Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: September 8, 2026
The West Branch is cold and settled near 679 cfs at Hale Eddy, with olives, ants, and larger mayflies supporting early and late fishing.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- First light and late afternoon into evening
- Best methods
- dry flies, wet flies, nymphs, streamers
Quick Summary
The West Branch remains in good shape. USGS showed 679 cfs, 3.10 feet, and 51.8 F at Hale Eddy during the morning check; Stilesville was near 491 cfs and 49.5 F. The current Upper Delaware report puts the Cannonsville release at 475 cfs and continues to support olives and flying ants, with Isonychias, Cahills, and Hebes also present. Bright sun favors streamers before direct light reaches the river, while nymphs and wet flies can cover the hours before fish begin rising.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cold, settled water supports several methods |
| Flow | 679 cfs at Hale Eddy; 491 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 3.10 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.06 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 51.8 F at Hale Eddy; 49.5 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Not reported in the September 8 local update |
| Trend | Falling at Hale Eddy; stable at Stilesville |
| Best Window | First light and late afternoon into evening |
| Best Method | Wet flies and nymphs before surface activity; dries for visible feeders; streamers outside the brightest hours |
| Wadeability | Limited. Familiar upper-river access is workable, but assess every crossing below tributaries |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Hancock calls for mostly sunny skies, a high near 78 F, and northwest wind at 0 to 3 mph. Tonight should be mostly cloudy near 57 F, with patchy fog possible after 2 AM. Light wind helps presentation, but direct sun may keep the most dependable surface activity close to shaded water and the evening window.
River Notes
Hale Eddy has fallen about 43 cfs since yesterday morning while Stilesville remains near 491 cfs. The Cannonsville release has increased to 475 cfs, helping hold cold water in the upper river while runoff below tributaries continues to ease. The current local report does not provide a clarity reading, so inspect the river before committing to a long crossing.
Start around riffle margins and bank cushions with an Isonychia wet or compact nymph rig. A sparse streamer can cover shaded banks early, but bright midday water calls for a careful approach and longer leader. During the afternoon, inspect slicks for ants and small olives before selecting a dry. Larger Cahill or Isonychia patterns can search broken water, especially near dusk.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. A current September 8 Upper Delaware report supports Blue Winged Olives, flying ants, Hebes, sulphurs, tan caddis, Light Cahills, and Isonychias. Confirm insect size and rise form on the water.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-24 | Watch shaded slicks and the late-day window |
| Flying Ant | 16-22 | Carry dark and cinnamon profiles for quiet banks and foam lines |
| Hebe | 16-20 | Match carefully when fish take small afternoon mayflies |
| Light Cahill or late sulphur | 14-20 | Carry emergers and low-riding duns into evening |
| Isonychia | 10-14 | Fish nymphs and wets through broken water before using a searching dry |
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 |
| Dry | Light Cahill or Isonychia Parachute | 10-16 | Search riffles or match larger evening mayflies |
| Wet | Isonychia Wet or Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail | 12-18 | Swing through riffle margins and soft transitions |
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, or caddis pupa | 10-18 | Keep the rig compact enough to control through broken water |
| Streamer | Olive, white, or black Woolly Bugger or sparse sculpin | 4-8 | Fish before direct sun reaches the bank or near dusk |
Tactics
Work the near edge before wading and do not assume every crossing is safe because the gauge has fallen. Start with a wet fly, nymph, or lightly weighted streamer in riffle margins and shaded banks. Under midday sun, concentrate on deeper seams and approach slick water from downstream. Change to a long leader and a single dry after finding a repeatable rise and identifying the insect.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 679 cfs | 51.8 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 491 cfs | 49.5 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 hatch, method, release, and access context.