Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: July 17, 2026
The West Branch remains the best New York trout option in this morning's set, with a steady 500 cfs Cannonsville release, cold water at Stilesville and Hale Eddy, and smoke easing compared with the prior two days.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Midday sulphurs on the cold upper West Branch, then the softer evening spinner window if smoke and wind stay light
- Best methods
- dry flies, nymphs, wet flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is still the most dependable trout option in this New York report set. USGS showed 547 cfs at Hale Eddy and 507 cfs at Stilesville during the morning check, with 46.0 F water at Hale Eddy and 45.3 F at Stilesville. Current Delaware reporting points to a 500 cfs Cannonsville release, less smoke than the last two days, sulphurs, tiny olives, Cahills, Isonychias, caddis, and an upper-river algae issue that makes dry-fly fishing cleaner than nymphing up top. Keep subsurface work mostly to the lower West Branch, and treat the upper river as a cold dry-fly and wet-fly game when fish show.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good on the cold West Branch tailwater; lingering smoke is the main non-river constraint |
| Flow | 547 cfs at Hale Eddy; 507 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 2.84 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.08 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 46.0 F at Hale Eddy; 45.3 F at Stilesville during the morning USGS check |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges; local Delaware reporting notes upper West Branch algae |
| Trend | Stable at Hale Eddy and slightly falling at Stilesville over the last 24 hours |
| Best Window | Midday sulphurs on the cold upper West Branch, then the softer evening spinner window if smoke and wind stay light |
| Best Method | Dry flies and wets on the upper West Branch; nymphs are cleaner lower in the system where algae is less limiting |
| Wadeability | Limited. The flow is fishable, but crossings and heavier mid-channel seams still need caution |
Weather
For Hancock and Hale Eddy, the National Weather Service forecast calls for patchy smoke early, then mostly sunny skies and a high near 82 F. Wind should be light from the northwest at 0 to 5 mph, which is favorable for careful dry-fly presentations. Tonight is forecast partly cloudy with a low around 59 F. Saturday brings a better shower and thunderstorm chance, so today's lighter wind and steadier weather are worth using if air quality is acceptable.
River Notes
The current official flow profile is friendly for a summer tailwater day. Stilesville is running near the reported 500 cfs Cannonsville release, and Hale Eddy has held around 547 cfs while staying cold enough for trout through the morning check. The important tactical note is algae: if upper-river nymph rigs come back fouled, stop forcing that program. Fish dries to visible trout, swing soft hackles through clean lanes, or move lower for nymphing. The cold water buys time, but still carry a thermometer as you move downriver and stop targeting trout before water approaches 68 F.
Hatch Activity
Current Delaware reporting supports a mid-summer tailwater box: sulphurs on the upper West Branch, tiny olives mixed in, Isonychias, light Cahills, tan caddis, terrestrials, and rusty spinners at last light. The best dry-fly fishing will be where cold water, light wind, and clean feeding lanes overlap.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur | 16-20 | Primary upper West Branch summer mayfly; carry duns, emergers, cripples, and soft hackles |
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-24 | Tiny olives can mix with sulphurs, especially in shaded slicks and softer seams |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Useful pale dry and evening profile on broken water |
| Isonychia | 10-12 | Nymphs, wets, and a larger dry can cover riffle edges and heavier seams |
| Tan Caddis | 16-18 | Pupa and soft hackles can fill the gaps between mayfly pushes |
| Rusty Spinner | 14-20 | Keep ready for the calm last-light window |
| Ants and Beetles | 14-20 | Bank-side summer backups when the hatch is uneven |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Sulphur Sparkle Dun, Comparadun, or CDC Emerger | 16-20 | First choice for upper-river sulphur fish |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Dun | 18-24 | Use for tiny olive fish in slicks and shaded lanes |
| Dry | Light Cahill or White Wulff | 14-16 | Visible dry for pale mayflies and broken-water prospecting |
| Dry | Isonychia Parachute or Comparadun | 10-12 | Good larger profile along riffles and heavier seams |
| Dry | Rusty Spinner | 14-20 | Keep ready for calm last light |
| Dry | Ant or Beetle | 14-20 | Summer bank option when hatch activity is uneven |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail, Frenchie, or Split-Back Mayfly | 14-18 | Better lower in the system if upper-river algae fouls rigs |
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph | 10-12 | Work riffle edges and finish with a controlled swing |
| Wet | Soft Hackle Sulphur or Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail | 14-18 | Good when bugs are emerging or fish flash below dries |
| Nymph | Tan Caddis Pupa | 16-18 | Useful dropper between mayfly pushes |
Tactics
Start in the cold upper tailwater and look before you rig. If trout are showing to sulphurs or tiny olives, fish a single dry or dry with a small emerger and keep false casts low. If you want to nymph, move lower or choose cleaner lanes rather than spending the morning picking algae off flies. Wet flies are a good middle ground through riffle edges when fish are not fully committed to the surface. At the current flow, wade deliberately, avoid broad crossings, and use bank angles or a boat for heavier seams.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 547 cfs | 46.0 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 507 cfs | 45.3 F | USGS 01425000 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS stations 01426500 and 01425000, plus the National Weather Service forecast for the Hancock and Hale Eddy, 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, method, clarity, and safety context.