West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: August 13, 2026

Quick Summary

The West Branch is the best New York trout option again today. USGS showed 826 cfs, 3.37 feet, and 51.4 F at Hale Eddy during the morning check, and current Upper Delaware source context reports a 500 cfs Cannonsville release with the flow peaking after overnight storms and beginning to drop. Expect some color from tributary runoff, which makes streamers worth a morning look, then shift toward the upper West Branch dry-fly game if fish start on sulphurs and olives. Wading is possible in selected places, but the river is still pushy enough that crossings should be conservative.

Conditions Snapshot

Field	Value
Status	Good. Cold tailwater temperature, a workable but elevated Hale Eddy flow, and current Upper Delaware source context keep the West Branch fishable
Flow	826 cfs at Hale Eddy during the morning check
Gauge Height	3.37 feet at Hale Eddy
Water Temp	51.4 F at Hale Eddy
Clarity	Some color is possible from Oquaga Creek and overnight storms; clarity is not measured by the official gauge
Trend	Peaked after overnight storms and beginning to fall
Best Window	Streamer window early if stain is present; midday on the upper West Branch for sulphurs and olives; check again near evening if wind stays manageable
Best Method	Streamers in stained edges early, then dry flies and emergers over working fish; nymph the lower West Branch when the surface is quiet
Wadeability	Limited. Fishable from banks, bars, and softer edges, but avoid casual crossings at this flow

Weather

For Hancock and Hale Eddy, the National Weather Service forecast calls for partly sunny weather with a high near 80 F and northwest wind around 2 to 6 mph. The hourly forecast showed a dry daylight period with only a very low precipitation chance. Tonight should be partly cloudy with a low near 57 F. Presentation conditions are reasonable, though any unexpected thunderstorm or stained-water push should change the plan quickly.

River Notes

The West Branch has more water than yesterday but remains in a useful summer tailwater range. The morning USGS reading at Hale Eddy was 826 cfs and 51.4 F, which gives trout cold water and cover without making the river unfishable. Local Upper Delaware context says the release is 500 cfs and the flow has started to drop after the overnight storm bump.

Start by checking clarity before rigging. If the water carries a little stain, a small sculpin, bugger, or other compact streamer along the banks and inside seams can be a smart first move. If visibility is good and fish show themselves, the upper West Branch should remain the better dry-fly bet because the cold release supports the midday sulphur program. Algae remains a practical nuisance on the upper river, so keep dry flies and emergers in play there and save heavier nymphing for cleaner lower-river lanes.

Hatch Activity

Official gauges do not report hatches. Current Upper Delaware source context supports summer sulphurs, small Blue Winged Olives, Isonychias, summer Cahills, and spinner activity. Winged ants and other terrestrials are also worth carrying when trout get selective under broken cloud and light wind.

Hatch	Size	Notes
Sulphur	16-20	Main midday target on the cold upper West Branch
Blue Winged Olive	18-22	Good match for small tailwater riseforms, especially under softer light
Isonychia	10-14	Useful as a dry, wet fly, or nymph along broken banks and faster seams
Summer Cahill	14-16	Low-light searching dry and spinner option
Tan Caddis	16-20	Pupa, soft hackles, and adults cover riffle edges and broken current
Winged Ants and Beetles	14-24	Carry small dark profiles for bank feeders and picky fish that ignore mayflies

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 spinner windows
Dry	Isonychia Parachute or Summer Cahill	10-16	Searching dry for banks, riffles, and broken current
Dry	Winged Ant or Beetle	14-24	Good bank and slick-water option when fish refuse standard mayflies
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, Woolly Bugger, or Mini Dungeon	4-10	Best early if overnight storms left enough stain for banks and soft edges

Tactics

Look at the water before choosing a rod. If visibility is reduced, cover banks, shaded shelves, and inside seams with a small streamer and short accurate casts. If the water is clear enough for technical dry-fly fishing, watch the upper West Branch for sulphur and olive riseforms and fish a long leader with one clean dry or a dry-and-emerger pair. Nymphing can work, but keep the heavier rigs to the lower West Branch where algae is less limiting. At 826 cfs, wading is not unsafe everywhere, but it is not casual; avoid unnecessary crossings and back out of pushy shelves.

Gauge Links

Gauge	Flow	Temp	Link
WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY	826 cfs	51.4 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.