Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware River Fishing Report: June 18, 2026
The West Branch remains the best New York trout option, with cold release water, a lower Hale Eddy flow, and thunderstorms likely to shape the early part of the day.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- After storms pass through evening, with subsurface fishing first
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry-dropper, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is still the strongest New York trout option in this report set. USGS showed 581 cfs at Hale Eddy around 7:00 AM and 507 cfs at Stilesville, with cold water of 47.5 F at Hale Eddy and 45.1 F at Stilesville. Hale Eddy is lower than the June 16 report and the Stilesville release remains steady, so the river is fishable, but the National Weather Service has showers, thunderstorms, and gusty southwest wind in the forecast. Treat the morning storm window seriously, then look for nymphs, wets, dry-dropper rigs, and later dry-fly chances once weather and light settle.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good; cold release water is fishable, but thunderstorms and wind may interrupt the first part of the day |
| Flow | 581 cfs at Hale Eddy around 7:00 AM; 507 cfs at Stilesville around 7:00 AM |
| Gauge Height | 2.91 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.08 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 47.5 F at Hale Eddy around 6:45 AM; 45.1 F at Stilesville around 7:00 AM |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges; check locally after storms before committing to flat-water dries |
| Trend | Falling at Hale Eddy over the last two days; steady release water at Stilesville |
| Best Window | After storms pass through evening; late-day soft light should be the better dry-fly window if wind allows |
| Best Method | Nymphs, wet flies, and dry-dropper rigs until fish rise; dries for sulphurs, Cahills, olives, caddis, Isonychia, or spinners when feeding is steady |
| Wadeability | Limited but workable at normal access points; do not wade during lightning or sudden runoff |
Weather
For Hancock, NY, the National Weather Service forecast calls for showers and thunderstorms before early afternoon, then a smaller shower and thunderstorm chance, with a high near 82 F. Southwest wind is forecast around 12 mph with gusts as high as 35 mph. Tonight turns partly cloudy with a low near 56 F. Lightning and gusty wind are the main safety constraints, so wait out storms and avoid exposed water if thunder is nearby.
River Notes
The cold-water tailwater program still makes the West Branch the place to start while lower freestones remain temperature-sensitive. The flow at Hale Eddy is down from the last report and the Stilesville release has held close to 500 cfs, which gives good trout cover without making the whole river boat-only. If storms add stain, lean harder on nymphs, soft hackles, and small streamers along banks and riffle margins. If the water stays clear and the wind backs off, watch for the first organized rise forms before switching to a single dry.
Hatch Activity
Recent Delaware-system reports continue to point to sulphurs, Light Cahills, Blue Winged Olives, tan caddis, and Isonychia, with spinners important when evening air and water calm down. Cloud cover and rain can move small olives and sulphurs earlier, but gusty wind can make presentation and visibility harder than the bug list suggests.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur | 14-18 | Primary tailwater mayfly; carry emergers, cripples, duns, and spinners |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Useful when larger pale mayflies mix into the late-day feed |
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-22 | Better in clouds, rain, shaded water, or after the strongest sun leaves the river |
| Isonychia | 10-12 | Nymphs, wets, and larger searching dries fit broken water |
| Tan Caddis | 16-18 | Pupa and soft hackles are good before adults draw surface takes |
| Rusty Spinner | 10-20 | Evening option if storms pass and the water is calm enough for flat-water feeding |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Sulphur Sparkle Dun or Comparadun | 14-18 | Main choice when pale duns are on the water |
| Dry | Sulphur Emerger or Cripple | 14-18 | Use when fish show but refuse high-floating duns |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Dun | 16-22 | Good in clouds, rain, and shaded seams |
| Dry | Light Cahill Comparadun | 14-16 | Keep ready for larger pale mayflies late |
| Dry | Isonychia Parachute | 10-12 | Searching dry for broken water or a dry-dropper top fly |
| 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 |
| Streamer | Small Sculpin or Woolly Bugger | 6-10 | Worth carrying if storms add stain or push fish tight to banks |
Tactics
Start with a subsurface rig unless fish are already rising. A caddis pupa, Pheasant Tail, or Isonychia nymph under a buoyant dry will cover riffle margins and banks without forcing a heavy indicator through softer water. During storms, get off the water. After the weather clears, check clarity, shorten the search window, and move only when you see fish feeding or bugs building. If trout get selective late, lengthen the leader, use a downstream or reach presentation, and change stage before abandoning the hatch.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 581 cfs | 47.5 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 507 cfs | 45.1 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.