Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: September 20, 2026
The West Branch is near 632 cfs at Hale Eddy with cold water and good access, but steady rain makes the early window more predictable than later fishing.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Morning before runoff changes the river
- Best methods
- nymphs, streamers, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is near 632 cfs at Hale Eddy and 459 cfs at Stilesville, with morning USGS temperatures of 53.8 F and 51.6 F. The river remains at a useful level for wading and floating, and the reservoir tint gives streamers some cover. Rain is expected through much of the day, so fish the morning window and keep a live gauge open in case tributary runoff changes flow or clarity. Nymphs and streamers are the dependable starting methods, with small olives and larger September mayflies worth matching only when trout rise repeatedly.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Cold, manageable water is offset by rain and the chance of changing runoff |
| Flow | 632 cfs at Hale Eddy; 459 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 3.01 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.02 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 53.8 F at Hale Eddy; 51.6 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Green reservoir tint on the West Branch |
| Trend | Stable at the morning check |
| Best Window | Morning before runoff changes the river |
| Best Method | Nymphs or streamers; dries for established rises |
| Wadeability | Good in familiar sections at the morning level; reassess if the gauge rises |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Hancock calls for rain, a high near 63 F, and southeast wind from 1 to 7 mph. Rainfall of one-quarter to one-half inch is possible. No active NWS alert covered the forecast zone at the morning check, but rainfall can still raise tributaries and alter crossings before the controlled upper release responds.
River Notes
Hale Eddy is close to Saturday's level, while Stilesville is down slightly. The current local river report lists the Cannonsville release near 475 cfs and describes the West Branch as suitable for both wading and floating before any rain-related bump. It also supports nymphing as a productive method, with streamers useful during the darker parts of the day.
Fish a compact nymph rig along riffle seams and the softer margins of the main current. The green reservoir tint is different from muddy tributary runoff and can help a dark or olive streamer disappear between strips. If the river turns brown, carries debris, or begins rising quickly, step out and reassess rather than relying on the morning wading call.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. The September 20 local report supports small dark Blue Winged Olives, tan caddis, Light Cahills, Isonychias, and some remaining sulphurs. Rain and cloud may improve olive activity, but match insects actually present because recent hatching has varied by section.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | Watch slower margins during rain and cloud cover |
| Tan Caddis | 16-20 | Fish pupa through riffle seams before surface activity |
| Light Cahill | 14 | A larger profile for isolated rises |
| Isonychia | 12 | Nymphs and dries can cover riffles and pocket water |
| Sulphur | 16-20 | Remaining activity is likely localized |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, or caddis pupa | 12-18 | Drift the softer side of riffle seams |
| Streamer | Olive or black Woolly Bugger | 6-10 | Work shaded banks and deeper slots in stained light |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 16-20 | Present only to repeat feeders |
| Dry | Light Cahill or Isonychia dry | 12-14 | Use when a larger mayfly is visible |
Tactics
Fish the edge before stepping into the channel. Begin with nymphs or a streamer, then change to a dry only after a trout shows more than once in the same lane. Check the Hale Eddy gauge during the day. Leave a crossing if depth, color, current speed, or debris begins changing, even if the morning reading looked comfortable.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 632 cfs | 53.8 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 459 cfs | 51.6 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 20 local public conditions report reviewed separately for release, clarity, hatch, and method context.