Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: September 12, 2026
The West Branch is cold and easing near 617 cfs at Hale Eddy, with clouds building and a better chance for tiny olives before evening storms arrive.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon into evening
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, streamers, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch remains in good shape. USGS showed 617 cfs, 2.98 feet, and 51.6 F at Hale Eddy during the morning check; Stilesville held near 491 cfs and 49.8 F. The Cannonsville release remains 475 cfs, and a current local report notes the river's seasonal green tint. Fish nymphs, wet flies, or streamers until surface activity develops, then watch for tiny olives as clouds increase.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cold, controlled tailwater with several practical methods |
| Flow | 617 cfs at Hale Eddy; 491 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 2.98 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.06 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 51.6 F at Hale Eddy; 49.8 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Seasonal green reservoir tint; verify below tributaries |
| Trend | Falling slowly at both gauges |
| 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 giving way to partly sunny skies, a high near 76 F, and south wind at 2 to 6 mph. Increasing clouds could improve the olive window. Showers and thunderstorms are expected tonight, with three quarters to one inch of rain possible, so leave the water if thunder develops and recheck flows before fishing Sunday.
River Notes
Hale Eddy has dropped 36 cfs since Friday morning, while Stilesville is down 8 cfs. The steady 475 cfs Cannonsville release and gradual decline at both gauges point to controlled tailwater conditions. Cold water keeps the upper river fishable through the day, while partial sun still favors shaded banks and subsurface presentations until bugs bring fish up.
Start in riffle margins, bank cushions, and shaded seams with an Isonychia nymph, caddis pupa, or wet fly. The reservoir tint makes an olive or dark streamer useful along deeper edges. If clouds build and tiny olives appear, wait for a repeatable rise before changing to a small dry.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. The September 12 local update supports tiny olives during cloudier periods, along with Isonychia and Light Cahill searching dries. Its current list also includes dark Blue Winged Olives, sulphurs, tan caddis, Light Cahills, and Isonychia. Confirm the insect and rise form because larger dry-fly activity remains inconsistent.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18, with smaller olives possible | Watch slower foam lines as clouds increase |
| 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 as clouds increase |
| 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 tinted 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. Lengthen the leader and fish one dry to a specific trout once rises become consistent. Watch the sky this evening and leave exposed water at the first sound of thunder.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 617 cfs | 51.6 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 491 cfs | 49.8 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 the September 12 local public conditions report reviewed separately for hatch and method context.