Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: September 14, 2026
The West Branch is falling near 889 cfs at Hale Eddy with cool water and some color, giving anglers a streamer window early and small-olive prospects later.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Early morning for streamers; afternoon for small olives
- Best methods
- streamers, nymphs, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is falling after the weekend rain and offers several useful options today. USGS showed 889 cfs, 3.48 feet, and 54.7 F at Hale Eddy during the morning check; Stilesville was 516 cfs, 8.09 feet, and 50.5 F. A current local report notes some remaining color and improving wading in selected sections. Start with streamers while light is low, then watch slow foam lines for small olives during the afternoon.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cool water, useful color, and a falling lower river provide several approaches |
| Flow | 889 cfs at Hale Eddy; 516 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 3.48 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.09 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 54.7 F at Hale Eddy; 50.5 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Some rain color below tributaries and a seasonal green reservoir tint upstream |
| Trend | Falling at Hale Eddy; stable to slightly rising near Stilesville |
| Best Window | Early morning for streamers; afternoon for small olives |
| Best Method | Streamers and nymphs early; small dries for established afternoon rises |
| Wadeability | Limited overall, with selected shallower sections available |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Hancock calls for sunshine, a high near 68 F, and northwest to north wind around 6 to 9 mph. No rain is expected. Bright afternoon light may confine surface feeding to shaded banks, slow foam, and areas where the river holds some color.
River Notes
Hale Eddy dropped about 170 cfs from Sunday morning while Stilesville remained close to 500 cfs. The lower river is therefore losing runoff and should gradually clear, while the upper tailwater remains cold and controlled. The morning difference between the gauges still warrants care at crossings below tributaries.
Use an olive or black streamer along shaded banks, inside bends, and softer edges before the sun gets high. Shift to an Isonychia nymph, Pheasant Tail, or caddis pupa when bright light reduces the streamer response. In the afternoon, inspect slow foam before changing to a small olive dry.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. Current local context supports Blue Winged Olives, sulphurs, tan caddis, Light Cahills, and Isonychia. Small olives are the most likely afternoon surface opportunity, while the larger Isonychia profile remains useful for searching broken water.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-22 | Check slow foam and shaded margins during the afternoon |
| Sulphur | 16-20 | Carry emergers and duns for isolated feeders |
| Tan Caddis | 16-20 | Fish pupa through riffles and softer seams |
| Light Cahill | 14 | A searching dry where the surface remains quiet |
| Isonychia | 12 | Nymphs and dries can cover broken water |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streamer | Olive or black Woolly Bugger | 6-10 | Work colored banks and inside seams early |
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, or caddis pupa | 12-18 | Use enough weight to hold the slower side of a seam |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 18-22 | Present to repeat feeders in slow foam |
| Dry | Light Cahill or rusty spinner | 14-20 | Match the observed insect rather than blind fishing flat water |
Tactics
Fish the near bank before stepping into the river. Cover low-light water with a controlled streamer, then shorten the rig and nymph the softer side of riffles as the sun strengthens. If small olives bring up repeat feeders, lengthen the leader and present one dry to one fish. Check depth and footing before any crossing because the lower river remains above the upper gauge flow.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 889 cfs | 54.7 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 516 cfs | 50.5 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 14 local public conditions reports reviewed separately for clarity, hatch, and method context.