Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: September 22, 2026
The West Branch is near 637 cfs at Hale Eddy with cold water, good access, and a calm, cloudy afternoon that may help small olives and larger searching dries.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Afternoon into evening for rising fish
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is near 637 cfs at Hale Eddy and 467 cfs at Stilesville, with morning USGS temperatures of 53.1 F and 51.3 F. Both gauges were steady through the latest readings, though Hale Eddy has eased from Monday's level. Nymphs and wet flies remain the dependable way to cover riffles and pocket water; the cloudy, light-wind afternoon may give anglers a useful window for small olives and occasional Isonychias, Hebes, or Light Cahills.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cold, manageable water and light wind support several methods |
| Flow | 637 cfs at Hale Eddy; 467 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 3.02 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.03 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 53.1 F at Hale Eddy; 51.3 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Green reservoir tint was reported Monday; verify at the river |
| Trend | Steady this morning after easing from Monday's level |
| Best Window | Afternoon into evening for rising fish |
| Best Method | Nymphs or wet flies; dries for observed rises |
| Wadeability | Good in familiar sections at the morning level |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Hancock calls for mostly cloudy skies, a high near 66 F, and east wind around 3 mph. Rain probability stays near zero. Tonight should remain mostly cloudy with a low near 42 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast zone at the morning check.
River Notes
Hale Eddy is down about 60 cfs from Monday morning while Stilesville remains close to its prior level. The latest local report for the Delaware system favors the West Branch for daytime nymphing and directs anglers toward faster water, riffles, and pockets. Monday's local river report described a green reservoir tint on the West Branch; treat that as recent context because same-morning clarity was not reported.
Fish the closest seam before wading toward the main channel. An Isonychia nymph with a smaller dropper can cover broken water without a bulky indicator rig. If trout begin rising repeatedly, identify whether they are taking a small olive or a larger mayfly before changing to a dry. The light wind should make long leaders and small patterns easier to manage.
Hatch Activity
The current local report supports Blue Winged Olives, Hebes, flying ants, Isonychias, and Light Cahills for late afternoon and evening. Larger Isonychia and Cahill dries can search riffles during quiet periods, but small olives are better reserved for visible feeding lanes.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Watch soft afternoon lanes under cloud cover |
| Hebe | 18-20 | Carry for late-afternoon and evening rises |
| Flying Ant | 16-20 | Use only after seeing ants or bank-side rises |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Nymphs suit broken water; dries can search riffles |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | A larger profile for observed mayflies or searching faster water |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, Frenchie, or caddis pupa | 12-18 | Drift the soft side of riffles and pocket-water seams |
| Wet | Isonychia Wet or soft hackle | 12-18 | Let the fly lift toward the bank at the end of the drift |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 18-22 | Present to repeat feeders in slow lanes |
| Dry | Light Cahill, Isonychia dry, or Rusty Spinner | 12-18 | Match the visible insect and rise form |
Tactics
Begin with a compact nymph rig or an Isonychia-and-dropper setup through riffle margins and pockets. Swing a soft hackle at the end of the drift. Change to a dry only after finding an established rise, and lengthen the leader for small olives in smooth water. The morning level supports wading in many familiar sections, but test every crossing and step back if depth, color, debris, or current speed changes.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 637 cfs | 53.1 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 467 cfs | 51.3 F | USGS 01425000 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS stations 01426500 and 01425000, plus the National Weather Service forecast and active alert feed for the Hancock, NY area. This report is an original Custom FlyBox summary based on current official gauge and weather data, with the September 22 local public conditions report reviewed separately for hatch and method context.