Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: September 13, 2026
The West Branch is rising and colored near 1,060 cfs at Hale Eddy after overnight storms, favoring streamers and cautious bank-side fishing once thunderstorms clear.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- rising
- Best window
- After storms clear through the afternoon
- Best methods
- streamers, nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch rose sharply after overnight storms. USGS showed 1,060 cfs, 3.77 feet, and 55.2 F at Hale Eddy during the morning check, while Stilesville remained near 491 cfs and 51.3 F. A current local report describes color and a continuing rise below Stilesville. Wait for thunderstorms to clear, then focus on streamers, nymphs, and wet flies from safe edges rather than forcing a crossing.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Cold water and useful color, but a fast overnight rise limits wading |
| Flow | 1,060 cfs at Hale Eddy; 491 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 3.77 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.06 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 55.2 F at Hale Eddy; 51.3 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Colored below tributaries; seasonal green reservoir tint upstream |
| Trend | Rising quickly at Hale Eddy; stable near Stilesville |
| Best Window | After storms clear through the afternoon |
| Best Method | Streamers, nymphs, and wet flies; small dries for established rises |
| Wadeability | Limited. Avoid crossings while the lower river is rising |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Hancock calls for showers and thunderstorms likely before noon, then partly sunny skies and a high near 77 F. Southwest wind should remain near 5 mph. More showers and thunderstorms are likely tonight. Leave the water at the first sound of thunder and recheck the Hale Eddy gauge before entering.
River Notes
Hale Eddy gained more than 400 cfs since Saturday morning while the upper tailwater at Stilesville held near 491 cfs. That difference points to overnight runoff entering between the gauges. The upper river remains cold and controlled, while the lower section carries more depth, speed, and color.
Start from the bank in cushions, inside bends, and softer seams with an olive or dark streamer. A compact Isonychia nymph, caddis pupa, or wet fly is a better controlled option where color makes a swung streamer difficult to track. Check tributary mouths and downstream clarity before choosing a section.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. Current local context supports Blue Winged Olives, sulphurs, tan caddis, Light Cahills, and Isonychia. Rain and cloud cover can bring olives into play, but the rising, colored lower river makes subsurface fishing the practical starting point.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18, with smaller olives possible | Watch slower margins after rain passes |
| Sulphur | 16-20 | Carry emergers and duns for observed feeders |
| Tan Caddis | 16-20 | Fish pupa and soft hackles through softer seams |
| Light Cahill | 14 | A searching dry where clarity permits |
| Isonychia | 12 | Nymphs and wets suit broken, rising water |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streamer | Olive or black Woolly Bugger | 6-10 | Search colored banks and inside seams |
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, or caddis pupa | 12-18 | Use enough weight to hold a controlled drift |
| Wet | Isonychia Wet or soft hackle | 12-18 | Swing through softer transitions |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 18-24 | Reserve for repeat feeders after the rain |
| Dry | Light Cahill or rusty spinner | 14-20 | Match observed insects in calmer water |
Tactics
Fish the near edge before considering any step into the river. Use a stout leader and a controlled streamer swing through cushions and inside bends, or shorten a nymph rig for softer seams. Do not cross the lower West Branch while the gauge is climbing. If the river begins to clear and fish rise after the storm, switch to one small dry and target a specific fish.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 1,060 cfs | 55.2 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 491 cfs | 51.3 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 13 local public conditions report reviewed separately for clarity, hatch, and method context.