Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: September 11, 2026
The West Branch is cold and easing near 653 cfs at Hale Eddy, with subsurface fishing through the bright hours and small olives or spinners worth watching for late.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon into evening
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch remains in good shape. USGS showed 653 cfs, 3.05 feet, and 52.0 F at Hale Eddy during the morning check; Stilesville held near 499 cfs and 50.0 F. A current local report puts the Cannonsville release at 475 cfs and confirms the river's green reservoir tint. Fish nymphs, wet flies, or a dark streamer through the bright part of the day, then watch slower foam lines for small olives as the sun drops.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cold, settled tailwater supports several methods |
| Flow | 653 cfs at Hale Eddy; 499 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 3.05 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.07 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 52.0 F at Hale Eddy; 50.0 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Recent local reports noted seasonal green reservoir color; verify below tributaries |
| Trend | Falling at Hale Eddy; stable at Stilesville |
| Best Window | Late afternoon into evening |
| Best Method | Nymphs, wet flies, and streamers before rises; small dries for visible feeders |
| Wadeability | Limited. Assess crossings and tributary color before committing |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Hancock calls for morning fog clearing by about 9 AM, followed by sun, a high near 74 F, and northwest wind at 3 to 7 mph. The cool start and light wind help, but direct midday sun still favors subsurface presentations and shaded banks. Saturday brings a late-day chance of showers and thunderstorms.
River Notes
Hale Eddy has dropped 26 cfs since Thursday's 9 AM report while Stilesville is unchanged. The current 475 cfs Cannonsville release and steady upper gauge show controlled tailwater conditions with the lower gauge settling. Cold water leaves the upper tailwater fishable throughout the day, although bright sun can make surface feeding less consistent.
Start in riffle margins, bank cushions, and shaded seams with an Isonychia nymph, caddis pupa, or wet fly. A dark or olive streamer remains useful where seasonal reservoir color persists. Wait for repeatable rises before changing to a small olive or spinner, and inspect the river below tributaries before crossing.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. The September 11 local update reports small olives in sunny afternoon foam lines and supports Isonychia and Light Cahill dries as searching patterns. Its current hatch list also includes dark Blue Winged Olives, sulphurs, tan caddis, Light Cahills, and Isonychia. Confirm the insect and rise form before changing flies because the larger dries have been inconsistent from day to day.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18, with smaller olives possible | Watch slower foam lines in the afternoon and toward evening |
| Sulphur | 16-20 | Carry emergers and duns, but wait for observed activity |
| Tan Caddis | 16-20 | Fish pupa or soft hackles before surface activity |
| Light Cahill | 14 | A larger searching dry for riffles and pocket water |
| Isonychia | 12 | Fish nymphs and wets through broken water or blind-cast a dry |
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 colored banks, cushions, and deeper seams |
Tactics
Work the near edge before wading. Keep nymph and wet-fly rigs compact enough to control the drift, or search green-tinted edges with a streamer. In the evening, lengthen the leader and fish one dry to a specific trout once rises become consistent. Recheck footing and depth at every crossing.
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 | 499 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 recent local public conditions reports reviewed separately for hatch and method context.