheasant Tail or Frenchie	14-18	Good smaller dropper behind a larger dry
Wet	Partridge and Yellow or Leadwing Coachman	12-16	Swing when bugs are active but rises are scattered
Streamer	Olive or Black Woolly Bugger	6-10	Use during low light or rain before thunderstorms arrive
Streamer	Sculpin or Small Baitfish Pattern	4-8	Fish along banks, riffle edges, and deeper seams if light stays low

Tactics

Start with a nymph rig, a dry-dropper under a Slate Drake or March Brown-style dry, an Isonychia nymph, caddis pupa, or soft hackle in riffles, inside seams, and softer banks while waiting for fish to show. When rises start, slow down and identify whether fish are on sulphurs, olives, caddis, March Browns, Gray Fox, Isonychia, Cahills, or spinners before changing flies. The hot forecast makes water choice more important than covering miles: the West Branch is the safer trout plan, while lower and warmer Delaware water needs thermometer checks and a quick stop if readings approach 68 F. If thunderheads build or you hear thunder, leave the river instead of waiting midstream.

Gauge Links

Gauge	Flow	Temp	Link
WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY	557 cfs	46.4 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, release, access, and method context.