West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: September 10, 2026

Quick Summary

The West Branch remains in good shape, with cold water and only a modest morning rise. USGS showed 679 cfs, 3.10 feet, and 53.1 F at Hale Eddy during the 9 AM check; Stilesville held near 499 cfs and 50.2 F. A new September 10 local report describes greenish reservoir color, tiny olives, flying ants, a few Cahills, and Isonychia spinners near dark. The color adds a streamer option, while the calmer evening remains the better window for rising fish.

Conditions Snapshot

Field	Value
Status	Good. Cold, settled water supports several methods
Flow	679 cfs at Hale Eddy; 499 cfs at Stilesville
Gauge Height	3.10 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.07 feet at Stilesville
Water Temp	53.1 F at Hale Eddy; 50.2 F at Stilesville
Clarity	Greenish reservoir color reported on the West Branch
Trend	Rising slightly at both gauges
Best Window	Late afternoon into evening
Best Method	Nymphs, wet flies, and streamers before rises; dries for visible feeders
Wadeability	Limited. Assess crossings below tributaries before committing

Weather

The National Weather Service forecast for Hancock calls for patchy morning fog followed by mostly sunny skies, a high near 81 F, and northwest wind at 5 to 8 mph. Bright midday conditions favor subsurface work and shaded banks; the calmer evening is the better dry-fly window.

River Notes

Hale Eddy reached 679 cfs at the 9 AM refresh, while Stilesville remained near 499 cfs. Those are minor changes, and the upper tailwater remains cold. The current local report describes a greenish tint associated with reservoir turnover. That color can favor streamers, but anglers should still inspect tributary mouths and the river below them before wading.

Start in riffle margins, bank cushions, and shaded seams with an Isonychia nymph, caddis pupa, or wet fly. A dark or olive streamer is now a reasonable searching choice in the colored water. Watch quiet banks and foam lines for ants. In the evening, wait for a repeatable rise before changing to a small olive or spinner.

Hatch Activity

Official gauges do not report hatches. A September 10 local report supports very small Blue Winged Olives, flying ants, a few Light Cahills, and Isonychia spinners near dark, with caddis also available. Confirm insect size and rise form on the water.

Hatch	Size	Notes
Blue Winged Olive	20-26	Tiny olives were the main reported mayfly
Flying Ant	16-20	Check quiet banks and foam lines
Light Cahill	14-16	A larger searching dry for riffles and pocket water
Isonychia	12-14	Fish nymphs and wets through broken water; carry spinners for dark

Recommended Flies

Category	Fly	Size	Notes
Nymph	Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, or caddis pupa	12-18	Use a compact rig in riffle margins
Wet	Isonychia Wet or soft hackle	12-18	Swing through broken transitions toward the bank
Dry	BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive	20-26	Use for repeat feeders late in the day
Dry	Flying Ant, Light Cahill, or rusty spinner	14-20	Match the observed insect and water type
Streamer	Olive or black Woolly Bugger	6-10	Search green-tinted banks, cushions, and deeper seams

Tactics

Work the near edge before wading. Use nymphs, wet flies, or a streamer through midday, keeping the rig compact enough to control the drift. Search shaded riffle margins with a larger mayfly pattern, then lengthen the leader and fish one dry to a specific trout when rises become consistent. Recheck depth and footing at every crossing.

Gauge Links

Gauge	Flow	Temp	Link
WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY	679 cfs	53.1 F	USGS 01426500
WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY	499 cfs	50.2 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 and method context.