Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: August 12, 2026
The West Branch is in good summer tailwater shape, with 668 cfs, 48.7 F water at Hale Eddy, a 500 cfs Cannonsville release, and a midday dry-fly window on the upper river.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Midday on the upper West Branch, then evening if storms stay away
- Best methods
- dry flies, wet flies, nymphs
Quick Summary
The West Branch is the clear New York trout option today. USGS showed 668 cfs, 3.08 feet, and 48.7 F at Hale Eddy during the morning check, and current Upper Delaware source context reports a 500 cfs Cannonsville release with flows back in good shape. The best plan is still a cold-water upper West Branch dry-fly approach around the Deposit sulphur window, with olives, Isonychias, Light Cahills, and tan caddis in the box. Use lower West Branch seams if you want to nymph, keep wading conservative, and get off the river if evening thunder develops.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cold tailwater temperature, a moderate Hale Eddy flow, and current Upper Delaware source context keep the West Branch fishable |
| Flow | 668 cfs at Hale Eddy during the morning check |
| Gauge Height | 3.08 feet at Hale Eddy |
| Water Temp | 48.7 F at Hale Eddy |
| Clarity | Current Upper Delaware source reporting says flows have dropped back and the river looks good; clarity is not measured by the official gauge |
| Trend | Falling from yesterday's rain bump and holding in a useful summer tailwater range |
| Best Window | Midday on the upper West Branch for sulphurs and olives, then evening only if thunderstorms stay clear |
| Best Method | Dry flies and emergers over working fish; wet flies or nymphs in cleaner lower West Branch lanes when the surface is quiet |
| Wadeability | Limited. Edge wading and careful gravel-bar movement are reasonable, but crossings still need respect at this flow |
Weather
For Hancock and Hale Eddy, the National Weather Service forecast calls for sunny weather with a high near 84 F and light northwest wind up to 5 mph. Tonight brings a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between about 8 PM and 2 AM, with possible rainfall around a tenth to a quarter inch where storms pass. The daylight forecast is good for presentation, but any thunder should end the session until the cell is well clear.
River Notes
The release and Hale Eddy gauge keep the West Branch in a strong August position. It is cold enough for trout, high enough to give fish cover, and not so high that every wading option is off the table. Start on the upper river if your goal is dry-fly fishing, especially around Deposit and other cold release-influenced water.
Current Upper Delaware source context continues to flag algae on the upper West Branch, so do not build the whole day around heavy nymph rigs up top. Watch first, fish dry flies or emergers to visible feeders, and clean your fly often. If you need to fish subsurface, the lower West Branch has better lanes for a wet fly, soft hackle, or compact nymph setup. The East Branch and Main Stem are warmer and less attractive as trout choices today, so the cold West Branch should remain the priority.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. Current Upper Delaware source context supports summer sulphurs, small Blue Winged Olives, a few Isonychias, Light Cahills, tan caddis, and spinner activity after calm nights. Terrestrials are also worth carrying for banks and shaded edges.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur | 16-20 | Main midday target on the cold upper West Branch |
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-22 | Small olives are mixed with the sulphurs; carry slimmer profiles for picky tailwater fish |
| Isonychia | 10-14 | Useful as a dry, wet fly, or nymph along broken current and faster banks |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Good low-light search pattern if evening weather stays safe |
| Tan Caddis | 16-20 | Pupa, soft hackles, and adults can cover riffle edges and broken water |
| Ants and Beetles | 14-20 | Bank and shade options during quiet sunny periods |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Sulphur Sparkle Dun, Comparadun, or CDC Emerger | 16-20 | Primary match for the upper West Branch midday hatch |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun, CDC Olive, or Rusty Spinner | 18-22 | Use for small, delicate riseforms and calm spinner windows |
| Dry | Isonychia Parachute or Light Cahill | 10-16 | Searching dry for riffles, banks, and broken current |
| Dry | Ant or Beetle | 14-20 | Fish tight to grass, shade, and undercut banks when mayfly activity fades |
| Wet | Soft Hackle Sulphur or Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail | 14-18 | Swing through the film when trout take emergers below the surface |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail, Frenchie, or Perdigon | 14-18 | Use in lower West Branch seams where algae is less limiting |
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph | 10-12 | Fish faster banks and broken current with a controlled swing at the end |
| Streamer | Small Sculpin or Woolly Bugger | 6-10 | Backup for shaded banks or brief stained-water windows, not the first choice in clear water |
Tactics
Spend more time watching than wading when you reach the river. If fish are up, use a long leader, a single dry or dry with an emerger dropper, and short accurate presentations from the bank side. If the surface is quiet, move to lower West Branch seams with a soft hackle or small nymph rather than dragging a heavy rig through upper-river algae. At 668 cfs, the river is fishable but not casual; avoid unnecessary crossings and stay off slick pushy shelves. Thunderstorms are the main safety concern later, so leave the water when lightning is close.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 668 cfs | 48.7 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.