Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware River Fishing Report: June 16, 2026
The West Branch remains the best New York trout option, with cold release water, a falling Hale Eddy flow, and a useful sulphur, Cahill, olive, caddis, and Isonychia program.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late morning through evening, with the best dry-fly chance after bugs show
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry-dropper, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is still the safest New York trout call in this morning's report set. USGS showed 617 cfs at Hale Eddy around 8:00 AM EDT, with water temperature near 45.3 F; upstream at Stilesville the release water was 507 cfs and 43.2 F. Hale Eddy has fallen from yesterday's bump, while Stilesville remains steady and cold. Wading is more reasonable than yesterday but still limited in heavier slots, so start with edges, riffle margins, and established access rather than forcing crossings.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good; the cold tailwater is fishable and the Hale Eddy flow is falling from yesterday's higher water |
| Flow | 617 cfs at Hale Eddy around 8:00 AM EDT; 507 cfs at Stilesville around 8:00 AM EDT |
| Gauge Height | 2.98 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.08 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 45.3 F at Hale Eddy around 7:45 AM EDT; 43.2 F at Stilesville around 8:00 AM EDT |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges |
| Trend | Falling at Hale Eddy over the last 24 hours; steady release water at Stilesville |
| Best Window | Late morning through evening, with the best dry-fly chance after bugs show and light gets softer |
| Best Method | Nymphs, wet flies, and dry-dropper rigs until fish rise; dries for sulphurs, Cahills, olives, caddis, Isonychia, or spinners when the surface feeding is steady |
| Wadeability | Limited but improving at Hale Eddy; stay with known safe approaches, softer margins, and bank structure |
Weather
For Hancock, NY, the National Weather Service forecast calls for sunny weather and a high near 75 F, with light west wind around 0-3 mph. Tonight is forecast partly cloudy with patchy fog and a low near 52 F. Wednesday brings a better chance of showers, so today looks like a bright, stable tailwater day rather than a rain-driven hatch day.
River Notes
The West Branch has the right mix for a practical day: cold release water, a falling Hale Eddy flow, and enough volume to give trout cover without pushing every angler into a boat-only plan. Because the day is forecast bright, expect the most consistent fishing to be subsurface or in broken water until the light comes off the water. Recent local Delaware-system reports continue to point anglers toward colder West Branch water while warmer lower-system and freestone reaches recover from heat. Check clarity at the access; if the water is clear, be ready to slow down and match actual rise forms late in the day.
Hatch Activity
The early-summer tailwater box is still the right box: sulphurs, Light Cahills, Blue Winged Olives, caddis, Isonychia, and spinners. On a sunny day with light wind, the better dry-fly chance is likely later, while nymphs, caddis pupa, Isonychia nymphs, and soft hackles can cover the daytime window.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur | 14-18 | Carry emergers, duns, cripples, and spinners for afternoon and evening fish |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Useful when larger pale mayflies mix with sulphurs toward evening |
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Keep small olives ready for shaded water, riffle edges, or any cloudier period |
| Isonychia | 10-12 | Nymphs, wets, and larger searching dries all fit broken water |
| Caddis | 14-18 | Pupa and soft hackles are good before adults or spent caddis draw surface takes |
| Rusty Spinner | 10-20 | Important at last light if the water is calm enough for flat-water feeding |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Sulphur Sparkle Dun or Comparadun | 14-18 | Primary dry when pale mayflies come off |
| Dry | Sulphur Spinner | 14-18 | Have ready for evening fish on softer flats |
| Dry | Light Cahill Comparadun | 14-16 | Use when larger pale duns are mixed with sulphurs |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Dun | 18-22 | Match small deliberate rises in shade or softer light |
| Dry | Elk Hair Caddis or Spent Caddis | 14-18 | Good in riffles and near evening caddis activity |
| Dry | Isonychia Parachute | 10-12 | Useful as a searching dry around broken water |
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph | 10-12 | Fish faster seams and 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 small mayfly dropper before the hatch |
| Wet | Partridge and Yellow or Leadwing Coachman | 12-16 | Swing when bugs are active but fish are not taking cleanly on top |
Tactics
Start below the surface unless you can see consistent risers. A small mayfly nymph, caddis pupa, or Isonychia nymph under a buoyant dry will cover edges and riffle margins without spooking flat-water fish. Swing a soft hackle through the lower half of a riffle when bugs are present but rises are not clean. If fish come up late, lengthen the leader, use a reach or downstream presentation, and change stage before changing the whole pattern. Recheck the gauge before any evening wade because falling water can improve access, but slick ledges and pushy mid-channel seams still deserve respect.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 617 cfs | 45.3 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 507 cfs | 43.2 F | USGS 01425000 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS stations 01426500 and 01425000, plus 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.