Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: September 6, 2026
The West Branch is clear and near 776 cfs at Hale Eddy, with cold water, workable access, and olives, ants, and larger mayflies in the late-day mix.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon into evening in clear, softer water
- Best methods
- dry flies, wet flies, streamers
Quick Summary
The West Branch has continued to fall, and a current September 6 local report now describes clear water and workable floating and wading levels. USGS showed 776 cfs, 3.28 feet, and 53.8 F at Hale Eddy during the 9 AM refresh; Stilesville remained near 475 cfs and 50 F. Wade conservatively below tributaries where the river carries more push, and watch for olives, flying ants, Hebes, Cahills, Isonychias, and late sulphurs from afternoon toward dark.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Clear, cold, falling water supports several methods, with some access limits remaining below tributaries |
| Flow | 776 cfs at Hale Eddy and 475 cfs at Stilesville during the 9 AM refresh |
| Gauge Height | 3.28 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.04 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 53.8 F at Hale Eddy; 50 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Clear in the current September 6 local report |
| Trend | Falling at Hale Eddy; nearly stable near Stilesville |
| Best Window | Late afternoon into evening in clear, softer water |
| Best Method | Small dries for steady risers; wet flies and streamers along broken edges before the rise |
| Wadeability | Limited. Fish familiar edges and avoid lower-river crossings |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Hancock calls for patchy fog before 9 AM, then mostly sunny skies and a high near 72 F. North wind should hold near 5 mph. Tonight should be mostly clear near 49 F, with fog possible after 2 AM. The dry forecast favors continued clearing and recession through the day.
River Notes
Hale Eddy has fallen another 137 cfs since yesterday morning while Stilesville remains close to its prior level. The current local update confirms that clarity has returned and describes the West as suitable for both floating and wading. The upper West remains the coldest and most predictable section; below Oquaga Creek, judge current speed at each access before entering.
Begin with bank cushions, riffle margins, and sheltered slicks. Bright skies may hold the better surface activity until later, though flying ants can bring fish up during daylight. A sparse streamer or Isonychia wet fly is a useful searching option where residual stain remains. Shift to a long leader and low-profile dry only after locating a repeatable rise.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. A current September 6 Upper Delaware report supports Blue Winged Olives, flying ants, Hebes, sulphurs, tan caddis, Light Cahills, and Isonychias. Confirm the actual insect and rise form before choosing a pattern.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-24 | Look for small olives in shaded slicks and the late-day window |
| Flying Ant | 16-22 | Carry dark and cinnamon profiles for quiet banks |
| Hebe | 16-20 | Match carefully where fish take small afternoon mayflies |
| Light Cahill or late sulphur | 14-20 | Carry emergers and duns into the evening |
| Isonychia | 10-14 | Fish the nymph or wet through broken water before the dry-fly window |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | BWO Comparadun, CDC Olive, or olive emerger | 16-24 | Use for steady feeders in slick water |
| Dry | Flying Ant or Hebe dry | 16-22 | Present on a long leader along quiet banks and foam lines |
| Dry | Light Cahill, sulphur emerger, or Isonychia Parachute | 10-20 | Cover larger evening mayflies after identifying the rise |
| Wet | Isonychia Wet or Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail | 12-18 | Swing through riffle margins and soft transitions |
| Streamer | Olive, white, or black Woolly Bugger or sparse sculpin | 4-8 | Fish shaded banks and remaining stained seams |
Tactics
Check Hale Eddy and the first intended access before fishing. Work the near edge before stepping into the river, and do not assume improving flow makes every crossing safe. Search broken water with a wet fly or lightly weighted streamer, then move to sheltered slicks as insects appear. For visible risers, use a long leader, make the first drifts count, and match the insect rather than cycling through patterns without observing the water.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 776 cfs | 53.8 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 475 cfs | 50 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 clarity, hatch, method, release, and access context.