Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: September 9, 2026
The West Branch is cold and settled near 653 cfs at Hale Eddy, with clouds favoring olives and ants before thunderstorms arrive.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Cloudy afternoon into evening, outside thunderstorms
- Best methods
- dry flies, wet flies, nymphs, streamers
Quick Summary
The West Branch remains in good shape, with cold water and a modest drop at Hale Eddy. USGS showed 653 cfs, 3.05 feet, and 52.0 F at Hale Eddy during the morning check; Stilesville held near 491 cfs and 50.0 F. A current Upper Delaware report continues to support olives and flying ants, with Isonychias, Cahills, and Hebes also present. Cloud cover may move surface activity earlier, but leave the river immediately if thunder is heard.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cold, settled water and cloud cover support several methods |
| Flow | 653 cfs at Hale Eddy; 491 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 3.05 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.06 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 52.0 F at Hale Eddy; 50.0 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Not reported in the September 9 local update |
| Trend | Falling at Hale Eddy; stable at Stilesville |
| Best Window | Cloudy afternoon into evening, outside thunderstorms |
| Best Method | Wet flies and nymphs before rises; dries for visible feeders; streamers under low light |
| Wadeability | Limited. Assess every crossing below tributaries and exit before storms arrive |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Hancock calls for mostly cloudy skies, a high near 80 F, and south wind at 2 to 6 mph. Showers may develop after 1 PM, with a slight thunderstorm chance late in the afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms become likely tonight. The clouds and light wind are favorable for presentation, but lightning overrides the fishing window.
River Notes
Hale Eddy has fallen about 26 cfs since yesterday morning while Stilesville remains near 491 cfs. The reported Cannonsville release is 475 cfs, keeping the upper river cold and settled. Since the current local report does not provide a clarity reading, inspect the river before crossing or committing to a long float.
Begin with an Isonychia wet or compact nymph rig in riffle margins and bank cushions. Under the clouds, a sparse streamer can cover shaded banks and deeper seams. Watch slicks for ants and small olives before selecting a dry. Larger Cahill or Isonychia patterns can search broken water when no steady rises are visible.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. A current September 9 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 | Clouds may bring activity earlier than on a bright day |
| Flying Ant | 16-22 | Check 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 |
| Isonychia | 10-14 | Fish nymphs and wets through broken water |
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 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 | Use a compact rig in broken water |
| Streamer | Olive, white, or black Woolly Bugger or sparse sculpin | 4-8 | Cover shaded banks under low light |
Tactics
Work the near edge before wading. Start with a wet fly, nymph, or lightly weighted streamer in riffle margins and shaded banks. Change to a long leader and a single dry after finding a repeatable rise. Watch the sky, keep a quick route back to shore, and leave the water immediately if thunder is audible.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 653 cfs | 52.0 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 491 cfs | 50.0 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.