Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: August 9, 2026
The West Branch is cold, clear enough, and at a workable Hale Eddy flow, with midday sulphurs, small olives, and careful edge wading still making it the best New York trout option today.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Midday on the upper cold tailwater, with evening spinner water if temperatures and light allow
- Best methods
- dry flies, wet flies, nymphs
Quick Summary
The West Branch is in good shape for a summer trout plan. USGS showed 674 cfs, 3.09 feet, and 51.3 F at Hale Eddy during the 8 AM report check, down slightly from yesterday's 684 cfs reading and still cold enough to give trout a strong daytime buffer. Current Upper Delaware source context reports a 500 cfs Cannonsville release, fine clarity on the West Branch, steady midday sulphurs around the upper river, small olives, Isonychias, Cahills, and tan caddis in the mix. Fish the cold tailwater first, keep upper-river dry-fly rigs simple where algae is a nuisance, and use the lower West Branch for nymphing during quiet windows.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cold water, moderate flow, and current hatch context keep the West Branch fishable |
| Flow | 674 cfs at Hale Eddy during the 8 AM report check |
| Gauge Height | 3.09 feet at Hale Eddy |
| Water Temp | 51.3 F at Hale Eddy |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges; current local context reports fine clarity on the West Branch |
| Trend | Falling slightly from yesterday's 684 cfs report value |
| Best Window | Midday on the upper West Branch for sulphurs and olives; evening spinner water if fish set up |
| Best Method | Dry flies and emergers when fish show; wet flies or nymphs in lower-river seams during slower periods |
| Wadeability | Limited but workable along selected edges, inside bends, and stable gravel. Boats remain useful |
Weather
For Hancock and Hale Eddy, the National Weather Service forecast calls for patchy fog before 10 AM, then sunny weather with a high near 84 F and northwest wind around 5 mph. The forecast is drier than yesterday's storm-limited setup, but the warm afternoon air still makes the tailwater temperature advantage important. Check temperatures if you leave the cold West Branch influence, and avoid warmer downstream trout water.
River Notes
The Hale Eddy flow is just under yesterday's morning value and remains a practical level for drift boats and careful wading. Do not treat it as low summer water: stay out of pushy center current, use the banks and inside seams, and avoid crossings that require bracing against the main flow.
The upper West Branch is the best starting point for surface fishing because the release is keeping the water cold and the sulphur program is still active. Local context points to algae as a real issue up top, so dry flies, emergers, and spinners are more efficient than dragging weighted rigs through fouled lanes. If fish are not showing, the lower West Branch gives you a better nymphing option. The lower East Branch and Main Stem have been described as too warm for trout in recent local context, so keep this report focused on the cold West Branch water.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. Current Upper Delaware source context supports summer sulphurs on the upper West Branch, small Blue Winged Olives, Isonychias, Light Cahills, tan caddis, and summer terrestrials. The clear, sunny forecast may make fish more selective; watch shaded banks, broken seams, and any cloud or spinner window before changing flies repeatedly.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur | 16-20 | Main upper-tailwater target around midday; carry duns, emergers, cripples, and spinners |
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-24 | Small olives remain useful when fish make tight, subtle rises |
| Isonychia | 10-14 | Good searching dry, wet fly, or nymph profile in faster seams |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Worth carrying for lower-light riffle activity and evening water |
| Tan Caddis | 16-20 | Pupa, soft hackles, and adult dries can cover broken water before steady rises |
| Ants and Beetles | 14-20 | Good sunny-day bank option around grass, shade, and undercut edges |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Sulphur Sparkle Dun, Comparadun, or CDC Emerger | 16-20 | Primary upper-West pattern during the midday hatch |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 18-24 | Use for small-ring rises and mixed sulphur-olive feeding |
| Dry | Isonychia Parachute or Light Cahill | 10-16 | Searching profile for broken water and riffle seams |
| Dry | Ant or Beetle | 14-20 | Fish tight to shaded banks and grassy edges during sun |
| Wet | Soft Hackle Sulphur or Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail | 14-18 | Swing under the film when fish eat emergers instead of duns |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail, Frenchie, or Perdigon | 14-18 | Better on the lower West Branch or clean seams where algae is less limiting |
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph | 10-12 | Work riffle edges and faster banks with a controlled swing at the end |
| Streamer | Small Sculpin or Woolly Bugger | 6-10 | Backup for shaded banks or stained edges, not the first choice in bright sun |
Tactics
Start by looking before you wade. If fish are rising to sulphurs or olives, fish a single dry or emerger on a long leader and make the first drift count. In algae-affected upper water, clean flies often and avoid heavy nymph rigs that foul every cast. If surface activity stalls, move to the lower West Branch and fish shorter nymph or wet-fly presentations through walking-speed seams, bank cushions, and soft riffle edges. Stay inside the cold tailwater influence and stop targeting trout anywhere your thermometer approaches 68 F.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 674 cfs | 51.3 F | USGS 01426500 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS station 01426500 and 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, method, clarity, and safety context.